Temperatures spiked up again this weekend in Phoenix to a high of 110 today, which is typical weather for mid-to-late July, but hotter than usual for late August. Despite the scorching temps, there were quite a bit of people out at Dreamy Draw this morning, perhaps they didn't get that memo!!
Anyway, by the time I came off the mountain after my 55-minute hike/run, there weren't too many cars left in the parking lot. On my way out I saw a Roadrunner, near the entrance gate. I hadn't seen a Roadrunner out there in over a year, though I use to see one around the parking lot area quite regularly last year. Not sure if this is the same one, or a different one. But nice to see this unusual bird out there again. Nothing says "southwest" quite like a Roadrunner.
We had quite a bit of rain from some monsoon activity last night and early this morning in the north central part of Phoenix, and a lot of cloud cover this morning which kept temperatures in the upper 70's to low 80's, but we were at 54% humidity this morning when I was driving back from Dreamy Draw. Not so unusual for August though which is usually the most humid month in Phoenix. Despite the humidity, the cooler temps and cloud cover brought out a lot of people to Dreamy Draw this morning. I put in a 55-minute run/hike/walk but stuck to some of the less populated trails to avoid the part-time work-out peoples....haha
A very nice morning out at Dreamy Draw today, with early-morning temps in the mid to upper 80's. Yesterday was warmer and seemed more humid as well. I got a good work-out in yesterday, doing about a 65-minute hike/run. Today I took it a little easier as I was a little sore this morning when I awoke. In addition to the hike/run yesterday I also worked-out on my elliptical in the evening. So this morning at Dreamy Draw I just did a 45-minute hike/run/walk. We had a couple of cloudy days and even some showers this week in Phoenix, so I'm glad it was such a nice sunny weekend. Starting to get into my "summer form" now - LOL....
As I've said before, what a difference a few degrees makes around this city!! Today, with the high temp only to reach about 100 and the morning temps in the upper 80's (which is a cooling trend for PHX), there were more people than usual at Dreamy Draw today. Although the autumn months maybe better for hiking, I really prefer the mid-summer season because it keeps the crowds down. Usually the temps stay above 100 in Phoenix well into September, so I hope we get back to that soon. A beautiful day none the less.
The photo by the way is of the maintenance shed that the park rangers use. Often posted on the front of the shed is some information about the wildlife in the area (rabbits, snakes, birds and the like) or some other park information.
It was good to get back out to Dreamy Draw again this weekend. I wasn't able to make it out last weekend as my car was in the shop. It's still hot and still very few people out on the trails mid-morning. I saw a pair of Jack Rabbits today, one of which was particularly large!! Cottontails are quite common sightings, particularly around the parking lot and picnic areas, but the Jack Rabbits I usually only see on the trails and even then I don't often see them on the more populated trails.
