Last hike of '08

We took the tram to the top of the canyon as Evita has only lived here since September and hasn't seen all of the sights there are to see in Tucson.

Yet.

I plan to be somewhat of a tour guide, although I have little tolerance for tourist mentality.
My goal is to make her a Tucsonan as quickly as possible!

Sabino Canyon recreation area was crowded as families have time off from work, relatives are visiting from out of town and we even ran into a couple from England! It was a beautiful day and the water was running in the stream just swiftly enough to make us get damp as we hiked out and crossed the bridges.
A week ago they didn't even run the trams across the nine bridges in the canyon as the water was over a foot deep at this point.



The road was recently opened after damage due to flooding two years ago, so the park today was well traveled by those in tram, on foot and on wheels.



Evita just moved here from Virginia, alone, to pursue her passion, wheelchair basketball.
She works full time with children who have autism by day, and then attends practice after work and on weekends.
Typically they travel to Phoenix for games, so I haven't had the honor of watching her play.

I have seen her at work with kids though, and I have been introduced to her spirit and love of life.
I have witnessed her determination and cursed silently (or not so silently) when she shares her setbacks and challenges that you and I may not even think about in our day to day routines.
I have asked her to tell me to "back off" if I am acting like a second mom while she is so far away from hers.
We have laughed together as I killed my shin bone getting her chair into my car today.

We have talked about applying for sponsorship to see if CAF would supply a chair for either basketball (she needs a new one) or possibly road racing.
We have even talked about swim lessons.

There is one thing though I have never heard her talk about...and that is using the word "can't" or "won't".
She just does.
And I am glad she has accepted me as her friend, if not "second mom" for the time being.

It was great hanging out with you today Evita!
Hope you don't mind me gushing about you! :-)