Political turmoil grips our nation. At times it feels as if the very fabric of our nation is being ripped apart at the seems. It feels as if our government is in chaos and our people are choosing sides in a battle. Sometimes brother against brother and mother against daughter, old friends divided, I often wonder how this will resolve. Resolve it must and resolve it will. At some point our nation will come back together. This, I believe.
So, there it was. The January Wolf Blood Moon Eclipse. Named so because it occurred in January (Wolf Moon) and it was an eclipse when the moon was projected to be 15% larger than a normal full moon (Blood Moon Eclipse). I stepped out of the motor home at 9:45 PM to check on its progress and there it was hung in the hazy Arizona skies of Picacho. Gaining ever so steadily on full eclipse with the history of a billion years of rotation to fuel its disappearance, the full moon was yet a sliver of white fighting against a muted red from the Earth’s shadow. Natural events, perhaps in this case somewhat supernatural events, are amplified and take on added meaning and perspective in the desert. What is certain, however, is that this Blood Eclipse was truly a sight to behold.
The geographic area around Tucson is stunning. It turns out that it is as varied, and features more biomes, than most places on earth. Here there are “sky islands” that give mammals and birds cause to travel through here on annual migrations or to live permanently. Where the great mountains reach into the heavens their surfaces change with the atmosphere and altitude. Pine and alpine flora flourish in the higher reaches while ironwood, mesquite, Saguaro, and creosote crowd the desert floor. There are numerous places here where you can experience all of these on a single hike.
Diane and I hiked several of these areas. The Sabino Canyon, a favorite of locals and travelers alike, is a glorious place to hike. A ribbon of water curls through the canyon and tumbles over rocks forming cool pools that in the summer months relieve hikers’s feet and fatigue. The skies, on a usually clear day, are as brilliantly blue as any you will see. Clouds take on multiple, water-colored shades, while the hillsides and valleys reflect an awesome array of greenery. Suguaros reach their arms to the heavens in humble adoration.
Here in Picacho Peak State Park, the feature peak loomed over me for days until I decided that, though I am not a rock climber or daredevil, I would clamber up its slopes to see what I am made of. Don’t we all need to do that once in a while just to see if we are still alive? For me, this was a great adventure. I climbed the northern path which is something along the nature of two miles each way...mostly up. The view and the adrenaline became a fixation until every so often when I would pause and take a reflection of my current status. I loved this climb. While not really all that dangerous it was thrilling for me. Feeling alive at that time is an understatement. I was hyper-alive.
Another psychically fulfilling area, one that soothes the senses while challenging the physical, is Catalina State Park. This area just north of Tucson is highly visited and for just reasons. I tried to book us into this park for several months all to no avail. It is constantly sold out during the winter months. Regardless, Diane, Dash, Heidi, and I took in a day of hiking there. We did not attempt the long and arduous hikes reaching up to the mountains, but rather followed the creeks that flow down out off the slopes this time of year. These paths, and we followed three of them, were sensually sensational. Several bird species followed our trek. Life here is abundant due to the riparian nature of the area. The hikes themselves are not difficult that we took. They are well worth the legwork, however. The dogs seemed to relish in the smells and sights of the hikes. They loved the cold water flowing around and through their legs. They lapped it up as they were dry from the dusty paths. Is there fresher water on the planet? Here, where water is absolutely everything, I think not.
And so, on this cold January night in the desert, the moon completes its eclipse for the earth. It now completely reflects the mood of its master. It is a quiet sight to behold. It seems so full of meaning and yet it is but a reflection of us all here below. They say that these eclipses and natural super-events portend life-shifting times to be. We look at these occurrences and we project future events. Omens they are called. This time, I feel they are right, though I know not what is coming.