Saturday was Good

 We drove to Superior, east of here, thinking to have a sunny patio lunch at one of several familiar restaurants and then to hike an old favourite, the Queen Creek segment of the L.O.S.T. (Legends of Superior Trail).

As we were walking the main street in "sensible" shoes, we had a serendipitous moment when a man asked us where we were from and if we were part of the group he was to host on a local hike?  No we weren't but it turns out he is a local community volunteer with lots of suggestions for food and hiking. So, just like in Utah when Rose Lynn's brother called with a timely scenic drive suggestion, we ended our pleasant conversation with new plans!

The street taco eatery he recommended was not open yet but, after a sunny meal,  we followed through with a different part of the L.O.S.T. trail - the Arnett Canyon segment. It was an easy trail loaded with lots of classic Arizona scenic drama. The most dramatic feature was the charred remains of trees and cactus in the canyon bottom; further research indicated the fire ocurred in June of this year.

Filaree / Heron-bill 

(part of the geranium family)

This was the only flowering plant we saw in this very dry area.

If you look closely, you will see tiny purple blooms

 on stems rising from the centre.

Bill stands at a horse gate along a section of trail 

where it was marked for pedestrian travel only;

not surprising when you see the staircase behind him

 but we did see hoof prints on both sides of this navigational obstacle!

A closer look at the stone block steps 

with the hand hewn stairs in the background