| THE GREEN BALLOON You expect to see pretty flowers, thorny desert plants, streams, mountains and an occasional wild critter on the AZT. But a green balloon? The 8 mile section between Reddington Road and Molino Basin Camp northeast of Tucson is lovely. It�s a good trip for dayhikers, horseriders and mountain bikers. The AZT leaves a bumpy road about 2 miles north of Reddington Road at a place called The Lake. Of course it�s not a lake but it has water so by desert standards it is a lake. The trail west from The Lake is distinct and easy to follow. And it�s gentle desert terrain so it�s pleasant walking. And, it�s doubly enjoyable because you can leisurely gaze at the beautiful desert plants and surrounding mountains. The area also provides drainage for the nearby foothills, so in April 2001 after the previous night�s rain, there was lots of water seeping down rocky crevices and flowing into small streams. While the trail is an attractive one, only a few people were enjoying it the Saturday morning when I hiked there. I saw only two bicyclists and a group of Explorer Scouts in the eight miles. They apparently were looking for that away-from-everything-feel that this trail provides, even though it�s only about 10 miles from the edge of Tucson. So one can imagine my astonishment when I looked up and saw a small speck in the air a couple of hundred yards ahead. It was too far off to discern but for sure it wasn�t a bird. I watched intently as it floated closer and directly towards me. �What the heck?� I thought. The growing speck was floating at an altitude of only about 50 feet. When it was about 100 feet away, I recognized it was a child�s balloon. A green one. About the size of a soccer ball. There was no lettering on it, just a sea green colored helium filled rubber air bubble. It seemed so out of place here in this thorny planted, jagged rocked desert country. But it glided along so nonchalantly, obviously unaware of the saguaro, barrel cactus, prickly pear and many other lurking dangers. Taken aback by its presence, I was spellbound by it. I stared. It just bobbed along, soon directly over my head. It merrily floated, heading to wherever balloons go whenever they have escaped from captivity. I empathized with it and waved as it passed by me. �Enjoy your journey�, I called out. It grew smaller and smaller as it slowly disappeared in the distant desert. HOME EMAIL ME NEXT CHAPTER |