In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. -John Muir
It was windy this morning. A cactus wren was screeching complaints from a saguaro boot, the doves seem to be cooing, relax, it is all good, and the quails were just warning each other I had returned.
Meanwhile, my hair flew around my face in laughter.
It is always different.
I have been hiking to sunrise at Deem Hills since October. It is not your typical hike in the woods. It is what I call a city hike, or what my grandkids call Gramma’s Mountain.
I have walked at least 75 days, and who know how many miles. It doesn’t matter. For me it is about getting outside on my hill, to start my day. Everything else is extra. That includes the detours around coyote packs, embracing the rain, nervous lizards, and those sunrises.
Company? Sometimes it is family or friends, and sometimes it comes in the form of hot air balloons,
Or the neighborly wildlife.
In another month, the desert heat (and the snakes) will drive us north. Today we just appreciate that Spring has sprung.
And we hike home.
Wind Kisses, Donna
Inspired by: RDP: versatile
Wind Kisses 
😊😊
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What an adorable chipmunk. He’s talking to you. Your hike looks invigorating to me. And 75 days – that’s awesome. You go girl. Are you moving north? Prescott, maybe?
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No, no. We just can’t hike down in the Valley in the summer. We go north for that. I imagine we can catch up for lunch over the summer months up by you.
Thank you. I live that little guy.
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That sounds good. Not quite as good as you living here, though! LOL
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Oh… big hugs.
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I love that you have Your Hill, and that you claim Your Day …. I love these peeks through your (and your hiking companion’s) view-finder. Such a lovely respite in the city, where your “hair flew around my face in laughter”.
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Thank you ju-lyn. Lucky to live so close to this place.
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Congrats on 75 days in a row and maybe also congrats on not keeping track!
There can be a freedom in that!
And there is fred in embracing the rain and other detours
Love the opening photo with the Sunset on the smart phone –
Such a wonderful photo for the double view but also the hand and mood and then even the grid being on your phone reminds us that was there to help composition
!
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Thank you. Not in a row. Lol. But diligence since October.
I think embracing the challenges ( in life) make us better/ stronger. Hiking can be symbolic of that. Many things can.
I love the photo on the cell and have used it before. I love your comments. Thank you for taking time to look closer, as I hike…again. Donna
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Well 75 walks is still great even if not right in a row
Need some recovery and rest days
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I also love the shot of the phone taking a photo, but of course I love all the shots, especially the sunrise. I wish my hike were as lovely. Walking along the canal just isn’t the same. 🙂 But it gets me out and moving. The way you feel about “your” hill is how I felt about “my” park in Illinois and I had just as grand surroundings although obviously very different. I”d love to come walk with you one morning although I see it would take me about an hour to get there. 😦 I love how close to the balloons you got.
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It would be great to have you join. Yes… a long drive in rush hour. The McDowells are probably a half way point. Gateway Trail is nice to see above the city.
I really feel so lucky to have found this place to live. I often think back to when our life began together. Who knew we would end up here?
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Who knew we’d end up here after starting in Ohio for all those years ago? 🙂
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That is awesome! That beautiful mountain is within walking distance of home? I would love that. Although I have a pretty nice walking path along the wash at the end of my road (a few houses down). I guess I have it pretty good.😊 But I still like your mountain!
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Thank you. Feel so lucky to be here.
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You are one great walker! I was in younger days too…but life takes its turns. Love the opener with the phone – a keeper. Love it that you have Gramma’s Mountain, and sweet little critters and wild flowers around you ♥
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It was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t know the hill was even hikable when we moved in.
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I love that kind of surprises!
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I love that you have your own Gramma’s Mountain, Donna! How precious is that? What spectacular views as well! There is nothing like a hike in nature while our hair flies around our face in laughter! Perfect!
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How great that you have your own special place like this and you’re able to hike it in all conditions and see something different each time!
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Beautiful photos of a peaceful morning walk ….
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Thank you. Almost every day.
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Donna, I love your mountain. Is that in Phoenix? 😊
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Yes, but north of the 101 . Called Deem Hills.
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Nice! My hubby would like to move to Arizona after retiring but we are tossing between a couple other states as well. Time will tell. 😉
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Yes, you will figure it out in time. I’ll look forward to seeing where you end up. We traveled the country for two years and lived in Yellowstone for part of it. We had certain, necessary check marks to making a final move possible/desirable. One was even, within driving distant of an airport. We love Arizona. We do miss the ocean, so we make sure that is something we do a few times a year. Donna
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Living in Yellowstone must have been wonderful. 😊
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It was truly a once in a lifetime.
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You’re in the Phoenix area, right? This is delightful – I love the variety. We’ll be in southern Utah in a little over a week, taking a red rock road trip. 🙂
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Yes. North Phoenix. It’s a great time to visit southern utah. Enjoy that visit. Then again, always beautiful there, whenever you go. Will you have an agenda, or just move along ? Excited for YOU! We will be wandering around Nevada. A trip that we had to cancel a few weeks ago.
I’ll look forward to seeing your adventures. Donna
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Thank you.🤗
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