{Walk This Way}

I've lived in Arizona since the end of 2004, (minus that little trip across the pond in '06). Yet, somehow I've only explored two of the mountain ranges The Valley has to offer. (For shame!) New geography and mentality has me more determined than ever to try lots of new things.

After scaling both sides of the more popular Camelback Mountain, I knew it was time to follow the recommendation given to me by a bartender from Vintage 95 (who really just bartends to support his real love of hiking and working as a guide). I figured a person with his passion knows his stuff.

My brother, Aaron, was in town from Illinois. Together, we went west in search of Peralta Trail. (More cell phone photos -- ugh -- sorry! One of these days, I'll get back into the mode of using my real camera and taking decent pictures.)

{For you locals: Take 60 to Peralta Road Exit (just passed Apache Junction). Go north on Peralta. You'll pass a school, and the road turns to dirt. Take that another 3-4 miles and park!}

I get excited like a kid at Cedar Point when I get to a new trail head. Adventures await!

This hike didn't disappoint. We saw a 4 foot rattlesnake inches off the trail right off the get! I've always known they're there, but this is the first time I saw one up close and personal. I carefully snapped a picture. Fortunately, he cooperated. (Is it wrong that I assume it was a he just because it's a snake? Ha!) I couldn't quite get it in one shot. That's it's head to the left and it's wee little rattle on the right.

From then on, it was just a series of breathtaking views. We were amazed that they seemed to be ours alone. We saw so few people out there -- maybe a dozen at the most.

My "church" is, without question, Mother Nature. Nothing else resets me like she does! There's something grounding about being in medias res of expansive natural spaces. It reminds me how small I am in the grand scheme of things. Life is not to be taken as seriously as I sometimes like to think. We're really just part of a greater whole. The goal, as I see it, is to do something meaningful with my piece of it, leaving things a little better than I found them. Well, that, and making sure to enjoy the process. Mornings like this put my perspective back on track and reset the flow of my blood! 

The area pictured above is Boulder Canyon. We hiked all the way through it! The reward? An awesome view of Weaver's Needle. It's the main landmark in the Superstition Mountains, and it's gorgeous!

The hike back was fun -- faster, easier and every bit as beautiful. :) Completely energizing and a great little adventure. Quite possibly, the perfect way to start a Sunday!!

{I am a Warrior}

I'm back!

This has been my longest break from blogging since I began Link Adventures in 2005. Thank you for all your thoughts about missing my online updates. It's been very appreciated and nice to hear. Every note, comment or phone call felt like a hug, and I used them all to help refill my emotional bank account.♥♥♥♥♥

I took some time off from blogging to deal with life. It snuck up on me and kicked me in the ass a few times, but I chose to look at it as a wakeup call and deal with it. I feel like I finally got out in front of it this time around. The last two months, I've spent reprioritizing and creating balance where it previously lacked. Today, I feel stronger then ever. I'm doing a lot of things I'm really excited about. I feel grateful, inspired, happy, energetic, motivated, and satisfied.

With that, let's get back to blogging, shall we?

I couldn't think of a more appropriate post to return with than one about the Warrior Dash we ran in last month. Have you heard of this race? It's -- hold on, I don't want to over state this too much -- the coolest thing EVER.

The Warrior Dash is a 5k loaded up with obstacles like cold water, mud, fire, climbing, sliding, leaping, jumping, and dodging. It's AWESOME. People dress up in crazy costumes. Afterwards, there's live music, beer, food, and general camaraderie.



David and I flew to the midwest so we could do the race with Aaron (my brother) and Pam (his wife). We all really needed this. Pam and Aaron spent the year kicking cancer out of her body. David and I had a crazy, life-changing summer. And Edgar -- the one who got us turned onto the idea of doing the race -- gave a stern talking to his fear of heights.

We all left a few demons on the course and connected with our inner warriors that day!

Best event ever. So, so fun. Totally worth all the dirt in inappropriate places.

Special thanks goes out to:

* Edgar for giving us the idea

* Aaron for pushing us to sign up

* The guys at mile two who literally threw drinking water into our faces

* The fire department for volunteering to hose us off afterwards

* David for going with

* Pam for being my running partner

* The nice group of people in the parking lot (field) who were standing next to us but

didn't stare when we stripped down to our birthday suits afterwards and got clean.

Be warned, I am taking my new warrior status very seriously going forward. :)

{Last Road Trip of 2010}

David's parents are officially motorhomers.

Jim and Sandy took an inaugural road trip in "the Journey" to visit us in Phoenix. They

arrived a few days before Christmas, and we had a nice holiday. Two days after Christmas,

we piled into the RV and went on an adventure that took us to Tombstone, Arizona.

Tombstone is home to some real characters. People play dress up there everyday, said our

waitress the last night we were in town.

Take one of the guys who sat near us at dinner. He was probably 80, dressed entirely in

black including his chaps with mother-of-pearl-handled-pistols on each hip and spurs

coming off the back of his cowboy boots. He wore a black hat, carried cigarettes and had

a hell of a buzz, based on the slur in his speech and stammer in his step. That's just plain

good people watchin', if you ask me.

Being there was like taking a step back in time. Here are a few more photos from our visit ...

After Tombstone, we headed to Catalina State Park. What a beautiful corner of the world.

It rained long and hard that night, which meant we didn't spend much time at all outside

appreciating the view. It seemed like a real shame to miss it, but we found a fabulous

place to camp. I think David and I will go back on our own sometime.

It was cold that night, too. Fog and snow moved in just as we pulled out of the park. It was

wild to see snow on cactus as we made our way home.

In hindsight, that was a pretty cool way to spend the last few days of 2010 -- with a

road trip to see new things and new places in our beautiful state. I have my eyes on

a couple things I'd like to see in Arizona in 2011. How about you?