Snow for Desert Rats

Overheard about snow near the end of February, 2022…

“It’s soft.”

“It’s like a sponge, a snow sponge.”

“Mom, we found a stalagmite, I mean a stalactite.”

“It’s like cotton candy.”

“OK, we can just snack on snow cones.”

“If you could see what it feels like when your foot falls asleep, it’s like what the snow looks like when it all sparkly.”

“It’s fluffy.”

“More snow!

“Hey Dad, can you do me a favor and throw this at Brother?”

“Look at this (stepping back on the sandstone boulder into which snow was melting), it’s moist”

(Now crying) “It’s dying.”

“I have snow hair!”

“That was really cold, and really fun.”

This family of desert rats from Tucson drives north to the juniper-scrub high country of Northern AZ several times a year.  We trailer camp, and sometimes stay at a hotel on the way.  The winter storm that bathed the state in rain and snow February 23rd morphed into the snow-play trip that had long been on the kids’ wish list.

It was handed to us by the coincidence of a long Rodeo Break weekend after a big storm.  The forecast allowed us to properly plan gear, route, and departure time.  So the beauty and magic could wash over us throughout our vacation. 

There were shrieks.  Smiles.  Genuine tears at the short “life” span of shrinking snow patches.  Repeated amazement at the next patch of snow found.  Happy observations on my part that it only took a few inches of snow to make a big impact.  

At home in Tucson, after all, only trace snow has appeared in the boys’ lifetimes, and the timing of prior trips allowed the kids only hurried play in flurries or painful play in leftover crust.  

I heard renewed requests for future snow trips.  My kids heard no promises from me, but lots of appreciation for new discoveries together.