Arizona, The Grand Canyon State

Arizona, The Grand Canyon State

5/23/2020

Debra and I have lived in The Grand Canyon State most of our adult lives – 25 years (and counting!), more than the other states we’ve lived in combined. Yes, the summers are hot, hot, hot…but the winters in those other states (Ohio, where we grew up, Illinois, and New York), were cold, snowy, and gray. And as the saying goes, “You don’t have to shovel sunshine!”

I love you, Arizona;
Your mountains, deserts and streams;
The rise of Dos Cabezas
And the outlaws I see in my dreams;
I love you Arizona, Superstitions and all;
The warmth you give at sunrise;
Your sunsets put music in us all.
Oo, Arizona;
You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona,
You're the life-blood of me;
I love you Arizona;
Desert dust on the wind;
The sage and cactus are blooming,
And the smell of the rain on your skin.
Oo, Arizona;
You're the magic in me;
Oo, Arizona,
You're the life-blood of me.

~ I Love You Arizona by Rex Allen, Jr.

There are many reasons WE love living in Arizona. High on our list is that there is a world of possibilities for interesting and exciting in-state travel – deserts, lakes, mountains, canyons, waterfalls, ghost towns, western towns, border towns, a military “boneyard,” resorts…well, you get the idea.

Debra and I have seen much of Arizona in 25 years, and I look forward to sharing our experiences and memories with you. We will have new experiences and create more memories in the years ahead – more fodder for future stories about The Grand Canyon State!

My Stories, One Day at a Time

I will post stories about our travels throughout Arizona,
with a new story every month or so.

Wonders of Nature: the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert

Debra and I visited two parks in northern Arizona we had not seen before. The weather was picture perfect and these natural wonders were breathtaking!

An Oasis in the Desert

Sometimes, as I discovered this day on a 14-mile bike ride, even the shortest trips can provide scenic sights to see!

Our Mountain Getaway

Debra and I headed to the mountaintop resort communities of Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside for some R&R. Slow pace, tall pines, cooler temperatures, scenic beauty, and more. We loved it!

Prescott, A Pioneer Town

David and I began our 3-day father-son getaway with a tour of Old Town Prescott - a lesson in the pioneer history of Arizona's 1st territorial capital. We were off to a great start!

The Sunday Drive

Debra and I took a jaunt in the car - a leisurely Sunday drive to Springerville, Arizona. It was a modest excursion that we thoroughly enjoyed!

Hiking on Los Caballos

I had an awesome hike on Los Caballos, a 16-mile loop trail near Show Low, Arizona.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It was a glorious winter day in Show Low - a day to enjoy being outdoors. And I did!

Agua Caliente Park

Debra and I loved hanging out at this "hidden gem" in the desert, which was first discovered by the Ancients and now preserved for one and all to enjoy.

The Town Beneath a Lake

My buddy Craig took me on a boat ride around Fool Hollow Lake. "Do you know the history of this lake?" he asked. I didn't, but I soon learned about the town beneath the lake and a spirit that floats over the water at night!

Osprey Connector Trail

The weather as perfect for a morning hike on the Osprey Connector trail to Scott Reservoir. The scenery was wonderful and it was great to be outdoors!

Panorama Trail

I hiked the 9.3 mile Panorama trail, where I saw evidence of the once active volcanoes in this area of Arizona. I enjoyed the exercise and loved the fresh mountain air!

Springs Trail

I joined a hiking group on the Old Hatchery and Springs trails in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It was great fun!

Country Club Trail

I hiked the Country Club trail, an 3.25 mile loop through a forest of ponderosa pine...and added the Pat Mullen Mountain trail for good measure. I loved being in the great outdoors!

Up, Up and Away!

No longer bound to the earth by gravity, I was one with the wind and the sky. It was a dream come true - a magical carpet ride in a hot air balloon!

Drivers, Start Your Engines!

It was a memorable day for me and my 'crew' at Phoenix Raceway. With VIP creds, we accessed the most secure areas of the racetrack and watched the race from the pit stall of the No. 45. For racecar fans, it doesn't get any better!

Hikin' Country Club Trail

It was a beautiful morning for a hike, and I made the most of it on Country Club Trail!

Hikin' Spring Trail

It was a glorious morning - the weather was picture perfect - for a hike, and so I went for a walk in the woods on Springs Trail, one of my favorites in the White Mountains trail system. Along the way, I was greeted by squirrels, birds, and a herd of free-range cows. I enjoyed my hike from start to finish!

Hikin' Mule Deer Trail

The weather was picture perfect for a hike on Deer Mule Trail in the White Tank Mountains - an opportunity to connect with the natural world around me!

Arrowhead Point Loop

I LOVE that there are soooo many interesting trails in and about greater Phoenix, like Arrowhead Point Loop, a 2.4-mile trail in Thunderbird Conservation Park. The weather was picture perfect, and so was the scenery!

Waterfall & Black Rock Trails

I LOVE to hike, especially in the beautiful Sonoran Desert...and this was what I did on this picture-perfect day. I was in God's country, and I was in my glory!

Shaw Butte Loop—An Absolute Delight

One recent morning, I hiked Shaw Butte Loop, a gem of a trail in the North Mountain Preserve. I had a great workout with a mix of scenic views of the beautiful Sonoran Desert. It was an absolute delight!

Hiking the No-Name Trail

I hiked a loop trail that defied easy naming because it was pieced together from segments of other trails. No matter, though, as it offered what I love about hiking on desert trails: a unique blend of beauty and tranquility!

Rediscovering the Sonoran Preserve

I rediscovered the Sonoran Preserve, one of my favorite areas to hike in greater Phoenix. The trail I hiked was fun, and the desert landscape was stunning!

Steps Beneath the Pines: Woodland Lake Outer Loop Trail

It's been 20 years since I last hiked this trail - a trail that combines three passions of mine: recreation, nature, and learning. I was grateful I had finally returned!

From Trail to Treasure: A Morning’s Hike in the North Mountain Preserve

I hit the 'trifecta' on the Short Loop trail in the North Phoenix Preserve - I had a great workout, saw awesome scenery, and discovered something new. And...I found an unexpected bonus in the Visitor Center!

Desert Lessons: Confidence, Curiosity, and the Beauty of the Trail

My hike took an unexpected twist when I discovered my path wasn't what I thought it would be. All's well that ends well, though, and I left the trail more confident about my hiking than I've been in a long while.

Cactus Chronicles: Hiking Hawk’s Nest Loop

Mother Nature outdid herself when she sculpted the beautiful desert landscape that surrounds Hawk's Loop Trail in the Sonoran Preserve. It was absolutely stunning!

The Roadblock That Led to Discovery

I encountered an unexpected obstacle when I ventured out for a hike in Estrella Mountain Regional Park—but I turned it into a chance discovery, with new insights and knowledge along the way. In a way, my detour was a disguised gift, and I was grateful for it!

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