I wasn't sure if I'd be staying just for the day or settling in for a couple of days, so I packed a tent just in case. I really had no idea what to expect so I kept my options open...I had a change of clothes, blankets, a lighter and fire starters (I stuff a toilet paper tube with dryer lint and it works like a charm), hiking gear, snacks, chair, tent...I was prepared for anything.
I drove up Oak Creek Canyon, stopping for a juicy burger and milkshake along the way, and had no trouble at all finding the Forest Service road at the top of the switchbacks that led to my mysterious destination. Miraculously, I had a cell signal for most of the drive in, so finding my spots wasn't too difficult at all. The road however, was horrible...and I mean horrible. There were ruts almost a foot deep and soaking in deep mud. Many of the roads were closely lined with trees, so maneuvering around the danger zones proved a challenge. I wasn't entirely sure that I wouldn't be stuck there for days. The scenery, however, was pretty great. I saw a bobcat and dozens of deer...and the fresh bright undergrowth was the perfect juxtaposition to the charred pine trees that were left standing after the Slide Fire last summer.
I did (of course) make a few wrong turns, but ultimately followed my intuition and read the scenery until I found just what I was looking for...this view.
I knew immediately that I was going to be spending the night there...it was too beautiful and too peaceful and there was too much to explore. I set up camp, had a snack, got my campfire started and settled in with a book while I still had daylight.
After a pretty rough night's sleep (the full blood moon was basically the equivalent of a 60 watt light bulb shining directly into my tent all night long), I awoke to this.
