Out with Dr. Bill: Palm Springs Pride and a Southwest Soujourn

A Southwest Sojourn: Nature, Friendship, and Stunning Landscapes

I couldn't shake my desert fever, so I decided to stay out west and spend some time at our home in Tucson, Arizona. Eric and I made the most of it by hosting three dear friends–Philip McCarthy, Matthew Simonetti, and my first (and closest) friend in NYC, Rick Bingham–for an unforgettable week in the Southwest.

November is the perfect time to explore Arizona. The scorching summer heat is gone, replaced by crisp mornings and comfortably warm afternoons. From sprawling desert vistas to lush, forested mountains, Arizona's beauty feels even more alive this time of year.

We gave the boys a whirlwind Arizona initiation, starting in Tucson, moving on to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, and ending our adventure in Sedona.
The first of our Tucson adventures took us to the stunning Sabino Canyon, a serene desert retreat in the Santa Catalina Mountains. We rode the narrated tram up into the canyon, learning about its history, geology, and wildlife while taking in breathtaking views of towering saguaros, vibrant ocotillos, and rugged cliffs. The tram's route wound along a paved road, crossing picturesque stone bridges over Sabino Creek.
At the final stop, we began our hike back down, walking alongside Sabino Creek. While the creek babbles during certain seasons, it was dry this time–a reminder of the desert's ever-changing rhythms. Even without water, the dry creek bed added to the rugged beauty of the landscape, and the quiet allowed us to fully appreciate the grandeur of the cliffs and the stillness of the desert.

We also explored Saguaro National Park East, where iconic cacti stood like sentinels under the dramatic Arizona sky. Hiking among these giants was humbling and inspiring, and was made even more meaningful by sharing the experience with friends.