After dropping Chris and her husband Pat at the Tucson airport, I headed to Catalina State Park at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Closest town being Oro Valley or Catalina.
Stark mountains and minimal vegetation are beginning to have a certain beauty. Although the ‘campground’ is parking-lot style here at Catalina State Park, the surrounding miles of trails make the stay worthwhile. Hiking in the cooler hours with fewer hikers on the trails, parking during the heat of the day in shaded picnic spots, and sleeping in Lulu in the ‘parking lot’ works fine.
The second evening I pulled into my spot next to an older couple. Amazing what a few simple questions can uncover. After testing the waters as to whether I desired further inquiry and discussion, I did, and found these folks to be golden. Russell Cahill and his wife, Narda Piece are from Olympia. They have traveled extensively since retirement. Russ’s profession was with the National Parks, specifically in Hawa’ii, Yosemite, Glacier Bay and Katmai. He is an understated storyteller and she had plenty of ideas on points of interest in Arizona based on my curiosity for culture, history and natural history. The evening was cut short due to the hour. But a soft knock on Lulu’s door a bit later had Russ with a gift. It was a book he had written: Tales from the Parks. It looks to be an informative yet entertaining, and easy reading. It’s next in my queue of books to read.
I am overjoyed and humbled by this gesture. Most interactions are short and pleasant, as I like them. And there are some that could go on for hours, or leave me wanting.
These are the encounters to hold and savor.