Positively 4th Avenue

The Ocotillo burn candle flames at their tips, in the Sonoran desert. Our hike in Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson, took us from the sandy desert floor up, up and away into Romero Canyon. Given the name, I really expected to be met with the Zombie Apocalypse.  And me in my Five Finger Shoes. And no Katana...

I shambled my own self up the rocky climb, and despite being chased down by Dutchmen (I am NOT making this up), Greg and I were rewarded with water from the stone.

That from just above the Romero Pools, no ravenous undead in sight.  We did, however, have the terrifying Dutch on our trail, and they caught us at the parking lot.

Tucson itself, back to the south, does not generate such sentiment in the harsh midday light.  From the low slung houses of the barrio to the graffiti on the abandoned car washes, from the endless bleached khaki strip malls to a ripped up for repairs downtown, it seems tired and sunburned. How many shades of beige are there?
But we refueled at Medusa Kabob House on 4th Avenue, still open though empty due to construction. The businesses are worried, but Tucson is betting on downtown renovation in the long run.

Our kabobs are being flamed in the back, delicious. And we'd seen the future last night at The Hub, a hip downtown eatery with great meat AND great ice cream. It's okay, my old friend Rick was our host, and he's a cardiologist. The Playground, a hip spot in anybody's town, is right next door.

Tucson dresses up and comes out as the sun sinks low, the ecru and tan begin to glow coral, rose, and a neon blush rises on the land. Maybe there's more promise in the desert at night. Future cool, hip on the horizon. Let's see what sunrise brings.