We’ve been in Tucson for almost a week now, and without a doubt, the highlight of our trip has been Saguaro National Park. Towering cacti dominate the landscape here — they’re everywhere you look, standing like silent guardians of the desert. Of course, my favorite time to see them is during sunset, when the golden light wraps around their spiny arms and the sky turns into a canvas of orange, pink, and purple.

Unlike our previous stop at Petrified Forest National Park, also in Arizona, Saguaro National Park offers a bit more freedom. Here, visitors are allowed to stay as long as they’d like, as long as they stick to the paved roads after dark. That gave us a little more breathing room, though I still found myself quickening my pace whenever I passed signs warning of “rattlesnake area” — especially when I was alone.

We intentionally took a few days off during the trip — no plans, no rush — just to rest, recharge, and let the kids play freely. Sometimes the best part of traveling is doing nothing at all, just being present.

One evening, we decided to take a short sunset hike at Sabino Canyon, a well-known and highly recommended recreational area in Tucson. Since we arrived after 4:30 p.m., shuttle service had already stopped for the day, which meant we had to walk about a mile on the paved road to reach the trailhead. The walk was surprisingly manageable, even with our two little ones in tow, and we were treated to beautiful desert views along the way — rugged hills, scattered saguaros, and the soft light of late afternoon.

Because we didn’t have time to hike to a higher vantage point for sunset photos, we opted for the Sabino Lake and Dam Trail, which descends into the canyon. To our surprise, about a mile in, we reached a spot with an unexpectedly open view. Even more surprising — and delightful — was the sight of fall colors in the trees. I had assumed we’d missed them this year, but there they were, glowing in the fading sunlight.

Apollo, my little sidekick, has become more and more aware of my photography habits. These days, he either leans into it or starts negotiating his own terms. “Mommy, look! Sunset!” he shouted, pointing at the sky. Then he quickly added, “You can take pictures of Orion, and I’ll just stay here and watch the iPad.” It’s funny how quickly kids observe, adapt, and learn to manage their parents’ hobbies.

Another evening, we made our way to Gates Pass, a local favorite for catching breathtaking desert sunsets. Because of the distance and our toddler’s nap schedule, timing was tricky. We had to make a calculated effort to get there before the sun dipped below the horizon. Not knowing exactly where the viewpoint was, we nearly missed it entirely. By the time we drove past what looked like the busiest parking lot, the light was already fading into blue hour, and I debated whether it was even worth stopping.

But something told me to turn back.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I knew I had made the right call. I quickly scrambled up a small hill to get a better view of the sky and started setting up my tripod. The vibrant colors of sunset were already giving way to twilight, and I had to move fast to capture what remained.

With limited time and light, I didn’t overthink the composition. I chose a nearby cactus as a symbol of Arizona, captured a long exposure light trail to add energy to the scene, and framed the distant mountain ranges as the background. The result wasn’t perfect, but it was honest — a real moment captured in a fleeting few minutes.

Sadly, that was our only chance to visit Gates Pass on this trip, but it was enough. Sometimes, one good sunset is all you need.