We Like to Hike and Bike

 Yes, there is more to camping than cooking and eating!  Somehow, we managed to get rid of the excess calories by riding our bikes or hiking on some of the various trails located within Catalina State Park. One of our favorite biking trails is right across from the campground.  It runs north and south along the Canada del Oro River.

Don and Doris are ahead of me.  On the left is the dry riverbed and on the left is Oro Valley Marketplace.

As we headed north the paved trail turned into gravel.  This stretch was ridden only by Doris and me since Don had pulled his back the day before.  

The first Wednesday we were there, Jim, Shelley, Allen, Doris and I hiked the Romero Ruins trail. Rain was predicted in the afternoon, but the sun was out during the time we were walking.

The trail took us across the wash and up the steps in order to reach the ruins.

Beyond the cholla cactus is a view of our campground with the Tortolita Mountains in the distance.

This huge old saguaro cactus is situated amongst the ruins.  These type of cacti are only found in the Sonoran Desert located in Arizona and northern Mexico.  They are extremely slow growing and a 10 year old saguaro may be only 15 inches tall.  I wonder how old this one is.  It surely has lived through a lot of changes during it's lifetime.

The next week included a hike on the 50 year trail that starts in the park.  It isn't far from the campground stables where Jerry found a new friend.

"Uh, Jerry, a little higher up, please."

"Jerry, come back, I'm not done enjoying your scratches yet!"

I digress, got caught up with horsey pictures.  Anyhoo....back to the 50 year trail.that starts by the stables.

It yielded a nice view of the campground and the Catalinas.  It was a perfect day for hiking.

Jerry and I did a 2 mile round trip but Jim, Shelley and Doris continued on to the gate that marks the state park boundary.  I guess the big thing to do is rattle the gate once you get to it.

This was done to the tune of "Shake, Rattle and Roll"!  Just kidding.  Those two sure know how to make a racket.