Today is President’s Day. All I know is mom has the day off, and that makes me happy! Dad took off for the holiday weekend to overland with friends, and Mom’s friend, Mary Horlock, came to visit. She came from Boulder City, NV for a few days. Good thing she had a very small carry-on bag or she would have tried to sneak Mowgli home with her. Ha! She was game for walks in the park. Awoof!
Mary flew home last night, so we had a leisure morning. Once we woke up, we headed over to 7th Avenue and Carefree Highway for a hike at the Desert Hills trailhead (705 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix AZ 85085). Our favorite trail is only about 1.5 miles, but we always enjoy it.
At the “T” after the restrooms, we turn left on the Sidewinder (S) trail and go to the road and turn right. The pavement is a service road to the cell tower on top of the hill. It’s a pretty good climb up. I was moving slow and sniffing every bush, but Mom didn’t mind because the wildflowers are starting. She just loves taking pictures of them. I am not good at math, but I am pretty sure she has heaps, gobs, and oodles of them…not as many as she has of me, though.
Right before you get to the tower, you’ll see a left turn onto the dirt trail. It’s a connector that brings you to 
the Sidewinder trail. You’ll hike down a curve and will need to go to the right. Note and caution: If you go to the left here, you will be on a five-mile loop. It is beautiful, but you must ensure you have plenty of water as it takes a while to hike it. Pay attention to the tower on the hill as you are hiking around it, not away from it.
The orange poppies are all over the place with a few yellows. We suspect in two weeks the yellows will consume hillsides. All the plants are extremely green, and the ground that is usually brown dirt is lush green with grass. Spring in Arizona is awesome, and it is just beginning.
As always, watch out for bikers. Mom brings me to the side and stands between me and the trail to protect me. I don’t hear as good, so I trust her to keep an eye out for me. We met some very friendly humans and nice doggos. One human was carrying his kid in a backpack. What a way to travel! As long as I can go, I want to, but I may need one of those someday. Wouldn’t that be a sight?
While you are on the trail opposite side of the parking lot, you’ll see all the housing going in. Man, we are growing too fast! This trail used to be very quiet, but we now hear traffic on both sides. Follow the trail around the tower, and then it heads down and to the right back to the parking lot.
I lead the way on the second half, and before we knew it, we were back to the car. Mom has to lift me in these days, and I become a flying Shiba. We work with what we have! We encourage you to get out and see the wildflowers. They are going to be something this year.
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
Ginger Stahl says
Kuma, I remember having to lift my dog into the car when he was getting older. It’s part of life – for both humans and dogs and cats. That’s why we do things (like you do with your family) to enjoy life as much as you can. Keep hiking and sniffing and enjoy playing with Mowgli!!! Love!