This is part sixteen in a series of posts about my visit through parts of Arizona and Utah in September 2019.
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)
(Click words that are bolded for more information.)
Papago Park in Phoenix
This is the last in this year long series of blog posts about my trip through Utah and Arizona in September 2019. It is fitting that this final post should be written on the 24th because one year ago today, our tour ended. If you have taken a mini tour by reading these sixteen blog posts, thank you! I hope you have enjoyed the photos and narrative.
We spent our final day in Phoenix, mostly in Papago Park, which is also home to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden, which is where we began at the beginning of this journey. Papago Park has numerous red rock buttes that rise dramatically from the Sonoran desert and make a striking contrast against the brilliant blue sky so typical of the American West. One particular butte has a really big hole in it and is aptly named Hole in a Rock. It is a popular spot from which to view the surrounding area.
Hole in a Rock
Apparently this big rock played a significant role in the lives of the Native American Hohokam who lived in the area from 200 - 1400 AD. The Hohokam people built an extensive irrigation system of canals that diverted water from the Gila and Salt Rivers in order to grow crops of corn, squash, beans, and cotton. Like other ancient people groups, they knew how to read the night sky, and they followed the natural cycles of the the seasons by noting the phases of the moon and movement of the sun in relation to local landmarks. For this purpose, the Hohokam used a smaller hole in this butte to mark the movement of the sun throughout the year, noting the summer and winter solstice and the spring and autumn equinox. They marked the position of the sun's rays as it shone through the small hole.
The other side of Hole in a Rock
The summer solstice is the day with the most hours of daylight, and the winter solstice is the day with the least hours of daylight. The spring and autumn equinox are the two days in the year when the hours of daylight and darkness are equal because the sun is directly above the equator for a moment in time. That time will vary depending upon the time zone. In 2019, the autumn equinox was at 12:50 am Mountain Time on September 23, so we could not have observed the sun's rays through the hole since it was during the night. As it was, we missed it by a couple days anyways. Still, I caught a sun star while we were there during the late morning hours.
Sun star at Hole in a Rock
From the big hole, we enjoyed the view of downtown Phoenix in the distance, the lagoons located in the adjacent Phoenix zoo, and the beautiful desert landscape surrounding Hole in a Rock.
Downtown Phoenix
Overlooking the Phoenix Zoo
Red buttes of Papago Park
We gazed at tall saquaros and stumpy barrel cactus, desert flowers, big red rocks, and green Palo Verde trees. Oh, that green, the lime green of the Palo Verde trees!
Saquaro cactus, palm trees, and Palo Verde trees
Barrel cactus blooms
Desert greens
Who would have thought that a desert could be so green? Having spent much of my younger years living in the Sonoran Desert, I always love returning to the desert, and this trip was memorable. The tour we took in September 2019 took me beyond the Sonoran Desert to other parts of Arizona and Utah. The beauty of creation is everywhere, and my heart sings for joy at the astonishing work of my Creator's hands. From the desert to canyons, rivers and lakes, the magnificent scenery of the American West will always call me back, and I long to return someday.
A towering century plant as its flowers begin to fade
And so concludes this year long series of posts that recounted our tour though numerous National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, and other sites of interest. Thank you for joining me!
~ Debbie
~ Debbie
If you missed the earlier stops, follow the links and enjoy the view.
First stop - Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden here.
Second stop - Montezuma's Castle here.
Third stop - Sedona here.
Fourth stop - The Grand Canyon here.
Fifth stop - The Desert Watch Tower here.
Sixth stop - Glen Canyon and Lake Powell here.
Seventh stop - Zion National Park here.
Eighth stop - Between canyons here.
Ninth stop - Bryce Canyon here.
Tenth stop - Utah's Scenic Byway 12 here.
Eleventh stop - Ancient Petroglyphs here.
Twelfth stop - Goblin Valley State Park here.
Thirteenth stop - Arches National Park here.
Fourteenth stop - Moab, Utah here.
Fifteenth stop - Monument Valley here.
First stop - Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden here.
Second stop - Montezuma's Castle here.
Third stop - Sedona here.
Fourth stop - The Grand Canyon here.
Fifth stop - The Desert Watch Tower here.
Sixth stop - Glen Canyon and Lake Powell here.
Seventh stop - Zion National Park here.
Eighth stop - Between canyons here.
Ninth stop - Bryce Canyon here.
Tenth stop - Utah's Scenic Byway 12 here.
Eleventh stop - Ancient Petroglyphs here.
Twelfth stop - Goblin Valley State Park here.
Thirteenth stop - Arches National Park here.
Fourteenth stop - Moab, Utah here.
Fifteenth stop - Monument Valley here.
