Desert Heaven
Today I found myself smiling at nothing, staring at the sky and being sincerely grateful for a three-day weekend. I was in desperate need for a recharge. It’s been three days of bliss, but today was particularly sweet. I have an assignment for the local newspaper to write an article on prickly pear harvesting and decided to take a formal class at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. I’d been there once a few years ago and truly enjoyed the walks through varying gardens. I knew today would be no different.
It took about 45 minutes to arrive, although it would have been much faster if I hadn’t taken so much time to gawk at the beauty of the Superstitions. From Tempe, this mountain range is hazy and towering. Up close, it is a majestic giant that I couldn’t get enough of. The purple and red rock faces, the soft green cacti, the flowering desert due to recent rains — all perfectly framed with giant soft cuddly white clouds and a crisp blue sky. It was truly ethereal.
The class was fantastic too. More than 60 people crammed into a pavillion to see how to harvest prickly pear tunas and their pads to be used in a variety of recipes. I’m going to use several of these for future Jars of Renewal projects, hopefully including the prickly pear syrup for margaritas. Eating locally can be delicious even in the desert.
My perfect day — time to reconnect with nature, listen and sing along to super music, eat a great picnic lunch, photograph and write, learn something new, connect with other happy hippies and time to blog. Life truly is great.
~K
- Posted in Journal, Flora and Fauna, Arizona, Happy Hippie
- Permalink
yum…prickly pear syrup for margaritas! Sounds delightful!
September 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pmWhat an interesting way to spend a day! Interesting stuff!
September 1st, 2008 at 6:25 pmI think a visit to Tempe will be in my future.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:08 pmJust beautiful. One of my favorite margaritas is from Chevy’s and its their Prickly Pear Margarita. Super duper delicious, blended with a floater of tequillia:)
September 1st, 2008 at 7:25 pmCacti!!!! I’m homesick!
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:42 amWhat a wonderful way to celebrate nature’s bounty. I love all the different things that can be made with prickly pears, it’s amazing.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:57 amWhat a beautiful weekend!!! It is the best when you can be out in nature with no time limit and really explore new things. Very interesting and looks like you got some great pictures!…by the way thanks so much for the beautiful blankets with taggies…you are so thoughtful. It’s a lot of fun to get surprises in the mail.
have a beautiful week.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:50 am-steph
I whish I had more time to spend days like yours!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 amThat sounds like so much fun!
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 amAnd that first picture is gorgeous!!
Wow, wow, beautiful!! Lovely photos. I remember when i lived in a co-ed student housing co-op and some people harvested prickly pears (from somewhere?) and pressed the meat through a sieve to make juice. Maybe they added sugar, but I remember it was sweet and absolutely delicious!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 amOh boy, prickly pear margarita syrup; you’re really cooking Girlfriend!
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pmThis Okie girl had no idea what you could make with prickly pear. Until today I didn’t even know the name,I just called them cactus. Very cool. Have fun with your cooking!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pmSounds like a great day. I didn’t know you could do anything with prickly pear, other than grow it.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 am[…] Indeed. The prickly pear are nearly over-ripe by now. These ruby red gems were easy to pluck. I used my trusty tools and followed the guidelines I learned in class. […]
September 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am