A few weeks ago, the Colbert Report mentioned the use of bugs in Starbucks for food coloring. Apparently, Starbucks is using dried bugs or dried Cochineal to make their Strawberry Fraps "strawberry" colored. I, for one, would much prefer my food coloring to come from a chemical. Carcinogenic red number 40 - yum! But why the uproar? Cochineal has been used for centuries as a dye - food, cosmetics and clothing most commonly.
Cochineal is a scale insect from which the crimson-colored dye carmine is derived. The carmine dye was used in the 15th century for coloring fabrics by the Mayan and Aztec people in Central and North America. During the colonial period, the production of cochineal grew rapidly, produced almost exclusively in Oaxaca, Mexico and became Mexico's second most valued export after silver. It eventually became a prized possession in Europe, being quoted on the London and Amsterdam Commodity Exchange by the 18th century. Once synthetic dyes were invented during the 19th century, natural dye production slowly diminished until health concerns over artificial food additives renewed its production. Now Peru, is the largest exporter of the dye and has again increased in its commercial value, thus being used in foods once again. If you are wondering how to find this little bug in your tasty treats, look for “cochineal extract”, “carmine”, “crimson lake”, “natural red 4”, “c.1 75470”, “E120” or “natural coloring.” While the thought of eating bugs is not all that appetizing, even though they are dried and pulverized in order to make the dye, it is much better than carcinogens. That is, unless you are one of the rare people who could have an anaphylactic shock reaction from eating a Hostess SnowBall.
You may not be aware, but you have likely come across these little bugs. If you live in the desert Southwest for example, you may have noticed cacti - especially Prickly Pear - that has a white fungus, moldy looking infestation on the pads. This is not a fungus. This is the waxing coating created by the cochineal for protection from the outside elements. If you look closely, you will see the bug. Pick it off and squeeze. You will instantly see the magenta color these bugs create - gross but kind of pretty.
And if you didn’t see the Colbert segment from April 17, 2012, “Thought for Food,” check it out here.
To Make a Long Story Short - 4 Boys from South Park Go Ziplining!
April 21st, 2012
There have been many a blog about the latest South Park episode spoofing the many docudramas such as I Shouldn't Be Alive, I Survived and Jersey Shore the past couple of days. Not only because of creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone's ability to capture societies absurdities at their finest, but because this episode went to live action (yet with the success of Book of Mormon, is this really all that surprising?) If you want to find out more about that, read a different blog because this is about the brilliance in the depiction of being in a tour group.
The episode begins with Kenny, Cartman, Kyle and Stan depressed because they wasted their entire spring break playing Xbox. So to make sure they end their vacation with a bang, they decide to go ziplining with great anticipation that it will be death-defying and exciting, until they discover they are joining a group of other zipliners - one is about 5 years old and the rest are anywhere from 40 to 60. Yes, they are joining a tour group with boring tourists. Fortunately for us in the adventure tour business there is truth in fiction which is what made this episode so great. But, it only takes having been on one organized tour to be able to relate. Don't you remember the last time you were on a bus with a group of people that have long short stories and even longer long stories? And quite honestly, there is nothing more annoying than the manufactured excitment some guides use to elevate anticipation for something than will turn out to be lame. I have been parasailing before, so I know. It was as exciting as my last teeth cleaning. I have also been sky diving and the guides are real because the exceitment is real.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I did think the episode would be about the boys getting lost in the wilderness with the looming risk of death, similar to the Brazilian Rainforest episode of years past, but instead, the boys are risking a different fate - that of boredom. And yes, Kenny does die of it.
April is here, and while the desert Southwest will see little in wildflowers this year due a dry winter, one flower is sure to bloom - the Sacred Datura. No, this is not the name of a death metal band - but well suited to be one. The Datura wrighhtii is a poisonous perennial plant and white ornamental flower that grows in Mexico and as far north into the United States as Southern Utah. The plant blooms from April to about October of every year, just in time for all you Grand Canyon, Paria Canyon and Arizona hikers to enjoy its beauty. But when you see it, you can look, but don't touch. Well you can touch briefly, but definatley don't eat it! If you are like me, there isn't a flower or plant out there that I don't look at and think, "that would taste great with a beer!" All parts of the plant are very toxic, including the sweetly fragrant flower, and may be fatal to humans and animals. It is also used as a hallucinogen.
The plant gets its name because it is used in many Native American rituals. It is sacred to many tribes and has been used in rites of passage rituals by the Chumash, the Tongva and others. It is also used as a recreational drug to induce hallucinations, inducing many of the same effects as atrpine (found in deadly nightshade and jimson weed). Effects may include dry mouth, hyperthermia, profuse sweating, drowsiness and letthargy. In maney cases, the users pupils can get so dilated to cause tempory vison impairment and even blindness.
So, when you are on your Rim to Rim to hike in Grand Canyon, you are sure to spot one of thes plants, and while they mostly bloom at night, you will have the opportunity capture one on "film." But please, don't pick or lick the flowers!
Happy Belated Centennial Arizona!
March 19th, 2012
Arizona's centennial started this year on February 14th! Yes, this blog is a bit late but we have been in the process of making it better. Better late than never and besides, centennials are celebrated for the entire year practically anyway.
In celebration of 100 years of statehood, here are some interesting tidbits of information about the Grand Canyon State, courtesy of Arizona Highways Magazine - February 2012.
1914 -The Battle of Naco occurs along the Arizona-Mexico border during the Mexican Revolution. 1919 - Grand Canyon National Monument is named a national park. 1922 - The University of Arizona's polo team is established under the Department of Military Science and Tactics, using horses belonging to the ROTC program. 1929 - The Detroit Tigers become the first team to hold spring training in Arizona. 1930 - Pluto is discovered at Lowell Observaory in Flagstaff. 1931 - Winnie Ruth Judd murders her roommates and cuts their bodies up into pieces. 1933 - Isabella Greenway of Arizona becomes the first woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. 1936 - The first Tequila ever produced in the U.S. is made in Nogales. 1937 - Phoenix records its heaviest snowfall to date with 1-4 inches on January 21-22. 1942 - Approximately 18,000 Japanese Americans are interned in Poston Relocation Camp south of Parker. 1948 - Native Americans are given the right to vote in Arizona. 1956 - TWA Flight 2 and United Airlines Flight 718 collide over Grand Canyon, killing 128 people and being the deadliest arline incident on American soil until 9/11. 1959 - Glendale's Marty Robbins records El Paso, later becoming the first country song to win a Grammy. 1966 - The Doors play their first gig outside of LA at Phoenix's Fifth Estate. 1967 - Arizona State University professor Rita Dove wins the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. (Little known to many but she almost didn't get hired). 1972 - Bob Dylan writes Forever Young in Scottsdale. 1976 - President Gerald Ford releases a statement on the death of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles, saying he was "distressed and outraged that a reporter in search of the truth became an apparent victim of the underworld." 1981 - Sandra Day O'Connor becomes the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. 1984 - Route 66 officially declared dead with the completion of the last stretch of I-40 bypassing Williams. 1989 - Author Edward Abbey dies, Governor Rose Mofford signs into law a paid holiday honoring the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, ending a two-year economic boycott of the state - see Gov. Evan Mecham. 1993 - Labor leader Cesar Chavez dies. 2002 - The Rodeo-Chediski fire becomes the worst wildfire in state history to date, burning 468,638 acres. 2004 - Former Arizona State University and Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman is killed in Afghanistan. 2009 - The AZ Cardinals are defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, one of the most memorable Super Bowl games to date, President Barack Obama speaks at Arizona State University's May commencement. 2011 - U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 18 other are shot outside a Safeway in Tucson.
You’ve Seen One Grand Canyon, You’ve Seen Them All!
March 5th, 2012
We have been on a bit of a hiatus from blogging, but we are back! The blog was under construction (and still needs a bit of tweeking), but hopefully you have noticed that our blog is considerably faster!
Anyway, since we are getting back into the blogging game, I picked a topic that is quick, easy, and highly entertaining - at least it was for me. And my inspritation was some reviews I read about Central Park in New York City. Not because I felt the need to read reviews before experienceing it for myself, and even if it was given only an average of 1 star, I would go because I belive in experiencing things for myself and be damned someone else's opinion will keep me from new experiences. Afterall, is that not how we all grow? I will get off my soap box now:) Oh, and some are just funny.
Well, Central Park did average 4.5 stars in Trip Advisor and Google. I also looked at Grand Canyon, which also averaged 4.5 stars? Many of the low reviews have nothing to do with the location itself but with an event or tour, but I did find some gems I want to share.
Central Park reviews from Trip Advisor
From a senior contributor in New York City...3 Stars..."Nice but Crowded - The park itself is nice, but when the weather is nice or even just decent, it becomes way to crowded."
3 Stars..."Cold and Wet - I think because we visited in February it wasn't what we expected and also it was raining. We were a little let down!"
3 Stars..."Not Looking It's Best - I visited in February and not looking its best. Grass lacking. Very bare no green scrubs."
Grand Canyon National Park from Google
1 Star..."The North Rim is Better than the South."
1 Star..."Riduculous! There is no way this was created by a river! Just look at how many rivers there are in the world. If rivers made stuff like this, there would be gigantic canyons EVERYWHERE! This is clearly an ancient test site for some kind of alien laser superweapon. They're going to return soon and use it on our cities!"
Grand Canyon National Park from Trip Advisor
From a top contributor...3 Stars..."You Know What To Expect - The Grand Canyon (north rim) was on our list of parks to do while on honeymoon last year. We stayed 2 nights, and while I've written about the north rim lodge already (fabulous!) the canyon itself was a bit of a disappointment. It's the Grand Canyon and you have seen loads of shots/videos already, and really it's like that when you get there! It really lokos a bit the same!"
From someone who is a "senior reviewer" (because has 7 reviews)...3 Stars..."Checked Off the Bucket List. Won't Go Back...I'm glad we went but I wouldn't go back. It's a spectacular sight but once you've seen it, you've seen it...We stopped at all the "must-see" views and enjoyed the information from the tour guide. The view isn't much different from each of the stops."
The Saguaro - A Desert Icon
February 8th, 2012
Many of you may be familiar with the Saguaro Cactus, whether you know it or not. If you are not sure, think of the image of the green, tall, thick tree-like thing you see in every Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon. Or, you practically see it on anything that depicts the southwestern United States. But the fact is, the Saguaro Cactus is not deserving of a southwestern icon since its territory is limited to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico. These cacti are so unique that Arizona visitors always have many questions about these amazing feats of Mother Nature. Here are a few courtesy of Saguaro: The Desert Giant by Anna Humphreys and Susan Lowell. Where do Saguaros Grow?Only in the Sonoran Desert or southwestern and south-central Arizona and western Sonora, with a very few in southern California.How tall do they grow?Record height is 78 feet with an average mature height of 18-30 feet and often with heights of 50 to 60 feet.How much do the weigh?About 80 pounds per foot. Or, a lot!How fast do they grow?Not very. Depending on the location and age of the plant, they average about 3 feet in thirty years.When do they grow arms?At about 12 feet in height or 40 to 80 years. Some never grow arms.What are they mostly made of?Water. But this does not mean you can cut one open to access your own oasis. The water is absorbed into a pulpy material, making the sap slimy, bad tasting and difficult to extract.How long do they live?Estimates are up to 200 years.Are they endangered?Not currently, however, they are protected. Under the Arizona Native Plant Law, the saguaro is listed as a "salvage-restricted protected native plant,' meaning, they are considered vulnerable to damage by theft or vandalism and are protected by law. They cannot be legally removed from any lands, without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. A saguaro can be legally obtained with a permit and then it is issued an official seal. Suspected poachers, traffickers and vandals can find themselves in a legal and financial bind with Class 4, 5 or 6 felonies and fines as high as $100,000 for transporting saguaros illegally across state lines. Just some info in case you were interested in starting a career in Saguaro Trafficking.Why do they have ridges?Like Ruffles brand potato chips - so the dip doesn't fall off as easy. Actually, there are three reasons. The first is to allow for expansion when collecting and storing water after rain - since the desert gets so little, it has to be able to store the water some where. Second, as you may notice from the above picture, the Saguaro does tower above other plants, but it does need some sort of protection from the sun. The accordion pleated ribs allow the cactus to produce its own shade - it's not much, but all it needs. Finally, the ridges act like a wind breaker. The desert can see winds of 70 plus MPH certain times of year. Since the Saguaro is the tallest plant in the desert, sometimes with no mountains to break the wind, one would think it would blow over. Yet, the pleats break the winds up, keeping the cactus tall and strong. If you ever stand by one during a heavy wind, you can hear the wind as it blows around the ridges. Hopefully this satisfies your thirst for saguaro knowledge - for now.
The Elwha River Dams Demolition
January 31st, 2012
The 45 mile long Elwha River runs north through Olympic National Park in Washington from its source, the Elwha snowfinger, to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is also one of the few rivers in the Pacific Northwest that is home to all five species of Pacific salmon. The Elwha River is also home to two dams, the 108 ft tall Elwha River Dam (1914) and the 210ft tall Glines Canyon Dam (1927), that is until a demolition project that started in September 2011. This two and a half year project will result in the largest dam removal project in history, in an attempt to restore an entire river system.More than 2.5 million dams - both public and private - have been erected throughout the United States over its 235 year history, blocking streams and rivers. More than a quarter of these dams have passed their 50 year average life expectancy; by 2020, that figure will reach 85%. Once past the 50 year mark, most dams begin to degenerate. Concrete walls degrade, earthworks erode and seep, spillway gates rust and lose tensile strength and sediment clogs reservoirs, reducing their capacity. At the worst, an aging dam could fail, causing catastrophic flooding. Maintenance costs, pressure from conservation groups, fishermen, tribal councils and state and federal agencies have created growing pressures with low economic returns, resulting in more and more dams considered for removal nation wide. Before the construction of the Elwha River dams, over 400,000 salmon returned to the River to spawn over 70 miles of river habitat. Now, fewer than 4,000 salmon return to the river to spawn the 4.9 miles of river left available to spawn below the Elwha Dam. Once the dams have been removed, the National Park Service estimates that once the area is ecologically restored, the Elwha River habitat will be back to the pre-dam salmon population. For more information, visit the Olympic National Park Elwha River Restoration website.
Photo Phriday- Desert Snow
January 20th, 2012
Many of us living here in Phoenix came to escape colder weather, but some mornings it is down right cold. Cold enough to make you wonder, aren't we in a desert? But that notion can be misleading. It isn't all sand storms, lizards and tumblin' tumbleweeds. In many desert areas (around the world, and yes, in Arizona as well) the temperatures can be extremely variable, both on a daily and seasonal basis. One day can see a change in almost 40 degrees Fahrenheit from midday to midnight! Some deserts are colder, like the Gobi in China and Mongolia, and some are considered the driest places on Earth - like the typically arid Atacama Desert region in Northern Chile. But quick, somebody call Guinness - in July of 2011 the Atacama Desert was blanketed by nearly 31.5 inches (80 centimeters) of cold, powdery, white stuff. So forget what you thought you knew about deserts, and if you are somewhere warm- be warned, these photos might make you a little chilly.
A Stretch a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
January 15th, 2012
Stretching is the deliberate lengthening of muscles in order to increase muscle flexibility and joint range of motion. Stretching activities are an important part of any exercise or rehabilitation program. They help warm the body up prior to activity thus decreasing the risk of injury as well as muscle soreness.
These days more and more people suffer from circulation, posture, and other joint problems. Studies have shown that just stretching daily can improve your health. It takes around ten minutes every morning or night and does wonders on your body at any age.
Children that stretch daily improve their coordination and helps control their constantly growing bodies. Stretching has also been shown to increase a child's alertness and make it easier for them to pay attention in school. Children who stretch, or exercise regularly) normally get better grades than their less alert counterparts and have a higher chance of completing school and graduating with their class than peers that do not do some form of daily exercise.
Senior citizens can also benefit greatly from daily stretching. It can increase their overall strength and flexibility so they can more around faster and without hurting themselves in the process. Stretching has also been proven to relieve some joint pain from arthritis, back pain, and mobility issues.
Even working adults can benefit from daily stretching. It makes those long days sitting at a desk in front of a computer less painful. It also would put you in a better mood throughout the day. In addition, it is helpful for adults to stretch at night after work to relieve the stress from the day giving you a better night's sleep and prepare them for the next day.
There is a proper way to stretch and not stretching correctly can cause injuries.
Warm up first - walk around while pumping arms and get the blood flowing.
Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.
Don't Bounce!
Focus on a pain free stretch- if it hurts you're going to far.
Breathe freely and relax.
Stretch both sides - it's a good idea to stay even.
So when you wake up tomorrow morning stretch a little and you'll feel a whole lot better!
Pack the Pack Pillow
January 8th, 2012
True confession: when I was in my early 20s, I purposely slept without a pillow to make myself tough for backpacking. It was part of a well-intentioned (and, in retrospect, ill-conceived) plan to prepare myself to pack light, sleep well, and move efficiently in the backcountry. I was obsessed. I kept a nalgene bottle in my book bag or near my desk in my dorm room to “stay hydrated,” wore my boots around campus to “break them in,” and maintained a rigorous exercise regime in the name of being in better shape for next season.
As a wilderness trail builder during my college summers, this behavior was enabled by other similarly motivated zealots. Around steaming bowls of reconstituted red beans and rice or oatmeal, we talked strategies for tackling giant endurance hikes—through hiking the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, or Continental Divide trails—completing timed challenges like a rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon and other ambitious adventures. We debated the advantages and disadvantages of packing light—everything was on the table. Pack a tent, sleep in a bivy sack, or tough it out with neither; toilet paper versus au natural; pack a stove or cook on sterno cans; water purifier or “tablets”; eat met or go without? We argued the ethics of going light or being a “blue blazer” (one who hikes the Applachian Trail with the modest comforts of a thermarest, stove, and possibly a change of underwear). These questions ravaged my mind back at school during the “off season.”
A dozen years and thousands of miles later, I have relaxed a bit. I still strive to move efficiently but also be as comfortable in the backcountry as possible. My mantra: keep it simple by taking fewer, better things. Luckily, modern technology has made it possible to reduce weight and maximize comfort. In that vein, here the three things I never leave home without (also great items for the Christmas list - well for next year, so everyone can start shopping early!):
1. Synthetic down jacket (or a light down jacket if you’re in a dry climate or just prefer down)—I have a Mountain Hardwear Compressor but lots of companies make them (look for “Primaloft” insulation). It compresses into a ball (a perfect pillow if you stuff it in your sleeping back stuff sack!) or you can stuff it into the little empty spaces in your pack and never know it’s there. Synthetic down is warm when wet and incredibly durable and versatile. Whether you need to ward off the cold while lunching on a breezy pass or you’re lounging around camp after dinner, you’ll be glad you have it.
2. Convertible zip-off nylon hiking pants—These are D-O-R-K-Y, dorky. But, when you realize that they eliminate the need to carry any other pants/shorts, you won’t care. Combine with wicking nylon shirt and undies (except in hot desert climates where cotton can help keep you cool) and you can quickly wash and dry your wardrobe on the trail reducing how many changes of clothing you have to pack.
3. A thermarest (or other inflatable air mattresses like Big Agnes)—Spend the money and get the pad that is the lightest while still comfortable (and while you’re at it, a patch kit). I use a full length “Pro-lite” and I sleep as well as I do in my bed at home. The new “NeoAir” pads look incredible. Worth every penny and ounce (mine weighs in at less than a pound).
New Year’s Resolutions for the Outdoor Enthusiast - or the Wannabe
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! Give your brain a break and take in the fresh air - even if you just go outside for a 15 minute walk. This allows the blood to move from your butt to the rest of your body. Leave the distraction at home and you might get a chance to think freely and come up with new, unique ideas such as, "How would I look with that traffic cone on my head. Wish I had my phone so I could take a picture and post it on Facebook."
Get even more outside and take a hike or a backpacking trip, and still leave the phone at home! Time to get rid of all the distractions and go somewhere lacking all the modern conveniences such as computers, phones, vehicles, bathrooms, running water, etc. There is nothing more rejuvenating for the body and brain than taking in nature and seeing the world through your own eyes and not through a computer. Sleep on the ground under the stars (yes, there are still stars). Take a dip in the nearby creek for your bath (with no soap). Be silent and listen to the wilderness - you might even catch some wildlife activity. Not interested in nature - at least it is a great way to exercise and lose some holiday pounds. Remember, if people couldn't live without modern conveniences in the past, you would not be here today.
Learn how to read a map and use a compass. Not much to say here except you don't need a GPS to explore the outdoors.
Hire a guide. Whether you want to try something new and adventurous, or you are a seasoned adventurer, hiring a guide is a great investment to teach you some things that can take months upon years to learn if on your own. A fishing guide can teach you technique, a hiking guide can take you places you would never think to venture, a hunting guide can show you the best places to stalk your prey and any guide can teach you about the history, flora, fauna, geology, etc. about any on the places you go. Not convinced? Think of it this way, even the world's best athletes still have coaches, think of a guide as the same.
Leave it as you found it. When you are out in the wilderness, be diligent about leaving nature as you found it so the next person does not have to see you were there. Most importantly, refrain from carving "Joe was here" on the nearby tree - no one really cares you were there anyway. Pack out all trash, even microtrash such as crumbs and small bits of paper. If you spill your trail mix, don't leave it for the wildlife to clean up. If our food is making the world fat, imagine what it can do to the squirrels (Need evidence? Visit Grand Canyon to see some of the world's fattest squirrels). This includes pits, peels, and seeds. In some environments, such as the desert, a small orange peel can take more than 6 months to decompose.
Leave it better than you found it. Go one step further and pick up after other people. Yes, you don't want to be every one's mother but if you take ownership of the wilderness, it won't feel as arduous to clean up after others. Additionally, you never want to assume someone else will take care of it. That kind of apathy does nobody in society any good. For more tips on leaving no trace, visit the Leave No Trace website.
Volunteer. There are hundreds of programs and organizations geared to preserving and protecting the natural outdoors. Volunteering to clean up trash at a state or national park, assist in a wildlife rehabilitation program, volunteer as a ranger or docent at your local museum, petition to protect some natural land in your own city. There is much out there and you will find it without much looking.
This is just a few of the many ideas. If you have any, please share with the class.
And have a fulfilling 2012!
Don’t Go Hungry in Yosemite this Winter!
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. Or, you can venture out during the off season for a stress-free vacation - few crowds, beautiful snow capped mountain peaks, flowing waterfalls (when not frozen) and during the months of January and February, some of the best cuisine a wilderness foodie could ever ask for - prepared by some of America's most notable chefs.
Every year for the past 25 years, the Chef's Holiday event has celebrated culinary excellence to the backdrop of all Yosemite has to offer. Held in the AAA Four Diamond Ahwahnee Hotel (also a Yosemite landmark since it opened in 1927), the Chef's Holiday provides the foodie a number of activities including chef demos, mix and mingle receptions, kitchen tours at the Ahwahnee and gala dinners held in the hotel's grandiose dining room - with views of the towering granite cliffs from the Yosemite Valley floor.
The Chef's Holiday includes eight 2-3 night packages from January 8 to February 2, 2012. This year's event will feature Annie Sommerville from Greens in San Francisco, Donald Link from Herbsaint in New Orleans, Suzanne Goin from Lucques in Los Angeles, David Berzirgan from Fifth Floor in San Francisco and more. For the full shabang - For $896/person, you can stay 2 nights at the Ahwahnee or three nights for $1,145. Or, if you want to "slum it," you can bunk up at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls for $665 and $800 respectively. It really isn't slumming - but compared to staying at the Ahwahnee - well... Or, drive in for the day and attend the Gala Dinner for $199/person.
For more information, call 801-559-4903 or visit the Yosemite Parks website for more information.
Bon Apetit!
Santa’s Lifeless Body Thrown Out of Plane Over Mesa, Arizona
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 popularity of aerial stunts, McPhee decided to create his own stunt - have Santa open up the parade by parachuting in over downtown Mesa. The plan was to have a professional skydiver dress as Santa and glide over all the shoppers, making them eager to open their wallets.
But as is said, even the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. When Santa Claus showed up, ready for his flying gig, he was drunk (and yes, alcohol was illegal at this time so there was no possible way he could have been drunk - said with intense sarcasm). So in Miracle on 34th Street fashion, the drunk Santa was fired and the real Santa took his place, went to court to prove his legitimacy and all was good with the world - wait, wrong story.
Anyway, McPhee went to plan B - dress a mannequin up in a Santa suit, parachute attached, and throw it out of the plane. When the dummy landed in a nearby field, McPhee would collect the dummy, and already dressed in Santa apparel, would ride out to the parade and great all his many fans.
Please note the year - 1932 - the iSanta had not yet been invented, so this dummy couldn't pull its own rip cord. Santa "jumped" from the plane and began his great fall to the desert below. Spectators stared first with excitement, and then udder horror as Santa continued his mighty descent from the sky, teaching all the children first hand, the laws of gravity.
And Santa landed with a thud. That is when John McPhee became famously known as the Man Who Killed Santa Claus. Needless to say, spectators were no longer in the shopping mood, vacating the shops and the parade. This was the saddest Mesa parade ever- while also amusing. Mesa never let McPhee live down his stunt. Even when his own newspaper published his death in 1958, he was still best known for his innocent gimmick gone awry.
Luminarias - an American Southwest Christmas Tradition
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 to Midnight Mass on the last night of Las Posadas (a nine day celebration from December 16th-24th commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus). The paper bag versions of luminarias are also called farolitos (Spanish for little lantern), a name preferred by the purists since a burning candle inside a paper bag is in no way equivalent to a bonfire. Over time, the lighting of luminarias has become popular in the secular realm as well, being the center focus of holiday time events and gatherings.
If you have never been witness to golden glow of luminarias, it is a site to see, especially in neighborhoods that all partake in the tradition, with sidewalks and driveways lit for miles on Christmas Eve. And, if you want to see them in person, there are many events during the holiday season devoted to the tradition.
Tuscon, AZ - The Tucson Botanical Garden also hosts a luminaria event on the first weekend of December.
Albuquerque, NM - Many areas in Albuquerque are adorned with this holiday tradition; Old Town, the Country Club and neighborhoods all around the city. Take a long driving tour or sign up for an organized tour.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO - Luminarias glow along the pathways to the headquarters area and along the trail to the Spruce Tree House. Go to the Mesa Verde National Park website for more information.
secular
Photo Phriday- Chrazy, Chrafty Christmas Trees
December 16th, 2011
As a tradition dating back to 15th century Livonia (now Latvia and Estonia), Christmas trees the world over are a symbol of the season, although rarely a representation of the Christian Christmas. Often times they are called "Yule trees" and denote the celebration of a coming year, and the returning of the sun. It is customary in Brazil and South Africa to have trees decorated with cotton balls, and in Sweden, people make stars and sunburst out of straw for adornment. In Germany, people embellish their trees with nuts and play "hide the pickle" (rumor has it); all a big departure from the North American over-emphasis on lights, garlands, angels, orbs, and stars. But whatever your holiday tradition, your evergreen will probably take a backseat to these wacky show-offs.
Mistletoe: The Parasitic, Toxic Plant of Love
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 and he was killed by a spear made of mistletoe. Although Baldur was restored to life, Frigga declared the mistletoe plant sacred and would bring love into the world instead of death. Whenever two people pass under the mistletoe, they would celebrate Baldur's resurrection by kissing under the plant.
Ironically, mistletoe is not considered a plant of life and love for other plants. It is a parasite that develops inside its host plant for a couple years before producing aerial shoots outside the host. True mistletoe (genus Phoradendron) do contain chlorophyll and carry on photosynthesis on its own; however, the parasite depends on its host plant for carbohydrates, water and mineral nutrients. They typically cause a slow decline in the host plant for many years before it eventually dies. Conversely, the plant provides nutrients and shelter for many animals, especially the berries that are available as a food source when all other sources are scarce during the winter months. These same berries are toxic if consumed by people, yet the plant itself may be beneficial to human health (the jury is still out on this one).
Mistletoe is very difficult to eradicate. The seed is carried by birds when they are eaten and deposited on the host plant. Because the mistletoe grows inside the host plant, it cannot be removed without removing the infected branch or even the entire host plant. The plant is found in many places throughout the world, but Arizona, because the landscape and climate varies greatly throughout the state, has a number of species of mistletoe (seven species), including the famous Christmas mistletoe so many kissing afficienados are familiar.
Phoradendron macrophyllum occurs in many hardwood trees such as cottonwood, ash, black locust, hackberry, maple, walnut, sycamore and willow from west Texas to Northern California. It is most conspicuous when the host tree loses its leaves during the winter and is harvested as Christmas mistletoe in Arizona.
So next time you are kissing under the mistletoe, remember that there is more to this plant than which Christmas makes it famous.
The Arizona I-17 Christmas Tree
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 vacations. Even in the summer after all the decorations would be removed, I still looked for the decorated Juniper tree. Sometimes it was decorated in toilet paper or plastic bags but that was just not quite the same - nothing brings out the warm and fuzzy like a bunch of gold balls (just stop - you know what I mean).
For the past 30 or more years, persons of unknown identities have been decorating the 15ft Juniper tree that grows on the center medium near milepost 254. Reporters have tried to catch the cheery perps in the act but to no avail. Some say it is the Arizona Highway Patrol and others believe the Department of Transportation may be involved - all have denied of course. Or maybe the tree is some flashy Christmas miracle. A retired ADOT engineer has admitted to knowing some of the culprits but will not divulge any identities.
In August of this year, a large brush fire threatened the life of the tree, yet the fire only singed the trunk and some lower branches, giving it the new name "Miracle Christmas Tree." Speculation arose that the first responders to the fire saved the tree, but Glenn Brown, Mayer, AZ fire chief denies this to be the case. Actually, the canopy of the one-seeded Juniper doesn't allow much undergrowth near the tree, thus eliminating much needed fuel for the fire. But, miracles are fun to believe in this time of year.
Unfortunately, last I heard that this tree has yet to be adorned in its annual decor so hopefully someone gets out there quick (but it is illegal to cross a freeway on foot or stop on the freeway - making the idea of going out with a couple boxes of shiny balls even more enticing.
Practice Leave No Trace at Home
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 our group sat in the high alpine grass and gravel we could see far down to the small towns of Eagle’s Nest and Angel Fire. Our guide led a discussion about the value of wild places—as habitat and ecosystems and places to test and develop our characters—and the importance of protecting them. He pointed to a scar in the verdant mountainside a few miles to the west—a mine. I can’t remember what was being mined. None of us—young men in our teens and early twenties from all walks of life and all over the country—needed to be convinced about the grave costs of mining to wild places, nature or water quality. After climbing to that height, sleeping among the aspen and the dwarfed hardy alpine firs that clung to life in the constant wind, we felt that something was intrinsically wrong with tearing this landscape apart to produce something as seemingly trivial as a piece of jewelry.
We didn’t have the words or logic to make sense of our conflicted existence—our packs had metal frames, we traveled to the trailhead in metal cars fueled and lubricated with petroleum products, enabled to reach this great height and appreciate it by affluence derived from America’s abundant natural resources. Yet we felt that something was wrong. Our guide didn’t have to say anything. After directing out attention to the mine he told us, “what you do when you’re here has little affect on protecting places like this; it’s what you do when you are at home that has the greatest effect on wild places.”
We were left contemplating this argument; in fact, nearly two decades later, I revisit it every time I venture into the outdoors. We practice “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics when we are in the backcountry to minimize our impact on our wild lands but the little things we do at home likely have a larger effect on the places we love. We’ve heard it all before, but simple, apolitical conservation choices, like recycling aluminum and steel cans, reduces the demand for metals from new mines and creates and supports jobs in sustainable industries. Recycling plastic bottles and driving more efficient cars reduces demand for new oil wells in our public lands and along our coasts. Using compact florescent light bulbs and choosing to build energy efficient homes and buildings reduces demand for electricity which translates into fewer coal and uranium mines (like those proposed near the Grand Canyon). Recycling paper reduces the demand for logging old growth forests.
Pop culture has inundated us with exhortations to live “green” over the past few years, but if you love the outdoors and wild places you have one more tangible reason to toss that can or newspaper in the recycling bin. When you are painstakingly digging your cat hole eight inches deep and 200 feet from a water source and camping and hiking on durable surfaces ask yourself if you are applying the same care to protecting that place when you are at home.
Ask for Warm Stuff for Christmas!
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 warmer. Since I find even holding an ice cube in my bare hands for longer than 30 seconds painful, I am all for items that keep me warmer when in the backcountry during the colder months.
Columbia released its Omni-Heat line of jackets, boots and gloves last year, but they are adding more to the line - definitely worth a look for this holiday season of frenzied shopping. These items use a thermal technology that helps retain body heat and prevent heat loss. According to Columbia, their thermal insulation technology helps you maintain warmth and prevent heat loss via the synthetic thermal reflective lining that has "little silver dots" that reflect heat back to your body, keeping you 20% warmer that other insulation. But the insulation lining breaths so you don't overheat, which is good news since as you may have experienced the conundrum of trying to stay warm, but then you sweat, ultimately making you colder.
For you winter backpackers out there, the extra warmth does not come with extra weight. Columbia has also been able to make their products warmer without adding more bulk and weight. Unfortunately, the website does not include weight specs for the jackets, but according to a review on Backpacker Magazine, the jacket reviewed weight 1lb, 5 oz and cost $170. Having not tried any of these products out for myself (waiting for Columbia to come to their senses and allow me to test their cold weather gear in the torturous Phoenix winters), customer reviews have been positive on the warmth aspect but it seems the product may run a bit small so beware if you are ordering on-line.
And if just your body heat won't do it for you, there is also the electric heat-on-demand products (energy produced from rechargeable batteries), giving you 3 levels of core warmth for up to 6 hours with a push of the button. I personally was hoping for solar recharging. Where am I going to recharge my batteries in the backcountry after a few days? Oh, and these products are priced at $300 and up.
And the best part...the ad campaign showing people torturing themselves in snowy winter conditions in their skivvies (that means underwear).
So with a $399 price tag, I can get some Omni-heat electric powered gloves for the next time I have to rummage through the freezer for steaks.
For Thanksgiving - A Little Wild Turkey History
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 gallopavo) or "huexolotlin" in the ancient language of the Aztecs in Mexico was the first animals in the Americas to be domesticated. The Aztecs considered the turkey one of the most important animals in their culture, as one of the manifestations of Tezcatlipoca, the trickster god, one of the highest regarded gods in the Aztec polytheistic pantheon. Evidence shows turkeys were used in sacred Mayan ceremonies as well. As the popularity of the turkey grew among several other civilizations and cultures, their populations grew well into North America before any of the early European settlers arrived. In 1519, Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro noticed Aztec king Monteczuma raising turkeys and kept them in his zoo as food for other animals. It is very possible Monteczuma served Cortes turkey mole poblano (mole of the people). The Spanish took the turkeys back to Europe where they became very popular for state dinners. Turkey feathers were also very popular for use in arrows, headdresses and jewelry.
In North America, the Navajo in Southwestern US encountered wild turkeys when the birds would forage in the cornfields, eating their already scant crops. Unable to keep them from destroying the crops, the Navajo began to feed them and fence them in, becoming a controlled source of food. In many Native American cultures, including the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo in the Southwest US, the turkey symbolizes the sacrifice of self for a higher purpose, the gift of giving and harvest bounties.
Even one of the nation's founding fathers regarded the the turkey enough to make a case for its nomination as the National Bird (at least Benjamin Franklin was rumored to have felt this should be the case instead of the Bald Eagle). In a letter he wrote to his daughter, he stated;
"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and then that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him."
Wild Turkeys of the Southwest
There are two species of turkey indigenous to the Southwestern states of the US; the Merriam's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) and the Gould's wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo mexicana).
The Merriam's wild turkey (named in 1900 by Dr. E.W. Nelson) is found primarily in the ponderosa pine forests and western mountain regions of the US (Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado) and relatively isolated from other wild turkey subspecies - if you have ever seen wild turkeys roaming around the North or South Rim of Grand Canyon, these are they. There were also a couple turkeys hanging out at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon a few years back believed to have come from the North Rim, so likely of the merriami subspecies. The Merriams have been recently transplanted to the pine forests of Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska ad South Dakota. Their population is estimated at around 350,000 nationwide.
The Gould's wild turkey is one of the least known but largest of the five subspecies and found in the mountains of Northern Mexico with some in the southern portions of Arizona and New Mexico and first discovered in 1896 by J. Gould during his travels to Mexico. The Gould turkey are also heavily protected and regulated but have never been listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In other words, you cannot have this one stuffed for your Thanksgiving feast. Their numbers declined during the time between the Civil War and WWI when miners working in Southern Arizona used them as a main source of food. By 1929, they were all but extinct. Arizona's Game and Fish Department, working with the National Wild Turkey Federation and Mexico, has successfully reintroduced the Gould's wild turkey back into existence in Southern Arizona. They can now be found in six mountain ranges in Southern Arizona; Pinaleno, Chiracahua, Galiuro, Santa Rita, Catalina and Huachuca.
So, next time you pick up that Butter Ball from your grocer's freezer, remember that the bird you are about to enjoy is much more than just white or dark meat.
The Great Outdoors! Disneyland it Ain’t.
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 five-course meal at the end of everyday instead of maybe making some mac and cheese over a backpacking stove.
These are actual comments left on U. S. Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:
“A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call.”
“Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.”
“Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness.”
“Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.”
“Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals.”
“All the mile markers are missing this year.”
“Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse.”
“Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.”
“Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.”
“Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter.”
“Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.”
“The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.”
“Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights.”
“Need more signs to keep area pristine.”
“A McDonald’s would be nice at the trail head.”
“The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.”
“Too many rocks in the mountains.”
And here are a few from personal sources.
"Why did the Indians build their homes so far from the freeway?" (while touring 1000 year old Sinaguan ruins).
"So, Grand Canyon is as deep in the day as it is at night, then?"
"Here's my credit card, I wold like to get a helicopter out now please." (a female hiker asking a ranger to get a helicopter from the bottom of Grand Canyon because she was tired of hiking).
When passing a Pima Cotton crop - "How do they get the different colored cotton to grow?"
And these are just the comments. People's actions are much more asinine, but that is for another day.
Haunted Hikes in Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Olympic National Parks
November 1st, 2011
Hiking is not supposed to be scary, or is it? Aside from rattlesnakes, steep trails and absolute isolation, there is nothing to be afraid of. But, add some spirits to your hike and your hiking adventure gets that much more, well , adventurous. If you think I am talking about spirits in the liquid form, that is an entire different blog, but with the same adventurous outcome none-the-less. I speak of those that tug on your hair, go bump in the night and appear as that dark shadow coming towards you from up the trail.
Grand Canyon National Park
Those of you familiar with Grand Canyon may have either been to or at least heard of Phantom Ranch. While a spooky name and great for the Halloween season, the area at the bottom of the canyon is not named as such due to a scary specter or ghostly apparitions, but after Phantom Canyon, aptly named from hiding itself from the government cartographers who missed it the first time they mapped Grand Canyon. But there are stories of a ghost around Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. Those of you who may have hiked to the area hiked down South Kaibab Trail, across Black Bridge and over to Bright Angel Campground to catch the Bright Angel Trail may not realize they also pass the grave of Rees Griffiths, one of the trail crew that died while cutting a route to the North Kaibab Trail near Phantom Ranch on February 6, 1922. Many visitors have said to have witnessed a light that hangs over his grave.
The ghosts don't just stay on the South Rim of the canyon. The lesser visited North Rim of Grand Canyon has its own La Llorona, the weeping woman. While no one knows the identity of this ghost, the Grand Canyon version reportedly committed suicide after losing her husband and child in a drowning or some other accident. There are no documented accounts or person linked to the ghost, however, many campers and hikers have heard mournful wails at night and have seen her along the Transept Trail.
Olympic National Park
With a coastline, glaciated mountain peaks and a temperate rainforest, Olympic National Park is one of the largest and most diverse parks in the National Park System. But more alluring than than all this is, Olympic also has a Big Foot. The park's first sighting was in 1948 near the Hoh River Trail somewhere between Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows. During the summer of 2000, resident of the Hoh Indian Reservation heard strange noises and found giant footsteps behind his home. Other tracks were found along the Sol Duc River and in October, a European hiker saw two creatures with arms so long their hands were to their knees, hiking the park's Elk Mountain Trail.
Rainforests make for an easy environment to never be found. In August of 1939, rangers found the camp of Marion Stevens, a female botanist. Despite a intense search, she was never found. Sixty years later rangers found another abandoned campsite near Elk Lake that belonged to Hendrick Broeren, also never found. So if you are looking to "get lost" or "disappear," take a hike along the Klahhane Ridge Trail.
Yosemite National Park
Take a hike to Grouse Lake via Chilnualna Falls trail and you may hear a distinct wailing cry like the sound of a lost puppy. According to Indians from the Yosemite area, the sound is not one from a dog but from an Indian boy that had been drowned in Grouse Lake. Anytime anyone would wander by, the boy would cry after them to come to the lake and save him. Anyone who ventured into the lake would be grabbed by the legs and pulled into the lake to drown.
The Ahwahneechee call Bridalveil Falls Po-ho-no, meaning "spirit of the evil wind." Legend says an old woman and a young girl were picking berries near the top of the waterfall when the young girl entered the water, walking to the brink of the roaring falls. A wind then picked up and pushed her off the edge, where she died on the rocks below. Her death was blamed on Po-ho-no. So next time you hike above one of Yosemite's amazing waterfalls, beware of Po-ho-no. Or, just beware of the dangers inherent in any tall cliff with raging waters plummeting to several hundred feet below.
So next time you are on hike hike, keep your eyes and ears open, you may just encounter something to write home about. Or maybe you already have!
It’s a Grave Situation!
October 27th, 2011
Halloween is the best time to visit cemeteries and grave sites. What a better place for a great scare or to see some ghosts!? Boothill - Tombstone, ArizonaArizona is home to one of the most famous, or infamous, graveyards in Western history - Boothill. For all you Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday fans, Tombstone, AZ is the place to visit and you can't pass up the graveyard. The city of Tombstone was one of the last wide-open frontier boomtowns in the American Old West and produced $40 to $85 million in silver bullion from 1877 to 1890 and had a population that grew from 100 to 14,000 in seven years. But with growth and wealth also came corruption, theft and political differences. And then of course the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, in a nutshell. Before being replaced by the current cemetery, Boothill was home to up to 300 deceased, most of which met untimely and unnatural deaths, including Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and Frank McLaury (the three men shot at the O.K. Corral). With so many violent deaths, Boothill's Graveyard has a reputation for supernatural activity. Visitors commonly sense a feeling of uneasiness and unusual cold spots, even during the hottest of the Arizona's summer months. Not to mention various apparitions that show up in visitor's photographs. Grave of Cochise - Dragoon Mountains, Arizona Cochise Stronghold is a canyon in the Coronado National Forest in the southeastern corner of Arizona and is open to hiking, camping and climbing. But in the mid 1800s, the area was home to the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians, led by the Apache Chief, Cochise. After many years of resistance to the American intruders, Cochise finally made peace with his enemies and retired to the Chiricahua reservation. He dies of natural causes in 1874 and was laid to rest in a secret crevice in the Dragoon Mountains. Only his people and a white man by the name of Tom Jeffords knew the location of his grave. Visitors to the Cochise Stronghold believe to have seen the warrior - a man in Native American dress with long black hair is often seen roaming around the hills and campers have reported hearing a tune echoing among the rocks and seeing a man with a flute sitting atop one of the towering peaks. Tom Mix Died Here - Florence, ArizonaThomas "Tom" Edwin Mix (b. Thomas Hezikiah Mix) was an American film actor, staring in a reported 336 films of which all but nine were silent. He defined a genre of cowboy actors that followed him and was considered a Western movie megastar of his time, influencing other stars of the silver screen such as Ronald Reagan (yes, President Reagan) and John Wayne. But on October 12, 1940, the 60 year old Mr. Mix was in Tucson, AZ visiting the Pima County Sheriff, Ed Nichols and then spent some time at The Oracle Junction Inn, a popular drinking and gambling establishment. On Arizona State Route 79, driving his 1937 Chord 812 Phaeton, Mix came upon some construction barriers in front of a bridge that had previously washed out by a flash food. A work crew watched as he was unable to break in time, swerve and rolled his car into an arroyo. His body was pinned underneath and killed almost instantly. Witnesses report he was driving upwards of 80 MPH. Today, as you're traveling between Phoenix and Tucson along Hwy 79, you will see the wash named after him "Tom Mix Wash" and the memorial set up in his honor at the crash site. A plaque on the memorial reads "In memory of Tom Mix whose spirit left his body on this spot and whose characterization and portrayals in life served better to fix memories of the old West in the minds of living men." No reports of seeing Tom wandering the area, but you never know.
Goat Sucking Beasts and Baby Cannibals - Oh My!
October 18th, 2011
It is October and time for the yearly installment of blogs about ghosts, creatures and other ghoulish things that exist in the western United States. Today's bedtime story, children, is about a couple monsters living here in Arizona and other parts of the Southwestern United States. So get under the covers and turn on the lights. Don't bother screaming because no one will hear you - buuuwaaahahahahahahah!
Our first tale is about a beast that defies science but leaves enough evidence to keep even the naysayers saying maybe. Tales of El Chupacabra, which means "goat sucker," originated in Puerto Rico and spread through Latin America, up through Mexico and into Southwestern US (technically Chupy is an illegal). It is said El Chupacabra has left thousands of mutilated, blood-drained animals in the areas it is said to inhabit. the victims are mostly goats, cows and chickens and are discovered after having been attacked in the night. They are emptied of blood with well-defined puncture wounds in either the neck or the hindquarters but with no evidence of external bleeding. Also alarming is the lack of any footprints or animal tracks around the carnage. Stories of the beast only date back to the 1950s and 60s, with one of the first reported sighting in the US at the turn of the century (21st century).
A Tucson resident by the name of Billy Nubian reported that he was awakened in the middle of the night by his two panicked goats. When he went outside, he saw a "rat-like" creature pinning one of his goats to the ground. A few years later, in 2003, another Tucson resident recalled a "half-man, half-ape looking thing" squatting in her front yard (reports did not mention if she lived near the University of Arizona frat houses, which might explain the sighting). When the creature saw her, it crouched and leapt towards her, making a hissing sound before running away. The creature was described as having big piercing eyes, large hind legs and an arched back with spines. She was not familiar with the legends at the time but her description matched others - kangaroo-like legs, large eyes an a spiked back. And why would the crime scenes show no footprints? Because other reported sightings have claimed Chupy also has leathery wings. One Arizonan said he spotted a small ape-like creature crossing I-19 towards the Arizona/Mexico border that flew into the man's headlights and into the night.
El Chupacabra has yet to attack humans but there is another creature from Native American traditions that do. Tribes in the Numic language group such as the Paiute in Northern Arizona, tell stories about the Ninimbe. These tiny elf-like creatures with tails and large heads lurk around wells, bushes and rocky places and are said to be cannibals. Pima Indian tradition tells of the Vipinim, said to live below a particular spring south of Sacaton, AZ. Vipinim are related to water babies or water monster children that resemble children but are covered in green or black hair and have webbed hands and feet. They mimic the cries of drowning babies to lure victims to the water where they drown them. But are these superstitions? In 2004, archeologists discovered evidence of three to four foot tall species who may have shared the earth with Homo sapiens as recently as 18,000 years ago.
So next time you are visiting the desert Southwest, leave your livestock at home and don't be fooled by the sounds of crying, drowning babies in the dark pool of water.
Keep it Quiet! Limits Proposed for Helicopter Tours Over Grand Canyon.
September 30th, 2011
When people decide to plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park, there are many different ways they may choose to experience it. Some may choose to hike down into the canyon and explore the trails, some may choose to take the wet route and travel down the Colorado, or maybe they choose the take the bird's eye option and just fly over the canyon and take in the views from above.
However, there is a consequence of flying high. When people go to the Grand Canyon, or any National park for that matter, they want to get away from noisy city and enjoy some of the country's natural beauty. They don't want their relaxing trip interrupted by loud planes every 30 minutes. The National Park Service has taken this into consideration and decided to do something about it.
Grand Canyon gets around 4.5 million visitors each year, and of those tourists around 8% of them never step foot in the National Park boundaries. Instead they fly over it in helicopters and small planes, creating excessive noise in the canyon and lessening the enjoyment of many of the other visitors, not to mention the effect this noise has on the native wildlife. To fix this problem, the Park Service is proposing a plan limit this unwanted noise. The goal is to increase the "natural quiet" in the park to 67% and give back the sense of solitude to its guests. The plan includes:
- Alternate some air tours between existing corridors on a seasonal basis;
- Require all commercial flights in the special-flight-rules area to use Federal Aviation Administration-approved quiet technology within 10 years;
- Cap daily tour flights at 364;
- Slightly modify two of four existing general aviation corridors;
- Ban flights below 18,000 feet in most flight-free zones;
- Extend curfew hours around sunrise and sunset, when air tours are prohibited.
This plan has several supporters and detractors. The air tour companies claim that the plan "goes a little too far", and that it will hurt the industry and the economy. According to Andy Jacobs of the Stilo Group out of Phoenix, AZ, the restrictions will hurt the helicopter tourism industry, "hurt the local economy, hurt tourism and cut out more than 11% of our business during the peak part of the season." (The Stilo Group is largely involved with a multimillion dollar development plan to build housing in the town of Tusayan just one mule outside Grand Canyon National Park's southern entrance and also a controversial plan).
Others from the park disagree and say that by doing this they give the companies room to grow and experiment with quieter technology and alternate routes; the industry will not suffer. Creators of the plan called the process a balancing act, they have to think about the companies flying and making money and the tourists trying to enjoy the park with no extra noises. Freelance journalist Kurt Repanshek has made a career covering news for National Parks, including authoring three National Park guide books, states: "Those who visit Grand Canyon National Park should be able to hear the warbling of canyon wrens, the roar of the Colorado River's rapids, and even the buzzing of insects instead of the whoop-whop-whop of helicopters or the droning of planes."
The National Park Service is always trying to keep the park in tip top shape and enjoyable for all its visitors. Recently they also cut the number of daily mule riders from 40 to 10 on the South Rim's Bright Angel Trail, to eliminate trail erosion and cut down on the annoying animal waste for the guests. All of these park changes are there to maintain the natural beauty of the park and may be a little hard to get used to but have not hurt the industry nor kept guests from coming to the canyon.
National Park service officials now have to review and analyze public comments and develop a final environmental impact statement. They will announce which proposal they have decided on in March 2012.
Make like lightning and bolt next time you’re caught hiking in a thunderstorm!
August 29th, 2011
Lightning occurs when there is a natural electrical discharge between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder. This natural beauty maybe fascinating, but it can also be deadly. The National Weather Service estimates that there are 100,000 thunderstorms in the United States each year. On Aug 4th, at Mojave Point in the Grand Canyon, emergency assistance was needed for a 64 year-old woman who had collapsed after lightning struck near her and her group. Five other people in her group were also injured. She took off in an ambulance but they were not able to revive her. NWS statistics state that on average more than 70 people in the US die from lightening strikes each year, while at least 300 are struck and survive. Really, your chances of being struck by lightening while camping are relatively low, but it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are camping and there's a thunderstorm here are precautions you should take.
Move away from any solitary, tall objects including single trees. Lightening has a tendency to strike the tallest object in the area first.
If you are hiking and are on a ridgeline or peak, move to lower ground quickly and find a group of trees that are small and similar heights and get under them (stay away from the trunk).
Do not seek shelter in open-air structures such as picnic shelters or gazebos. If you must seek shelter in your tent try to squat on a camp mattress or something that provides insulation and do not touch the tent poles.
If you are in a car and it has a hard top, stay inside and keep the windows rolled up.
Stay at least a few feet away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, electric boxes and outlets, and appliances. Lightning can flow through these symptoms and "jump" to a person.
Avoid using regular telephones, except in an emergency. Cell or cordless phones that are not connected to the building's wiring are safe to use.
If you are swimming, fishing or boating and there are clouds, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter.
If you are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the middle of the boat. Go below if possible.
As a last resort, run for the latrine. Most campgrounds have facilities in wooden buildings. They are safe, but if you have ever had to seek shelter in a toilet for the duration of a storm, you know it is not pleasant.
If your skin tingles or your hair stands on the end, a lightning strike may be about to happen. Crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together. Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground. DO NOT LIE DOWN!
If someone near you is struck by lightning, get emergency medical help as soon as possible. If more than one person is struck by lightning, treat those who are unconscious first, because they are at a greater risk of dying. A person struck by lightning may appear dead, with no pulse or signs of breathing, just perform immediate CPR. The victim does not have any remaining electrical charges, so don't worry about getting shocked. Next time you are caught in a lightning storm, remember these tips and you'll live to hike again!
Yosemite Fatalties: The Media and Your Fears
August 18th, 2011
For those of you who are regular readers of the Just Roughin' It blog (I know there are at least 10 of you), coming across a blog about deaths is a rare occasion since we don't like to gain readership off other people's misfortune. However, Yosemite has had a high death toll this season and we feel this should be addressed and hopefully help squelch some fears that people may have in visiting the park thanks to the media sensationalizing something that is not common.
So far this year, there have been 14 reported deaths that have occurred inside Yosemite National Park boundaries: six drownings, one car accident, two falls and five from natural causes. Of these fourteen fatalities, three drownings and one fall could have been avoided since they were due to people's lack of better judgment when it comes to dealing with nature. Instead of rehashing the stories, I have supplied links to the articles below. You may already be familiar with what happened on July 19th, three people died when they fell into Merced River and went over Vernal Falls after ignoring the obvious danger of the raging Merced River, the signs telling people to stay away from the river and the barricade that they climbed over to get better pictures to capture the moment. According to reports, ten people ignored the warnings of which three went in.
Then, on July 31st, a woman slipped and fell off Half Dome from the cables. It had been raining and there are warnings that Half Dome is very slippery and dangerous when wet. Given there are about 400 people permitted to ascend Half Dome per day and that all those except for 20 who were on the granite monolith when it started to rain turned around, it is an unfortunate inevitability that a tragedy could very possibly follow. You cannot control the weather, but you can control your actions and ego. To give you an image of what Half Dome is like when it gets wet think about a granite counter top. It is already shiny and slick when dry, and gets even more so when wet, not that you would ever walk on your kitchen counter. Half Dome, and much of the trails in Yosemite have exposed granite. When this granite is walked on by hundreds of people per day, every day over 4 months over many years, the granite will become polished by hiking shoes. This is already slippery, but then add water to the mix. There are cables for a reason, but that doesn't mean they are fail safe, weather resistant and fool proof. The National Parks are not amusement parks.
It is these incidents that get the most publicity and are many times misinterpreted by the public that there is danger around every corner. But why can I not find information on the other 10 fatalities as easily? And why doesn't the media discuss the fact that almost 4 million people visit Yosemite per year with the majority of that visitation occurring from May through September? The news reports discuss the 14th fatality in the context of an accidental death, leading the reader to believe that all park fatalities were of the same. Where is the information about the other deaths and why are they not discussed when the media is sensationalizing an abnormal fatality rate? These bits of information would be quite handy in helping those who read the less than informative articles in making an educated determination of what is and is not rational. On the other side of that coin, we too should all take some responsibility in reading more than what is trending on Yahoo! and maybe to a little more research.
While these incidents are tragic and a huge loss for family members and friends to those who lost their lives, they are in no means a reason to avoid Yosemite or any other national park. You will be neglected of your greater life experiences and miss out on some of the best nature has to offer when you allow the fear instilled by mass media to override what you truly want to do. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."
Barry Glassner, The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things.
Virtual field trips allow children to visit Grand Canyon.
August 5th, 2011
Millions of people visit the Grand Canyon and other national parks every year, but what about those kids who don’t get the opportunity to travel and experience the outdoors.The Grand Canyon Association has developed a program that allows kids to explore the outdoors and learn about environmental issues without leaving the classroom through virtual field trips.These “trips” started back in 2006 in school districts across the country, and their popularity has grown to around 122 programs.Unfortunately, the equipment and software for this project has become outdated and unusable. Park rangers want to continue offering these programs and are looking to purchase the supplies to make it happen.With all of this new equipment Grand Canyon National Park will be able to connect with students through video streaming, green-screen technology, and live shots of the canyon.With this opportunity there ain’t no mountain high or valley low enough that students across America will not be able to experience.
In order to get the program rolling, the Grand Canyon Association is trying to raise $50,000.They are almost half way to their goal and hope that the donations keep on coming.
Just Roughin' It Adventure Company is very passionate about education and getting kids interested in the outdoors.Nowadays, children would rather play video games than visit a national park.
"Debbie and I feel the distance-learning program is a powerful tool to get younger generations interested in the Grand Canyon as well as all our national parks." - Ray Hendricks
The new distance-learning program is a way to inspire children to get outside and take what they learn on the virtual field trip and discover new things in their own backyard.Grand Canyon is a must see for everyone, but we do understand that it’s sometimes difficult for people to make the trip.Virtual field trips are a great alternative to the actual thing.Just Roughin' It is a proud donor of Grand Canyon Association’s Virtual Field Trips for Kids program, and look forward to seeing the program in motion.For more information about the program, email Bonnie O’Donnell at bodonnell@grandcanyon.org or to donate, visit http://www.grandcanyon.org.
Hopefully, if virtual trips like this one gain popularity students across the world will be able to see several historical places, ask public figures and war veterans any questions they want, and even meet kids in other countries. These trips are the first step toward getting kids away from the Play Station and interested in the history, anthropology, biology and geology of the natural and man made wonders around the world.
Ted’s Excellent Adventure: Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
July 26th, 2011
Back in 2007 I was fortunate to lead a Rim to Rim Grand Canyon tour for Just Roughin' It that had two Appalachian Trail (AT) thru hikers as part of the tour group. One of these hikers, a young lady from Denmark named Mette, had just completed the 2,181 mile trail earlier than expected and thought a Rim to Rim Grand Canyon hike would be a nice way to celebrate the accomplishment. The other thru hiker on that tour is the subject of this post. His name is Ted Warren and he is an avid backpacker that had completed the AT a few years earlier. I remember when we he had hiked together back then, we talked about his goal of someday hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on the west coast and I recently found out that this year is the year he is making that dream come true.
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) , like the Appalachian Trail, is one of America's National Scenic Trails. It spans from the Mexican border near the town of Campo, California to the Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada at it's northern terminus. The trail mostly follows the high ridge line of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains which are about 150 miles from the west coast of the U. S. and along the 2,663 miles of this trail one hikes through the Mojave Desert as well as 25 National Forests and 7 National Parks including, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia. A thru hiker of the PCT has to deal with extremes in conditions from the blistering heat of the Southern California desert to potential snow and ice of the high Sierras during the five month journey.
With that much of a time commitment, you may get the impression that Ted is a single guy without a steady job or any other strings to hold him back but he is the exact opposite of this. He is a family man, with a wife, two kids, a career and a house in the suburbs of New York City! Ted's wife, Carole, and his kids, Dakota and Jagger, are supporting him every step of the way in his 5 months away from home. Carole has been keeping a blog of his progress at thruhikerswife@blogspot.com. Ted has been reporting on his progress on the trail as he has hiked through 104 degree temperatures, encountered rattlesnakes and been sidelined temporarily with a nasty case of swollen feet due to a combination of poison oak and poodle dog bush contact. Nasty stuff.
As of last week, Ted had completed 703 miles of the trek. That leaves only 1,960 miles to go... give or take a few miles.
Go Ted!
Watch where you pee or it could be your last.
July 16th, 2011
Anyone who takes a trip to the back country needs to know some basics about the trails they're hiking and its wild life. There could be a poisonous plant or even a dangerous animal that may not look threatening, but could win you a trip to the hospital. In one of our past blogs we talked about the Rock Squirrel in the Grand Canyon. This small creature looks like just another squirrel, but it is actually the most dangerous animal in Grand Canyon National Park. Researching your hiking destination; such as weather, climate, trail conditions, flora, fauna, water availability and even geology, can keep you safe and get you back home without any problems. If you do not research your destination you could wind up with a bad run in with a mountain goat like hiker Robert Boardman.
Up in Olympic National Park in October 2010, a couple stopped for a lunch break at Klahhane Ridge when they were approached by a mountain goat. The husband (Robert Boardman) tried to shoo the goat away, but instead it gored him in the leg and hovered over him with rage. A nearby ranger had to throw rocks at the goat before it finally moved away. Boardman was rushed to the Port Angeles hospital where he died shortly after. Park officials stated that the goat had shown aggressive behavior in the past but there was no reason to warrant the next level of removal of these goats. There had been no incidences like this before and the park is doing everything they can to learn more and prevent more attacks in the future. Signs have been posted since then, warning hikers to keep their distance from the goats, and in some cases have closed trails where the goats are frequent. There are around 300 mountain goats in this area each weighing around 300 pounds and standing up to 3ft at the shoulder, and should not be messed with.
After researching some of the reasons for this attack, park scientists have concluded that the goat could have been attracted to the group because of urine. These mountain goats have been known to lick the urine for salt deposits. Because of this, rangers in Olympic National Park and several other national parks have recently set boundaries on where hikers can do their business. Visitors are advised to urinate at least 200 ft from any mark trails, and if they can spare some water, pour some on it after to dilute it a little. Goats are not the only animals in the world that are attracted to urine. Animals like bears, deer, polar bears, cougars, and lions are as well. All these animals may not be attracted to the salt in urine like goats, but the smell gets them interested in what's out there and they will come to investigate. Even animals like sharks are attracted to the smell of new bodily fluids like urine. If you've seen the movie The Rundown you have also heard of the candiru parasite in the Amazon that follow the urine trail up a humans' urethra into the body, where it sticks and can cause serious pain and there are stories that it even caused death in some by hemorrhaging.
"Don't pee in the water.
Why?
A candiru, a vicious parasite will swim up the urine into your pau.
Swim up my what? Your pinto. It'll swim up your ding-dong. And once it gets in, you can't get it out. Well, then what? They have to amputate. Not this boy's pinto. Uh-uh, not today!"
This old tale may not be entirely true, but either way it is important for travelers to watch where they pee and do all they can to stay safe on the trail.
The Phoenix Dust Bowl or, Another One Bites the Dust
July 6th, 2011
I couldn't decide what to name this blog. I always liked the name "Dust Bowl" since this historical event is could also be confused by many as a college football bowl game, when in reality was an event that devastated the Midwest and the entire country, mostly occurring in the Great Plains region of the United States, centering in the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma in the 1930s. (For more information on the Dust Bowl - check this out!) So for all those out there hoping for another bowl game to add to your holiday repertoire of televised football frenzy, Phoenix has not added a bowl game. While an appropriately named new addition to the Arizona bowl games, we already have the aptly named and self-explanatory Insight.com Bowl and the infamous Fiesta Bowl, corrupting politicians all over the state. On the other hand, who doesn't already have the famous Queen song ringing through their heads? I digress...
Phoenix, Arizona made national news today because of a massive cloud of dust that wafted through the city. Actually, it blasted its way through, but billowed, wafted and cascaded are all words so seldom used these days. This splendid wall of dust was reported to have stretched approximately 4,000 to 5,000 feet in the sky and about 70 miles wide at one point. Winds on the ground reached 50 mph, leaving snapped trees and power lines in its wake. With its own "black blizzard," the Phoenix Metro area saw day turn to night in a matter of minutes.
So what is all the big Haboob? These are pictures from the dust storm from last night (July 5th, 2011). Mind you that dust storms are quite common this time of year in the Valley of the Sun, and having not been there for this last one, either it was a slow national news day, or this was beyond our normal. I will side with the latter assumption since I am always out of town for the good stuff!
I also added a couple pictures from the Dust Bowl to prove it is not a football game and to show the astonishing similarities.
I’ll take a tennis champion with a side of movie star, but hold the gluten
June 24th, 2011
Today more and more people are being diagnosed with celiac disease, which is a digestive disease that interferes with absorption of nutrients from food and damages the small intestine. People with this disease cannot tolerate the protein in wheat, rye, and barley called gluten. If they do consume this protein it could damage parts of the digestive system and can lead to malnourishment (no matter how much they eat). Because of this growing problem, many grocery stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and even some local grocery stores, have started offering a great deal of gluten free foods. Now a days, many restaurants have begun to accommodate those with celiac disease. The other day I was at California Pizza Kitchen, and the waitress was telling us that they are coming out with gluten-free crust for their famous pizzas.
"At first I thought I would never be able to eat anything again without getting sick. I always had to make sure I ate before I went out or sometimes I even brought a little food with me. I am very excited that more places are offering gluten free foods. Now it's a lot easier to find foods at restaurants and stores that actually taste pretty good." - Zach 24
The number of people with celiac is growing, however there are several people without the disease that have decided to take the gluten-free route. Celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck have adopted the gluten-free lifestyle. Even Pop Queen, Madonna served gluten-free treats at her most recent birthday party. The trend continues outside the world of paparazzi and red carpet affairs, with some athletes who are trying out this new diet to help them with races and other events. Apparently, those athletes that eliminated gluten from their training diets had no digestion problems during competition, regulated blood sugar, and performed better overall than usual.
"My performance really improved a lot — there was definitely a correlation, I think that my digestion is better, and because of that my sleep is better and my recovery is better.” - Tom Danielson, Tour de Missouri in 2008
Novak Djokovic, a tennis star from Serbia, is another athlete that has taken to this new diet. Even though Novak actually has celiac disease, that doesn't change how much changing to gluten free diet has affected his playing. He is the youngest player to win a Men's Championship (Miami Masters) and to have reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam events. Since he switched to a gluten-free diet he claims that mentally, he is fresher and happier; and physically he is stronger and more dynamic. "Your muscles will work better. That's what I feel." According to spectators, Novak Djokovic is really exciting to watch, and has a new found explosiveness.
You don't have to be a professional athlete or famous movie star to reap the benefits of going gluten free. There are several gluten-free foods that are easy to prepare and taste pretty great too. Some of the food ideas are even perfect meals for your next backpacking trip. Things like beef or turkey jerky, nuts, dried fruit, and gluten-free granola bars, make excellent gluten-free snacks for hiking. Online you can even find Gluten-free recipes for macaroni and cheese, blueberry pancakes, and sandwiches (with wheat free bread) that are all gluten-free and only take a little time to get together before you take off on your trip. Going Gluten-free is not for everyone, but if you are interested in trying it or finding out more, the internet is full of information. You can also contact you doctor for more health information.
Half Dome Permits - the Golden Ticket of the Wilderness
June 16th, 2011
There has been much ado about the latest Half Dome permit scandal in the news lately, you would think there is nothing else newsworthy going on in the world. If you are not up on the latest news, here's a synopsis.
In 2010, Yosemite National Park started to require permits to day hike up Half Dome for weekends and holidays to curb the number of people hiking up the monolith from 1,000+ to 300 per day. Starting this year (2011), the park is requiring permits for everyday of the season from when around Memorial Day to when the cables come down in October. The $1.50 permits are now a hot commodity, raking in about $150 a pop from Half Dome permit scalpers. Because of this, the park is asking for ID's at the base of Half Dome to be certain you are the rightful owner of the ticket - I mean permit - before you can ascend up the human laid cables that are placed by the park service to allow you to hike up Half Dome in the first place. How ironic; the park system placed cables on Half Dome so people could ascend, then they set up limits so fewer people can ascend and now everyone is fighting over and paying mucho bucks to ascend something that would not even be possible for most people if not for the cables the park puts up in the place - as if Half Dome was placed there for people to hike up in the first place. A real pisser by the way for those who had permits for Memorial Day weekend to mid June since Half Dome had too much snow and ice for the cables to go up. No cables = no hikers.
This whole to do reminds me of Willy Wonka's golden ticket and every character is present; just try to figure out, which one are you? Slugworth (the scalper), Veruca Salt (gets everything NOW), Charlie (the legitimate permit holder), and I can go on.
So what's my point? The park is setting up a system to keep the National Park experience safe and enjoyable for everyone. If you want to throw around money to get a better spot in line, go to Disneyland and pay for their "cut in line" pass. Not that people should be allowed to scalp tickets, but this is a free market economy and many people were willing to pay some price before it got too high and then they complained about people scalping the permits. So instead of not paying the prices the scalpers were asking, now you get a TSA agent checking your ID with your ticket (I mean permit) to be sure you are a legitimate holder of the Golden Ticket. In fact, if everyone keeps trying to thwart the system and accept they fact that they didn't get their way, you'll have pat downs and X-ray machines set up at the base of the Dome. A bit of a stretch yes, but the organization that sells campsites is now requiring campers to present identification and that identification must match the person who made the reservation - no exceptions.
And why does everyone feel the need to hike in an area that is this much of a pain in the ass to access and all because of the numbers of people? Did I mention this would not be possible if not for the cables that are erected each year? Half Dome is not the only amazing place in the park. There is Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Cloud's Rest, Glacier Point, etc. You want a real challenge with views? Hike up the 4 Mile trail to Glacier Point - a 3,200 ft climb and then descent over 9.6 miles.
So, if you didn't get a Half Dome permit - deal with it, try again next time or maybe go outside the box and explore the areas of the park that are just as spectacular, if not more so. Just because everyone Facebooks about their trip up Half Dome, does not make them the expert. But if your ego is so big that you have to have that too and now, Veruca, then enjoy your life of little adventure, few experiences and an expensive Golden Ticket.
Cool Your Heels, and Your Tasty Beverage
June 9th, 2011
This is the third installment of the "It's a Dry Heat" series. At the time I wrote the "It's a Dry Heat" blog, I didn't know this was going to be a series, but since there is so much about the desert environment to be taught, figure what the heck. I consider the blog about wearing cotton in the desert as the prequel (for all you Star Wars fans). Anyway, this blog is about evaporative cooling and how you can cool your beverages with a wet wool sock. How is that possible you ask? Well, I will tell you.
It is pure science - no mind freakin'. I was told about this trick by an Iraq War vet friend who spend over a year in a desert environment not unlike that of the Arizona desert (aside from being shot at...well then again). Anyway, to be brief...
1. Take a wool sock, Smart Wool works great (cotton socks will also work).
2. Get the sock wet.
3. Put your beverage in the sock- make sure it is in a sealed container such as a soda can, beer can or an 8 oz milk carton (you can't just put a full margarita glass in a sock). This works great for chilling candy bars as well!
4. Hang the sock and wait 2-3 hours. Make sure the sock stays damp and you may have to get it wet a second time depending on the amount of breeze and the dryness of the air (the more humidity, the less effective evaporative cooling is).
5. Remove your beverage from the sock and enjoy the coolness!
How does this work? The process of evaporation happens all the time. Our bodies, for example, perspire in hot weather; through evaporation, the sweat dries and lowers body temperature.
Whenever dry air passes over water, some of the water will be absorbed by the air. That's why evaporative cooling naturally occurs near waterfalls, at rivers, lakes and oceans. The hotter and drier the air, the more water that can be absorbed. This happens because the temperature and the vapor pressure of the water and the air attempt to equalize. Liquid water molecules become gas in the dry air, a process that uses energy to change the physical state. Heat moves from the higher temperature of the air to the lower temperature of the water (your wet sock). As a result, the air is cooler, thus making the beverage surrounded by the cooler air colder as if you put the beverage in the refrigerator. Eventually the air becomes saturated, unable to hold more water, and evaporation ceases, which is why evaporation does not occur in more humid environments.
Still don't believe me, give it a try next time you are in the Arizona desert in late April through late June or the latter part of September. Make sure you have 2 beverages, set them outside for a while to get them good and warm. Put one in the wet sock and the other not, but leaving both outside. After a few hours, crack open each beverage and experience the results for yourself.
Cheers!
Taking a hike… one barefoot at a time.
June 7th, 2011
We came into this world without shoes, why not keep it that way? Everyone enjoys the feeling of being free with nothing constricting or binding their feet, but no one wants calluses or dirty feet either; so what's the solution? That is what creators Robert Fliri and Marco Bramani were thinking when they designed Five Finger shoes.
These extraordinary shoes are taking the world by storm; they are on buses, in the work place, in marathons, and even on some hiking trails. At first glance, these unique shoes look rather odd, but there is a reason behind the craziness. After making the switch from traditional running shoes, five finger shoe owners never look back. These shoes were designed to feel like the natural foot, with a little extra protection for the outdoors.
"Whether a 2-mile paddle or a 15K on city roads, these are -by far- my favorite footwear!!!" - Michael Renstrom
Five finger shoes allow your feet to move freely and do not damage the structure of your feet like regular running shoes. Because of all the padding, traditional shoes cause only your heel to constantly strike against the ground which prevents the lower arch and lower part of your leg from absorbing the shock of the landing. Instead, the shock from impact travels up through the heel to the knees and hips, putting a lot of pressure on your joints, making you more prone to injury. With Five Finger shoes, the shock is dispersed more evenly throughout your foot and decreases the strain on your joints; giving you an overall better posture. These "shoes" have also been proven to improve balance and strength, as well as aid in quicker recovery time from injuries.
"About three months before I tried these shoes, I sprained my ankle pretty badly playing ultimate Frisbee. I couldn't get it to heal properly and kept twisting it (which is very common with this type of injury). I stretch and walked the foot as much as I could, but the joint was still fragile. Then I started wearing my Five Fingers. The thing that surprised me the most was how fast my ankle grew stronger and the puffiness of the joint (that people say would never go away) regained its original health. The healthy movement that these shoes encourage cut my recovery time and helped me regain my old flexibility." - Texas Hikes
Five Finger Shoes are not just for running, you can also use them for activities such as; kayaking, sailing, working out, and even hiking. I know what you are thinking; wouldn't these shoes get destroyed or be dangerous on a mountain or hiking through the Grand Canyon because they lack support? The answer is no. These shoes are very durable and the free design actually provides a lot of traction for downhill trails and climbing rocks. But, more important than durability is the smell factor. If they start to get smelly or dirty and you can't stand being within 10 ft of them without keeling over, just throw them in the washing machine! Although these shoes have many benefits, for some hiking trails it might be safer to stick with hiking boots because of things like snakes and poisonous plants. But if nature doesn't scare you, feel free to put on your Vibram Five Finger shoes next time you take a hike.
Now that you've heard what we have to say, take a minute to read some personal stories online about owners and their experiences with Five Finger Shoes (www.vibramfivefingers.com). So next time you see someone hiking in the Grand Canyon or Yosemite wearing these ridiculous shoes, you will know why they made the switch.
You’ve Got to be Sh@#&ing Me! I Have to Carry My Poop?!
May 30th, 2011
It has been a while since we posted a blog about poop - probably since Bear Grylls ate bear poop. So it is time to give the scoop about carrying your poop when in the backcountry. Many backcountry environments are very fragile, or just very populated, which makes it necessary to require certain regulations when it comes to human waste disposal. As more people venture into the backcountry, the great outdoors will continue to have serious environmental, health and aesthetic impacts.
You may already be aware that most areas ask that you do carry out your used toilet paper and for many people this is unappealing and comes with the question of why would so few people make that much of a difference? Think back when you were a kid and you used to toilet paper houses - or you were on the other side of the fence on that scenario. Not a pretty site and you and your neighbors alike were probably less than thrilled if the TP stayed for an extended period of time. No imagine the same decorations in the wilderness with less means to clean it up. Not attractive and this TP probably has been used.
I digress. Many high use areas such as Mount Rainier, Mount Shasta, Denali, Mount Hood and Paria Canyon in the Arizona/Utah desert require you to pack out your waste. These are high use areas or areas that decomposition is quite slow. Or, if you are in a place such as Paria Canyon, a desert environment where decomp is very slow and the flash floods that hit the area several times a year make the river much like a toilet you just flushed (especially along the confluence of Paria River and Buckskin Gulch). So, what would you rather do...carry your own poop or swim in other people's excrement. Carrying your own does sound bad, and if not done correctly, could have some pretty nasty consequences; which is why there are products on the market to make carrying your poop a bit more bearable.
The WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) Bag has become the overall term for any pack-it-out bag system (kind of like Kleenex when referring to tissues). The system generally involves one bag which you glove your hand and grab your business and another sturdier, sealable bag in which you deposit and seal the "dump." Not much different than picking up after your dog, so quit making that face! Other systems allow you to line the cat-hole with a bag and you just squat and do your business. This eliminates that step of having to grab your stuff - assuming you have great aim and get it in the bag the first time.
The bags include a biodegradable waste pick up bag loaded with Poo Powder (a chemical that gels the more liquid waste, breaks down solids and controls odors), transport bag, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. For more information and further reading, you can check out the WAG bag website, or look into a couple other manufacturers of waste bags, such as, ReStop and Biffy Bags.
So, regardless of how you feel about carrying your poop, it beats constipation!
It’s a Dry Heat!
May 18th, 2011
Summer is approaching, and if you live in the Southwest, it is already here - May has already seen triple digit temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona. But 100 degrees in the Southwest desert is not the same as even 90 degrees in the Midwest, South or East Coast (which is what makes the heat in this region of the United States so unique). So today class, we will discuss the heat, how it effects you and why the statement "It's a dry heat" actually means more than just some silly cliche to justify living in Arizona. Also, it is this dry heat that makes outdoor activities bearable if you understand the climate, fluid loss and how to stay cool on the hottest of days.
Summers in the Arizona deserts can be grueling and can reach temperatures of 122 degrees F - even in the shade. Add 10-20 degrees if you are in the sun. However, it is the humidity that makes the heat exponentially more dangerous when participating in outdoor activities. This is why you may have read or heard about the "feels like" temperatures - or the Heat Index - versus the actual temperatures. Here are a few examples:
A typical June in Arizona is the hottest, but also driest, month of the year. At 110 degrees F and a relative humidity of 20%, the heat index is 112 degrees. Yes, that sounds hot, but let's look at temperatures in a humid state such as Illinois. Springfield, IL can experience humidity of 80% in June, with average temperatures of 85 degrees F. The heat index is 97 degrees F, a 12 degree increase. If the temperature climbs to 90 with 80% humidity, the heat index will soar to 113 degrees F.
You might remember the 2007 Chicago marathon that was canceled mid-way through the race due to excessive heat - 88 degrees and 86% humidity (heat index of about 116 degrees F). One person died, 50 were hospitalized and another 300 were treated for heat related illness. Many races are held in Phoenix with temperatures in the 80s, in fact, the Tempe Ironman used to be held in April (average temperatures of 85 degrees and about 30-40% humidity - a heat index of 84-86 degrees F). The Ironman is now in November, but April is a month full of organized races and outdoor activities in Phoenix.
The dry heat also means your body can actually cool itself off, which is not much of a possibility regions of high humidity. Temperature regulation represents the balance between heat produced (heat-in) and heat removed (heat-out). When the body's temperature regulation system is working correctly, heat-in and heat-out are in perfect balance. Radiant heat from the sun and heat created from burning fuel (carbohydrates, protein and fat) contribute to an increase body temperature. Therefore, the body must find a way to dissipate the same amount of heat that has been added to maintain a constant body temperature. This is done is two ways; 1) moving more blood to the skin to allow for heat dissipation through radiation and 2) increasing the rate of sweat production. These two systems account for 85% of heat removal, while during exercise, virtually all heat loss occurs via evaporation (sweat). However, in order for evaporation to occur, the air must be dry enough to allow moisture into the atmosphere (think of a very small atmosphere around your body). If the atmosphere is already saturated from high humidity, then the sweat produced by your body will not evaporate and thus will not regulate your body temperature. In dry climates, evaporation does occur, thus, regulating body temperatures. See our blog about wearing cotton when exercising in the desert to further explain this process.
In order for these processes to work, adequate blood volume must also be maintained. As blood volume decreases, so does movement of blood to the skin and sweat production. With low blood volume, one or both of these systems fail, resulting in diminished performance, dehydration, and if allowed to continue to decrease, heat stroke and death. So how do we keep an adequate blood volume? Fluid and electrolyte replacement, which is another topic entirely.
So, long story short, the "dry heat" in the desert is not such a bad thing and quite easy to deal with if you understand just a little bit of the science behind it.
Sources:
Dan Benardot, Advanced Sports Nutrition, 2006.
"Record Heat Halts Chicago Marathon," Washingtonpost.com, October 8, 2007.
Grand Canyon Goes to Fort Worth, TX
May 10th, 2011
Every year, 4.5 million visitors from all over the world visit Grand Canyon National Park. Most only stay about 2o minutes and this is after spending about 8 to 10 hours in a large tour bus for a round trip ride from Las Vegas, NV or Phoenix, AZ for a chance to see one of the most amazing places in the world. That seems like such a waste of time, especially when there is so much more to see and experience than just the views from Bright Angel Lodge. The people of Fort Worth, TX are foregoing the planes, trains and automobiles and experiencing Grand Canyon from their own back yard! No, the Grand Canyon is not victim of a recent, massive continental drift occurrence, but through experiential learning, Grand Canyon can travel.
Imagination Celebration Forth Worth (ICFW) has been conducting a year long series of city-wide multidisciplinary celebrations, performances, exhibits and programs that will bring Grand Canyon to students and the general public through May 2011. Educational programs relating to the theme "America the Beautiful: A Celebration of Our National Parks" have been presented in both public and private schools since the Fall and have opened these elements to the general public through the Spring 0f 2011. Since Fall of 2010, ICFW and numerous Fort Worth arts and cultural organizations have joined in developing this series, all of which include educational components for over 79,000 school children, as well as an anticipated public audience of 100,000.
Projects included, but were not limited to, the ICFW Annual Logo Competition and City-Wide exhibit; "A Sense of Place: Artists Explore the American West," the Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence program, "The Art of Exploration: Our Lands, Forests, Ancient Peoples and Wildlife," and the "Planting of the Oaks." May 2011 is the month dedicated to "America the Beautiful: A Celebration of Our National Parks, " where for 31 days, student and public audiences can experience a special series of events with an in-depth focus on Grand Canyon National Park, including unique exhibits, performances, lectures and other activities in cultural institutions and performance halls across Fort Worth.
The May 2011 events are numerous and offer more to the visitors of Grand Canyon. In fact, the only thing lacking is a hike to the Colorado River.
Highlights include...
A screening of Ken Burns' documentary America's Best Idea
Performances by Havasupai, Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribal members
Grand Canyon-inspired music by cellist Rhoda Rider
Premiere of a dance piece inspired by the return of the condor and the glory of Grand Canyon
Premiere of "Grand Canyon 360"
Newly-composed music by Native American students in Fort Worth with a collaboration with Native American Composers Apprenticeship Project, preformed by New York-based string quartet ETHEL
What is so amazing about this program is it takes about a year to show a smaller number of people everything Grand Canyon has to offer, yet, visitors who have spent only 20 minutes at the park say they have "been to Grand Canyon." If that is the case, participants of ICFW's program have actually experienced Grand Canyon and hopefully will one day visit for longer than 20 minutes.
As a backpacking guide, people trust me not only with their safety but with their physical comfort as well. Thus far I think I have done a pretty good job of both. I'd like to say that I have some sort of primal instinct on how to keep people safe and comfy, but really it all goes back to a story I was told in my young days as an outdoor leader. It goes like this:
An old rancher, way out in the middle of nowhere, decides he has become too crotchety and tired to keep on running his ranch alone. So on one of his bi-monthly trips into town he posts a written add at the hardware store (he obviously didn't know about Craigslist) advertising the need for a hand. Months go by and no one responds. Then, one day a scrawny young man who doesn't look like he could tell a steer from a horseshoe shows up at the ranch. The old rancher was hoping for more of a Heath Ledger type, but there stood Jake Gyllenhaal...
Feeling that there was a misunderstanding, the rancher felt obligated to clarify the job description.
"There's no help for us out here. Ya gotta be independent and know what the hell yer doin'. There's a hundred things needs done everyday an I ain't got time to walk ya through every one of em. So why should I hire the likes of you?"
"Cuz I can sleep when the wind blows" was all the kid would say.
The rancher wasn't sure what sleeping had to do with anything, but seeing how nobody else had responded to the ad, he agreed to hire the kid on.
A couple months later the rancher goes to town for supplies, and intending to be gone overnight, leaves the ranch in care of the kid. Uncertain but willing to take a chance. Before he gets to town, however, a storm rolls in. A big storm, with huge black clouds and wind that could only conjure foreboding in a person. The rancher's skepticism of the kid's competance was too much. He began his return to the ranch expecting to find the operation in ruins.
When he reached the ranch the storm was in full force so instead of looking for the kid he ran around frantically checking on things. He found, to his surprise, that everything was as it should have been. Finally, soaked and tired, he entered the house to find the kid snoozing peacefully. The old rancher shook him awake and yelled,
"There's a hell of a storm out there!"
The kid, annoyed at having been awoken, says "Ya, I know."
"Well how can ya lay there and just sleep like that?"
"Cuz I prepared for the worst. Everythin's safe. I told ya, I can sleep when the wind blows."
that is the story's end, punchline and all. I always like to reflect on this story and what it means to be able to "sleep when the wind blows." At its' core I think it is an anecdote for risk management. Planning ahead and taking preparations to avoid future problems (CYA 101). The lesson can serve not only as a model for life in the outdoors, but for life in general. From a diversified investment portfolio to making sure someone knows where you're going to hike next weekend. A little work on the front end can save a big headache on the back.
I mean really, how many arms would Aron Ralston still have if he had had this story in mind?
Bugs Bunny Adventures for Easter
April 23rd, 2011
I needed an Easter blog idea without being polarizing and thought what represents Easter more than bunnies, so I got a bit nostalgic and thought of Bugs Bunny. Then I had to make this relevant to out-doorsy type adventures and researched bugs' classic adventures as he traveled through the US, failing to make that left turn at Albuquerque. The relevance to our blog is a stretch, but Bugs Bunny is fun stuff and he did spend quite a bit of time here on the West Coast. (What good New Yorker hasn't)? And you've got to love the cartoon Saguaro Cacti (only found in the US in Arizona) and Bugs filling up Grand Canyon. What is so difficult to believe is how old these cartoons actually are. Even more mind blowing is how these cartoons are deemed violent and offensive. Nothing like video games and I have to say that I find Sponge Bob hugely offensive!
Anyway, here is just a list of a few classics. And instead of giving a synopsis of each, take a few minutes to watch and enjoy the past!
Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid (1942)
Buckaroo Bugs (1944)
Hare Trigger (1945)
Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948)
Rebel Rabbit (1949)
Packrafting Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
April 16th, 2011
Very rarely do we write self gratuitous blogs, but today we must brag about something so cool you'll have to turn on the heat. As seen in the May issue of Outside Magazine (page 44 in case you didn't see it the first time), Just Roughin' It Adventure Company is offering a new kind of adventure... a rim to rim packrafting trip. Get away from the typical trails (North and South Kaibab and Bright Angel), the crowds and get a chance to go on an adventure like none other.
Our new trip will have us hiking the original rim to rim route via the North and South Bass trails. Constructed in the early 1900s by the tourism pioneer William Wallace Bass, the Bass trails took visitors to the bottom of Grand Canyon and to the Colorado River. By 1906, Bass finished building a cable way across the Colorado River, ferrying tourists, animals, hunting parties and asbestos from his mines. Now, all but deserted, the Bass trails are a great way to see some practically untouched parts of the canyon with remnants of Bass's camp, Indian ruins and Teddy Roosevelt's Cabin where he would stay on occasion when visiting the canyon. This trip is a great way to re-connect with history.
The North and South Rim trail heads are about twenty five miles west of the main trails in a very secluded section of Grand Canyon National Park. The route features one night of camping on the North Rim before we start our descent. We then spend two to three days hiking to the bottom of the canyon to the Colorado River. The North Bass Trail is steep, slippery and narrow in parts. Although only 13 miles from top to bottom, route finding and slow going is necessary for a safe trip. If you are even more adventurous, the descent can be accomplished in two days. Once we arrive at the river, we can decide to camp on the north beach, or inflate our pack rafts (everyone has their own raft and you get to carry it too!) and paddle across to camp on the south beach. Regardless of when we decide, paddling is the only way across. We then ascend to the South Rim via the South Bass trail, spending two days to hike out over 8 miles.
This is just a brief overview of the trip. If you want more details, contact Just Roughin' It Adventure Company at info@justroughinit.com or 877-399-2477. North Bass is a very challenging trail so you must have extensive backpacking experience. Prior Grand Canyon experience is preferred, but not necessary.
Oh, and the coolest part; we were mentioned in the Outside issue featuring a very cool Stephen Colbert on the cover!
Government Shutdown, Almost: A Grand Canyon Guide Company’s Parable
April 9th, 2011
One hour away from a United States Government shutdown and Congress decides to stop marking their territory and make a deal. If you are a government employee, member of the military, government contractor or own a company that is dependent on the government in an indirect way, i.e. hiking or river guide company, then you are sighing in relief right about now. I have to say that I would not have been too thrilled about no public services if I was a DC resident either - no trash pickup? Yikes!
The past few days have been a bit challenging as a guide company in Grand Canyon National Park. It has been very difficult telling people that, "yes, the park will close if there is a shut down and if there is one, we will not be able to go to the Canyon." Lucky for us, we have alternative routes we can take and that is what we would have done. However, I can understand the disappointment in not getting what you paid for. On the other hand; our alternative was the Superstition Mountains outside of Phoenix, Arizona and we were getting a bit excited about showing people something amazing that is not Grand Canyon - 800 year old Indian ruins, mountain views of the Sonoran Desert and the high deserts, seclusion and camp fires. Oh well, maybe next time. And, a shout out to our guests who were flexible and open to this alternative - YO! Do people still do "Shout outs" by the way?
So how did we stay sane through all this? Well, we gave into the insanity of the whole process and did what Congress did - sat on our hands until someone made a move. And Ray danced around the office making high pitched squealing noises while waving his arms in the air. Then again, that is a typical day at Just Roughin' It Central. Actually, we stayed away from reading blogs, twitter and real time Yahoo! news since that is what breeds all the panic in situations such as these. Honestly, I cannot comprehend how the general public that has no experience in such situations somehow have the most boisterous and "learned" opinions. We found out Grand Canyon National Park's contingency plan in case of a shutdown and actually had one trip get to the Canyon a day early so they would be "locked in" for their trip. But the most important was to continue business as usual since canceling trips on guests in the event nothing did happen would have been more troublesome than being patient and waiting it out. I, for one, was 99% certain a deal was going to be made. The political climate and the economy is not "right" for a government shutdown. Obama is not Clinton, Boehner is not Gingrich and the economy is not flourishing.
Now, everyone will get the trips they signed up for, and hopefully in a strange way, enjoyed the adrenaline rush of not knowing what was yet to come. Since, quite honestly, it is this that makes life much more adventurous! So the parable? Be patient and open to the possibilities. Hasty decisions and inflexibility could have you missing out on some of the best things in life.
National Park Service Implements Park Beautification Program
April 1st, 2011
Next time you visit a national park, you might find it to be even more beautiful with man-made waterfalls, landscaped meadows and topiaries along the scenic driving and hiking routes!
A recent survey conducted by National Survey Inc., an independent marketing research firm, found that the long-time decreasing numbers of visitors to the nation's national parks was due to the parks' lack of beauty. On a scale of one to five (five being drop-dead gorgeous), most respondents gave the parks such as Olympic and Yosemite a three average and Grand Canyon came in with a disappointing two. The survey allowed people to add comments with some people stating about Yosemite National Park; "I have better water features in my backyard!" and "The Redwood trees were kind of scraggly, they need more branches." For Grand Canyon National Park, one person stated; "What's the big deal, it's just a giant pothole! I have a couple of those on my street!" and another comment read; "Maybe you should add more plants and water - way too many rocks."
In response, the park service has decided to use some of the money granted from the Federal stimulus package to help make these nature-made eyesores into something people may actually enjoy. Park rangers have been working day and night with landscape architects in creating something even Walt Disney would be in awe of. Grand Canyon will soon have 2,000 Palm trees added in various places along the popular Bright Angel Trail and the Colorado River. Half the cacti will be removed and replaced with shapely Bonzai trees. Since the precipitation in Grand Canyon is only about 8 inches per year, the same sprinkler and drip systems used by the best golf courses in Scottsdale, AZ will be installed, since they are best at keeping grass growing in the desert.
Yosemite doesn't need as much work, just more clean up of pine cones and needles and lawn up keep. Also, prosthetic branches on the Redwoods.
Once this project is complete, the park service will begin adding the very items that makes a park a park - amusement park rides! There is such a waste of real estate and fun at these parks, so get ready to take a log-ride down Yosemite Falls or a free fall ride that drops you from the rim of Grand Canyon to the bottom (which is already present but is not currently regulated).
Photo Friday: Welcome Spring!
March 25th, 2011
As of March 20, it is officially spring! Temperatures are rising and flowers and beginning to bloom in many areas. In celebration of spring, here are some wildflower photos from the National Parks in the western US.
Roosevelt Dam: A Century of Reliability
March 23rd, 2011
Last week marked the 100th anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam in Arizona; once the world's largest masonry dam (at an original height of 280 ft and length of 723 ft) upon its completion in 1911, and the world's largest artificial reservoir. It was also listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1963 until that designation was lost in 1999 due to reconstruction which added 77 ft to the dam and covered it in concrete. But the loss of this designation does not make the history of the dam and the environment that surrounds it any less interesting.
Originally called Salt River Dam #1, construction began in 1904 and was one of five original projects authorized under the newly enacted Reclamation Act of 1902, the US federal law that funded irrigation projects for the arid lands of 20 states in the western US for farming and of development. It was also the first to be completed under the act and was the first to introduce the federal production of electric power when in 1906, Congress authorized the Reclamation Service to develop and sell hydroelectric power. Completed at a cost of $10,000,000, the primary purpose of Roosevelt Dam was to provide water storage for the Salt River irrigation projects and flood control for the Salt River Valley. The dam dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1911, but not named after him until the dam was renamed in 1959.
The dam created Roosevelt Lake, an over 1,000,000 acre feet of water that is the largest reservoir in the state of Arizona (Lake Powell and Lake Mead are the largest in the US but are shared in the states of Utah and Nevada respectively). Such a large body of water brings with it many opportunities for recreation. Only 80 miles from Phoenix, the lake gives Phoenix residents a great place for boating, fishing, kayaking and even hiking. The 800 mile Arizona Trail that extends the state from Mexico to Utah makes its way across the lake via the State Route 188 bridge.
Roosevelt, and the numerous other dams in Arizona, have been successful in ensuring water for farming and development the past 100 year, but the abundance of water is sure to fall short for the next century. The same challenge exists, how to get water for the arid desert population centers, but now the problem is if enough can be contained to supply the increasing demand. Experts speculate there is enough water for about 30 more years before something drastic must happen in the amount of water usage. Conservation is the key, but it is difficult to speculate now where those conservation efforts will come from.
People LOVE Fossil Creek to Death!
March 18th, 2011
Fossil Creek, cited as one of the most diverse riparian areas in Arizona, is one of only two waterways to be designated as "Wild and Scenic" in the state. Located southeast of Camp Verde in the Coconino National Forest, it is within a two hour drive of Phoenix and Flagstaff, and it is being "LOVED TO DEATH!"
Fossil Creek hasn't always been "wild," but as for "scenic" well, that's probably why we have a problem to talk about. Utilizing Fossil Creek's perennial flow and steep drainage, a hydroelectric facility was built in 1908 and a second facility added in 1916. These two facilities, singly referred to as the Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facility, dramatically changed the river's ecology. Considered an environmental success story, the dams were decommissioned in 2005 after a lengthy public process to restore the area's biodiversity. Once the power company moved out, the entirety of Fossil Creek was open to the public for the first time in almost 100 years.
When one problem moved out, however, another moved in. The abundance of wildlife, fascinating travertine formations, fossils (of course), and myriad opportunities to get wet and play, have lured folks from all over the state in numbers approaching 1,000 per day on a hot weekend. While getting people outside to have fun and utilize our public lands is a good thing, Forest Service officials are finding it difficult to manage their impact. From trampled vegetation and noise pollution to human waste and litter, Fossil Creek is feeling the strain. There seem to be just too many people in too small an area.
Officials express the goal of allowing as many people access as possible, but don't be surprised if one day we see a permit system similar to our other desert jewels like Aravaipa Canyon. A management plan for the area is expected in 2012 so until then, get out there and enjoy Fossil Creek as it is, just be mindful and take out all your trash.
If you recreate in Arizona, or have an impassioned opinion on land managment policy, get involved! Draft management plans are always available for public comment before becoming official. Information on this issue can be found at: http://redrockcountry.org/fossil/index.shtml
Midwestern weather in Arizona? Hiking the Grand Canyon in a Snow Storm.
March 9th, 2011
My brother and his girlfriend flew down from Michigan the weekend before last to escape the frigid landscape of the Midwest and, of course, to do some backpacking in the Grand Canyon. As we pulled in to Tusayan Saturday night, we were greeted by freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions. We went to bed with open minds and fingers crossed... only to throw open the curtains at 8:00AM for a panoramic view of heavy, white flakes pouring from the sky. Being from the Midwest, we weren't about to let a little (or in this case, a lot) of snow put a damper on our adventure. We gorged ourselves at the hotel's breakfast buffet and made our way to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. From there, we hopped onto the yellow route and made our way to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Needless to say, we were the only people on the bus at that time.
As we pulled up to the trailhead, we soaked in the last bit of the bus's sauna-like conditions, threw on our packs, and bounced out into the winter wonderland. The wind was whipping across the snow drifts as we assembled our crampons. A few frozen faces made their way out of the canyon as we dropped in. I think we all second guessed our choice for a moment, but hey, we're from the north damn it! We can do this! The wind was a pretty crazy as we made our way down the chimney, but the contrast of white snow on red rocks made it all worth it. With my brother being a geologist, we got a few geology lessons on the way.
If you have never been to the Grand Canyon during the winter, I highly recommend it - as long as you dress for the weather and wear some heavy wool socks. As we got closer to Cedar Ridge, we turned back to take in the view of the canyon walls. Bright red rocks peaked out from under the white blanket. The trees looked like the silver tinsel trees brought out around the holidays. It was absolutely breathtaking. What made it even better was that we basically had the trail to ourselves. There were a few others who braved the weather, but it felt like we had the canyon to ourselves for most of the hike.
Mikael (my fiance) and I were just doing a day hike since we had to make it back to work the next morning. We all had lunch just past Skeleton Point before Mikael and I began the trek back up while Jaren and Katie went on for a couple nights at Bright Angel and Indian Garden. My brother produced one bottle of Seirra Nevada Torpedo that he packed as a celebratory offering. It was still cold since we were hiking in chilly weather and I can tell you that one beer split four ways has never tasted so good. While we chowed down on salami, spicy cheese, and granola bars, patches of blue skies made their way out from the grey clouds. The walls of the canyon were lit up by rays of sun, welcoming the newcomers. On our way up, we turned back and watched the canyon swallow them up.
Camel Hunting is Illegal in Arizona?
February 28th, 2011
This probably sounds ridiculous in a state that loves its guns, laws and gun laws. So why would Arizona ever even think to ban hunting any animal, and especially one that is not even native to this state? No, the law does not refer to the ones living in the Phoenix Zoo. But it may refer to the small herds of camels that were imported to Arizona, Nevada and Texas, if the law even ever existed, that is.
The story begins when in 1855, Jefferson Davis, then secretary of war, was in love with the idea to use camels to help build and travel a wagon route through the Southwest from Texas to California. Davis sold the Camel Military Corps idea to Congress, who appropriated $30,000 to get the plan in motion. Thirty-three camels were purchased in the Middle East and shipped to Indianola, Texas; with another 44 soon to follow. Unfortunately, Middle Eastern camels did not speak English and Rosetta Stone did not have a course for Camel to English; therefore, those who could help were sent for from the Middle East to teach the Army how to deal with camels. Hadji Ali, or Hi Jolly, was one of the men hired and is still remembered in Quartzsite, Arizona; where a pyramid was build in memoriam to Hi Jolly in Quartzsite's cemetery. But what really solidified Hi Jolly's place in pop culture was the 1962 New Christy Minstrel's song called "Hi Jolly the Camel Driver."
In 1857 in Texas, Lt. Edward Beale took over the camel corps and set off on an expedition to map a possible route for a transcontinental railroad. The camels were a success. They were able to carry two to three times as much as an Army mule, go without water much longer than horses or mules and most of the desert forage was fine as sustenance. They were able to cross the Colorado River to get into California quite easily, while two horses drowned. Rumor has it they could also dodge a speeding bullet and leap over a building in a single bound.
They were such a hit that Beale requested Congress send off for an additional 1000 camels. However, the hostilities between the North and South were growing stronger and Congress had to focus all their attention in the East, bringing the troops back to prepare for battle in the looming war. This was the end of the camel corps.
Some of the camels were sold and others escaped into the wild, where they thrived for a while but eventually died out. The last camel was reportedly shot by a farmer in 1893. However, as late as the 1930s and 1940s, unsubstantiated sightings of camels were reported; including that of the Red Camel that roams the desert with a headless skeleton on its back.
Hi Jolly purchased 2 camels, using them for a freight route between the Colorado River and the mining towns in eastern Arizona.
So, if you ever see a camel roaming the Arizona desert, probably best to keep your gun concealed, just in case it is illegal to shoot a camel.
Sources: "Our Fleeting Camel Corps," Clay Thompson, The Arizona Republic, February 12, 2011, E1 and E8.
Make Your Way to McDowell Sonoran Preserve
February 23rd, 2011
As a recent transplant from Minnesota, I was chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy the Arizona weather as soon as the U-Haul was unpacked. A few weeks ago, I set out on my first venture. Without a plan, I drove into Tonto National Forest and found myself bouncing along the Apache Trail. I would not recommend this to people who get car sick or have a fear of heights, but if you're up for 20+ miles of gravel roads just wide enough for two small cars to pass each other, the views are worth it! There is a campground you can drive into around the halfway point called Burnt Corral Campground. It looked like a cool place to bring some canoes or kayaks and spend the weekend. They allow dogs, so your pup doesn't have to be left out. Coming down from the Midwest, I was not expecting to see so much water. What a great surprise!
My Apache Trail exploration was followed by a short stint at Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains. I was actually on my way to Tonto for a little fresh air, but stumbled upon this park first. It was later in the afternoon, so I just hiked up the easy trail to Green Boulder. The sun was setting as I hiked down and dipped below the horizon when I got back to the car. While writing this blog, I found out that this park offers ranger led hikes fairly frequently. Check out the Lost Dutchman State Park website if you want more info. You can also find out why it's called "Lost Dutchman."
Most recently, I hiked to Tom's Thumb in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Tom's Thumb is a beautiful 4 mile (roundtrip) hike in to McDowell Sonoran Preserve. My fiance and I brought along our neighbor for an introduction to hiking and she loved it! Our dog joined us on the trek as well. We were so glad to see the amount of trails that allow dogs around Phoenix.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is just northeast of Scottsdale and offers a plethora of hiking options, in addition to mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing. Public hikes are offered on weekends, so no worries if you can't find anyone to head out with or are looking to make some new friends. These are FREE and offer great information about the area. You can find information on public hikes, special events, etc. on the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy website.
Spring is just around the corner and I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to wildflowers. McDowell has a portion of their website dedicated to just that. The Wildflower Watch is a great tool to keep up to date on colors in the desert. They even organize wildflower hikes for beginners through experts.
If you're into photography during your adventures, check out "Ask a Photography Expert at Gateway" every Saturday in February. From 9:00AM to 12:00PM, there will be a photography expert at the Gateway Trailhead who can answer any questions you may have about techniques, equipment, or photography in general.
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Arizona is a great place to be. I was amazed to find the amount of hiking opportunities available in and around the Phoenix area! I would definitely recommend checking out McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They have a lot to offer without having to drive too far from the city. As for me, my Arizona adventures are just beginning. I am off to the Grand Canyon this weekend and snow is in the forecast. This could get interesting.
Spring in Yosemite
February 14th, 2011
Yosemite National Park is known as a great summer destination; perfect hiking weather, refreshing high mountain lakes for fishing and swimming, waterfalls (not for swimming), wildflowers, green meadows, and thousands of visitors almost all of which congregate in the Valley area and hundreds attempting to ascend Half Dome. However, Yosemite can be a prime Fall, Winter and Spring destination if you are cool with ice and snow and you would like to see Mother Nature at work during the Spring thaw.
Three spectacular events occur in Yosemite that few people ever get to see since they are either specific to Yosemite or they occur at a time when so few people even think to visit the park; frazil ice, the fiery horsetail falls and the Yosemite Falls Snow Cone.
Frazil ice is a collection of loose, randomly oriented needle-shaped ice crystals in water that resemble slush and has the appearance of being slightly oily when seen on the surface of water. And since that is all I feel comfortable explaining, I will let the experts discuss this phenomenon. Just take a look at the below video from Yosemite Nature Notes about frazil ice. (When I first heard of frazil ice, I instantly thought of those weird little Jim Henson muppets from Fraggle Rock).
The 2,130ft Horsetail Fall only flows in the Winter and Spring and falls along the east side of El Capitan. But there are numerous waterfalls in Yosemite that are only seasonal. What makes Horsetail Fall so unique is that for only a few days every February, the setting sun reflects off the falling water, reflecting a bright orange color that makes the fall looks like fire falling from the towering granite cliff. How does this work you may ask? Well, go outside on a partly cloudy day and see what the sky looks like when the setting sun reflects off the clouds.
At 2, 245ft, Yosemite Falls is the tallest measured waterfall in North America and can be seen by most visitors that go to Yosemite Valley. The falls are made up of three sections: the 1,430ft Upper Falls; the Middle Cascades that total 675ft and the final 320ft Lower Falls. By late summer/early fall, Yosemite Falls can dry up due to winters of little precipitation, but a quick summer thunderstorm can cause the falls to "restart." While a spectacular sight any time of year, visitors can witness the snow cone that forms under the fall as the falling water refreezes on its way down, creating a cone of ice at the base of upper Yosemite Falls.
So, next time you are looking for a National Park to visit but without the crowds, give Yosemite in Winter and Spring a try.
Lawsuit Filed to Clean Up Grand Canyon Air Quality
February 2nd, 2011
It seems like this shouldn't be happening but there is an air quality issue in the Grand Canyon National Park. Over the years the view has been decreasing in quality thanks to pollution brought on by increased growth in Las Vegas and Phoenix among other causes. In just the last few weeks, several organizations including the Grand Canyon Trust have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to compel them to reduce the air pollution that reduces the visibility in the Grand Canyon as well as Mt Rainer, Mesa Verde and Petrified Forest National Parks.
The lawsuit points the fingers at the tangible culprits of the pollution in these areas, specifically the Navajo Generating Station in Page, AZ, the Four Corners Power Plant in Fruitland, NM, and the TransAlta/Centralia power plant in Centralia, Washington. Recent studies have also determined that the increase air pollution in the Grand Canyon can be traced to the growth of Phoenix and Las Vegas although these cities are not named in the lawsuit.
Overall, the air quality in the Grand Canyon is still some of the best in the nation but since the beginning of the air quality studies in 1959, there has been an increase in air pollution and a decrease in visibility in the Grand Canyon. There are days where there is a haze that limits the views but not to the extent that you can't see across the canyon. The canyon doesn't look like Los Angeles yet. The view even on hazy days are still spectacular but there is definitely a growing problem that needs to be solved. Hopefully the media will give this legal action sufficient press so we can follow these proceedings since the outcome has an effect on all of us who enjoy our national parks.
Vietnam is a Country, Not a War!
January 25th, 2011
This entry will be a bit different from other past blogs. It is not about Arizona or California. It is not about Grand Canyon or Yosemite. And it is not about backpacking, hiking or training. But it is about travel so technically, this forum is still appropriate. And after not much ado...
Ray and I spent the past few week (Jan 3-17, 2011) in Vietnam. I plan to write a few entries about it because it is an amazing place to vacation. But there is one overwhelming reaction we received from our fellow Americans when discussing where we were going or where we had been that is more than just a little disturbing. The most popular response was not how fun, how splendid or "Wow, how cool!" It was, "Why would you go there?" I answer with "Why not?" The real reason was to do research for my dissertation in US History and Foreign Policy, but regardless, it was definitely a vacation and is a place with plenty of Westerners. Not to mention almost everything is in English.
So this made me wonder, briefly, why such an opposition to going to Vietnam. Then I realized that Americans are still equating Vietnam with the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, we have a population of people so repelled by the idea of going to this beautiful South East Asian country because of a war that these same people neither participated in nor know very little about. And after searching "Vietnam" in Google, the majority of the content that came up was pertaining to the war, so this is understandable. Is it because it is a war we lost? Americans have been traveling to Japan for decades, and they attacked us - but we won that war. Is it because the memory of the war was so devastating in so many levels that few Americans can allow themselves to let the past mend itself and realize there is more to Vietnam than the Vietnam War? Is it because the US took so long to open relations with the Vietnamese? Is it the fact that it is a Communist nation repels so many? Whatever the reason anyone may have to be so opinionated about one's vacation plans, it is time to learn then let it go.
I am in no way saying to go there (I actually felt like I was in a foreign country - no McD's), but I feel we as Americans need to be a little more open minded about traveling to foreign countries. In learning about other people and cultures, we in return, learn so much more about ourselves.
Yosemite Half Dome Permits - Again!
January 12th, 2011
Last year, around this time, I posted a blog about Yosemite National Park requiring permits for hikers to ascend Half Dome for weekend days and holidays when the cables are up. (Read it if you like but never mind that the picture is missing. Those of us technologically handicapped figure these things just happen). This was a regulation that was instituted for the 2010 season to limit the masses of people who visit annually. This year, the park is now making it mandatory for hikers to acquire a permit seven days a week to hike up the monolith.
Half Dome, is a granite monolith found in Yosemite National Park and it is one of the most popular destinations for visitors, especially for those with a sense of adventure and no fear of heights - just like all our readers! Actually, if you don't now what Half Dome is already, you probably won't care or feel affected by the need for a permit.
A maximum number of 400 permits will be available each day - 300 hundred for day hikers and the rest for hikers with back country permits. You can reserve your permit up to about four months in advance through the National Recreation Reservation Service for a fee of $1.50 per permit and each person needs a permit. You will not be able to get permits on a first-come, first-served basis but the park may have cancellations available for those lucky enough to grab them in time.
While I know many people were upset about the permitting system for weekends last year and I am sure they are equally as upset for this requirement for every day. But something must have worked to impose a blanketed requirement. Plus, this is one regulation that is necessary to make Half Dome a much more enjoyable place for everyone who decides to experience it. If you want to stand in line and wade through the masses, visit Disney Land.
National Park New Years Celebrations
December 31st, 2010
I can't believe that 2010 is already almost over! The time is upon us again to join in the time honored tradition of seeing out the old year and ringing in the new. Maybe you have planned a vacation for the holiday or maybe you are heading to a black tie gala tonight or maybe you are toasting the New Year at home with the family, champagne, and Ryan Seacrest (on second thought skip Seacrest), but no matter how you celebrate, it's just great to celebrate start of another year.
Our National Parks also make plans to ring in the New Year and here are the New Years events that are planned for some of our parks.
Yosemite National Park: Even though there may be snow on the mountains, the lodges in the park are celebrating the holiday with events ranging from a family friendly New Year's celebration at Yosemite Lodge to a black tie gala at the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Acadia National Park: The town of Bar Harbor, Maine, just outside of the park entrance, is ringing in the new year with bonfires, hayrides, and dinners at local restaurants.
Gateway National Recreation Area: This New York City park is hosting beach walks on New Years Day at the Fort Tilden area in Queens and at Great Kills Park on Staten Island. Hopefully these walks aren't cancelled due to the snow storm that hit the area early this week.
Great Smokey Mountains National Park: The gateway town of Galtinburg celebrates big with a New Years Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks display from the Space Needle in town. It's a mini version of the Times Square event but with a big bang.
Regardless of how or where you are celebrating the holiday, enjoy it and be safe. Everyone at Just Roughin' It Adventure Company wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
The Tumbleweed Christmas Tree
December 25th, 2010
It's a holiday tradition in cities across America; the town Christmas Tree. Whether the tree is placed in the town square or in front of city hall, the tree that symbolizes the holidays is usually a tall pine tree that is decorated with colored lights with a star placed on top. Each year there is even a fuss made about which state can boast about supplying the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center or the White House. Arizona of all places had the distinction of providing the White House Christmas tree in 2009.
The city of Chandler, Arizona takes part in this holiday tradition as well by erecting a 30 foot tree in the town square each year although they don't bring down a mighty pine from the high country of the state. The good folks in Chandler construct a Christmas tree from tumbleweeds! A tumbleweed Christmas tree makes sense in a desert town since tumbleweeds are plentiful in the desert in these parts and it seems more fitting with the way city residents decorate the cacti and mesquite trees around their houses with lights for the holidays.
It takes about 1,000 tumbleweeds, stacked into a wire frame, to construct the tree. The tree is then coated with 20 gallons of flame retardant, 25 gallons of white paint and 1,200 lights before it is complete. Chandler, Arizona has been constructing a tree out of tumbleweeds from the desert since 1957 when resident Earl Barnum got the inspiration from a tree in Indiana that was built with pine boughs inserted into a chicken wire frame.
If you are having trouble visualizing what a tumbleweed tree would like or you are just unfamiliar with tumbleweeds, check out this video of how the Chandler Christmas tree is made.
The summer crowds are gone, the cables are down on Half Dome and roads to the high Sierras are closed with early Winter snow. Yosemite is a Winter wonderland in December and it is at Christmas time that one of the longest running Yosemite traditions takes place at the Ahwahnee Hotel; the Bracebridge Dinner.
This annual event takes you back to Renaissance England as you dine on a seven course formal dinner and while being entertained by musical and theatrical numbers that are based on The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving. The feast was first held in 1927 and was inspired by the Yule Celebration of Squire Bracebridge from the book. The food is a far cry from your average renaissance fair with courses such as Roasted Kobocha Squash Soup and Braised Pheasant and Chestnut Pithivier and the theatrical production shines due partly to the fact that many of the performers return every year to act in the event. The world renown landscape photographer, Ansel Adams, was a long time director of the Bracebridge performance from 1931 to 1973.
There are eight performances each year around Christmas with performances scheduled on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There are dinner only packages available as well as lodging with dinner packages at the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge or the Wawona Hotel. Tickets are available through YosemitePark.com or at 801-559-5000.
Besh Ba Gowah Festival of Lights
December 16th, 2010
For the past 23 years around Christmas, the Festival of Lights has been held in Globe, Arizona at the Besh Ba Gowah Archeological Park. This year's event is this Sunday, December 19th, and it's an unique event that mixes the ruins of a Salado Indian village with the southwestern tradition of luminarias, and Santa Claus.
The Festival of Lights at Besh Ba Gowah
Besh Ba Gowah is the ruins of a Salado Indian pueblo that dates back 800 years. The pueblo stood as high as three stories and had a total of 400 rooms at the peak of its existence. Today, the remains are mostly low walls with a two story portion that has been reconstructed as a cultural museum. One the grounds there are other museum buildings and a garden that grows the same plants that the Salado people used to grow. Interpretive signs throughout the maze of rooms and passages in complex shed insight into the lives of these native inhabitants of Arizona.
During the Festival of Lights each year volunteers light over 1,600 luminarias that are placed on the buildings on the walls and the structures of the complex. Luminaria are a traditional southwest Christmas decoration which consists of a candle placed in sand at the bottom of a paper bag. At Besh Ba Gowah, these are lit at about 5pm and stay lit until the park closes at 9pm. There will be performances from local musicians, a bonfire in the central plaza of the pueblo and the kids have the opportunity to get their picture taken with Santa Claus.
This festival is very popular among the residents of the Globe area but each year more and more people are making the drive from Phoenix to witness this uniquely southwestern Christmas celebration.
Horehound the Winter Cold Remedy
December 6th, 2010
With winter cold season upon us I thought I would write about my favorite herb to remedy the rhinovirus. Marrubium vulgari or Horehound is a member of the mint family which is evident by it's appearance but not it's taste. It is extremely bitter which makes it an excellent liver healing herb and digestive aid. A tea of the leaves is one of the oldest remedies for colds and sore throat. The rhinovirus begins with a small scratchy feeling in the back of the throat. Once this symptom arrives immediately start taking your Horehound tea and you will not catch a cold. You don't need much, just about a teaspoon per quart because it is so potent. In a tea I suggest pairing Horehound with Peppermint or Stevia to cut down the bitter taste. Horehound is so bitter that in Europe you can sometimes find it as a substitute for hops in beer!
My favorite story about Horehound comes from my teacher Peter Bigfoot. When embarking upon his famous 85 mile trek across the Sonoran Desert in 1976, Peter contracted a severe case of hepatitis by drinking from a contaminated water hole. Luckily, peter came across a Horehound patch and he set up camp living on Horehound until he was remedied. His life was saved by this simple looking little plant and that is just one reason why I love it!
A Run in the Clouds: The Mount Lemmon Marathon
November 25th, 2010
In October of this year, Tucson’s Mount Lemmon inaugurated a yearly tradition, hosting the only uphill marathon in the United States. With a climb of more than 6,000 feet over the 26.2 mile course, this definitely isn’t your ordinary run.
The marathon was sponsored by the Tucson Medical Center and held to benefit Beat Cancer Boot Camp, which is a charitable organization that encourages cancer patients and survivors to maintain an active lifestyle during the course of their treatment.
Billed as the toughest marathon in the United States, the course begins at the base of the mountain and traverses the Catalina Highway up the slope to Summerhaven, at the mountain top. The temperature from start to finish varied by approximately 10 degrees, with a base temperature of 50 degrees and a finish line temperature of around 40 degrees.
This type of course lends new challenges to even experienced runners, the altitude and steep terrain can make it hard for participants to judge how intensely to pursue and how to set an appropriate pace.
However, despite the adversity the Mount Lemmon course presents, it also offers runners a unique experience. In addition to the fact that the race is the only entirely uphill road course in the country, it’s also one of the only courses which allow runners to commune with nature along the way. Unlike the typical city marathon, runners will travel through a variety of natural desert habitats on their way up the mountain, starting surrounded by cacti and finishing among the pines of the higher climes. A lucky few may bypass a deer, or other desert dweller, on their ascent to the top.
Also, the marathon featured 39 distinct mile markers designed and created by local artists. After the race, the artwork was auctioned off to raise additional funds to benefit Beat Cancer Boot Camp.
This year the race was capped at approximately 2,400 runners; however, only about 1,200 competitors registered and it is estimated that the actual turn out was somewhat less than that number.
Next year’s race is scheduled for October 23, 2011 and interested runners can choose between a half or full marathon. Each event is open to 750 participants and the fee to run increases over time, so if you’re interested in this unique challenge you may want to sign up early. This event is a great way to support a worthy organization and experience nature in a new way!
Oprah Goes Camping in Yosemite
November 25th, 2010
I saw this on the web a few weeks ago and of course I paid attention. Oprah Winfrey went for a camping trip in Yosemite National Park! I'm not a watcher of her show so all of the scoop I know about her trip I learned from what I read on the web so Oprah fans feel free to correct me if I missed a detail.
Oprah and her best friend Gayle King made the trip to Yosemite in October upon the request of Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. They did everything you would expect someone camping in Yosemite to do. They pulled their pop up trailer into a regular spot at a campground in the park, made dinner over a campfire, made smores in the evening and they even invited some of their camping neighbors over to hang out at night. They also took part in some of the activities that the park offers visitors such as fly fishing in the Merced River or taking a mule ride from the valley floor.
From what I've seen of their trip, I'm impressed with how Oprah and Gayle handled most of the camping chores by themselves. They drove the camper into the park and into their campsite, set up the camper themselves, etc. Notice, how I stated most. Of course Oprah has a production crew with her to capture her experience the proper way and to help with some tasks when needed. Case in point, Oprah and Gayle hit the sack without packing away all food in the bear lockers that are found at each campsite so I have to assume that the crew cleaned up that night.
Oprah was invited to Yosemite by Ranger Shelton Johnson to visit the park. He was concerned about the low visitation to our National Parks by African- Americans and he felt that a visit by Oprah would help generate interest in visiting the parks for this segment of the US population. I have a feeling that this visit by Oprah has increased interest in visiting our National Parks for people of all races. She has a way of getting people to pay attention.
What’s in a Name? The Superstition Mountains
November 18th, 2010
The Superstition Mountains rise high above the valley, standing guard against excessive development and human encroachment. The mountain range acts as a landmark, reminding valley residents that the place they now call home was an undeveloped desert not so long ago. Before the city of Phoenix grew to its present, enormous metropolitan dimensions the Superstitions were home to bands of Apache warriors and members of the Pima Indian tribe.
It may be from these early inhabitants that the Superstition Mountains derive their curious name. Early white settlers in the area who interacted with the local tribes developed the impression that the Pima treated the mountain range with a mixture of respect and fear. The tribal people related many ritualistic stories about the mountain.
The Pima tell a tale about a race of people who lived many generations ago. The people were blessed by the gods and lived a pleasant life. The valley these people called home was fertile and they had abundant food sources. Also, the people were blessed because the gods placed large amounts of gold and other valuable metals in caves surrounding the valley that the people could use.
However, the gods became angry with the people. The people had become vain and wasteful; their easy lifestyle had destroyed the people’s pride and ambition. As a result, the gods dried up the valley and a mountain grew around it, blocking the tribe’s access to the gold. The people were killed and their spirits were sealed in the mountain. The only survivors were a small group who had been absent from the village on a hunting expedition. For generations to come, the spirits of the people would continue to be imprisoned in the mountain, only to be freed if the gold is discovered and used for the benefit of all the peoples of the world.
This legend is the story the Pima relate, describing the history of their people. When white settlers heard the story, they adopted the name Superstition Mountains, to reflect the tale of captured spirits that had been told.
In the modern era, the lore of the Superstitions has grown. Many people today believe the Superstitions are a place of paranormal activity and possible UFO sightings. Over the past century, many reports have been made of unexplained lights, oddly shaped objects in the sky, and possible landing sights. It seems that even today, the Superstitions continue to live up to their name, generating discussion, interests, and unexplainable phenomena.
The “Emily Post” Guide to Backpacking
November 11th, 2010
For a new backpacker or beginning hiker, it is a good idea to educate yourself about basic backpacking etiquette. By following a few simple rules of the trail, you will ensure that both you, and those who come after you, will be able to enjoy the many incredible natural habitats at our disposal while leaving a minimal footprint.
Camping
Look for a location which is already clear. Try to avoid erecting your tent in locations where grass or vegetation may be damaged by the tent. Make sure your campsite is at least one hundred feet from the nearest water source. By making sure you are sufficiently far from the water, you will reduce any chance of inadvertent contamination.
Campfires
Avoid building a campfire if at all possible. Fires are, obviously, a fire hazard in dry environments. In fact, some areas you visit may prohibit them altogether. A back packing stove is your best option for cooking on the trail. However, is you must build a fire pit, be sure to take it apart once you are finished so the scenery remains undisturbed.
Trash
As you hike, try to produce as little waste as you can. Do not leave food remnants behind or bury them, they will attract animals and can be unhealthy for them. Be a good Samaritan, if you spy trash left behind by others along the trail, add it to your own collection. You will leave the trail cleaner than you found it, and improve others' experience.
On the Trail
Stay on the trail. By venturing off the established path you may damage the surrounding environment. If too many people stray from the trail it can lead to damage like soil compaction, erosion, and vegetation death.
Water
Be sure to purify, by boiling or adding tablets, any water you collect on your hike. Natural water sources can be contaminated with harmful parasites. Also, when emptying any waste water, for example your wash water, do so far from the natural water source. You do not want to accidentally contaminate the natural source.
Animals
Avoid interacting with wildlife. While watching for and spotting animals along the way is an enjoyable part of your hike, do not try to feed or pet them. Any animals you encounter are wild, and not used to humans in their environment. To prevent animals from being attracted to your campsite, do not store any food in your tent, cook in an area that is away from the tents, and try not to spill any food on your clothing, even a small amount may produce enough scent to attract an unwanted visitor.
By respecting you environment and utilizing these tips, you will ensure that you have a fun, safe backpacking trip, while at the same time preserving the same experience for others.
Protecting and Preserving the Grand Canyon
November 4th, 2010
Late in August, the National Parks Conservation Association released its annual State of the Park report, evaluating the potential obstacles and also areas for growth in the Grand Canyon.
These annual reports serve to remind us all that protecting and preserving our national parks is an ongoing project, which requires constant reevaluation in light of changing conditions and new discoveries. The following are some of the primary points of interest from this year’s report.
Mining Activities
In the past, mining was permitted in portions of the Grand Canyon. While these operations are no longer active, they have left long term effects. As a result of these previous mining enterprises, some of the natural habitats in the park are contaminated. Additionally, in the future it is possible that mining operations may be developed in areas adjacent to the park. These activities have the potential to impact park resources negatively.
Air Pollution
Though many programs have been put in place to improve air quality in the past few decades, it is so pervasive that its effects can reach the park from many miles away. Air pollution may damage the park’s natural vegetation and can inhibit enjoyment of the canyon’s majestic views.
Budget Concerns
Every year, the park is visited by over four and a half million people. Due to current economic conditions, park resources and budget have been limited. In order to enact the preservation and conservation measures necessary to cope with this large human footprint, the park requires adequate funding. If this is not in place, the park may suffer as a result.
One of the park’s primary goals has been to improve and continue to build its relationships with the Native American tribes who are local to the Grand Canyon. Because of decreased funding, some of these initiatives may be reduced.
Also, the park has a significant backlog of maintenance projects which have been put on hold due to lack of funding. Without new revenue sources or additional aide from the government, these projects will remain inactive indefinitely.
Noise Pollution
Key to the park’s appeal is its serenity and natural atmosphere. Increased vehicle traffic and flights through the canyon have created a significant amount of disturbance. The artificial noise generated by these activities impacts not only the visitors’ enjoyment of the park, but it also harasses the native wildlife.
Possible Solutions
For each of the issues outlined above, there are responses which could be put in place to alleviate the problem. A Congressional Act which prohibits mining in the areas around the park would remove the threat posed.
By enacting stricter air quality control regulations, the park would see indirect benefits. While it is not within the scope of the park’s capabilities to resolve this issue itself, further work by the EPA in this area would provide many advantages overall.
Increases to the park’s base funding would alleviate the budgeting issues. Currently, the park is only able to support 38% of its activities through its base funding.
Finally, the park should begin to limit the number of flights in the canyon. Also, the park should be given the authority to preclude flights from entering the canyon altogether.
By enacting a strategic plan, many of the issues the Grand Canyon faces can be dealt with to achieve a more positive outcome. However, it is necessary for us all to continue to assess the health and welfare of our National Parks, in order to ensure that they remain for future generations.
If you would like to read the entire report, please click here.
Why Should I Buy Travel Insurance?
November 2nd, 2010
This is a question that keeps coming up more often these days. As an owner / operator of a successful adventure tour company it's a questions I can answer in one word; Yes. I have to admit I am biased when it comes to this issue but it's because over the years I've seen many circumstances that can stop travel plans. There are dozens of reasons that can keep travelers from attending a tour, cruise or even missing an entire vacation. Just Roughin' It has been recommending travel insurance to our guests for a long time and I wish more guests had taken our advice.
Travel insurance is a new concept for many people so I'll start by explaining what travel insurance is about. Travel insurance does what the name implies, it protects your financial investment in your vacation and with the current state of the economy, many more people are using travel insurance to keep from losing money on what is considered a major purchase. For a premium that costs just a small percentage of your total travel cost, a travel insurance company will reimburse you for your travel costs in the event that unforeseen circumstances force you to stop your vacation plans either in the middle of your vacation or before you even start. You can purchase some policies just 24 hours before your vacation begins and many pay for emergency medical expenses.
I know insurance is a touchy subject for many people especially since we are asked to purchase the extended warranty plans on almost every major purchase these days from refrigerators, to cameras to tires. I have to be honest that I don't see the value in all of those plans myself but about a dozen times a year, I have guests from one of our tours call up and explain that they can't make a trip this is where I've personally seen the value of travel insurance. Just Roughin' It like many other tour companies does not offer a refund if you have to cancel a tour and besides the price of the tour, there are flight, rental car, and hotel costs to consider.
Here are some of the scenarios I've seen that have kept a person or persons from taking a tour. Some of them are major issues but other are minor problems that can cause a big delay.
• Last minute change in work schedule - can't take vacation
• Got ill just prior to the trip
• Got injured training for a tour
• A family member became seriously ill
• A delayed flight caused a person to miss the beginning of a tour
• A major storm prevented a flight from taking off
• Luggage was lost by the airline
If you search Google for travel insurance you'll find plenty of companies to choose from. Travel Guard seems to be the largest company but we've had good interactions with TravelSafe and Seven Corners. As with research of any company, start with our recommendation but check with the BBB and other sources before choosing a travel insurance provider. You've spent time researching which outfitter will lead you on the adventure of a lifetime, it makes sense to spend time looking into the company that will protect your investment in that adventure.
Happy Halloween! I wanted to write about a plant this month that is appropriate for the Halloween season. When I found out that there is a medicinal plant commonly named Devil’s Guts, I couldn’t resist. Devil’s Guts' scientific name is Cuscata spp. It’s common names other than Devil’s Guts are Devil’s Hair and Dodder. Devil’s Guts is a parasitic plant, meaning it attaches itself to a host plant as a means of survival. When you see Devil’s Guts it looks like someone dumped a pot of noodles on the canape of a host plant. It is found in tropical regions and subtropic regions around the world.
This parasitic plant may look strange, but it actually has quite a few beneficial qualities for our health. Devil’s Guts has shown to be useful for the spleen and liver by reducing inflammation and increasing the function of a sluggish liver. Peter Bigfoot says that in Chinese Herbology the seeds are used for treating impotence and strengthening the adrenals and kidneys. He also says that the Navajo Indians use this herb in a cold tea for hives applied as a cool compress (Bigfoot, 43). Devil’s Guts has been used for headache, dizziness, earache and also as a mild laxative. And it also looks like something out of some weird plant based horror movie which makes it pretty cool.
Herbalist Trent Siever
Works Cited
Bigfoot, Peter. Useful Wild Western Plants. Roosevelt, AZ: Reevis Mountain School of Self Reliance, 2009.
Do Not Disturb! Haunted Hotels in Arizona
October 27th, 2010
Another Halloween is approaching and what a better way to celebrate than to stay in a haunted hotel! If you live or are visiting Arizona over this Pagan holiday, there are plenty of opportunities to find yourself a ghost, Zoiks Scoob! So get your digital voice recorders, EMF detectors, night vision cameras and an extra pair of underwear ready for some ghost hunting.
San Carlos Hotel
The first place most Arizona visitors go is to Phoenix - the capital and 5th biggest city in the US . Be sure to stay the night at the San Carlos Hotel where modern day and ancient spirits are said to make themselves known. The hotel has been in continuous operation since 1928 and less than 2 months after the hotel opened, the Arizona Republican (now the Arizona Republic - or "Repulsive" depending on the day), 22 year old Leone Jenson jumped to her death. It was rumored that Jenson was abused by her boyfriend and/or he was having an affair with another woman. While most evidence does point to suicide, some speculate that she may have been murdered by her boyfriend or the other woman. Her ghost appears as a white, cloudy figure accompanied by an eerie moaning noise. We are going on a ghost hunt here on October 30th and will let you know how it goes - if we return. Mwuhahahaha!
Hotel Vendome
If you are looking for a place with a variety of haunted places to visit, go to Prescott, AZ. Prescott was the first and third territorial capital of the Arizona territory before Phoenix became its capital in 1889. Prescott has held on to its history and can be seen in the restored Victorian homes and the courthouse in the center of town.
Room 16 of the Hotel Vendome is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Abby Byr and her cat, Noble. In 1920, Abby and her husband - name unknown - had owned the hotel but had to sell out after falling on hard times. The new owners allowed the couple and their cat to remain at the hotel - in Room 16. Abby suffered from Tuberculosis and as her disease became much worse, she was less able to take care of herself. In 1921, her husband left to get cigarettes or medicine and never returned. Her illness and depression made her bedridden, unwilling to accept medicine or food. In February of 1921, the 33 year old Abby died, with Noble soon after.
People staying in room 16 have seen, heard and smelled Abby. Guests have reported seeing Abby's wispy reflection in the closet mirror while others claim to see her in full detail. Guests have also reported moving quilts and smells of perfume and roses.
However, history does not support the existence of Abby but there is a history of others having lived in the hotel and on the land before the Hotel Vendome was erected. Abby; therefor, is not the only apparition seen on the property as guests have reported seeing children and a man on the premises, as well as odd occurrences such as spinning DO NOT DISTURB SIGNS, and faucets, lights and fans turning on and off.
The Clawson House Inn
Bisbee, Arizona is another town in Arizona with numerous haunted locations. Founded in 1880 as a copper, gold and silver mining town, Bisbee now has a population of just over 6,000 and a healthy population of ghosts as well.
The Clawson House Inn is own of many haunted spots and carries with it the mining history of the town. The inn was built in 1895 by Mr. Clawson, a mine manager used as a residence and later a boarding house for mine employees. In the late 1890's, a labor dispute broke out at the Queen Mine southwest of town and the miners went on strike. While the striking miners were arrested and moved out of town, replacement workers moved in and took over the vacant jobs. Three of the workers found boarding and demise in the Clawson House Inn. It is rumored that several of the striking miners came back to town and murdered three of the new workers within the walls of the house. They are said to still haunt the inn today and they are not Casper!
Jerome Grand Hotel
Like Bisbee, Jerome, AZ was also a mining town. Established in 1883, Jerome once had a population of over 15,000 people (now over 350) and housed the workers of the nearby United Verde Mine which produced over 1 billion dollars in copper, gold and silver until the 1950s. During its heyday, Jerome was a hotbed of prostitution and gambling, giving it the label of "the wickedest town in the west" in 1903 by the New York Sun.
The Jerome Grand Hotel started as the United Verde Hospital in 1927 to treat sick and injured miners. The many patients brought to this 30,000 square foot building died there either from mining injuries, during childbirth, from their mental illness or by accident. One man was killed in 1935 when he was crushed beneath the hospital elevator. When the mines dried up, the hospital was closed in 1950, sitting vacant for 44 years until it was purchased and remodeled as a hotel to accommodate the many visitors to one of Arizona's great tourist attractions.
The ghosts at the hotel manifest themselves through apparitions, sounds, and movement. Before the hotel was purchased in 1994, lights were reported to turn on and off while there was no electricity to the building. Passersby would hear screaming, moans and labored breathing. Today, guests and employees of the hotel report to see the ghosts of a nurse and a patient. They also report of evidence that the ghost of the man killed under the elevator roams the area, lights turning on and off in unoccupied rooms, the smell of cigars and the moans and screams of past patients.
This is just a few of the many haunted hotels you can find in Arizona. But is you decide to stay in one, just remember, you may have a bed for the night, but don't expect to get much sleep! Besides, it is probably just old Mr. Withers trying to scare you nosy kids.
Author: Debbie Hendricks
Sources:
Sam Lowe, Mysteries and Legends Arizona: True Stories of the Unsolved and Unexplained, Morris Book Publishing:Connecticut, 2010.
Since Tony Hillerman published his book Skinwalkers in 1990 (a must read), this bit of Navajo religious and cultural lore has made its way into the mainstream through several big screen and made for TV movies.
Skinwalkers, or yenaaldlooskii, are witches that can assume the shape of any animal they desire, typically a wolf or coyote, and sometimes another human being. This idea of shape-shifting has been around for centuries and made most popular by the legends of werewolves (go team Jacob!).
In order for the witch to take the shape of the animal they desire, they usually will wear the hide of the animal for which shape they want to take. Once the transformation is complete, the skinwalker assumes the characteristics of the animal.
Some Navajo believe that skinwalkers have the ability to "steal" the body of a person. The Navajo believe that if you lock eyes with a skinwalker they can absorb themselves into your body, while others say that standing up to them and staring at them is the only way to keep it from killing you.
But skinwalkers are closer to home if you live in the southwestern United States and especially if you are from the Navajo, Ute or Hopi Nations of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
It is believed that skinwalkers are evil and anything they do is purely of evil intent. Often, Navajos will tell of their encounter with a skinwalker, though there is a lot of hesitancy to reveal the story to non-Navajos, let alone to anyone in fear that the skinwalker will come back for retribution. Sometimes the skinwalker will try to break into the house and attack the people inside, and will often bang on the walls, knock on the windows, and climb onto the roofs. Sometimes, a strange, animal-like figure is seen standing outside the window, peering in. Other times, a skinwalker may attack a vehicle and cause a car accident.
The skinwalkers are described as being fast, agile, and impossible to catch. Witnesses have seen skinwalkers along roads outside of Flagstaff, Sedona, Winslow and Window Rock, Arizona. They are typically seen by motorists, running alongside cars while going 60+ mph.
It is difficult to gain information about this phenomenon from the Navajo since there is a strong taboo against talking about witchcraft. In traditional Navajo lore, skinwalkers also rob graves, steal livestock and commit murder. And, having never seen a skinwalker, as far as I know anyway, I found a few websites with some stories told by people who have encountered them. Enjoy!
Source: Wesley Treat, Weird Arizona, Sterling Publishing Co.: New York, NY, 2007.
Source: Colm Kelleher and George Knapp, "Skinwalkers - What Are They?" http://www.rense.com. Retrieved 10/20/2010.
Route 666; the Devil’s Highway
October 19th, 2010
You have all heard of the famous Route 66; the highway established in 1926 that allowed people to drive from Chicago to Los Angeles and was a major route for migrant workers traveling west during the Dust Bowl. Anyway, I bet you did not know there was a Route 666? This was the sixth branch of Route 66 that ran through four states (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and to its end in Douglas, Arizona). Over time, the route became known as the "Devil's Highway" as a reference to the Number of the Beast. This connotation with Satan and a higher than normal fatality rate along the New Mexico portion had some convinced that the highway was cursed with legend and lore.
One legend seems to be popular for any desolate dark road, the infamous girl in white walking along the road and when people stop to help, she disappears. But more suiting for the west are the Native American shape-shifters, also known as skinwalkers, said to appear out of nowhere in front of unsuspecting motorists as animals, in an attempt to cause accidents and to warn you to go no further. If that doesn't work and If you have an empty seat in your car, the skinwalker may decide to travel with you to take your soul!
Route 666 also has a truck of fire that travels at top speeds, head-on in the middle of the highway, and demon dogs that will attack and shred tires of cars that are stopped along the side of the road. There are also stories of disappearing motorists and people who have claimed to lose time.
With fame, or infamy, came increased thefts of the highway's road signs and a push to get the highway renamed. In 1992, Arizona was the first to rename the route, which is now US 191. New Mexico, Colorado and Utah followed suit in 2003, renaming to US 491, after heavy petitioning by New Mexico's Governor, Bill Richardson, arguing that the New Testament's association with 666 to Satan was having an adverse economic impact on businesses on the route. He was also attempting to improve relations with the Navajo people who, while do not believe in the 666 relationship to the devil, do believe that Christians would not travel that road and spend money in their towns. The Navajo Nation had been trying to petition to have the name changed for many years prior in an attempt to gain attention to the dangerous portion of the road that traveled through the nation.
People who believed the road to be cursed also believed that more fatalities occurred on Route 666 than any other in the west. In reality the section of road in Colorado, Arizona and Utah all had a lower than normal fatality rate, while the road in New Mexico did have more fatalities than average. However, the New Mexico portion was also a road in need of major improvements, having been largely ignored since it was first built in the 1940s. Since the name change and since improvements have been made, fatalities have greatly decreased.
However, a simple name change cannot dispose of the curse of skinwalkers, burning trucks and devil dogs. Travelers still report strange occurrences on this stretch of road, so if you are traveling on the road formally known as Route 666, keep your eyes open, your vehicle in motion and don't travel alone!
Source: Jodi Wilgoren, "Journey; The End of the Road for 'Devil's Highway.'" New York Times, June 13, 2003.
Source: Wesley Treat, Weird Arizona. Sterling Publishing Co.: New York, NY, 2007.
Backpacker’s Best: The Grand Canyon Escalante Route
October 14th, 2010
I know I criticize the inconsistency of Backpacker Magazine but in their latest issue "The Best of Backpacker", the editors made excellent choices when it came to choosing the top hikes featured in the 'Best Trips Ever' article in the current issue. Their choice for the number one trail is The John Muir trail which may not shock many people since Backpacker named it the "Most Beautiful Trail in America" back in 2007 and anyone who has hiked even part of the trail will find it hard to argue.
The trail in second place took me by surprise at first, not because this trail is undeserving but, because I always thought it so under rated that it wouldn't be considered in anyone's, aside from avid Grand Canyon hikers, top ten. The trail is the Escalante Route in the Grand Canyon and it is definitely my favorite route from the South Rim and one of the best backpacking trips in the entire canyon.
On this trek, you follow the Colorado River for almost 10 miles, winding in and out of side canyons to three campsites along the river. The views are amazing and people are a rare find, but it does take extra effort to get these rewards. The Tanner Trail is the preferred trail down to the Escalante Route and the first 2 miles are so steep that they can make your thighs quiver with fatigue. On the lower portions of the trail, there are sections that are as narrow as one foot wide.
Parts of the Escalante Route are equally as tricky with the most difficult being the series of ledges that one must scramble up from the river at Papago Creek and the steep rock strewn slope you must descend on the other side. Technically, the Escalante Route ends at Hance Rapids and many hikers take the New Hance trail as the exit trail back to the South Rim. I'm glad that the Backpacker route includes the hike to the top of Horseshoe Mesa which is the home of the old Last Chance Copper Mine and Cave of the Domes.
For most people, the Rim to Rim hike is a must do Grand Canyon trek but this incredible 5 or 6 day backpacking trip should be placed on a bucket list of hiking trips as well. As I've stated in past articles, use the information in Backpacker magazine as a starting point and then continue your research through hiking guides such as Falcon Guides, and most importantly the Backcountry Office at the Grand Canyon National Park. If you are unsure about navigating this terrain on your own, then a great choice is to hire a park authorized backpacking guide to lead you on this route for a trip of a lifetime.
Meet Yosemite’s Living Legend: Julia Parker a “Person of Peace”
October 12th, 2010
The next time you visit Yosemite, you should make the effort to meet Julia Parker, a living legend. Sitting in the same spot she has occupied for the past four decades, just behind the museum, you'll find Julia, patiently weaving her one-of-a-kind, treasured baskets. She is a fixture for park visitors and many people visit Yosemite just to meet her.
Julia Parker had an inauspicious beginning. Orphaned at a young age, a member of the Coastal Miwok and Kashia Pomo tribes and the oldest of five children, Julia was sent to an Indian boarding school along with her brothers and sisters.
After she was old enough to strike out on her own, Julia took a job at Yosemite doing laundry for the Curry Company. While working in Yosemite, Julia lived in the park’s Indian village. It was here Julia met and married Ralph Parker, a Mono Lake Paiute, a tribe with deep ties to the Yosemite valley.
Ralph’s mother was Lucy Telles, a well-known basket weaver. It was here that Julia found her calling. Studying under Telles, Julia learned the craft and traditions of basket weaving. When Telles passed away, Julia took up the torch, demonstrating basket weaving in the same spot Telles once did, behind the Yosemite Indian Museum. Today, Julia is the both the oldest and longest-running park employee.
Julia’s craft dates back generations and she still weaves baskets in the traditional manner. Following a centuries old tradition, Julia collects the natural materials and grasses required to create the basket. After the substance of the basket has been gathered, Julia treats the raw natural material so it's suitable for weaving.
Weaving from memory, Julia works without a pattern, crafting a basket based entirely on the pattern she has designed in her head. The baskets are complicated and it can take quite a long time to complete each masterpiece, anywhere from several months to an entire year. Julia’s work is well known and highly treasured. Not only has her work been displayed in museums, one of her baskets also resides in Elizabeth II’s private collection.
In addition to her weaving, Julia serves as an ambassador for the native peoples of the Yosemite Valley. Julia answers curious visitors’ questions, demonstrates traditional toys and games to capricious children, and relates traditional methods of food preparation and traditions.
Along with her hand work, Julia has created another legacy. By passing her craft and traditional skills on to her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter, Julia has established a basket weaving dynasty. When Julia initially began learning this traditional craft, it was in part precipitated by her fear that the traditional ways would dies out with Telles’ generation of weavers. By preserving this traditional skill and educating future generations, Julia has ensured that it will survive for many years to come.
One of the world’s most devastating natural disasters is flooding, bringing cities to their knees with heavy rainfall, winds and waves. In 2008, the people of the blue green water (or Havasupai) experienced this destruction first hand. However, with the destructive power of Mother Nature comes her restorative power as well.
As we have blogged before, the most noticeable change from the 2008 flood was to the waterfalls, which are the most beautiful aspect of this hiking adventure. The ever popular Navajo Falls - which were great for swimming - are no longer present and some others have taken a different course, but with this shift in the waters, new waterfalls have formed. The new falls are called “New” Navajo Falls and Rock Falls - for now. Havasu and Mooney Falls have slightly changed, but the blue-green pools at the base of the waterfalls are still available for taking a refreshing 70-degree swim.
The changes haven’t stopped there. This summer was a wet one for the area and Havasu Creek flooded another couple of times, changing the area yet again. Take a look at these pictures and see how much water can change an area. Rock Falls has evolved since its creation 3 years ago. Aside from being a new waterfall in 2008, by 2010 it has become considerably wider with an additional fall that has channeled its way to the side of the main waterfall.
Havasupai is closed once again due to flooding. You may have heard about the severe weather we had out here in Arizona from October 3-6; tornadoes, baseball sized hail, flooding, etc. Since it is getting close to the end of the Fall season for Havasupai visitation, we will need to wait with anticipation to see Mother Nature's latest creations.
So, if you have never been to Havasupai, it is still as breathtaking and adventurous as ever. If you have been there, but not since 2008, come on out and take a tour again. See first hand, the amazing, creative power of Mother Nature.
Yes, Arizona Does Get Weather!
October 7th, 2010
Arizona once again makes national news. As of late, we "got on the map" due to our politics (SB 1070 and concealed weapons in bars - yeehaw!) or our governor whom is rendered speechless when asked to introduce herself at a gubernatorial debate. But this time, it is because of Mother Nature and she seemed a bit peeved. She brought heavy rain (none like most residents of the state have seen in a long time, let alone in October, one of our driest months of the year), baseball sized hail and tornadoes. Northern Arizona saw some major damage in the Flagstaff area with a derailed freight train, overturned semis, road closures, flooding, destroyed homes and a few injured people.
The Phoenix area had its share of damaged homes and cars, downed trees and power lines and flooded freeways that caused complete closures during rush hour. Not to mention our guests that had a very wet vacation in Grand Canyon these past few days.
But I do know what all you mid-westerners are thinking - "That's nothing! That's a Minnesota light rain!" But this is an anomaly here and contradicts the reasons so many visit our state - at least before the most recent boycott.
To top all this off, just last week, temperatures around the state were 20 degrees F above normal with Phoenix and the bottom of Grand Canyon still in the 100s (averages this time of year should be mid to low 90s). At least now our temperatures are in the 80s!
For more information, video or pictures, click on the links below. Also, if you see any pictures of the Arizona tornadoes in the Flagstaff area that show a clear funnel cloud, according to the local news, those have been faked or "tweaked."
The Grand Canyon, among its many points of interest, is also home to several Native American tribes: the Havasupai, Hualapai, Southern Paiute, Navajo and Hopi.
Among these five tribes, the Havasupai are the most remotely located, inhabiting the village of Supai, situated on the canyon floor, a stone’s throw from Havasu Falls. Though the location separates them from many conveniences, the Havasupai still maintain their traditional role as guardians of the falls in their ancestral homeland.
The Havasupai have lived in the Grand Canyon area for over eight hundred years. They traditionally practiced hunting and gathering, as well as cultivating some agricultural crops, including corn. In 1776, the Europeans first encountered the Havasupai; however, until the 1870s the tribe remained relatively unaffected by European settlement. The discovery of silver in Cataract Creek in 1870 changed all this as prospectors and miners hoping to strike it rich flooded the area, crowding the Havasupai out of their traditional lands.
In 1882, and executive order by President Chester A. Arthur claimed the upper part of the Grand Canyon, where the tribe had customarily made their home during colder months, as public land. The loss of their traditional lands and the increasing immigration of settlers who brought disease had a devastating effect on the Havasupai, by the turn of the century the Havasupai population had been cut in half.
Until the mid-seventies, the Havasupai lived on the remaining five hundred and eighteen acres of their homeland, while pressing their rights. In 1968, the tribe achieved a remarkable victory, successfully arguing that their land had been improperly confiscated by the Federal government, receiving a monetary award in recompense. However, the tribe continued to fight for the return of their traditional lands. In 1974, the Havasupai’s battle gained national attention, and was featured in several national publications. In the wake of the increased attention, Senate Bill 1296 was signed, giving the Havasupai a trust title for 160,000 acres and permitting their use of the remaining 90,000.
In 2008, the Havasupai were hit by a flash flood. In the wake of this disaster, Havasu Falls was closed to visitors until 2009 while the Havasupai worked with the National Parks Service to repair and restore the area. Though the flood wrought many changes to the falls, the Havasupai embraced the transformation and part of the natural cycle.
Today, tourism is the main source of revenue for the tribe. Over 12,000 people visit Supai for year. Supplies and mail are still packed in by horse and mule and the Havasupai have the distinction of being the only tribe whose indigenous members all continue to speak their native language. To prevent congestion and preserve their home in its natural state, while still sharing its beauty with curious visitors, the Havasupai limit the number of reservations for campers and overnight guests.
Just Roughin’ It Gets an Art Lesson!
September 28th, 2010
Back in February, we posted a blog article about a phenomenal film called The Canyon, a film that is right up there in artistic and cinematographic greatness with Casablanca. (Click here to read the original article.) Apparently, the comments were closed (which happens after several months since the blog was first posted - Feb. 2010) so we received this comment via email about our blog that we had to share. This is the comment word for word.
"FIrst of all, please dont post ridiculously stupid acrticle about how the film, "the canyon", was a laughfest. Obviously you who wrote it is not a director meaning that you are a weak worthless person just trying to dumb down a creative work of art. Also just because you dont have enough of an artistic view, or even artistic dramatization (since you need one to create a film) dont try and ruin it for the many viewers who are excited or love the movie. Not only has this blog author been very one sided about his/her opinions about a beautiful work of art, but has also shown their level of stupidity, lowness and unappreciated view of the arts. Ofcourse I understand the movie does not recall all the true facts of a grand canyon hiker, but movies are always a little dramatized and for this people watch it! So i now understand that this "just rou ghin it adventure company" is bogus crap, filled with over-opinionated dumb-asses who think it is okay for them to be so over opinionated about one film. Hope you are satisfied blog author! dont be a whiny bitch about disabling the comments!"
I can totally understand what this person means by art and obviously he or she has a total grasp over the English language, which, like all language, is an art. And like all art, movies will always be critiqued and evaluated and those critiques and evaluations will be challenged, typically by people with more intellect, but that is what we all sacrifice with the Internet. But I must concede to this commentator. The Canyon is art. Like all art, it evokes emotion. In this case, laughter. And, after all, Marcell Duchamp, the famous New York Dadaist touted his work Fountain as art. For those of you who don't understand art like our learned commentator, Fountain was a urinal. So in summary: a urinal is art; The Canyon is art; The Canyon is a urinal? Hmmm.
Photo: Marcell Duchamp's Fountain
The Conservation Movement in America: Founding the National Parks System
September 23rd, 2010
A child of the progressive era, the conservation movement in America hit its stride in the early 1900s. In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, Americans were beginning to realize a need to balance extensive technological developments against protecting our diverse organic grandeur. The movement was championed by President Theodore Roosevelt and brought to fruition by the efforts of John Muir. As the founder of the Sierra Club, Muir’s environmentalist philosophy played a key role in influencing the preservation of America’s natural beauty.
Though born in Canada, John Muir immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. In his early twenties, Muir decided to indulge his passion for nature and embarked on an intrepid hike, traveling across the country from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico. Though he had originally intended to continue on to South America, fate intervened. After a bout of illness at the end of his hike, Muir instead made an ultimately life-changing decision to book passage on a ship to California. After his arrival, Muir continued his travels and hiked to Yosemite Valley. It was there that Muir’s love for the American natural landscape was solidified.
After Yellowstone was designated as the first National Park, Muir was one of the key advocates who advanced the argument for separately protecting Yosemite. Muir appealed to Congress for passage of the National Parks Bill, which established both the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park. Muir even served a President Roosevelt’s personal guide when he visited the park in 1903. Once Yosemite received its separate status, Muir set about founding an organization that would be a voice for conservation and environmental protection in America. As the Sierra Club’s first president, Muir was instrumental in shaping this coalition which continues to promote these same issues today.
Muir was also an influential and prolific writer, documenting the natural facets of the American west and discussing environmental issues. Muir’s articles arguing for the protection of Yosemite were also integral in its preservation. Muir’s writings have remained a template for others who followed in his footsteps, including the iconic nature photographer, Ansel Adams.
Muir’s views were certainly revolutionary for his era. At a time when most of America viewed the country’s abundant resources as almost limitless, Muir advanced a view that nature was a resource in and of itself, that man should appreciate its untouched beauty and limit development, and that the human footprint in our parks and preserves should be as minimal as possible.
Conservation remains a focus for modern outdoor enthusiasts as well. In an era where development and increased reliance on technology are juxtaposed with a desire to begin adopting green initiatives and sustainable resources, individuals like John Muir serve as an inspiration as we move forward.
Bison at Grand Canyon!?
September 22nd, 2010
Grand Canyon visitors have ample opportunity to see wildlife during their visit - Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, California Condor, Elk, Grey Fox, Ring Tail Cats, a variety of rattlesnakes and of the course notorious Rock Squirrel, to name a few. But did you know you can also see bison? If you are one of the few who travel to the North Rim, you might be lucky enough to see a herd of bison that live on the wilderness area between the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.
This summer, we were lucky enough to see the buffalo on numerous occasions (some seasons go by without any sightings) and the picture above was taken early this summer by one of our guests all the way from Australia, Lisa Allwood.
While many people interchange the terms buffalo and bison, according to scientists, buffalo can only be found in the Old World, Asia and Africa and bison are the bovines that evolved in North America, also known as the American Bison. In North America, the image of bison is that of herds traveling through the Midwest, hunted by American Indians and settlers during the expansion of the American West. The bison numbers were dwindling as many called for their protection, most famously Buffalo Bill Cody, while President Ulysses S. Grant pocket vetoed a Federal protection bill and General Philip Sheridan called for their slaughter in order to cut off Native American food sources. By 1884, the American Bison were close to extinction. In 1899, the herd began their slow introduction in Montana and other parts of the Midwest, which occurred only nine years after the last major Indian War - Wounded Knee in 1890.
These "Grand Canyon" bison were introduced by two North Rim settlers, Charles "Buffalo" Jone and Uncle Owens in the early 1900s. The bison were cross-bred cattle in an attempt to produce a heartier and meatier stock. Such crosses are referred as cattalo or beefalo. Since the ranch is no longer in existence, the descendants from this experiment still exist in the area for lucky visitors to enjoy - from a distance.
Next time you are traveling up to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, keep your eyes open as you pass through the wide open mountain meadows, you might just sight these great beasts!
Grand Canyon Trek from Rim to Rim
September 15th, 2010
The Grand Canyon is one of the greatest places to hike in all of the world. One of the classic treks in this unforgettable landscape is a hike from the North Rim of the canyon descending to the Colorado and hiking out on the South Side, a Rim to Rim trip.
On this 24 mile trek, you travel on the North Kaibab and Bright Angel trails which are like highways compared to other Grand Canyon trails. These trails are well maintained and are anywhere from 4 foot to 6 foot wide for almost the entire length.
Get Physically Ready for Your Hike
Even though the route is easy to find and in good shape, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a physically demanding hike, not only because of the extreme change in elevation but because of the extreme changes in temperature from rim to the inner canyon.
The temperature at the bottom of the Grand Canyon can be as much as 30 degrees different from the rim, so it is normal to shed from a jacket and long pants at the North Rim to shorts and a t-shirt as you near the bottom. This temperature swing can be dangerous from the end of May to the middle of September when the temperatures at the bottom exceed 100 F degrees in the shade.
This hike can be completed in the summer months, but it is best to split the trip up to 4 days so that all hiking from campground to campground can be completed by 10 am each day. The ideal times to go are from May 15th to the end of May and from mid September to October 15th. The access road is closed from late fall to May 15th each year due to heavy snowfall on the North Rim. (Snow in Arizona!)
How to Get from One Side to the Other
One of big logistic issues is the shuttling from one end to the other. The Trans Canyon Shuttle takes hikers from Bright Angel Lodge at Grand Canyon Village to the North Rim Lodge from May 15th to October 15th. If you don’t have two cars to work with, this is about the only way to work out this wrinkle.
Be aware that the Grand Canyon is huge and the drive from the South Rim to the North Rim takes four hours. Because of the drive times it is best to plan to stay on the North Rim the night before starting out. If you can’t find rooms available at the North Rim Lodge, try Kaibab Lodge which is just about 10 minutes away from the park entrance. There is also a campground within the park that is actually closer to your starting point at the North Kaibab trailhead.
Hiking to the Cottonwood Campground
From the North Kaibab trail head, the trail drops 4,200 feet in seven miles before reaching Cottonwood Campground. On the way down to Cottonwood, the scenery changes dramatically from a shady forest of pine, oak and maple trees, to a high desert landscape of agave and shrub oak. If you are lucky you may spot the fuzzy eared Kaibab squirrel or a Stellar’s Jay.
The trail winds its way along Roaring Springs and past the raging waterfall of the springs before turning south into Bright Angel Canyon before reaching Cottonwood Campground.
Cottonwood, and all of the campgrounds along the route, is civilized by backpacking standards. All sites are numbered, have a picnic table for seating and food storage boxes. The campgrounds have treated drinking water, toilet facilities, information boards and ranger stations. Bright Angel Campground even has flush toilets, sinks and air dryers in its restrooms! If you have the opportunity, check out the Information Centers or listen to a ranger talk at Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds.
Onward to Bright Angel
From Cottonwood Campground, the North Kaibab trail heads south for 7 more miles before it reaches Bright Angel Campground. The trail closely follows the Bright Angel Creek as it carves its way through rocks that are over 1.5 billion years old. This section of trail drops only 1,400 feet over 7 miles so it doesn’t feel like you are dropping deeper into the canyon at all.
Along the way, the trail passes by Ribbon Falls. This 100 foot tall waterfall is tucked away in a side canyon not far from the trail so it is an easy must do side hike.
This section of trail looks like the true desert of the southwest that everyone pictures with Prickly Pear Cacti, Banana Yucca and Utah Agave dominating the landscape. In this area, several species of lizards are common as well as squirrels. One misconception is that there is a rattlesnake around every corner. Rattlesnakes are present in the canyon but they give you fair warning and only attack when provoked or threatened.
Phantom Ranch
The North Kaibab Trail comes to an end just past Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground near the confluence of the Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River. This area is the hub of activity in the inner canyon with mules carrying packs to and from Phantom Ranch as well as river trips stopping at the beach on the Colorado, just minutes away. Phantom Ranch also makes this area the most civilized place in the canyon interior. The ranch canteen is open to the public for most of the day and sells lemonade, iced tea, coffee, snacks, souvenirs and hikers lunches (limited availability so it’s best to bring your own).
Camp at Indian Garden
From the Colorado River the trail heads slightly west to the Silver Bridge and across the river. At the end of the bridge, hang a right and follow the appropriately named River Trail since it follows the Colorado for the next 1.5 miles. From here, the Bright Angel trail begins at the point where pipe creek flows into the Colorado.
The Bright Angel trail heads south away from the river along the Pipe Creek and to the bottom of the first major climb, the Devil’s Corkscrew. After this section, the trail passes through a section that is dotted with Cottonwood trees as it follows Garden Creek into the lush Indian Garden Campground. Mule deer are seen every day in this area. At night, mice and ringtails can be heard rustling through the brush.
By the time the trail reaches Indian Garden, it has gained over 1,400 feet in elevation in the 3.1 miles from the river, most of the gain during the Devil’s Corkscrew. If you choose to camp at Indian Garden one night, the 3 mile round trip hike to Plateau Point is a must do side trip to one of the best viewpoints in all of the canyon.
To the South Rim
After passing through Indian Garden the trail gradually heads uphill toward the Redwall Limestone cliffs to the south and from there the trail begins almost 3.5 miles of switchbacks and long slopes before reaching the South Rim.
This final section of the hike is the most crowded since many tourists hike this trail down to either the 3 mile or the mile and a half rest house. You will most likely encounter a mule train or two or three on the hike up. Mules have the right of way so be on the lookout and find a spot on the inside of the trail to let them pass.
Fantastic Views
Make sure to look back from time to time because the view gets better as you gain elevation. The landscape changes once again as more Juniper and Pinon pine dot the landscape much as they do on the North Kaibab trail near Roaring Springs. This section of trail is also one of the best to spot a California Condor or a Bighorn Sheep. There is also a large gallery of Anasazi pictographs just before the second tunnel you encounter before the top of the trail at the South Rim.
Plan Your Trip Early!
This classic canyon crossing can be accomplished in two to five days and it is in high demand so campgrounds sell out early. It is best to plan this hike over six months in advance and to be flexible with dates when submitting for camping permits. This is a trip that is on many “Life Lists” or if you prefer “Bucket Lists” and for good reason because there is no other place like it on the planet.
Ghosts & Legends: The Spirit(s) of the Grand Canyon
September 9th, 2010
Arizona’s Grand Canyon is an awesome spectacle. The canyon’s sheer size is enough to make any observer stop and take a moment to reflect.
In such an inspiring place, it is no surprise that over the years the Canyon has attracted its share of folklore and local legends. Stories such as these add an interesting dimension to the canyon’s already impressive landscape.
The Havasupai History
According to the Havasupai people, who live in the village of Supai and care for the nearby Havasu Falls, even the canyon’s formation is a mystical subject.
In Havasupai tradition, before mankind there were two gods who inhabited the earth, a god of good and a god of evil. Tochapa, the god of good had a daughter who was destined to become the mother of the living. In an effort to spite Tochapa, Hokomata, the god of evil, flooded the entire earth. To save his daughter, Tochapa built a log boat and she survived the flood, which formed the canyon. Once the earth died, Tochapa’s daughter gave birth to a male child, fathered by the sun, and later a female child, fathered by the water. These two children are the ancestors of the Havasupai people.
Spirits of the South Rim
The canyon’s south rim is the area most visited by tourists, and as a result, it has acquired its fair share of haunted history. Several apparitions are said to make their home in the famous Mary Colter structures along this rim. El Tovar, built by Charles Whittlesey and decorated by Mary Colter, has been visited by many famous guests.
However, perhaps on of the more notable is an ephemeral female. Dressed as if she lived during the great depression, the woman wanders the halls of the hotel. Next door, Hopi House can also lay claim to its own share of phantom visitors. Employees in the gift shop are said to be plagued by the “Brown Boys,” who make their appearance late at night. As boys do, these ghosts generally engage in mischief, rearranging merchandise and leaving a mess to be cleaned up by surprised workers in the morning!
The Egyptian Mystery
Perhaps the most bizarre story associated with Grand Canyon lore is the account of the Egyptian caves. The discovery of these caves was reported by the Arizona Gazette in 1909, by explorer E.G. Kincaid. Kincaid recounted that while traveling down the Colorado River he encountered an underground city.
Kincaid’s description of the city states that it wads a vast network of caves and tunnels, where he found both mummies and artifacts possessing in, his words, an “oriental,” possibly “Egyptian” aspect. The article also indicates a connection between Kincaid’s find and the Smithsonian, however there are no records among the museum’s papers which support this in any way. The tale of this lost city is certainly an oddity in the canyon’s history.
Stay Connected by Disconnecting
September 2nd, 2010
One of the most common questions we get from back country hikers is if they will be able to get phone service while backpacking in places such as Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
While I hate to admit that there is limited service a few thousand feet into the canyon along Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails and in Little Yosemite Valley (depending on your provider of course), I prefer that this bit of information anyone getting away into the wilderness just forgets.
Aside from potential family emergencies, what could possibly be so important that you cannot stay away from texting, cell phones, voicemail and Facebook for just a few days or even a couple weeks? The whole point of vacation is to vacation and get reconnected with your sanity and yourself.
Instead of regurgitating that which has already been written and stated, I encourage you to read a recent New York Times article written by Matt Richtel, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for his series of articles "Driven to Distraction." This article, "Outdoors and Out of Reach, Studying the Brain," is about a group of scientists studying how stepping away from our technological devices and rest our brains affects attention, memory and learning.
After you have completed your reading assignment, go to NPR.org to listen to a recent interview of Mr. Richtel on Fresh Air, discussing the effects - positive and negative - all our communication devices have on our brains and state of mind.
Hopefully this will get you prepared to enjoy the wilderness for all it has to offer - beauty, peace, adventure and connection.
Choosing Kayaking Gear: A Basic Breakdown
August 31st, 2010
If you’re new to the sport of paddling, selecting the appropriate kayaking gear may seem like a daunting task. By starting with some basic equipment, you can easily build upon this foundation and customize it to suit your preferences as you become more experienced.
Dressed for the Occasion
Obviously, you have to be prepared to get a bit wet. In anticipation of this, look for clothing that is water resistant, dries quickly, and has wicking qualities. In addition, consider the environment where you will be kayaking, it is a good idea to dress for the water temperature, not just the conditions outside. Obviously, if you are headed for colder climates, dressing in layers may be a good idea.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Another important choice is your footwear selection. Choose footwear that will dry quickly, either water shoes or sandals. Also, remember, depending on the surrounding terrain you may need shoes that offer a significant amount of protection.
Safety First
The single most important piece of equipment in you arsenal is your personal flotation device. Life jackets, or PFDs, are manufactured specifically for paddling sports, so be sure to look for one of these as they will make maneuvering within the kayak much easier. Look for a proper and comfortable fit, so that you will feel relaxed during your adventure. Never remove your device, it is too risky. Also, be sure that whatever life jacket you select meets the Coast Guard’s safety standards.
Paddle On
Of course, you will need a paddle to get started as well. Paddles come in so many shaped and sizes, you can certainly find one that will fit your individual characteristics. Consider the size of your hands when evaluating the grip and your height when selecting the paddle length. Depending on the length of your kayaking trips, you may want to take into account the paddle’s width. The longer your excursion, the more the paddle’s weight till wear on your shoulders.
Skirting It
A spray skirt is the last piece of gear you may want to add to your initial collection. Covering your lap, the skirt will prevent excessive water from infiltrating a sit-inside kayak, as well as offering protection from the elements. Generally made of nylon or neoprene, the best choice of material is dependent on the conditions where you will be paddling.
Though first-timers can likely rent most of the equipment required for a day trip, as you become more invested in the sport, purchasing your own gear makes sense. These basic items will get you started, and as your experience level increases and your trips become more adventurous, you can add to your collection.
If you’d like to give kayaking a try, Just Roughin' It offers kayaking trips at both Canyon Lake and Bartlett Lake. These are both inexpensive, fun trips and everything you need is supplied.
Mullein: the Lung Plant
August 27th, 2010
Verbascum thapsus, or Mullein, is one of my favorite plants and is easily identified. It has a single stalk of yellow flowers emerging from a bush of green thick leaves. The thing that makes the Mullein plant unique are the hairs on its leaves that give this plant an almost velvet like texture. When dried, these hairs can be very irritating to the throat and lungs, but as with most plants that cause irritation, the remedy for the discomfort is found in the plant itself.
In Arizona, Mullein is found between the ponderosa and pinion pine belts. Mullein is an herb for the lungs and throat. A tea of the leaves is incredibly soothing to spasmodic coughs, tightened lungs and just an irritated, scratchy throat. It is also antimicrobial which makes it very useful in treating bronchitis, especially in the early stages. Mullein paired with garlic as an infused oil is one of the best remedies I have found for an ear infection because of it's antimicrobial properties. It also carries anti-inflammatory properties and is good for inflamed joints. A tea infusion can also be held in the mouth to relieve pain from gum sores. And finally, in a survival situation one can eat the young stalk of the Mullein plant.
So the next time you see Mullein be sure to thank her for all she has to offer us, especially with the winter cold season approaching us.
Herbalist Trent Siever
The Lost Dutchman Mine: Arizona’s Own Superstition
August 24th, 2010
One of the most interesting tales that circulates through Arizona history is the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. This mythical mine has been the object of many searches over the pas two centuries, however it has yet to be located in the modern era.
The story of the Lost Dutchman is set in the Superstition Mountains. Just to the east of the metro-Phoenix area, the Superstitions remain a designated wilderness today, preserving them in an undeveloped states. Through many versions of the tale circulate, there are several basic components that seem to be prevalent themes.
Spanish Gold
The inception of the Lost Dutchman tale begins with the Peralta family. It is said that the head of this Spanish family discovered a vein of gold while searching in the mountains for treasure. After making his discovery, Peralta returned to civilization to gather supplies and help to mine the gold. Weaver’s Needle served as one of the landmarks to guide Peralta back to the mine when he returned.
Though he returned with men and provisions, the story goes that the area natives did not appreciate the intrusion. Through Peralta was able to send back some gold to Mexico, the growing animosity forced him to prepare to leave the area. As a precaution, Peralta disguised the entrance to the mine, hoping to return in the future and reclaim his find. Unfortunately, Peralta and his companions never emerged from the desert, and remain lost in the Superstitions to this day.
The Good Doctor
The next chapter of the Dutchman saga involves a Dr. Abraham Thorne. An army doctor, Thorne was assigned to the area around Fort McDowell. During his tenure there, Thorne also made caring for the natives a part of his practice. As a reward for his compassionate care, the tribe decided to lead the doctor to the fabled gold.
After being blindfolded, Thorne was led into the mountains by native guides. At the mine, Thorne was allowed to take as much gold as he could carry, but warned that he must never return. Thorne later described the location of the mine, recalling a strange canyon and again referencing Weaver’s Needle.
Dutchman or "Deutsch" Man
The final link in the legend is Jacob Waltz, a German immigrant who became colloquially known as the “Dutchman.” A longtime prospector, Waltz made his home in Arizona in the 1860s. In the most popular version of the story, Waltz encounters and saves the life of a Mexican man, with the last name of Peralta. A descendant of the mine’s original discoverer, Peralta rewarded the miner for his aid with a map to the lost mine.
Over the years, Waltz would turn up in the Phoenix area with raw gold for purchase, then disappear into the Superstitions again for prolonged periods. The quality of Waltz’s ore was said to be some of the purest ever encountered. Eventually, Waltz passed away, taking the secret location of the mine to his grave.
Modern Myth
To this day, Arizonans and intrepid explorers still search for the Dutchman’s lost gold. Over the past century, stories, maps, and clues have circulated regarding the location of the mine, but no one has been able to locate it. Some believe the mine is purely fiction, pointing to the discrepancies among the various accounts as proof that the Lost Dutchman is an old wives’ tale. Others look to the historical record, which confirms that Jacob Waltz indeed lived in the area at the time as an indication that there must be some truth to the tale.
Whichever perspective you take, the fact remains that the history of the Lost Dutchman is certainly a colorful piece of Arizona folklore.
Take a Hiking Trip in Arizona
Just Roughin' It may not be able to help you find a gold mine, but during our Arizona hiking trips in the mountains surrounding Phoenix and Tucson you will discover beautiful scenic views, wildlife, and Native American petroglyphs.
The Firefalls at Yosemite: A Dual History
August 17th, 2010
Its seems like a contradiction in terms, a waterfall of fire. However, over the course of its history Yosemite National Park has been home to not one, but two of these unique phenomena, although each one has a very different history.
Beginning in 1872, the firefall was a long time tradition at Glacier Point and Camp Curry, a popular stopover for overnight visitors at Yosemite. During the summer months, visitors at the park would gather around the nightly campfire at Camp Curry for a sing along. After the festivities came to an end, at precisely nine o’clock, a call would ring out from Camp Curry to Glacier Point across the way, “Let the fire fall.” In response, there would be a resounding reply from Glacier Point, “The fire falls.”
As the campers joined in the last song of the evening, employees would push the embers of a bonfire made of red fir bark off the cliff’s edge in a synchronized fashion, creating an almost literal waterfall of fire. Though over its history the firefall was discontinued at various points, including for the duration of World War II, it was always reinstated due to its popularity among park visitors. The firefall was even attended by President Kennedy in 1962, attesting to is peculiar place in Americana.
In 1968, however, this firefall came to an end. Despite its popularity, the Director of the National Park Service put an end to the tradition, explaining that Yosemite was dedicated to natural beauty and that this human-generated spectacle was out of place in such an environment. From a modern perspective, it seems almost incredible that such an obvious fire hazard was ever permitted in a national park.
Interestingly, the firefall at Glacier Point has a naturally occurring cousin which you can still see today. Horsetail Fall flows down El Capitan mountain during the winter and spring months, as snow and ice melt from its top. During a brief period at the end of February, everything comes together in perfect proportion, and the setting sun strikes the Horsetail Fall at a particular angle, making the water appear as if it is ablaze. The clear stream of water is converted, resembling a lava flow as it cascades into the darkening twilight. Visitors to the park during this specific window are privileged to enjoy a sight that few people have had the pleasure of experiencing, a singular natural phenomena.
It is an intriguing twist of history that mother nature herself replaced Yosemite’s once-beloved, but man-made attraction with her own, more environmentally friendly version. Now generations to come can enjoy this variation, much in the same way that previous visitors loved its predecessor.
Picture Perfect: Ansel Adams’ Yosemite Love Affair
August 12th, 2010
When he first visited the Yosemite valley at age 14, we can only wonder if it was love at first sight for the then unknown Ansel Adams. What we can say, for sure, its that it was fate. In Yosemite, Adams was to find passion both personally and professionally.
In the early 1920s Adams returned to the place that had so fascinated him, taking a position with the Sierra Club. Adams began his photography career, leading hikes and trips through the valley, all the while capturing the scenery surrounding him. However, at this early juncture Adams still had other aspirations, and his love for music made him a frequent visitor at Best’s Studio, home to one of the only pianos in the Yosemite area. This love for piano soon spurred a love of another kind, and in 1928 Adams married Best’s daughter Virginia.
When the couple inherited Best’s Studio in the thirties, it quickly became a hub of art and culture. Stocked with Adams photography and American Indian arts and crafts, the studio represented the melding of art, culture, and nature that Yosemite created. During the time he made his home in the park, Adams documented the Yosemite experience, many of his photographs are displayed in the park today. Adams’ iconic images can be credited for popularizing Yosemite, viewers of the powerful works were drawn to visit the source of such immense inspiration.
In the 1960s, the Adamses relocated to Carmel, California but continued to operate the studio, now renamed the Ansel Adams’ Gallery. The gallery was later operated by Adams’ children, and today is the oldest-run family business in the entire national park system.
Recently, Adams has been in the spotlight again. Sixty-five plate glass negatives purchased at a yard sale over ten years ago have been determined to be some of Adams’ early work. The photographs of Yosemite, which were taken from 1919 to the early 1930s, are considered a missing link in Adams early period. Previously, it was assumed that the negatives had been burned up in a fire which destroyed Adams darkroom in the late thirties. The revelation that the negatives survived has shocked the art community; some of these negatives have never been printed. Experts have estimated the value of this garage sale treasure trove at approximately two hundred million dollars.
While we may not be able to create works of art like Adams, today the park leads daily photo walks which allow you to capture your own Yosemite inspirations. The walks, appropriately enough, start from the Ansel Adams Gallery and are led by staff photographers. These guides will provide instruction and guidance regarding lighting, effects, and composition of outdoor photographs. During your next trip to Yosemite, join this walk and follow in Adams’ footsteps, tapping into the natural beauty that sustained his life-long passion.
Backpacking Trip for Your Bucket List – Rim to Rim
August 5th, 2010
If you’re looking for a classic backpacking trip, hiking rim to rim at the Grand Canyon epitomizes the concept. It will take you through many of the canyon’s landmarks, including Bright Angel Creek, Phantom Ranch, and Indian Garden.
Along the way you’ll often encounter wildlife like mule deer and ringtail, as well as pictographs left behind by the ancient people who once made the canyon their home.
A once in a lifetime experience, hiking the canyon rim to rim is truly unforgettable, and well worth the challenge. Learn more about just how awesome this trip is by reading our article Backpacking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim over at the SectionHiker.com blog.
Havasu Falls: A Jewel in the Desert
July 30th, 2010
Normally, you probably don’t associate lush turquoise waterfalls surrounded by local vegetation with the Arizona desert.
This is precisely what make Havasu Falls at the Grand Canyon unique. Located to the west of Grand Canyon Village, Havasu Falls is an attractive alternative to those who want something beyond the typical Grand Canyon tourist experience.
The hike to Havasu Falls is about ten miles in total. Beginning at Hualapai Hilltop, the trail to the falls descends into the canyon bottom below. Though the first part of the hike drops steeply, it is manageable and becomes less intense after the initial mile and a half or so, suitable for the moderately experienced hiker. Depending on when you make the hike, the Arizona heat can be sweltering, so be sure to bring plenty of water for your trip.
Hikers visiting the falls will make their way to the village of Supai. The falls, also known as Havasu Falls, are home to the native people of the same name. Havasupai means people of the blue green waters. Supai is one of the most remote communities in the United States. In fact, Supai has the distinction of being one of only two locations in the country which still receives its mail via mule train!
A visit to Supai provides you with the unique opportunity to see one of the indigenous peoples of the Southwest who still make their home in their native homeland. For those wishing to stay overnight, the tribe offers accommodations in a lodge and also hosts a café, where visitors can purchase meals. There are also camping facilities if you prefer a more rugged experience.
Approximately two miles outside of Supai, you will be greeted by the five falls that comprise your destination: Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls (rising higher than the famed Niagra Falls), Beaver Falls, “Rock Falls,” and “New Navajo Falls.” The last two falls are known unofficially by these names, pending an official designation by the Havasupai Tribe. The falls were created after the flood of 2008, which brought major changes to the falls and the bed of Havasu Creek. (See Havasu Falls Renovation Courtesy of Mother Nature.) In addition to fashioning these two new falls, the flood also caused the extinction of Navajo Falls.
After the flooding, the falls were closed for approximately ten months while the Havasupai rehabilitated the area. Though the changes wrought by the flood were manifold, the tribe has embraced them as part of the canyon’s natural lifecycle. Thus, despite its metamorphosis, the falls’ natural beauty remains. The falls provide a welcome relief for weary hikers, the cool water filling the pools surrounding the falls is perfect for a refreshing dip.
All these elements combine to make Havasu Falls the perfect destination if you are looking for a memorable trip, slightly off the beaten path. This desert hike which culminates in such a lush oasis is a once in a life time experience. A trip to Havasu Falls is a great option for your next vacation.
Paria Canyon: One of the Hidden Wonders of the Southwest
July 28th, 2010
If you’re building your bucket list, make sure you add a backpacking trip to Paria Canyon to the mix. Though not as famous as some hiking destinations in the southwest, Paria Canyon is one of the most unique. Hikers will be surrounded by distinctive red sandstone, creating a visual experience that is singular in nature.
Designated as a wilderness in the 1980s, Paria spans thirty-eight miles of the Utah and Arizona desert. Over the length of the hike the canyon widens and narrows, closing in to as little as 25 feet in some locations. Even narrower is Buckskin Gulch, only 3 feet wide in some places. This fifteen mile slot canyon was formed by a tributary of the Paria River. Buckskin Gulch is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the United States, distinguishing it from other canyons. Instead of being expansive, slot canyons are narrowly carved into the earth. Buckskin Gulch can be explored in addition to the main part of Paria Canyon as part of your backpacking trip.
Hiking through Paria Canyon will take several days, depending upon the route you choose and whether or not you elect to detour and take any side hikes (like Wrather Arch or Buckskin Gulch). Depending on the pace you set and your hiking skill level, a trip through the canyon could take anywhere from four to seven days. The longer the time you set aside for your trip, the more leisure you will have to explore as you make your way through Paria.
In order to preserve the pristine nature of the wilderness, only twenty overnight permits per day are issued for Paria Canyon hikers. In addition, hikers must pack out their own trash and waste. These precautions serve all visitors to the canyon by maintaining the wilderness in its most natural state, free from too many hallmarks of human use.
The hike through Paria Canyon follows the route of the river along the canyon bed. This means that the hike will at times require you to navigate through the river for the majority of your hike. Generally, the water is no more than ankle deep and can be traversed by moderately skilled hikers. The amount of water in the canyon is variable, based on the amount of rainfall the canyon has received. The hike may also require climbing over boulders and traversing some steep sections in some areas.
The canyon is not entirely devoid of evidence of human presence, however. Throughout Paria Canyon, hikers will come across petroglyphs. These ancient drawings are testament to the indigenous peoples who once traveled the canyon, following a path similar to the one still used today. When hiking Paria Canyon you will be quite literally following in their ancient footsteps.
In addition to the native peoples who once lived in the canyon and the surrounding wilderness, Paria is also the home of many species of native desert wildlife. If luck is on your side, you may run across bald eagles, mule deer, and jackrabbits. Two species were also reintroduced to the canyon, the desert bighorn sheep in the 1980s and the endangered California condor in 1996.
Because Paria Canyon is such a unique destination, it definitely deserves a spot on your list of hikes to make. The fact that Paria is not as well known as some other southwestern landmarks, your hike will be an experience that not many others have had the opportunity to share. Though lengthier than your typical weekend backpacking trip, the distinctive features of Paria Canyon make it well worth the trek.
Havasu Falls Renovation Courtesy of Mother Nature
July 23rd, 2010
Havasu Falls has undergone a “renovation,” so to speak, in the past couple of years.
In 2008, the falls were swept by a flash flood which culminated in multiple changes at the once familiar site. The flood was devastating in its effects, although luckily no serious injuries or casualties resulted.
Surprise! Two New Falls
After a ten month closing to deal with flood‘s aftereffects, the falls reopened last year, surprising visitors who were previously familiar with the area. Retaining their famous turquoise colors, there are now five falls in total at Havasu Falls, the first two of which are new, created by the flood. For the present, the falls are being referred to variously as New Navajo Falls and Rock Falls, Unnamed Falls or Emerald Falls. The Havasupai tribe will be responsible for naming the new falls permanently.
Fifty Foot Falls now rises to an impressive seventy-five feet, belying its prior moniker. Havasu Falls has remained, though its flow has been slightly altered. Havasu now tumbles from the right, just below its previous apex. Further down, Mooney Falls remains most similar to its pre-2008 appearance, though the pool below required some reconstruction. The biggest and most obvious change in the area is the extinction of Navajo Falls, a detour in water flow dried the falls, displacing the familiar landmark.
Floods – Part of the Canyon’s History
Floods have always been a part of the of the canyon’s history; a 1996 geological survey determined that at least fourteen floods have coursed through Havasupai in the past one hundred years, as well as noting evidence of flooding going back for centuries. Over time, the creek has shifted and changed its course, responding to natural upheavals.
Visitors can observe signs of the phenomena first hand - dry stream beds and mineral formation created by the waters abound, testifying to evolving nature and history of Havasu Falls.
Much of the income of the Havasupai Tribe is derived from tourism at the falls. After the flood, tribal members worked to restore the falls to their previous beauty and take protective measures, installing an early warning system for floods and reinforcing stream banks where necessary.
Rebirth of Havasu Falls
However, rather than trying to recreate what was, the people of Havasupai have accepted the changes at the falls, accepting that nature changes and recreates, evolving over time. From the tribal perspective, the falls have undergone a sort of cleansing and a rebirth. The dynamic impact of nature is to be embraced, part of our cycle.
Grand Canyon Architecture
July 21st, 2010
Though the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of the Grand Canyon is likely the immense, spectacular natural beauty, the canyon is also home to some of the premier architecture of the southwest.
The majority of the structures at the canyon were designed and construction was supervised by architect Mary Colter. As a woman, Colter was a pioneer in her industry simply by virtue of her sex. However, she was also an innovator in other respects. As a student of the arts and crafts movement, Colter’s designs focused on achieving a harmonious blend between nature and the structures she was erecting.
The Grand Canyon is home to the majority of her work, five of its buildings bear her mark. The el Tovar Hotel was not built by Colter, however the Fred Harvey Company hired her to decorate the interior. Though the building has been renovated many times over since she worked on the project at the beginning of the last century, it still bears the hallmarks of her style.
Hopi House was erected next, designed in its entirety by Colter, who consulted with the native people in planning the facility, wanting to give it the feel of a Hopi lodge. By consulting with the indigenous people, she hoped to introduce visitors to the canyon to native culture.
Colter’s next project was Lookout Studio. To this day, canyon goers still use the telescopes to enjoy the canyon’s impressive views. The studio was intended to echo the natural rock formations present in the canyon, serving Colter’s overall design principle, integrating the manmade with the natural.
Hermit’s Rest was built the same year as Lookout Studio. Colter intended the building to appear as if it were a hermit’s dwelling. The exterior melds into the landscape, the interior is furnished in a rustic fashion. For a period Hermit’s Rest was inaccessible, however recent renovations to the road means that private vehicles can now travel to the historic rest stop. With its floor to ceiling windows, Hermit’s Rest features some of the most incredible indoor views of the canyon.
Colter’s final contribution to the canyon is Desert View Watchtower. Based on Anasazi structures, the seventy foot tower provides those willing to make the climb with 360 degree views of the canyon. Again, she incorporated native culture; the tower features a mural by a local Hopi artist.
This woman’s contributions to southwestern architecture are unmistakable. Placing priority on the use of local materials, respecting native culture, and integrating the natural surroundings into her designs made Colter a unique architect, well ahead of her time. Though the natural grandeur is surely the focus at the canyon, her architecture lends a further level of interest to the site.
3 Hikers Missing in the Superstition Mountains
July 14th, 2010
I hate hearing news like this but there is a massive search for 3 missing hikers that are have not returned from a trip into the Superstitions Mountains to the east of Phoenix. The Superstition Mountains are a rugged range with high ridges, narrow canyons, and harsh desert terrain that can be difficult to nagivate especially if you are cross country hiking. Add to this the 105 degree plus temperatures we are currently experiencing in the area, and these mountains become outright dangerous.
The three missing men, Curtis Merworth, 48, Ardean Charles, 67, and Malcolm Meeks, 41 , all from Utah, were in the Superstitions last week on day hikes in search of the Lost Dutchman Gold mine. The last contact with their families was on July 6th and their contacted authorities on Sunday. The hiker's SUV was located at the First Water Trailhead and the search continues for the men in that section of the mountains.
The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has lured treasure seekers into the Superstitions for over 100 years and the mine still remains legend to this day. A search for the mine requires off trail hiking through this rugged terrain where it is easy to get lost. Hopefully these hikers came across one of the few places with water in the mountains and sand decided to stay put at that spot when they realized they were lost. Staying by water is the best chance that these guys have for survival.
If anyone has seen these hikers in the last week or has information about there approximate location in the Superstitions, I would the contact the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Lets hope for the best.
Mesquite: the Tree of Life
July 3rd, 2010
The Mesquite tree was a necessity to the survival of the Pima, Papago and Navajo native people. It provides shade, firewood, building material and it was an excellent source of food and medicine. The Mesquite is the most common tree in the Southwest, populating the lands North of the Chaparral desert and South of the Juniper/Pinon belt.
As a food, the seed pods can be opened and eaten when ripened. The pods are ripe when their color is a pale brown, not green. They also can be ground into a sort of flour and made into a flat bread. I have never made the bread so cannot give instructions, but I have eaten mesquite cornbread while staying at Reevis Mountain School of Self-Reliance...it was delicious!
A tea of the pods is a good eyewash for red, sore eyes. It can also be used in a netti pot to clear nasal congestion. The mesquite leaves are antiseptic and you can make a tea of the leaves and branches to clean wounds. Drink the tea for gastrointestinal bugs, food poisoning and the flu. make a strong decoction of the bark and soak your feet as a remedy for athletes foot. Internally, a tea of the bark will help with fever and diarrhea. You can also make a very strong decoction of the inner bark and use it as a black hair dye or body paint.
The Mesquite tree is an old survivor of the desert. If you get the chance to, I recommend sitting under it with an open mind and see what you learn. Every time I sit under Mesquite I feel intense warmth and love. This tree is a true nurturer and we are blessed to have it in our lives.
Herbalist Trent Siever
The Best Swimming Holes in America
June 30th, 2010
Summer's here and many of us are heading to the pool, lake or beach for some well deserved sun worshiping and swimming. I'm actually writing this post from a lake house in Minnesota where we have a great beach to swim as well. For those folks out there that are looking to share in these summer traditions without the crowds of the beaches or the chlorine of the backyard pool, Yahoo News recently posted an article on the best swimming holes in America.
This group of the top swimming holes range from the Maine coast to Texas to the Sierra Nevada's in California. Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon stands out on this list and for good reason. This remote destination in the desert is a lush oasis of blue green water and 5 sets of waterfalls and of course, swimming holes. It's a 10 mile hike to get to the campground but the payoff is well worth it.
Another out of the way place to swim on the list is Carlon Falls in Yosemite National Park. Here water pours off a 35 foot waterfall into this remote pool. It's much easier to get to that Havasu Falls with only a 2 mile easy hike required to reach the falls so you can enjoy this swimming hole in a day trip.
One swimming hole on the list that brought back memories is the Blue Hole in the Catskill Mountains near Sundown NY. I used to swim here during the summer during my high school and college years and I remember the water being cold but the rope swing was awesome. You can enjoy this New York gem in a long day trip from NYC but be prepared for a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from Manhattan to get there.
If you are like me, thinking about these great out of the way places to swim are giving you the urge to get out your bathing suit, pack up a cooler, and think up an excuse to play hooky from work on Friday.
Why Campfires Aren’t Allowed in the Grand Canyon
June 26th, 2010
In many parts of the country it's almost assumed that when you go backpacking, you sit around a campfire at night before you hit the sack. There is something about a campfire that conjures up images of cowboys in the old west and maybe it makes us feel like we are closer to those rugged individuals.
As romantic as the idea may be of hanging out around a campfire in the Grand Canyon, campfires are not allowed within the canyon and for good reason.
The simplest way to say this is that the Grand Canyon is in a desert so everything is dry and highly flammable and a campfire can easily spark a wildfire.
It is assumed by many people that the interior of the Grand Canyon is just rocks and dirt but the canyon is home to over 1,700 different plant species creating plenty of fuel for wildfires below the rim.
Last summer there was a wildfire that was burning in the pines on the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim when it burned it's way over the rim and descended several hundred feet down into the canyon. More recently some idiot decided to burn their used toilet paper near Ribbon Falls and started a small brush fire which luckily didn't get too far.
In Arizona we even have to worry about potential wildfire in pine forests in the high elevations. They look like lush woodlands but they are also really dry in the late spring and early summer and very susceptible to wild fires.
Case in point are the three recent wildfires around the city of Flagstaff. The Hardy fire on June 19th started when someone dumped smoldering embers on the ground from a camp stove he was using. The Schultz fire of June 20th, which has burned over 14, 000 acres North of Flagstaff, was caused by an abandoned campfire. It was these recent fires that is the inspiration for this post.
It may seem odd to think that wildfires can be a concern in a dusty desert environment but it is the truth. The National Park Service takes the restriction so seriously that they impose hefty fines on anyone caught with a campfire below the rim of the Grand Canyon.
The consequences of a wildfire below the rim are great since they are extremely difficult and costly to extinguish and the possibility of getting trapped by a wildfire is very real. That is the image that should be conjured up when one thinks about building a campfire in the canyon.
Blog About a Blog
June 20th, 2010
Today's blog - actually this week's blog since we have a been either a bit lazy or busy, or both - is a short one. One of our recent guests was kind enough to blog about the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim trip she and her husband took with us for her 20th anniversary. So, without further adieu, take a look at just one hiker's experience with Grand Canyon!
Thank you Kelli for letting us share this with our reader - I mean readers.
Yosemite’s Giant Redwoods at Mariposa Grove
June 10th, 2010
Many of us have done it including yours truly. We have tilted our heads back, mouths agape, as we are taking in the massive heights of the skyscraper's in New York City , Chicago or Dubai.
Yosemite National Park has many opportunities for us to get sore necks as well; El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. These features simply take your breath away with their massive size but Mariposa Grove is another must see, neck bending site near Wawona at the southern entrance to the park.
Mariposa Grove is the largest grove of giant sequoia trees within Yosemite and site of some of it's most famous trees including two of the 25 largest trees in the entire world.
The tree named the Grizzly Giant is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be about 2400 years old (older by some estimates). It stands 210 feet tall and has a 30 foot diameter at it's base.
The grove's Washington Tree is even larger than that. The Wawona Tunnel tree was probably the most famous in the grove because of the tunnel carved through it's trunk for a road to pass through. Unfortunately the tree fell over in 1969 but the tree remains an attraction. There is still a tunnel through the California tree whose tunnel was carved into the tree in 1895 as a way to attract visitors to the grove.
To get to Mariposa Grove, travel south from Wawona on Wawona road until you reach Mariposa Grove road. There is a parking lot at the end of the road but this can fill up pretty quickly during the summer months. A better option is to take the free shuttle from Wawona which stops at Mariposa Grove often during the day. There are over 500 trees in the 250 acres of the grove so be prepared to walk around, looking up most of the time.
Play Misty For Me
June 4th, 2010
In honor of Clint Eastwood's 80th birthday (and the summer heat that is already upon us), I decided to blog about misters and using them to stay cool during your summer hiking trip.
Personal misting systems come in many varieties and price ranges - 50 cents to $100 - but regardless of what you pay, they should be an essential part of your hiking checklist, especially for those desert hiking trips you have planned in places such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion, etc. Here are just a few of the options out there.
Water Syringe - This particular misting system is for those of you on the cheap and looking to save weight. If you carry a decently equipped hiking first aid kit, you may already have one of these. In order for this to work, you do need one more piece of equipment - your hand, a map, or anything with a flat, hard surface that will help create the mist. Here is how this works...
Hold the folded map (or whatever) in front of your face but over your head. Fill the syringe with water. Aim the tip of the syringe at the map and push the plunger down. When the stream of water hits the map, a mist will form and help cool you off. This method works great in a pinch, especially if you need to help someone else in your party that needs a little cool down. Try to avoid aiming the syringe directly at your face. While that will help cool you down, it probably is not the effect you were going for.
Spray Bottle - For those of you looking for something a little easier to use but you are still on a budget, a basic plastic water bottle works great. It weighs a bit more so not perfect for the ultralight packer. However, these little bottles come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for the fashion conscious hiker. If you have one of those bottles with the adjustable nozzle, be sure it is adjusted for spray, not stream. If you grab one from your cleaning cabinet, please check its contents before you use it. Chemical blindness on your hiking trip may hinder your ability to enjoy the scenery.
Misty Mate Misty 2.5 Personal Misting System - We don't get any commission for mentioning this particular system nor do I even know if it is a great system. I just like the name of it. It reminds me of the ShamWOW! or something else sold on TV. Plus, it looks more like an enema or douche to me. Anyway, at $12, it is easy to use. No mechanical parts, small and light and with just a push of a button, you are on the stairway to misting heaven. So, unlike the spray bottle that you have to actually pull the lever, this device exerts much less energy!
Arctic Blast Personal Misting Air Cooling System - Between this and the Misty Mate, there are many personal misting systems to choose from. Some are spray bottles with fans, some are battery powered systems, some are pumps and some are even made specifically for Nascar in memory of Dale Earnhardt - don't ask. Anyway, the Arctic Blast is the ultimate in personal cooling systems. In price, an bit heavier in weight and just all around "coolness," this is the perfect system for the hiker who wants to look and BE COOL! At only $99, this battery operated system sprays water with a high velocity fan that can deliver a breeze of up to 30MPH (try not to blow yourself off the trail and leave your hairpiece at home!) It will last up to 1 hour before you have to change or recharge the battery - a definite problem if that nearby cactus doesn't have an outlet.
Regardless of what you choose, and if you are still unsure, just search the internet for "personal misting systems" and many options will come available to you. Whatever you decide to use, this item will make your summer hike much more enjoyable and safer.
Backpacker Magazine’s Secret Grand Canyon Trail
June 2nd, 2010
I love it when a national publication states that it is letting you in on a secret trail. In this case, Backpacker magazine's June 2010 issue has a feature on the secret trails of some of the most popular national parks. These are the trails that the locals know about but you may not be aware of. The author, Michael Lanza, picked a great trail when it came to his Grand Canyon choice but I need to comment on the accuracy of some the parts of his story. If you follow the advice in the article closely, it may leave you disappointed and dehydrated.
The route is a pretty cool one and one that you don't have to have a lot of backpacking experience to complete since most of the hike is on well marked trails. The trip is a 5 or 6 day trek that has a good mix of main campgrounds and remote camping which takes you along the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails as well as allows you to visit the historic Phantom Ranch. The highlight of the trip is not any of these things but it is the hike along Clear Creek trail and, if the conditions are right, the 800 foot tall Cheyava Falls.
I really have to stress the phrase, 'if the conditions are right' because Cheyava Falls only flows for about 3 weeks a year if it flows at all. Most years the falls flow sometime in April although this year the falls had a longer run than usual due to the heavy snowfall on the North Rim over the winter. According to the author, the falls are " best in the spring or after a storm" which is true but the statement implies that the falls are running all year round but are best in the spring. If you are looking to see Cheyava, you need to get your permit request in on December for April of the following year and don't be disappointed if the falls are not running. This is a gamble every year but if there is significant snowfall in the winter the falls will be running well. As a side note, if the falls are running well like they are this year, the Clear Creek may be running high and very difficult to cross so the route from the Clear Creek camping area to the river may be impassible.
The author also mentions that water is more plentiful on this route than many Grand Canyon routes. There is plentiful water along the Bright Angel Trail and when you reach Clear Creek but that's about it. There is no water available on most of the 7 miles of the South Kaibab trail so will you need to carry all your water for the first day. Water is also not available on the 9 mile Clear Creek trail between Phantom Ranch and Clear Creek. The National Park Service puts this warning in bold print on it's Clear Creek trail description. Because of the lack of water and lack of shade along the South Kaibab and Clear Creek trails, you should not attempt to hike them in the summer months.
Cheyava Falls is a wonder to see and the Clear Creek trail is a great introduction to the lesser used areas of the Grand Canyon s0 it's nice to see that Backpacker Magazine let the secret out. If you are looking to go, use the article and this blog post as just two pieces of your research but most importantly, contact the Grand Canyon Backcountry Office for the full scoop on what to expect on this trip.
Do I Need to Train to Prepare for My Grand Canyon Hiking Trip?
May 29th, 2010
YES!!!!
Please train at least 12-18 weeks prior and this goes for ANY hiking or backpacking trip you will be doing!
Ask yourself..."Would I run a marathon, or would anyone run a marathon, without training?" If you answered yes, please do NOT attempt to hike Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest, Mount Whitney or even the Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk. Walking two miles per day is not going to cut it either.
And if you know anyone planning an active trip, please pass this along.
Dandelion: the Spring Cleaning Herb
May 28th, 2010
Taraxacum, or Dandelion, is one of the most important plants in an herbalists medicine cabinet.
Yes Dandelion, the weed that you used to blow the seeds off of as a kid while making a wish. The same weed that has haunted you in your adulthood bringing fines from the HOA if you don't pull them out of your yard every spring.
Long before HOA's, Dandelion was welcomed by Arizona desert dwellers as an essential plant to their survival. The leaves are an extremely nourishing food source as salad greens. It contains high levels of vitamins A and C which are antioxidants.
As a tea, the leaves are blood building and cleansing because as a nutritive diuretic it helps the body pass blood through the kidneys, increasing urine flow without depleting potassium. A tea of the root stimulates the liver thus helping rid your body of toxins. Dandelion is extremely safe and can be used for an extended period of time for anyone not already on a diuretic.
Herbalist Trent Siever
The Best Burger in US…so far.
May 20th, 2010
There was an article recently in the local Phoenix paper, The Arizona Republic, about some of the most unique burgers in Arizona. Next time you are in the state (if you are not boycotting it), you should definitely try a few of these restaurants - Mile High Grill in Jerome, Open Range Grill in Sedona and Brown Bag Burger in Prescott. Each burger joint is also in a very unique Arizona town that can't be missed.
This article reminded me of the best burger I ever had. On a trip to Yosemite, with a detour to San Francisco (business/fun trip) and then back to Arizona, we found a piece of awesomeness in the middle of nowhere on the I-5, somewhere between San Francisco and LA. Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant, I-5 and Dorris Ave, suddenly appears amongst the hazy farm land in the San Joaquin Valley in Coalinga, CA.
The drive is desolate and insanely uneventful, but well worth it. Especially if you have no idea that this place exists. It was simply fate that brought us here, mostly because of the oddity of its placement. We had to stop at a place that was much more than a truck stop. It is a resort with a heated swimming pool, 3 spas, suites, country store and even a landing strip if you prefer not to drive. The curiosity factor alone is worth the stop.
Anyway, not much left to say. I had the Caprese Burger and Ray probably had something with bacon on it. I have yet to find any burger better. And for you non-beef eaters, they do serve chicken dishes, as well as vegetarian - but what would be the point then?
A few weeks ago, the Colbert Report mentioned the use of bugs in Starbucks for food coloring. Apparently, Starbucks is using dried bugs or dried Cochineal to make their Strawberry Fraps "strawberry" colored. I, for one, would much prefer my food coloring to come from a chemical. Carcinogenic red number 40 - yum! But why the uproar? Cochineal has been used for centuries as a dye - food, cosmetics and clothing most commonly.
April is here, and while the desert Southwest will see little in wildflowers this year due a dry winter, one flower is sure to bloom - the Sacred Datura. No, this is not the name of a death metal band - but well suited to be one. The Datura wrighhtii is a poisonous perennial plant and white ornamental flower that grows in Mexico and as far north into the United States as Southern Utah. The plant blooms from April to about October of every year, just in time for all you Grand Canyon, Paria Canyon and Arizona hikers to enjoy its beauty. But when you see it, you can look, but don't touch. Well you can touch briefly, but definatley don't eat it! If you are like me, there isn't a flower or plant out there that I don't look at and think, "that would taste great with a beer!" All parts of the plant are very toxic, including the sweetly fragrant flower, and may be fatal to humans and animals. It is also used as a hallucinogen.
Arizona's centennial started this year on February 14th! Yes, this blog is a bit late but we have been in the process of making it better. Better late than never and besides, centennials are celebrated for the entire year practically anyway.
We have been on a bit of a hiatus from blogging, but we are back! The blog was under construction (and still needs a bit of tweeking), but hopefully you have noticed that our blog is considerably faster!
Many of you may be familiar with the Saguaro Cactus, whether you know it or not. If you are not sure, think of the image of the green, tall, thick tree-like thing you see in every Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner cartoon. Or, you practically see it on anything that depicts the southwestern United States. But the fact is, the Saguaro Cactus is not deserving of a southwestern icon since its territory is limited to the 
When do they grow arms? At about 12 feet in height or 40 to 80 years. Some never grow arms. What are they mostly made of? Water. But this does not mean you can cut one open to access your own oasis. The water is absorbed into a pulpy material, making the sap slimy, bad tasting and difficult to extract. How long do they live? Estimates are up to 200 years. Are they endangered? Not currently, however, they are protected. Under the Arizona Native Plant Law, the saguaro is listed as a "salvage-restricted protected native plant,' meaning, they are considered vulnerable to damage by theft or vandalism and are protected by law. They cannot be legally removed from any lands, without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture. A saguaro can be legally obtained with a permit and then it is issued an official seal. Suspected poachers, traffickers and vandals can find themselves in a legal and financial bind with Class 4, 5 or 6 felonies and fines as high as $100,000 for transporting saguaros illegally across state lines. Just some info in case you were interested in starting a career in Saguaro Trafficking. Why do they have ridges? Like Ruffles brand potato chips - so the dip doesn't fall off as easy. Actually, there are three reasons. The first is to allow for expansion when collecting and storing water after rain - since the desert gets so little, it has to be able to store the water some where. Second, as you may notice from the above picture, the Saguaro does tower above other plants, but it does need some sort of protection from the sun. The accordion pleated ribs allow the cactus to produce its own shade - it's not much, but all it needs. Finally, the ridges act like a wind breaker. The desert can see winds of 70 plus MPH certain times of year. Since the Saguaro is the tallest plant in the desert, sometimes with no mountains to break the wind, one would think it would blow over. Yet, the pleats break the winds up, keeping the cactus tall and strong. If you ever stand by one during a heavy wind, you can hear the wind as it blows around the ridges. Hopefully this satisfies your thirst for saguaro knowledge - for now.
prove their coordination and helps control their constantly growing bodies. Stretching has also been shown to increase a child's alertness and make it easier for them to pay attention in school. Children who stretch, or exercise regularly) normally get better grades than their less alert counterparts and have a higher chance of completing school and graduating with their class than peers that do not do some form of daily exercise.
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 popularity of aerial stunts, McPhee decided to create his own stunt - have Santa open up the parade by parachuting in over downtown Mesa. The plan was to have a professional skydiver dress as Santa and glide over all the shoppers, making them eager to open their wallets.
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 to Midnight Mass on the last night of Las Posadas (a nine day celebration from December 16th-24th commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus). The paper bag versions of luminarias are also called farolitos (Spanish for little lantern), a name preferred by the purists since a burning candle inside a paper bag is in no way equivalent to a bonfire. Over time, the lighting of luminarias has become popular in the secular realm as well, being the center focus of holiday time events and gatherings.
The act of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time is a long time tradition, starting in ancient Scandinavia from the Norse myth of 
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 vacations. Even in the summer after all the decorations would be removed, I still looked for the decorated Juniper tree. Sometimes it was decorated in toilet paper or plastic bags but that was just not quite the same - nothing brings out the warm and fuzzy like a bunch of gold balls (just stop - you know what I mean).
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 
ding, 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.
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 five-course meal at the end of everyday instead of maybe making some mac and cheese over a backpacking stove.
Those of you familiar with Grand Canyon may have either been to or at least heard of Phantom Ranch. While a spooky name and great for the Halloween season, the area at the bottom of the canyon is not named as such due to a scary specter or ghostly apparitions, but after Phantom Canyon, aptly named from hiding itself from the government cartographers who missed it the first time they mapped Grand Canyon. But there are stories of a ghost around Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground. Those of you who may have hiked to the area hiked down South Kaibab Trail, across Black Bridge and over to Bright Angel Campground to catch the Bright Angel Trail may not realize they also pass the grave of Rees Griffiths, one of the trail crew that died while cutting a route to the North Kaibab Trail near Phantom Ranch on February 6, 1922. Many visitors have said to have witnessed a light that hangs over his grave.
diverse parks in the National Park System. But more alluring than than all this is, Olympic also has a Big Foot. The park's first sighting was in 1948 near the Hoh River Trail somewhere between Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows. During the summer of 2000, resident of the Hoh Indian Reservation heard strange noises and found giant footsteps behind his home. Other tracks were found along the Sol Duc River and in October, a European hiker saw two creatures with arms so long their hands were to their knees, hiking the park's Elk Mountain Trail.
Take a hike to Grouse Lake via Chilnualna Falls trail and you may hear a distinct wailing cry like the sound of a lost puppy. According to Indians from the Yosemite area, the sound is not one from a dog but from an Indian boy that had been drowned in Grouse Lake. Anytime anyone would wander by, the boy would cry after them to come to the lake and save him. Anyone who ventured into the lake would be grabbed by the legs and pulled into the lake to drown.
Arizona is home to one of the most famous, or infamous, graveyards in Western history - 
camping and climbing. But in the mid 1800s, the area was home to the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians, led by the 
Thomas "Tom" Edwin Mix
It is October and time for the yearly installment of blogs about ghosts, creatures and other ghoulish things that exist in the western United States. Today's bedtime story, children, is about a couple monsters living here in Arizona and other parts of the Southwestern United States. So get under the covers and turn on the lights. Don't bother screaming because no one will hear you - buuuwaaahahahahahahah!
w through these symptoms and "jump" to a person.
For those of you who are regular readers of the Just Roughin' It blog (I know there are at least 10 of you), coming across a blog about deaths is a rare occasion since we don't like to gain readership off other people's misfortune. However, Yosemite has had a high death toll this season and we feel this should be addressed and hopefully help squelch some fears that people may have in visiting the park thanks to the media sensationalizing something that is not common.
Half Dome is very slippery and dangerous when wet. Given there are about 400 people permitted to ascend Half Dome per day and that all those except for 20 who were on the granite monolith when it started to rain turned around, it is an unfortunate inevitability that a tragedy could very possibly follow. You cannot control the weather, but you can control your actions and ego. To give you an image of what Half Dome is like when it gets wet think about a granite counter top. It is already shiny and slick when dry, and gets even more so when wet, not that you would ever walk on your kitchen counter. Half Dome, and much of the trails in Yosemite have exposed granite. When this granite is walked on by hundreds of people per day, every day over 4 months over many years, the granite will become polished by hiking shoes. This is already slippery, but then add water to the mix. There are cables for a reason, but that doesn't mean they are fail safe, weather resistant and fool proof. The National Parks are not amusement parks.
ny is very passionate about education and getting kids interested in the outdoors.Nowadays, children would rather play video games than visit a national park. 
some of the reasons for this attack, park scientists have concluded that the goat could have been attracted to the group because of urine. These mountain goats have been known to lick the urine for salt deposits. Because of this, rangers in Olympic National Park and several other national parks have recently set boundaries on where hikers can do their business. Visitors are advised to urinate at least 
I couldn't decide what to name this blog. I always liked the name "Dust Bowl" since this historical event is could also be confused by many as a college football bowl game, when in reality was an event that devastated the Midwest and the entire country, mostly occurring in the Great Plains region of the United States, centering in the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma in the 1930s. 
us pizzas.
There has been much ado about the latest Half Dome permit scandal in the news lately, you would think there is nothing else newsworthy going on in the world. If you are not up on the latest news, here's a synopsis.
This is the third installment of the "It's a Dry Heat" series. At the time I wrote 
work place, in marathons, and even on some hiking trails. At first glance, these unique shoes look rather odd, but there is a reason behind the craziness. After making the switch from traditional running shoes, five finger shoe owners never look back. These shoes were designed to feel like the natural foot, with a little extra protection for the outdoors.
It has been a while since we posted a blog about poop - probably since 
Summer is approaching, and if you live in the Southwest, it is already here - May has already seen triple digit temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona. But 100 degrees in the Southwest desert is not the same as even 90 degrees in the Midwest, South or East Coast (which is what makes the heat in this region of the United States so unique). So today class, we will discuss the heat, how it effects you and why the statement "It's a dry heat" actually means more than just some silly cliche to justify living in Arizona. Also, it is this dry heat that makes outdoor activities bearable if you understand the climate, fluid loss and how to stay cool on the hottest of days.
Every year, 4.5 million visitors from all over the world visit Grand Canyon National Park. Most only stay about 2o minutes and this is after spending about 8 to 10 hours in a large tour bus for a round trip ride from Las Vegas, NV or Phoenix, AZ for a chance to see one of the most amazing places in the world. That seems like such a waste of time, especially when there is so much more to see and experience than just the views from Bright Angel Lodge. The people of Fort Worth, TX are foregoing the planes, trains and automobiles and experiencing Grand Canyon from their own back yard! No, the Grand Canyon is not victim of a recent, massive continental drift occurrence, but through experiential learning, Grand Canyon can travel.
Very rarely do we write self gratuitous blogs, but today we must brag about something so cool you'll have to turn on the heat. As seen in the May issue of 
One hour away from a United States Government shutdown and Congress decides to stop marking their territory and make a deal. If you are a government employee, member of the military, government contractor or own a company that is dependent on the government in an indirect way, i.e. hiking or river guide company, then you are sighing in relief right about now. I have to say that I would not have been too thrilled about no public services if I was a DC resident either - no trash pickup? Yikes!
Last week marked the 100th anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam in Arizona; once the world's largest masonry dam (at an original height of 280 ft and length of 723 ft) upon its completion in 1911, and the world's largest artificial reservoir. It was also listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1963 until that designation was lost in 1999 due to reconstruction which added 77 ft to the dam and covered it in concrete. But the loss of this designation does not make the history of the dam and the environment that surrounds it any less interesting.
Fossil Creek, cited as one of the most diverse riparian areas in Arizona, is one of only two waterways to be designated as "Wild and Scenic" in the state. Located southeast of Camp Verde in the Coconino National Forest, it is within a two hour drive of Phoenix and Flagstaff, and it is being "LOVED TO DEATH!"
This probably sounds ridiculous in a state that loves its guns, laws and gun laws. So why would Arizona ever even think to ban hunting any animal, and especially one that is not even native to this state? No, the law does not refer to the ones living in the Phoenix Zoo. But it may refer to the small herds of camels that were imported to Arizona, Nevada and Texas, if the law even ever existed, that is.
mb in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Tom's Thumb is a beautiful 4 mile (roundtrip) hike in to McDowell Sonoran Preserve. My fiance and I brought along our neighbor for an introduction to hiking and she loved it! Our dog joined us on the trek as well. We were so glad to see the amount of trails that allow dogs around Phoenix.
This entry will be a bit different from other past blogs. It is not about Arizona or California. It is not about Grand Canyon or Yosemite. And it is not about backpacking, hiking or training. But it is about travel so technically, this forum is still appropriate. And after not much ado...
Last year, around this time, I posted a 
ter cold season upon us I thought I would write about my favorite herb to remedy the rhinovirus. Marrubium vulgari or Horehound is a member of the mint family which is evident by it's appearance but not it's taste. It is extremely bitter which makes it an excellent liver healing herb and digestive aid. A tea of the leaves is one of the oldest remedies for colds and sore throat. The rhinovirus begins with a small scratchy feeling in the back of the throat. Once this symptom arrives immediately start taking your Horehound tea and you will not catch a cold. You don't need much, just about a teaspoon per quart because it is so potent. In a tea I suggest pairing Horehound with Peppermint or Stevia to cut down the bitter taste. Horehound is so bitter that in Europe you can sometimes find it as a substitute for hops in beer!
Happy Halloween! I wanted to write abou
t a plant this month that is appropriate for the Halloween season. When I found out that there is a medicinal plant commonly named Devil’s Guts, I couldn’t resist. Devil’s Guts' scientific name is Cuscata spp. It’s common names other than Devil’s Guts are Devil’s Hair and Dodder. Devil’s Guts is a parasitic plant, meaning it attaches itself to a host plant as a means of survival. When you see Devil’s Guts it looks like someone dumped a pot of noodles on the canape of a host plant. It is found in tropical regions and subtropic regions around the world.
stay the night at the San Carlos Hotel where modern day and ancient spirits are said to make themselves known. The hotel has been in continuous operation since 1928 and less than 2 months after the hotel opened, the Arizona Republican (now the Arizona Republic - or "Repulsive" depending on the day), 22 year old Leone Jenson jumped to her death. It was rumored that Jenson was abused by her boyfriend and/or he was having an affair with another woman. While most evidence does point to suicide, some speculate that she may have been murdered by her boyfriend or the other woman. Her ghost appears as a white, cloudy figure accompanied by an eerie moaning noise. We are going on a ghost hunt here on October 30th and will let you know how it goes - if we return. Mwuhahahaha!
If you are looking for a place with a variety of haunted places to visit, go to Prescott, AZ. Prescott was the first and third territorial capital of the Arizona territory before Phoenix became its capital in 1889. Prescott has held on to its history and can be seen in the restored Victorian homes and the courthouse in the center of town.
over 15,000 people (now over 350) and housed the workers of the nearby United Verde Mine which produced over 1 billion dollars in copper, gold and silver until the 1950s. During its heyday, Jerome was a hotbed of prostitution and gambling, giving it the label of "the wickedest town in the west" in 1903 by the New York Sun.
another human being. This idea of shape-shifting has been around for centuries and made most popular by the legends of werewolves (go team Jacob!).
Arizona once again makes national news. As of late, we "got on the map" due to our politics (SB 1070 and concealed weapons in bars - yeehaw!) or our governor whom is rendered speechless when asked to introduce herself at a gubernatorial debate. But this time, it is because of Mother Nature and she seemed a bit peeved. She brought heavy rain (none like most residents of the state have seen in a long time, let alone in October, one of our driest months of the year), baseball sized hail and tornadoes. Northern Arizona saw some major damage in the Flagstaff area with a derailed freight train, overturned semis, road closures, flooding, destroyed homes and a few injured people.
Back in February, we posted a blog article about a phenomenal film called The Canyon, a film that is right up there in artistic and cinematographic greatness with Casablanca. (
Grand Canyon visitors have ample opportunity to see wildlife during their visit - Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, California Condor, Elk, Grey Fox, Ring Tail Cats, a variety of rattlesnakes and of the course notorious Rock Squirrel, to name a few. But did you know you can also see bison? If you are one of the few who travel to the North Rim, you might be lucky enough to see a herd of bison that live on the wilderness area between the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.
One of the most common questions we get from back country hikers is if they will be able to get phone service while backpacking in places such as Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
Its seems like a contradiction in terms, a waterfall of fire. However, over the course of its history Yosemite National Park has been home to not one, but two of these unique phenomena, although each one has a very different history.
When he first visited the Yosemite valley at age 14, we can only wonder if it was love at first sight for the then unknown Ansel Adams. What we can say, for sure, its that it was fate. In Yosemite, Adams was to find passion both personally and professionally.
If you’re looking for a classic backpacking trip, hiking rim to rim at the Grand Canyon epitomizes the concept. It will take you through many of the canyon’s landmarks, including Bright Angel Creek, Phantom Ranch, and Indian Garden. 
Normally, you probably don’t associate lush turquoise waterfalls surrounded by local vegetation with the Arizona desert.
Havasu Falls has undergone a “renovation,” so to speak, in the past couple of years.
The three missing men, Curtis Merworth, 48, Ardean Charles, 67, and Malcolm Meeks, 41 , all from Utah, were in the Superstitions last week on day hikes in search of the Lost Dutchman Gold mine. The last contact with their families was on July 6th and their contacted authorities on Sunday. The hiker's SUV was located at the First Water Trailhead and the search continues for the men in that section of the mountains.
ee was a necessity to the survival of the Pima, Papago and Navajo native people. It provides shade, firewood, building material and it was an excellent source of food and medicine. The Mesquite is the most common tree in the Southwest, populating the lands North of the Chaparral desert and South of the Juniper/Pinon belt.
Water Syringe - This particular misting system is for those of you on the cheap and looking to save weight. If you carry a decently equipped hiking first aid kit, you may already have one of these. In order for this to work, you do need one more piece of equipment - your hand, a map, or anything with a flat, hard surface that will help create the mist. Here is how this works...
basic plastic water bottle works great. It weighs a bit more so not perfect for the ultralight packer. However, these little bottles come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for the fashion conscious hiker. If you have one of those bottles with the adjustable nozzle, be sure it is adjusted for spray, not stream. If you grab one from your cleaning cabinet, please check its contents before you use it. Chemical blindness on your hiking trip may hinder your ability to enjoy the scenery.
Misty Mate Misty 2.5 Personal Misting System - We don't get any commission for mentioning this particular system nor do I even know if it is a great system. I just like the name of it. It reminds me of the ShamWOW! or something else sold on TV. Plus, it looks more like an enema or douche to me. Anyway, at $12, it is easy to use. No mechanical parts, small and light and with just a push of a button, you are on the stairway to misting heaven. So, unlike the spray bottle that you have to actually pull the lever, this device exerts much less energy!
personal misting systems to choose from. Some are spray bottles with fans, some are battery powered systems, some are pumps and some are even made specifically for Nascar in memory of Dale Earnhardt - don't ask. Anyway, the Arctic Blast is the ultimate in personal cooling systems. In price, an bit heavier in weight and just all around "coolness," this is the perfect system for the hiker who wants to look and BE COOL! At only $99, this battery operated system sprays water with a high velocity fan that can deliver a breeze of up to 30MPH (try not to blow yourself off the trail and leave your hairpiece at home!) It will last up to 1 hour before you have to change or recharge the battery - a definite problem if that nearby cactus doesn't have an outlet.
Taraxacum, or Dandelion, is one of the most important plants in an herbalists medicine cabinet.
There was an article recently in the local Phoenix paper, The Arizona Republic, about some of the 
