{"id":21969,"date":"2025-12-10T05:01:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=21969"},"modified":"2025-12-10T05:02:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:02:00","slug":"jewel-of-the-creek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=21969","title":{"rendered":"Jewel of the Creek"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HC sees just one picture<\/strong> online of some mighty Saguaro’s along what seems to be a fairly easy hike in North Phoenix. Cave Creek to be more precise. Winter is here in the Valley which means it is time to explore again. He rises early and heads to the Dragonfly trailhead in the Jewel of the Creek preserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A lone cottontail<\/strong> scurries in front of him as he gets started, then disappears into the brush. It was the only animal he saw the entire time. He tries out his drone and captures some good footage, only to see the sign at the end of the trail that drones are prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A lone rock<\/strong> with what appear to be Native American markings on it is suspiciously next the the trail, a couple miles into the hike. HC has a hard time believing anything he sees on the internet, which has led to a healthy resistance to believe this is real as well. It’s sad how our realities have blurred in such fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Dragonfly trail<\/strong> connects to the Spur Cross Ranch trail, and so HC gets in a longer hike than originally planned. It feels good to once again get out and do what he has loved doing for so many years. He pays the entrance fee to the ranger as he exits, feeling that warm burn in his legs and the satisfaction of early morning exercise in his soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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