Western Canal Walk
Cooler temperatures have arrived in Phoenix making it bearable to walk my dog in the evening. Cubby is an Australian Cattle Dog (a.k.a. Blue Heeler), so he does well in the heat, but his owner struggles. People describe the Sonoran Desert as a "dry heat" with the implication being, "at least you don't have humidity." This is true, but it makes little difference when the temperature at ten o'clock in the evening is well into triple digits. Even night walks in Arizona during the summer can induce heat exhaustion -- or at least a lot of sweat.
Cubby and I are fortunate to live less than a quarter of a mile from the Western Canal -- one of nine major canals that distribute water across the Phoenix metropolitan complex. Built between 1912 and 1913, the Western canal is one of the "newer" canals in Phoenix. The modern canals were designed based on the system used by ancestors of the Salt-River Pima people. In some cases, the canals follow the same path as those designed by ancient engineers. Check out this link from the Salt River Project for a brief history of the Arizona canal system. While the indigenous people used the water for crops needed for sustenance, the current city residents maintain green lawns, golf courses, swimming pools (guilty), and man-made lakes. Phoenicians seem to be in a state of desert denial, making every effort to maintain a lush green landscape regardless of the water cost (perhaps a topic for another post).
In addition to channeling water across the city, the canals provide a respite from traffic for bicyclists, runners, and dog walkers. Evenings are a particularly wonderful time to be out on the Western Canal. The setting sun produces a brilliant display of color with South Mountain as a backdrop. Shades of blue, purple, orange, pink, and red serve as a distraction from the high line wires that parallel the canal. It is also amazing to see the abundant wildlife in the vicinity of this man-made riparian area. Blue and green herons, belted kingfishers, hummingbirds, desert cottontails, desert jackrabbits, turtles, bass, catfish, and carp are just a few examples of animal diversity. I've seen coyotes trotting their way across town along the canal path, and Cubby and I regularly encounter a Great Horned Owl who hoots disapproval at our proximity.
While it certainly isn't the same as a walk through the forest, or the actual desert, the canal is a convenient way to "escape" some of the busyness of the city. A leisurely walk, or bike ride, along its banks will reveal a lot to the astute observer. Sometimes, it is enough to find wonder in the little things.