THE RILLITO RIVER

Many years ago the Rillito River flowed year round, giving life to native pants like the cottonwoods and mesquites. These days it has dried out and ranges from a very dusty wash in the hot summers and a roaring river wash in the very wet Monsoon season. 

My childhood home was located off the Rillito River wash in Tucson, Arizona. I grew up playing in this dry river bed, collecting rocks and spotting the wildlife that lived in the trees and bushes. 

Rillito means "Little River" in Spanish.