I can't believe that it's been a whole year since my last pilgrimage to the Chiricahua National Monument! It's flown by - full of amazing trips with amazing people. When Sirena suggested this hike for our weekday adventure, well, I jumped at the chance. Nothing I like as well as showing off my favorite places to a truly appreciative initiate.

We made it in time to be the only passengers on the hiker shuttle to the top of the hill. Overcast skies and thick, heavy air made photography less exciting on the upper parts of the trails, though it kept temperatures down and didn't really make the rock spires and grottoes any less spectacular. By the time we made it around to Inspiration Point, the skies cleared to crystal-blue-with-white-and-gray-puffies, and the real fun began. Weather on the Heart of Rocks loop was perfect - with the sun playing peek-a-boo with us, and dark, menacing clouds dotting the horizon.

Far too soon we made it back to the car waiting patiently at the Visitor Center parking area. I had a baseball game I needed to attend back in Tucson, but we still had plenty of time for french fries and a coke on our way back to I-10.

It was so exciting to finally get to hike with Sirena, and once again and honor and a pleasure to share this most magical of places with a kindred spirit. Life is - in a word - good.