Desert Heat & Big Wins: Our Phoenix Adventure March 17-24, 2026

What a week in the Arizona desert! Our time in Phoenix was the perfect blend of adventure, laughter, and unforgettable accomplishments, despite the relentless 105° heat.  While exploring near Apache Junction, I caught a flash of zebra-striped wings and a vibrant red cap. It was a Gila Woodpecker, a bird that seems entirely unfazed by the brutal March sun or the formidable spines of its home.

Of course, I couldn't visit Mesa without hitting the trails. Before the swim meet humidity took over my day, I headed out to Usery Mountain Regional Park for a 4.5 mile run.  Coming from the higher elevations of Castle Rock, I thought I’d be ready for the challenge, but the Sonoran Desert is its own beast. The terrain at Usery is beautiful sweeping views of the Goldfield Mountains and trails lined with those architectural Saguaros, even though I was terrified of seeing a rattlesnake.



We kicked off the trip with a visit to Saguaro Lake, spending the day at Butcher Jones Beach. Nestled in the desert, it truly felt like an oasis, surrounded by towering saguaro cacti and rugged canyon walls. 



To cool down, we made a stop at Boba Shack near our hotel, which quickly became a favorite. Between that, hotel pool time, and multiple Eegee’s runs (hands down the best frozen fruit slushies ever), we found plenty of ways to beat the heat.

One of the highlights of the trip was exploring Goldfield Ghost Town. Walking through the old mining town at the base of the Superstition Mountains felt like stepping back in time. It was such a fun and unique experience, full of history and Old West charm.





But the real reason for the trip, and the biggest highlight was Carly’s performance at Arizona Senior Zones. She absolutely crushed it. Not only did she take over a second off her 100 fly, but she also dropped an incredible three seconds in her 50 fly, beating her rival Blake in the process! She made finals in the 50 backstroke and had a massive 11-second drop in the 400 IM. It was a week full of breakthroughs, hard work paying off, and huge personal growth.


Of course, there were plenty of funny moments too. One night, with crickets everywhere, I overheard Carly yelling, “Shut up, Blake!” Apparently, Blake was freaking out every time a grasshopper jumped, and Carly had zero patience for it. Classic. It made for one of those moments we’ll be laughing about for years.








By the end of the trip, Arizona Senior Zones were officially in the books. Carly walked away not just with incredible time drops and accomplishments, but with confidence, experience, and a lot of pride in how much she’s grown.





Between lake days, desert adventures, swim victories, and plenty of laughs, this trip was one we won’t forget anytime soon.





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