December 30th, 2011
The New Year is upon us, so time to start making (and committing to) those resolutions. Here are some ideas for the outdoor enthusiasts, or the burgeoning enthusiasts alike. But first a tip or two - keep them specific and reachable. Only 12-20% of resolutions are kept, depending on the study read.
Get outside more and when you do, leave the phone at home!
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December 27th, 2011
Yosemite National Park is one of the country's most popular national parks, with almost 4 million visitors annually (depending on who you ask). But these numbers are at their peak during the late Spring through early Fall months, where if swimming through a sea of people is not your thing, the only way out is to strap on a backpack and hike into the wilderness for some serious alone time.
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December 23rd, 2011
Mesa, AZ (1932) - In an attempt to boost sales in the business district during the worst economic disaster in United States history, (yes worse than that of recent times) A.K.A the Great Depression, editor of the Mesa Journal-Tribune, John McPhee conjured up a brilliant idea to get consumers in the Christmas spending state of mind. In conjunction with the Mesa Christmas Parade, and the
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December 22nd, 2011
If you were not raised in the American Southwest, you may be unfamiliar with luminarias. Most people associate luminarias with small candles inside brown paper bags with sand lining the bottom that are lit on Christmas Eve. However, luminarias have been around since the 16th century as the Spanish tradition of lighting bonfires along roads and churchyards to give people a lighted pathway
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December 14th, 2011
The act of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time is a long time tradition, starting in ancient Scandinavia from the Norse myth of Baldur. Baldur's mother was the Norse goddess Frigga, whom, when Baldur was born, made each and every plant, animal and inanimate object promise not to harm Baldur. The mistletoe plant was overlooked
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December 8th, 2011
For as long as I can remember, which on some occasions may be only as far back as last Tuesday, there is a large Juniper tree on Arizona Interstate 17 that would be decorated after every Thanksgiving Day by the unknown - people, aliens, elves, squirrels, who knows. As a kid, this was one of my favorite attractions on the road to and from northern Arizona as we drove to Sedona and Prescott for family
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December 4th, 2011
The wind seemed to suck the moisture out of my mouth, eyes and nostrils as I sat beneath the lucid bowl of blue sky and piercing sun on a ridge at 12,000 feet in New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains. On that July day, not yet sixteen years old, I had a profound encounter with wilderness.
As
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November 29th, 2011
Writing this blog from Phoenix, Arizona is a bit challenging - today saw a high of 79 F. Although I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt and it is November 29th, I can still inform you of relatively new technology from Columbia Sportswear that is supposed to keep you
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November 21st, 2011
Before you continue reading, I feel obligated to let you know this blog is not about Wild Turkey Bourbon (but tune in next week). This blog is to educate all you turkey fans that the United States and the rest of North America has a long history with the turkey and not just for the drum sticks. Pre and Post-Colonial Central and North American Turkey History The turkey (Meleagris
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November 14th, 2011
Everyone loves an occasional day hike or camping trip, but some people like the idea of the wilderness more than the reality of being away from the advantages of modern day conveniences. The best part about hiking is exploring new places, getting dirty, and staying fit. However, some people refuse to fully embrace the outdoors and would rather be carried to the bottom of Grand Canyon or have a fancy
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"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." - Willy Wonka 
