It’s unusual for me to go to a vacation destination without a destination run in mind. But my plan for last week’s trip to Tucson, Ariz., included only a dot on the map, not the line of a race start.

My only goal in visiting Tucson, a Sonoran Desert oasis with a population of 520,000, was to spend time with my daughter in the warm outdoors. Armed with Betty Leavengood’s Tucson Hiking Guide, my Brook’s Cascadias and a rarely used hydration pack, I hit the trails in search of adventure and family bonding.

Having never been to this desert area, Lottie and I were eager to explore the strange and beautiful Saguaro National Park and the mountains surrounding the city. For our first walk/run/hike, we chose Sweetwater Trail, a loop through the Tucson Mountains, the mildest of the three ranges at a peak height of 4,690 feet.

Sweetwater proved a perfect choice. The terrain is easy enough for all levels of trail runners, hikers and mountain bikers with short, rolling rises, gentle turns and soft, sandy surfaces. Still, we covered barely half of the nine miles of trail since we stopped every 50 feet or so to snap photos of the exotic desert flora — spiky pincushion cactus, spiny arms of ocotillo and majestic saguaros.

We also kept our eyes open for desert residents like rattlesnakes, scorpions and Gila monsters. We didn’t encounter any of these, but did see a glossy snake chilling in the shade and a pair of quail tiptoeing among the brush.

We headed east of town to the Rincon Mountains for our second hike of the day, hiking and jogging the switchbacks of Tanque Verde Ridge Trail to make the 4,000-foot climb before sunset. Our hearts pounded and quads screamed as we topped the ridge and staked our claim on a rock to view the almost-full moon rising and red sun setting, washing the desert with warm color and long shadows.

As the sun disappeared behind the western peaks, the lights of Tucson winked on one by one until the valley below shimmered. We descended the rocky trail gingerly under the pale light of the full moon and the squeak of bats overhead.

After our night adventure, we started a little late for the next day’s most difficult climb. The Santa Catalinas tower above the other ranges with Mt. Lemmon topping out at 9,157 feet. A popular activity is to hitch a ride to the top, then bicycle the nearly 20 miles down the winding paved road to the base of the mountain.

We chose a more modest, but challenging climb into Romero Canyon. The popular trail was even more crowded for the 5th Annual Move Across 2 Ranges, an organized and supported hike/run with four distances from 5.5 to 21.5 miles in two mountain parks. Runners and hikers would meet later for a party with music and prizes. We encountered a few trail runners nimbly negotiating the narrow rocky single track and many more hikers trudging up the mountainside.

The altitude and heat slowed our progress, but it was worth the climb to soak our feet in the chilly mountain water of Romero Pools nearly three miles above the trailhead in Catalina State Park. Volunteers from the Move event topped off our water supply from their stream purifier for our hike down.

Three days barely sampled the vastness of Tucson’s outdoors, and we hadn’t investigated the possibilities within the city limits. We vowed to return, maybe next time with a plan to tour the city as well as the wilderness.

Metropolitan Tucson fills the wide valley of the Santa Cruz River, dry for most of the year, but winding through the heart of town. Runners, cyclists and equestrians can travel more than 41 miles of paved trail and adjacent softer-surface path of the Santa Cruz River Park with access at many street intersections. The long-term plan is to incorporate this trail into a 91-mile loop greenway around the city.

Tucson also boasts two quality running stores, The Running Shop and Fleet Feet, which offer a full line of running gear, classes and race sponsorships. The active Tucson Road Runners Club guarantees company for local group runs and races.

Upcoming eventsWednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Run Group, Cranberry Township. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.comSaturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners with 1 mile, 2.25 mile and 4 mile distances starting at South Park Children’s Playground. 412-561-0768Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. 5k starts at 10 A.M. & 1 Mile at 11 A.M. joella@zoominternet.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Starts at Westmoreland County Fairgrounds with 5k at 9 a.m., beer mile at 11 a.m.Saturday, 10 a.m.: Warren YMCA Cabin Fever Lucky 4 Miler and Fun Walk, Warren. chris@warrenymca.orgSaturday, 10 a.m.: Judith’s Jig 6th Annual Memorial 5k Run/Walk, Meadville. www.judithsjig.orgMarch 25, 8 a.m.: Race of Champions 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. Starts at Blair Candy Company. 814-695-4467 or hollidaysburgareaymca.orgMarch 25, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 miles, half marathon or 30k around North Park Lake. 412-490-0881 or eliterunners.comApril 1, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3: Prep for Pittsburgh, Sandy Lake. Choice of 13.1miles or 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 714-301-6775 info@mctrails.orgApril 1, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Indiana. Starts at Indiana Ice Center. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.netApril 1, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Flat and scenic out-and-back course along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or bbeverino@clarion.eduApril 2, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special, Sykesville. Choice of 5 mile race or 2 mile fun run. 814-952-0490 or run_walk@yahoo.comApril 8, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of half marathon or 5 miles. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com or bmazur@intelmarx.comApril 8, 9 a.m.: Harrisville Superhero 5k, Harrisville. 412-445-5089 or www.givetosru.org/superhero5kApril 8, 9 a.m.: 21st Annual Martha’s Run 10k, Mt. Lebanon. Also 2 mile fun run starting at Mt. Lebanon High School. 412-454-0259 or www.themarthafund.orgApril 8, 11 a.m.: Thunder Run 5k, Meadville. darylkv@yahoo.comApril 22, 7:30 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5k Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or pirates.comApril 22, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run Water Association Earth Day Dash 5k and 15k, Apollo. 724-681-6317 or www.roaringrun.org

Race resultsCupid’s Chase 5k, Feb. 11: Steve Kirkland, 1st Overall M, 16:29; Lexi Ambrogi, 1st Overall W, 19:30; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:07; Dean Rippee, 1st 60-69 M, 23:00; Stephanie Dannenberg, 3rd 25-29 W, 25:19; Kristin Boehm, 3rd 45-49 W, 35:21; Ken Sharp, 1st 70+ M, 36:34; Brooke Russell, 3rd 12 & Under W, 43:11; Pam Rippee, 3rd 50-54 W, 46:43; Scott Sierzega, 23:01; Tyler Protivnak, 23:03; Shawn Beranty, 24:54; Craig Dugan, 25:16; Lykleng Hong, 28:40; Beth Zigler, 35:12; Eric Kubicselc, 35:12; Tina Lippert, 36:24; Angela Chapman, 40:12; Erin Festerman, 43:11; Sierra Walbert, 46:44; Brenda George, 51:4110th Annual Ellport Boro Community 5k, March 4: Cody Cornell, 1st Overall M, 16:22; Herb Cratty, 3rd Overall M, 19:30; Megan McNear, 1st Overall W, 19:58; Cassondra Charney, 3rd Overall W, 23:21; Tim Sloan, 1st 45-49 M, 21:38; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 21:55; Dave Voland, 1st 40-44 M, 22:53; Dave Suber, 1st 55-59 M, 23:11; Elisa Becze, 1st 35-39 W, 23:54; Matthew France, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:00; Holly Matsko, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:45; Patrick Jackson, 2nd 25-29 M, 26:17; Mark Perrine, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:36; Cindy Suber, 1st 55-59 W, 26:46; Dave Voland Jr., 1st 20-24 M, 26:51; Candy France, 1st 45-19 W, 27:20; Christine Patton, 2nd 45-49 W, 27:20; Michael Poff, 1st 70+ M, 27:30; Amy Lutz, 1st 40-44 W, 28:58; Heidi Fleming, 3rd 45-49 W, 29:15; Sammy Rocco, 2nd 40-44 M, 29:32; Paul Johnson, 2nd 70+ M, 29:43; Robert Crawford, 3rd 70+ M, 30:17; Michael Bauer, 1st 30-34 M, 30:19; Deborah Rastelli, 1st 30-34 W, 30:36; Kristen Rocco, 2nd 40-44 W, 31:58; Tara Skeen, 2nd 30-34 W, 32:08; Sonaj Crawford, 2nd 65-69 W, 32:43; Drew Steffler, 1st 14 & Under M, 33:18; Dave Steffler, 2nd 35-39 M, 37:42; Ezra Fisher, 2nd 14 & Under M, 38:57; Ethan Fisher, 1st 15-19 M, 44:46; Dennis Murcko, 26:38; Robert Kinney, 32:40; Michelle Steffler, 33:19; Dez Csizmadia, 34:22; Debra Kuminkoski, 35:07; Kim Kenetz, 36:42; Wade Fisher, 38:59Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon, March 5: Adam Smith, 1st Overall M, 1:18:55; Samantha Hamilton, 1st Overall W, 1:26:23; Brian Buchan, 3rd Masters M, 1:27:44; Bob Gracie, 1st 65-69 M, 1:45:47; Christine Murray, 1st 60-64 W, 2:19:57; Susan Altemus, 3r 60-64 W, 2:36:20; Mike Legare, 1:41:32; John Armstrong, 1:43:12; Stephen Mihalacki, 1:48:49; Chad Coblitz, 1:49:32; Shannon Dudash, 1:52:03; John Ropelewski, 2:39:32Mill Creek Classic 5k, March 5: Tommy McNear, 1st Overall M, 20:18; Alyssa Lynch, 1st Overall W, 21:57; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 23:09North Park Autism Frostbite 5k, March 12: Larry Van Dyke, 1st Overall M, 19:12; Brian Taylor, 2nd Overall M, 20:45; Sean Yeo, 3rd Overall M, 21:43; Antonella Polito,1st Overall W, 21:45; Mary Eschenfelder, 2nd Overall W, 25:59; Jim Stout, 23:48; Dan Guerra, 24:40; Mark Eschenfelder, 27:09; Michael Bauer, 34:43; Patti Mccloud, 36:23; Rebecca Martin, 36:38; Ruth Elm, 39:22; Jeffrey Elm, 39:24; Bryan Branby, 39:44; Ashley Wisenbarger, 49:45; Josh Foster, 49:46Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.