Yearn to Wander

Gillson Park Beach, Wilmette

Our walks through forest preserves and parks are always different.

San Miguel River Canyon

After a delightful month of hiking around the red rocks near Sedona, Arizona, we spent another wonderful week crossing the US to Chicago.

Black-tailed Jack Rabbit

Woods Canyon Trail was different from any other hike I've taken in the Sedona area.

Little Horse Trailhead and Courthouse Butte

Prickly Pear Cacti, among other cacti, have been starting to bloom, so the Little Horse Trail seemed a likely possibility to find some for pictures. Success! In three miles, a few Prickly Pear and several Beehive Cacti were blooming. Add to that, a few lizards and birds watched as I passed by, and the views of Bell Rock, Chicken Point, and Courthouse Butte were all spectacular late in the day. Even the 'four o'clocks' had blossomed by the time I finished. A cap on the afternoon was a brief stop by the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Green Heron, f

Mulberries galore brought songbirds: Bullock's Oriole, White-crowned Sparrows, Towhees, Phainopepla, and others. After checking out the birds for a couple hours, the Red Rock Loop at sunset capped a lovely evening.