Adventures from Arizona to Alberta
Sometimes the best way to accomplish a goal is not to define it. Just enjoy the process.
Towering at 10,425 ft, Kendrick Peak, a dome volcano, is one of the highest in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. The Kendrick Peak Trail #22 was about 9 miles roundtrip, with a 2,700 ft elevation gain.
Just minutes southeast of Flagstaff lies a lovely little trail that shows a different take on Walnut Canyon. Petrified sand dunes, canyon gorges, and caves—what a combination.
As temperatures rise in the desert, so does the need to escape. That’s where Dave and I found ourselves last week. With the border to Canada closed for at least another 30 days, we agreed to suck it up and make the best of the current situation.
“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad…”
—Rogers and Hammerstein, My Favorite Things
Mountainside wildlife.
This love letter should come as no surprise. Our family’s roots run deep in Alberta. My father was born Lethbridge, and I have memories of visits to not one, but two sets of grandparents.
Close to twenty years ago, we ventured into this little town—this Valhalla. Canmore is where I fell in love with Dave. It’s where our lives came together, and our hearts lie still.
Canmore overlook at sunrise.
It seems every April, like clockwork, the urge to go north sets in. Dave dreams about crystal clear lakes and rugged mountains. We binge-watch all the movies we can find that use the Canadian Rockies as a location. We crave poutine. In essence, we shift gears.
Spray Lake.
What’s outside your window?
Canmore Golf and Curling Club.
Bow River evening walk.
Not unlike the Canadian geese who winter in Arizona, in May, we take flight—only to return to the desert by November.
September in the Canadian Rockies.
But this year is different for everyone. Isolation is not by choice, it’s mandatory. CoVid-19 continues to take its toll on the lives and livelihoods of so many worldwide.
So we all wait, hope for better days ahead, and remember our favorite things.
Despite fires, floods, and global pandemics, Canmore, you will always be our home away from home. XOXO.
If hiking the Grand Canyon is in your future, and if you have never seen the Sierra Estrella wilderness, then this is the hike for you. This hike wasn’t about the view—it was about a non-relenting climb to nowhere. Alright, so maybe I’m a bit brutal. It was a quarantine hike.
Arizona trails are essential services. Thankfully, with our vast trail system, it’s not difficult to find an uncrowded venue. Skip the Camelbacks and Piestawas—unless you enjoy wiping down boulders and guard rails that have been touched by thousands.
We saw vultures. Not close-up, mind you, but we saw them hovering around the peak—hence the name fit perfectly.
Saturday was a hike day. So, Dave, Margaret, and I took the opportunity to do a little exploring in our own backyard.
From arid to balmy, from desert to sea. Our trip continued with a visit to St. Petersburg, FL, to spend some much needed time with daughter Hillary and son-in-law Bruno.
It was a quick trip, but well worth it. A family visit was long overdue. Happily, Dave has a son here in Phoenix, but the remainder of our family lives well east of here about as far as one can get without leaving the continent.
For many, Sedona is the place to be. This little town is a haven for hikers, mountain bikers, art collectors, and spiritual advisors. It can also be pretty congested. However, a little patience and timing can pay off in a big way.
In the desert, one can see forever. From almost every vantage point in Phoenix, the iconic Four Peaks come into view. During winter, the peaks are often snow-capped, providing a glimpse of seasonal splendor from our sunny confines.
Our exploration of hiking trails northwest of Phoenix continues. Last week we hiked to the saddle of Governor’s Peak, located just up the road from the historic Castle Creek Hot Springs in the Hell’s Canyon Wilderness. The trail begins just beyond a cattle guard—five miles past Lake Pleasant on Castle Rock Springs Road.
I said I would never do this again. That’s right, that’s what I said. This entire experience was similar to giving birth—one tends to forget how painful it was. The bottom line, I guess, is that I am no off-road enthusiast.
As we all know, the New Year is a time for reflection—a time for pulling out that list (from last year) full of want-to-dos and need-to-dos. In our household, celebratory lethargy has set in, thanks to bowl games accompanied by lots of food and drink.
What draws so many to this mountain? Maybe it's because it is a Phoenix landmark and bucket list item for a city hike. Perhaps it's the challenge of making it to the top along with the 360° views.
It's all of the above. Around 450,000 hike the Cholla or Echo Canyon trail every year.
You'll find the trails in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. Although the fight to preserve this area started as early as 1910, it wasn't until 1965 when Barry Goldwater took up the cause and helped stop further development in the mountain's higher elevation. It became a Phoenix city park in 1968.
A walk up Cholla Lane leads to the trailhead.
This past Monday, Dave and I decided to challenge ourselves and hike up the Cholla Trail. The last time we made the trek was back in 2016 to see the controversial Christmas tree—a tradition started seven years ago by a fellow named John Cressey. Many complained that it violates the "leave no trace" policy of the park service, while others have accused the city of being a Grinch. The tradition continues to find a way to survive within strict boundaries.
Thanks to an early start and a weekday morning, we were able to park relatively close by. For the Cholla trail, parking is located only in designated areas along Invergordon. Be prepared to walk up to a mile to reach the trailhead.
Parking along Invergordon.
The temperature was a perfect 45°, and miraculously, it did not become crowded until our descent. But it was steep—about a mile and a half and 1,500 feet of elevation to the top.
Hiking towards the helicopter pad.
We were treated to spectacular city views, thanks to a cold front that had pushed through the day before.
Papago Buttes in the distance.
A downtown viewpoint.
My favorite part of the hike was the portion just beyond the helicopter rescue pad. It consisted of scaling boulders by following a trail of blue reflective markers — kind of like solving a puzzle, only scarier. Our adrenaline was riding way too high to even think about fatigue.
It is a long way down from here.
Once at the top, we joined hikers from the Echo Canyon side, to visit and gaze at the valley below. We also saw a pro athlete doing a motivational video blog that was quite inspiring.
But where was the tree? A half-eaten ornament was all we saw. Leave no trace.
Fear not my friends. Kris Kringle and his tree will be at the summit from Dec. 21-25, for photos and holiday cheer. This year the tree is dedicated to veterans who have PTSD. If you decide to go, feel free to bring a birdseed ornament to hang for someone you love.
Happy Holidays from AZtoAB!
What is one of the worst things that can happen to a home baker during the holidays? The oven goes out. That’s right. What started with a dry Thanksgiving turkey ended with an error code. Wait, it gets better. We spent Monday afternoon in the ER after I took a tumble jogging with Lucia. No worries, just an enormous holiday shiner to contend with along with a bruised ego.
Holidays and hiking go together. Every winter, clear blue skies, and warm sunshine beckon all who wish to enjoy the desert in all its glory. It is just way too perfect for staying indoors.
I must say, our timing was impeccable. The forecast called for rain. Not just a drizzle mind you, a downpour, full of raging washes, flooded interstates, and general mayhem. With the prospect of three days of flash flood watches rapidly approaching, Dave and I decided to enjoy the sunrise with a view of Phoenix from South Mountain Park, followed by an early morning hike.
Defining anything as winter in the desert can be a bit of a stretch. We do have the occasional freeze, and yes, we have had snow. But this is Arizona’s time to revel—after baking in a convection oven for over five months.
