We walked in to a small dam that had been built many years ago. We could sit in deep shade beside the pond formed by the dam, amid very lush vegetation compared to that in the surrounding desert, and drew in the wet sand. We had to watch Devin so that he did not take a nosedive into the water, but everyone had a great time. On the walk back, Devin did take a tumble and a short stop was necessary to make quick repairs to a skinned appendage. Nonetheless the day was a great success overall.
Memories can be short at that age, fortunately.
We did manage to arrange a picnic to be held at the East section of Saguaro National Monument , for the last evening that we were in town. If we are there at the right time, we can watch, and especially listen to, the Gambel's quail families go to bed in the shrubs, calling to each other to make sure they are all there. Lori and I got bagels and cream cheese and arrived in time to take the one-way loop through the park and still reach the picnic ground before anyone else. Robert and Donna must explain to the ranger that we are waiting for them at the picnic ground in order to be allowed in. No one is allowed to begin the loop drive at the time they arrive at the entrance.