Overton Trail in Cave Creek

Wow! This walk was a show stopper! I had no idea about this place, but if you go down Cave Creek Road you will see a park along the north side of the road. Follow it back and you are in for a treat. I have to confess, I knew this would be nice because it had rained the night before, and the sky was filled with big fluffy clouds...white and the dark grey ones. It was windy, and the first part of the trail was cold. We had beautiful views looking out at the valley. I personally don't enjoy views of urban sprawl, and no, that isn't a comment on pollution, or ecology, I just think it is that pretty. But, if you continue around the mountain, you are on for a treat. We could see snow all around us on the mountains and the wind blew around us, and the mud slushed under our feet. The ocotillo are about to bloom, and it is wonderfully quiet (except for the complaining boys again!). The visitor center is interesting. Pack a snack and get there before it gets hot! They even have a campground! It was a 4 mile walk, and it was continuously up hill the first half and continuously down hill for the second half. We would rate this walk a 4. It wasn't steep or rocky...just up hill for two miles...a great work out!

Sabino Canyon in Tucson

We have gone here several times before. When you weigh 100 lbs. more than you should, that trip amounts to a ride up the hill on the tram, and maybe a short walk down the hill from one stop to the next. Not this time! We rode up and then walked all the way back! 3.8 miles total. It took us a couple of hours to complete. This place is busy and sometimes the hardest part is finding a parking spot. It is worth it though. Especially if you are limited physically. Take water whether you are riding or not. Pack it in, cause they see you com in'! We bought sushi and after we bought our tram tickets, we sat under the shade awning eating sushi, and waiting for our ride. This is an absolutely beautiful walk with lots to look at, and lots to talk about. The trail winds back and forth over a creek. People stop and picnic, and stick their toes in the water all along the way. The last little bit of the walk has a hill they call Dead Man's Hill. Don't believe it. If I can make that hike with my boys trailing along behind (and complaining all the way) you can too! We rate this one 4. I have to say that I work out several days a week, and for some reason (probably the steep down hill), I was sore for several days after. No one else had trouble though, so maybe I'm just the whiner this time!

Mica View Trail in Saguaro National Park in Tucson

We took this trip in February. We packed lots of snacks and water and took our lunches. We parked at the trailhead (there are restrooms!)and ate lunch. This was a simple two mile walk, but for some reason it seemed like the sun was just beating down on us! It was a nice quiet walk with cactus all around. Small dips and hills were on the trail, but nothing big. One a scale from 1-10 we would give this 2. It was a little longer and much more isolated than previous walks. We picked up a whistle in town before starting, and I'm carrying that thing in my pack from now on! The boys seemed to like this one particularly well. There were lots of birds and scurrying things around, and this keep their attention. Ah, if only we could hike alone a few times. They seem to switch from loving the walk, to dying, and back, about three times each hike. Total length 2 miles.

Waterfall Trail in the White Tank Mountains West of Phoenix

We took a Sunday afternoon and went to the White Tank Mountains. I can't believe that I have lived here for over 20 years and have never visited there! We parked by the trailhead and ate sandwiches before starting. The first mile is blacktopped and you walk out in the open, but as you get closer the mountains come in around you and you are surrounded by lots of desert landscaping and mountains. blue skies, green desert, and brown mountains! Watch for the petroglyphs all along the trail. After about a mile the trail turns to dirt, but this trail is well traveled by people so your stroller will be fine. The trail leads to a waterfall that is dry most of the time but, walk up the rock steps to the top and take a look. It is worth the time. Young children were all around and the trail was busy with people so, if you want more solitude go early in the morning. On the way back we took a side trail that made a big loop through the desert. The total for this trip was 4 miles. It was a nice flat even walk. The views are beautiful and the desert is right up close. On a 10 point scale I would give this a 1. It was easy for all the family members and we went in February so it was not hot but, do use your sunscreen!

Trip #1- Jim Thompson Trail in Sedona

We drove to Jim Thompson Trail for our first trip hiking. Turns out that Sedona has an unimaginable number of walking trails! We parked by the Midgely Bridgely and started walking. It is 6 miles total, there and back. There was a steep up hill at first, then a beautiful open field area, and then down the other side through forests. We took camelbacks and power bars, and it took us about three hours to walk it. The weather was perfect, and we needed to take off our jackets by the end of the trip. Overall, on a 1-10 scale we would call this a 6. It was more than we would probably try for our first walk if we had known how steep it was, on the other hand, we now use it as a comparison for our other trips! I find myself telling one of the boys, "This isn't as far as our first walk! Stop complaining!" You definitely need sunscreen and chapstick.

This is our first blog! Our family decided that it might be fun to tell about our hiking adventures. We have Mom, Dad, Steven (15), and Kevin (12). We want to log where we go, and the number of miles we've walked. We are new to hiking, and just learning all the thrills, chills, and adventures! I personally don't want to run into any rattlesnakes!