October, 2006

Originally uploaded by evancparker.

This photo set is kind of a hodgepodge of what was left after Patagonia and Parker Canyon were removed.

Early snaps were of the stretches of Coronado National Forest between Tucson and Parker Canyon, later snaps were from the road between Patagonia and Nogales. We did catch a stunning sunset right on the outskirts of town.

On the way back to Tucson, I got caught in yet another Border Patrol checkpoint. The agent stopped us, looked at me oddly for a couple seconds … I finally said “Hello,” he asked if I was a citizen, and then told me to move along before I responded.

I wonder if maybe some of these resources should be reallocated to something like murder or domestic violence or something.

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Road to Nogales, Arizona

Originally uploaded by evancparker.

Last day in Arizona, and I was determined to not have any bad wildlife experience between me and the plane home.

The initial thought was to drive down to the Mexican border, stopping at a Nature Conservancy preserve along the way. Through the first part of the trip, however, we were innundated with signs for an Arizona State Park called “Parker Canyon.”

Feeling a bit of familial loyalty, we took a detour and wandered around the *completely* empty state park.

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Parker Canyon, Arizona

Originally uploaded by evancparker.

After yesterday’s rattlesnake excitement, we opted for a day of staying in the comfy steel confines of our rental car.

I had heard good (if touristy) things about Sabino Canyon and the sound of a tram car between myself and Mother Nature sounded like a pretty ameniable idea to me. Unfortunately, Sabino Canyon sustained pretty severe flooding the past season and was largely closed.

Thanks to the wonders of the interweb, I tripped on the Sky Islands Parkway which covers 27 miles in one of Coronado National Forest’s northern most pretected spaces. What an unbelievably lucky discovery.

To some extent, it was standard “parkway” setup … not too dissimilar from Skyline Drive or the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, the scenery was just stunning and unlike anything on the East Coast. Easily the best drive of the trip so far … and nary a poisonous snake in sight.

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Coronado National Forest, Arizona