Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a quick getaway. Take, for example, when Dave’s brother Darrell texted and asked, “Hey, whatcha doing this weekend?” “Want to come down to Tucson?... Sure, you can bring Luci—no worries.” Dave’s response was ”ABSOLUTELY.”

In addition to an afternoon of great conversation that included solving most of the world’s most pressing issues, we also enjoyed an ethereal sunset hike up Douglas Spring Trail, located off East Speedway Blvd, in Saguaro National Park.

We set off around 5:30 pm—with the sun still holding onto the day’s heat—casting long shadows. 

Wildflowers were beginning to bloom at the time, a few weeks behind Phoenix.

Our later start prevented us from taking a longer hike; however, we managed to hike a mile and a half before starting to lose daylight. 

A myriad of rock steps led up the mountainside. Our elevation gain was under 500 ft, but it was enough to get the heart pumping.

Covered by shadow, we turned back. A phenomenal orange glow took over.

Bright green ocotillos popped out from their surroundings, and the desert, drenched in evening color, was dappled with sunlight. 

We reached the trailhead by dark—and I mean DARK. Tucson is a designated Dark Sky City, so navigating out of the National Park was challenging and slightly eerie

We stopped to pick up some Sonoran hotdogs (a Tucson original) from the Tacos y Hotdogs El Giro food truck. I likened it to a hotdog sundae—A grilled, bacon-wrapped hotdog served in a bolillo (Mexican roll)—topped with pico de gallo, mustard ketchup sauce, and mayo. What a delicious treat—made even better alongside a shot of Kentucky whiskey on ice. 

All in all, this is the kind of sunset one could get used to.