07.25.08 |
Back in the early 1980s, I had the privilege of working in a vast and desolate area of north Phoenix.
Bell Road was paved and lined with many small businesses at that time but the north side of Bell was all desert from 32nd Street east towards Scottsdale.
Around 63rd Street, heading into North Scottsdale, the north side of Bell was graced with one Arabian horse farm after another. It was amazing.
I used to love to drive out that direction to watch the Arabian horses run in the green fields under the arcing spray of the massive sprinkler systems.
Anyhow ... I digress. Back to the desert - - two and a half decades ago.
One day, at lunchtime, I drove north of Bell on 40th Street. It was a smooth dirt road but oh-so-dusty from the dry, incessant heat.
Off to the left was a small desert area designated as "Paradise Valley Park". It had a winding dirt road going back to an area with two park benches as the only amenities.
Grabbing my apple, book and bag of chips ... I headed for one of the park benches located under the feathery shade of a mesquite tree.
The sound of the quiet desert was sweet music ... soft breezes rustling in the plants, a desert wren calling from a cactus, and the buzz of honeybees dancing from one wild flower to another.
After sitting for just a few moments, I heard a movement in the creosote bushes to my right. Although I could not see anything, I knew that there was a critter of some sort in there.
I sat transfixed with every nerve aware of the location of the noise.
Finally, I was rewarded for my effort with the sight of a three, perhaps four-foot long rattlesnake slithering from the bushes down into a ravine ... perhaps to look for lunch.
I have never forgotten that sight. It is etched into my mind and I recall every emotion that I experienced at that moment: cautious fear, surprise, curiousity, wonder ... and awe.
Twenty-five years later, that unfettered desert park has become the home of Paradise Valley Park Community Center that now boasts a large public pool, a skatepark, lighted ballfields, clean bathrooms, running drinking water, and picnic ramadas with BBQs.
I am in that area at least once a month.
Every now and then I will drive into the park ... traveling now on paved roads ... to the professionally landscaped, lighted and paved parking area.
I park. My recollection tells me I am just about where I parked so very long ago.
Now surrounded by literally thousands of homes, bustling businesses, a busy hospital, a large high school, a golf course and overwhelming city noise ...
I think back on that day.
That moment.
Me, alone in the desert ... but safe ... but still able to witness the majesty of Mother Nature.
Perhaps it would be prudent for me to remember moments like those when I find myself griping about the urban sprawl, relentless traffic, and over population of metropolitan Phoenix.
I have been blessed with the sweetness of memories.
[11:30am MST] [Permalink] []
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