Calming beauty of a desert sunrise
We have seen some fabulous country since we began this nomadic RV adventure and many times we find ourselves asking “could we live here”? The west is where we feel the greatest pull, from the sandy beaches in So Cal, to the mountains in the Eastern Sierras, to the rugged Oregon coastline, we seemed to fall in love with the land around every turn.
Driving across the deserts of Arizona, looking out over the layers of craggy peaks, spiky cacti and the vast open spaces, I felt a strange pull, oddly comforted, like I had come home. Having lived in Arizona for 20+ years I wondered, when we leave an area we have loved, does a little piece of our soul remain, to be reconnected with us upon our return? This is exactly how I felt. Looking across the great expanse of desert, I felt I could hear the whispers of our native ancestors welcoming me back. The hawks circling overhead seemed to be guiding us towards our destination, Cave Creek Regional Park.
Me and my shadow on the Go John trail
Spiky ocotillo in her winter wear
Barrel cactus with its menacing fish-hook needles
Stately saguaro, home to the cactus wren
I could hardly wait for the next morning’s sunrise, wondering how I would feel as I walked alone in the desert. Out the door before the break of dawn, complete silence enveloped me, the air punctuated only by the trilling of songbirds and the distinctive sound of the desert quail, which will forever remind me of our home in Sedona. Bunnies merrily chased one another and the stately saguaro, barrel, teddy-bear, and ocotillo cacti seemed to quietly nod their welcome as I passed by. The scent of desert sage wafted over me as I inhaled deeply. In the early morning splendor of the desert, all manner of creature was awakening for the day. I walked back to the RV, a deep sense of contentment filling me, as the thought of sunny days hiking deep into the desert mountains filled my thoughts.
A desert awakening at Cave Creek Regional Park
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I would love to smell that early morning air. And I bet the views at night with no lights are .. hehehe … astronomical.
Great word for it Alastair. The air in the desert morn smells so clean and no lights at night is just dreamy! Now the desert in the summer is another story.
I’ll bet. So hot.
Wow, you summed that up beautifully. I’m not sure what it is about this place, but we feel at ‘home’ as well. I know we will leave reluctantly as we did last time. Great photos!
Thanks Ingrid! See you next week!
Beautiful! We love that area! –Linda
Isn’t it wonderful?
LuAnn, we camped at Cave Creek, I believe back in 2009, I remember falling in love with the park. Your beautiful words capture the essence of this area so well! I did get out my telescope while there – love the clear and dark skies. While we were there we went to a ranger talk on Bats. I am kinda fascinated by them; the talk was excellent!! Enjoy your stay!!
A telescope would be fabulous to have out here! I am going to the Nature Center next week and will see if they still do talks on bats. Thanks!
You are a wonderful writer, LuAnn…. I not only enjoyed ‘what’ you had written (the mental images were lovely) I also enjoyed ‘how’ it was written…
10 points on both scores…. A lovely post, indeed…
Coming from someone who has such a way with words, I am blushing over here. Thank you!
We stayed there our first year out and loved it. It is still one of my favorite parks. Isn’t it great to be out there traveling again?
We love San Diego but it is difficult to sit for long (as you know) when you have that wandering spirit. Safe travels to you and John.
a lovely description..amazing
Thanks
You brought back so many memories….thank you. Paul and I, also, love the desert. The quiet beauty takes my breath away.
I love it so in the early morning.
Beautiful LuAnn! I know what you mean about that pull to a special place you lived. I’ve felt it a lot too. Arizona is special to me as well since my parents have lived there since the early 90s and I’ve spent a lot of time there. There is something about the desert that I love. Where is this park?
If you know where Cave Creek and Carefree are, it is off of I-17 and Carefree Hwy.
Is it far from Tucson? Or maybe I’m totally off where it is. Looks gorgeous though!
It is one of the northern Phoenix burbs.
Ok…next time I’m that way I’ll have to check it out!
Hi LuAnn, I can almost hear the echo of the Sounds of Silence. The sounds are so beautiful. I can related to your sentiment, as Rockies come to my dream quite often…
The Rockies are certainly another special place.
I enjoy sounds of silence. If you listen carefully – you can hear them whispering though
Nice images!
Yes you can RoSy…thanks!
I’m really unfamiliar with that area of the country, but you make me want to spend some time there.
I think the desert is beautiful, except for maybe during the heat of the summer. Thanks!
Lovely post, LuAnn. Those sunrises are so amazing. I can hear the silence and feel the stillness as I read your words and look at your splendid photos.
Thanks AD.
Wonderful shots!!! Sunrise picture are amazing!!!
Thanks Rexlin
LuAnn, as always your text is superb … but your photos are awesome.
Thanks Devon.
What an evocative piece! Great shots as always, and the sights and smells are almost palpable! Thank you Luann
Thanks Madhu. The desert in winter is wonderful; not so much in summer!
This makes me long for a desert sunrise of my own! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Lauren. The desert is beautiful this time of year.
We love Cave Creek, it is indeed one of the best state park in AZ. Beautiful pictures too to capture the silence and surrounding beauty.
Thanks! We seem to be a few weeks behind the two of you.
What a fun place this looks. My husband and I were riding bikes through a cactus garden yesterday…I yell out to him…don’t fall over☺
Words of wisdom
My husband and I were hiking in the Superstition Mtns outside Phoenix several years ago and he stumbled and fell into a teddy-bear cholla forest…not a pretty sight. 
I’m so glad I had met you up close and personal, and get to hear personally a lot of things you mentioned here.
No longer we have to wonder what we sounded like after all the soundless words we wrote in our blogs. 
You know what really surprises me more now. You get a handy-dandy little camera and get the same quality pictures when I have to appear like the usual tourist every time I go places. 
Edit pls…. like (erase your) the usual tourist…
Will do.
I too am so glad I got the opportunity to meet you. My camera, for being a point-and-shoot, is not too shabby but I have to admit that since I saw what you use, I have been pricing it out and reading more about it. I may just find myself with one someday.
LuAnn, how beautiful your descriptions, so rich with detail and feeling, I felt like I was there with you. One of your photographs really captured my eye, not sure why but the Spiky ocotillo just looked gorgeous to my artist’s eye! Great post my friend!
xx
Thanks Penny
Hi there. It looks like you are close by. Will we be able to see you prior to you leaving the area? I love that area. We do Church in the Desert every year there. I believe we will be there in March this year.
Absolutely. We dropped off our RV and went to Sedona for a couple of days but are back as of today. We have to head back to Sedona on Saturday for a few days but will be in the area until the end of the month. I will give you a call and let’s coordinate getting together.
Love the feeling of contentment, I actually did a sigh of happiness. You make the best things in life seem understated, I love that. You highlight the simple things that should be a joy to us all. It would have been amazing to experience first hand.
Thanks much Ste J. I so appreciate your comments.
your postovi have something to always come back 2 times thank you for the wonderful photos and story. You are brilliant. Have a nice day
Thanks Stefan.
Years ago, I attended a conference in San Diego. I had a bit of time on my hands and rented a car and drove out to the desert. It was my first real desert experience, and I came away with two distinct memories … the ocotillo cactus and the complete silence. On that day, I discovered that total silence is a rarity and it takes a bit of getting used to. I didn’t experience it again until living in Sudan. I was about as far in the boonies as one can get in the Sahara, it was 127 degrees (literally) and totally silent. Thanks for reminding me.
My pleasure. I am so glad to have found your blog. I am looking forward to going back and reading some of your older posts. You have had quite the grand adventure it seems.
So beautiful…just found your blog and really, what a fabulous adventure you are on! I love your amazing photos.
Thanks so much for visiting Ameena. I will now be stopping by your blog.
I am always enjoying adventures through you, your wonderful words and pictures. A part of me too will always remain in the SW, the deserts have a beauty that not everyone can appreciate, it is a harsh land, yet there is something soothing there too.
You have nailed it Ardythe. I don’t enjoy the desert in summer but the remaining seasons are stunning. Hope all is well with you and Chris.