We’ve been playing a lot of futbol lately. Somehow the kids still think the two of them against me is fair. I lose just about every night. Not for lack of trying. The kids are filled with bruises and scrapes as they learn that when two of us kick the ball at the same time, they are going down hard, and I’m not. We joke about how fake all those soccer injuries on tv look, but how playing out here on the gravel has changed our opinion considerably.
I think this was the only day all winter where we appreciated having some shade to work under. Arizona has been way too cold for our liking. I’m worried about what these legs are going to look like under the Aruban sun.
We’re backtracking our way south again as we get ready to leave the bus and head for the boat. Buckskin State Park is a favorite stop, though. There are a bunch of nice hikes, and plenty for the kids to do. They tend to head off and go for walks along the river together most days. One night we were all walking along the river and a couple called us over to tell us how much they enjoyed watching our kids the past couple of days—always talking, laughing, and having fun. The guy joked about how much he and his brother hated each other when they were kids, but you could tell it stung him a little that he hadn’t been able to have this sort of close friendship instead. Our kids’ relationship with each other is probably our biggest source of pride as parents.
No doubt critiquing the RVs. We’re always discussing the different rigs.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that the past few months I’ve seen Ali with a hood up over her head more than not. Ouest in the background in her favorite spot in the bus—pillow behind her back, feet up on the engine compartment, and book in hand.
We attempted to hike Picacho Peak last time through, and Lowe was upset with me because I forced us to turn around when it started raining. We’d discover this day what a good decision that had actually been. Picacho is no place to climb when it’s wet.
The park warns you pretty sternly that this is a hard 6.5 mile round trip hike. Normally I’m pretty good at brushing aside warnings, but they made it very clear that this was not our typical flip-flop wearing hike. Ali hiked the first two miles in with us, but opted out of the rock climbing.
The wardens strongly advised wearing gloves for the cable climbs. Lowe had a pair, Ouest and I did not. Would have been nice. There were a couple of nearly vertical climbs. Nothing too difficult, but steep and high enough that you knew you were screwed if you messed up.
We watched a documentary called 14 Peaks recently and Lowe brought it up again when we were at the top. “He made it look so easy. And that was in the snow!” He was right, the documentary somehow did make it look too easy. Our little 550-meter high scramble put 8,000-meter climbs in perspective.
I thanked Lowe for bringing us up there. He was the one who had pushed us to go the first time, and I didn’t want to let him down by not going up this time. It’s nice having the kids old enough to push us to do things we otherwise might not have. I’d probably have been content to sit down at the bus and look up at the top.
I wasn’t doing any hiking the next day, but Lowe was still energetic. His pogo record is 212, but he can pretty much go on as long as he likes, I just get tired of counting.
Down the road a bit is the Pima Air and Space Museum. It was a neat place. Lowe was happy to get to see the Bumble Bee II, world record holder for smallest airplane, which he had read about recently.
It was a nice place to walk around and get a little history, even for those of us not all that into airplanes. There is a B-17 museum inside that’s pretty cool. The last B-17 ever to fly a mission, it’s all restored and we were able to peek into it and get a feel for where all those different gunners sat and fought from inside.
14 Comments on “Picacho Peak”
Wonder if there is an app on the phones that will do pogo counts? I feel your pain doing the counting for damn near anything with energetic kids…
I watched 14 peaks as well, excellent Documentary/Movie and I agree it didn’t look like the guy really struggled.
I loved the episode on K2, how he inspired a group of other climbers to give it a go after they had accepted defeat and they all finally made it to the top.
Even watched it a second time with my wife and enjoyed it just as much.
David
Do they not have pogo sticks with built in counters yet? What book is Ouest reading?
If you backtrack your way south anywhere near Homosassa Florida, I really recommend to swim with the manatees & watch the mermaids perform at Weeki Wachee Springs-great fun!
“Our kids’ relationship with each other is probably our biggest source of pride as parents” This is truly a wonderful thing. They will always have that “one” family member that will always have their back.
About 16 years ago, you guys were a couple of kids musing over the amount of flack you were getting from the “sailing snob” community, and I felt the need to give you some advice. I think I said something like “After 40k nm under my belt, the best advice I could give you is “F**k’em, you do you”. Well, 16 years later, in my opinion, You have done a better job of living your life than anyone I have seen in my 60 years. You have given your beautiful children the gift of knowing that possessions are fleeting and experiences are priceless and forever.
On a side note the giant old silver airplane is a C-124, tail number 52-1004, and almost 70 years ago my 20 year old father was the Aircraft Commander, and flew that very plane across the Atlantic more than 100 times. Always remember “f**k’em you do you”. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful adventures.
Well said! We just met a young couple traveling with kids in our RV park. Sadly their parents are not supportive of their lifestyle choice, claiming they’re depriving their children of a “normal life”! I gave them this website & I hope they visit you & realize what a dream life your kids enjoy. I like your photos just for the fun of seeing your kids’ happy faces! Play on!
you guys might have seen my dad’s old plane, the ov-10, also known as a bronco. https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/north-american-ov-10d/
jealous!
Tim Franklin said everything I wanted to say, but better. As I looked at the photo of you playing soccer with the kids it occurred to me that your kids really know you. They don’t have to wait for the weekend to have some quality time with the parental units – who are usually trying to get everything done in those two days that couldn’t get done during the work week. And vice versa. You know who your kids are, as well. What an unbelievable gift. I envy you. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for your family.
One of these days we will catch up to you all. We live 45 miles south of the Picacho Peak and usually spend Summers in our Eurovan in the Pacific Northwest and Islands.
Enjoy the warm waters in the Boat. Do take care.
Joe and Baum late of Mar- Rosa Rv Park . MAZATLAN. MX. way, way back when.
It’s worth saying again! There is nothing in comparison to the perspective of cruising kids! Self-awareness, self-esteem, self-confidence and other selfs…including most times, selfless-ness! Goodonyas!
What an amazing climb/hike! Glad you had Lowe to push you to accomplish that. It looked difficult but so worth it. I’m going on 61 now, my “little” brother is going on 57, and we are best friends again as adults — it is a priceless relationship that your children have and will have in the future. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Picacho Peak is an awesome hike! A surprising thrill for an otherwise unremarkable campground. High five to Lowe for getting you guys up there!
I would really like to read that article in Insider, but even with the free pass, it’s not working. Hope maybe some day you guys can post it. We’ve been following for a really long time, but no interest in a subscription to Insider.
I love the Pima Air museum. Such a cool place. Kids are getting so big now! Wow, I can’t believe I have been following you guys since before they were born. Its cool watching them grow up from afar. Take care guys! – Brett