Phoenix Mountain Preserve Hike

This morning Virgil and I set off for a hike on the north side of Squaw Peak. We've hiked this area a few times before and have found that it has plenty of trails to explore. We drove to the parking area located at 40th Street and Shea to start what ended up being a 6.2 mile hike. What's so great about this area is that you can hike in rugged terrain, right in the middle of the city, and you don't even know it. Looking around, all you see are mountains and valleys. There were a lot of other people out enjoying the weather while riding mountain bikes, running the trails, or like us, hiking and taking in the scenery.
As we approached the parking lot on our way back, we saw several fire trucks in the circular driveway. About 5 firefighters were walking into the park with full rescue gear. Apparently a hiker called 911 and they came to the rescue. This is actually a fairly common occurence in the valley. Sometimes they even have to make a rescue with a helicopter. We don't know how this story turned out, but I can say that I'm glad it wasn't me!!

Trail 100 winding through Squaw Peak Park. 

Marcia trekking through the park. 

Virgil stops for a photo. 

Walnut Canyon National Monument, Saturday, March 12, 2005

Saturday we took a trip to Flagstaff, about 2 hours north of Phoenix. We decided to go to Walnut Canyon, about 5 miles east of Flagstaff along I-40, while we were there.
The canyon was home to the Sinagua (meaning "without water") people about 800 years ago. They built their homes in the side of the canyon walls, climbing up to farm on the surface, and down to get water from Walnut Creek.
The tour of the monument is a self-guided walking tour that takes visitors on the 0.9 mile Island trail past many cliff dwelling rooms. At first look, this trail doesn't seem like any great physical challenge. But, consider that the trail takes you down 240 stairs that make a 185 foot descent into the canyon starting at an elevation of 6690. The air is much thinner at this elevation, so the hard part about making the climb out is catching your breath. Also consider that I am afraid of heights and that there were some parts of the trail that did not have a railing. EEK! After making it back to the top, we went on a second 0.7 mile trail on the rim of the canyon. This one was mostly flat, and much easier. It was a nice walk through the pine forest and past a couple more ruins, while giving a nice view of the canyon and pine forests beyond it.

Walnut Canyon from above. 

Cliff Dwelling 

Marcia on the descent of some of the many stairs at the park. 

Virgil stands at an overlook to Walnut Canyon. 

Giants v. Padres, Saturday March 5, 2005

Last Saturday afternoon, Virgil and I went to a Cactus League baseball game at the Scottsdale Stadium. The Giants were playing the Padres in one of the first spring training games of the year.

San Francisco Giants v. San Diego Padres  

Capitol Bancorp 5K for JA, Saturday, March 5, 2005

Virgil and I participated in the walking portion of a 5k run/walk that his company, Capitol Bancorp, sponsored. The run/walk took us almost completely around Tempe Town Lake and was a full 5k (3.1 miles) long. We had a good time, and were given a free lunch of burgers, salad, and chips from Fuddruckers after we were finished.

This run/walk was designed as a fundraiser to benefit an organization here in the valley called Junior Acheivement. I thought that this non-profit sounded like a worthy cause: "Providing children with positive adult role-models who illustrate ways to build self-confidence, develop skills and find avenues of success in the American economic system always has been a hallmark of our organization. JA volunteers share with children knowledge and a practical understanding of the role economics, entrepreneurship and business play in society."

Tempe Town Lake and Mill Avenue Bridge, Tempe, AZ 

Capitol Bancorp 5K for JA racers lining up. 

Virgil & Marcia waiting to race. 

Weather Forecast

Ok, what good is it to live in Phoenix if you can't brag about the weather every now and then. Here is the 7 day forecast:
Mar 8 Sunny 77/56
Mar 9 Sunny 81/57
Mar 10 Sunny 84/59
Mar 11 Sunny 84/58
Mar 12 Sunny 81/56
Mar 13 Mostly Sunny 79/53
Mar 14 Partly Cloudy 75/54
Ahhh, sure am glad I'm not scooping snow!!