Playing in Phoenix’s Papago Park
Odometer (Legend): 531,389
Odometer (ILX): 91,003
It’s been a relaxing last couple of weekends in town since the whole NALM adventure in Los Angeles. I’ve lived in the Phoenix area for 8 years and it wasn’t until yesterday that I took the time to hike Papago Park. There’s a sandstone rock formation there called “Hole In the Rock.” Many years of wind erosion (6 million+ years worth) have left an opening in this gigantic rock. It’s believed that ancient Hohokam Indian tribes used the openings and sunlight to track the solstices.
If you look very closely (and excuse the poor quality of my iPhone photography) you’ll see miniature people standing inside the opening in the above picture. To access that area, the very short trail goes around the back side of the rock and up a series of steps. I was walking at a good pace and it took me only about 8 minutes to get up to the viewpoint.
On approach, the view is something like this.
And here’s the view while sitting in the opening.
Made it!
Stay tuned to RNR Auto Blog for a review coming up of the Legend coupe & sedan. My friend Ruben and I got together for some pictures and test drives of the Desert Mist Metallic twins this afternoon.
In other news: Y’all remember that guy from Idaho with the 410,000-mile TSX who joined me for a drive over the 4th of July? Well, unfortunately he had a little run-in with a pickup truck a few weeks ago and his car has been under reconstruction.
The great news is that the car is already repaired. In a short matter of time, Josh is now back to pounding the pavement in his tried and trusty workhorse. Follow his detailed account of his TSX rebuild on TSX Travels.
Have a great week!
drivetofive 
August 11, 2014 at 9:24 am
Let’s go there next January! Remember, Todd has never been to Phoenix so we ought line up some “must see” sites.
August 11, 2014 at 9:28 am
Oh, definitely! There’ll be plenty to see & do! He’s coming with you for RNR weekend?
August 11, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Seeing Josh’s car made my heart sink. I wonder what little it would take for insurance to total something with 400K miles, or even 500K… totally understandable why you don’t drive your Legend Coupe nearly as often as you used to. Glad everything turned out to be ok though.
August 11, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Definitely – it’s “easy” to total a high mileage vehicle. Josh’s ordeal turned out alright because his car got a fresh front end and some crystal clear headlights. I look forward to seeing his “after” pictures.
August 12, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Sorry to hear about Josh’s car. Lets hope it works out with the insc. company. Can’t wait to see more coverage on the twins!
August 13, 2014 at 6:21 am
Thanks Dave! Ruben is excited to do the write-up on the Legends so I’m anxious to see what he comes up with. I’m glad Josh is back on the road, too.