August in Arizona is the unofficial AC Appreciation Month, it is a month of hibernation, a month where the pool-less turn a sickly “I never venture outdoors” pale, a month where you actively avoid any place with a swamp cooler.  Option B is to head for the hills (Madera Canyon Arizona) – which we did early (like my coffee maker wasn’t up yet early)

Option B was a good plan. Madera Canyon – not too far from home but cooler. A bubbling creek, trees for the monkeys to climb, actual growing leaves, flowers, and plants (we recently mourned the passing of my mammoth sunflowers – poor things shriveled up in the cruel heat and just gave up on life)

Prying the kiddos away from Xbox and PC to go off line for a bit was awesome and watching city folks hike is even more hilarious – we did not venture off road – rustling grass is scary – I’ve read enough Louis L’Amour westerns to know things are in there. But can’t wait to do it again soon! Tucson is surrounded by so many mountain ranges – I can fill up all my Saturdays!

Madera Canyon would be a great location for a family photo session (esp. an active family!), even an intimate wedding at the amphitheater could be lovely!