Getting into Woods Canyon

Woods Canyon is a beautiful, secluded place south of the house.  I can access the main trail via a social trail - right out my back gate!  The early section crosses some old ranch land that still has rusted water tanks and troughs in place.  And although I've never seen any cattle out there, I have seen cow pies so there must be a few still in the area.

Today I decided to go farther along the trail than I have previously been.  I think the complete route goes about 11 miles into the Canyon.  I doubt I'll ever get that far...but it was a perfect day for a 4 1/2 hour trek.  I'm not good at guessing distances, but estimate I did about 7 miles round trip.

This easy trail is mostly level, with a few gradual climbs.  Dry Beaver Creek runs through here, and only has water after spring snowmelt and most likely, after monsoon rains.  There are hundreds of sycamores and cottonwoods lining the washes, and many of them today still have their golden autumn leaves.

           The sun shines through the colorful leaves

                         of an Arizona Sycamore

I followed these elk tracks for quite a while along the trail, but never got lucky enough to see the large guy (or girl?) that made them.

The phone from hell finally comes in handy -           

 to show the scale of these prints                     

It was a beautiful day for a hike - a bit chilly at first, but I soon took off my light gloves, jacket and ear band.  The sun was warm but the breeze was cool - just right!  Not a lot of bird activity, mostly Juncos and Scrub Jays - but I did see a small flock of Bridled Titmice.  A very cute, active little bird.  So active that I can never get a photo of them!

There were butterflies along the way - now I'm thinking it will be interesting to see how late in the year they are still around.  I saw Cabbage Whites, Checkerspots, and this California Sister perched on a pine tree. 



One last shot of the trail on the way back.  Gotta love that AZ blue sky!  And oh yeah, the red rocks...



Getting Into Fall

Wow, time has flown since my last post.  And since the move - 6 months already!  Here it is, mid-October and summer is over - at least according to the calendar.  The autumn weather here is spectacular.  Days are still warm, even hot (mid to upper 80's), with lots of sunshine and clear blue skies.  Overnight lows in the 50's, so the a/c is off and the windows are open.  Great sleeping weather.  Great hiking/gardening/reading/doing anything - or nothing - weather.

The weed wars continue, and my side isn't winning.  After the summer rains, many more things grew and bloomed and spread.  Some were nice - a reappearance of globe mallow and four o'clocks, broom snakeweed providing widespread color (yellow) in the yard and along the trails.  Lots of asters, camphorweed and gaura.  Finding wild morning glories and scarlet creeper trailing along the ground and up the fence. The Devil's Claw really went crazy!  The plants got huge, producing dozens of seed pods that are beginning to split and form their "claws."  Mary O collected some of the pods to send to a Supai friend - hopefully, some of my dried pods will be used in her basketmaking!

Unfortunately, lots of nasty things as well - Palmers Amaranth, the dreaded Puncture Vine, an unclassified spurge that I consider a scourge.  All of which have dropped their seeds so that next year they will most likely run me out of town.

Haven't seen any mule deer in the yard for a while, but almost daily fresh deer scat.  I know you're out there!  George the Roadrunner has been MIA, as have the quail.  Still hearing the Great Horned Owls in the wee hours of the morning, and a Guilded Flicker arrives each evening to hang around under the eaves on the front deck.  Spike the Horned Toad visited a few days ago.  Had fun taking photos, and even got brave enough to pick him (her?) up...while wearing gloves.  Very cool little creature, and I hope he (she, they?) hang around.  There are certainly enough rocks and weeds out there to provide shelter.

Gotta love that face!

My beautiful daughter Kelly was here for a week in early September, and we had a great visit.  She enjoyed some time at the condo pool, and we had fun playing tourist and visiting Jerome.   Dear friend and hiking buddy Mary O was here for a few weeks.  Went on several hikes, a birdwalk in Flagstaff, and toured a Lava Cave (also in Flagstaff).  We always have great adventures - including a hike on the remote Mooney Trail where we came upon tracks (and scat!) of a black bear.  Suddenly, Mary was very interested in my hiking sticks!

Black bear print - I'll refrain from

posting the photo of the scat

After many weeks of anticipation....Peggy, dear Peggy!  My wild and crazy friend from my days at the Food Bank came to visit (I have made so many wonderful friends through volunteering - I sure am lucky!).  We had a busy, fun week as I dragged her here/there/everywhere we could manage to get during her (too short) time here.  She was the perfect houseguest and game for anything (she made me say that).  We had 3 great hikes, a day in Jerome, a day at the Grand Canyon.  Lots of laughs, good food, girl time. 

Always amazing at Shoshone Point

It was fun to use my home-made prickly pear syrup* to whip up Prickly Pear Margaritas - delish!  On our last night, we had a lovely dinner outside at Tii Gavo (at the Enchantment Resort).  Watched the full moon rise behind the red rocks and while driving back through Boynton Canyon - we HOWLED.  If you've never howled at a full moon, try it.  You'll like it.  And if you are one of the Luney Ladies from home, you can back me up on that one!

*My first ever try at harvesting Prickly Pear fruit and making syrup from its fuschia-colored juice!  Took some time and lots of caution to avoid the spines and glochids, but the process was easy and fun.  I managed to perforate my skin only a time or two, and also kept from splashing the juice floor to ceiling.  It is now frozen for future use (baking, toppings, and the all-important Margaritas!).

    Prickly Pear fruit, fresh from the cactus!

Pureed fruit - amazing color!           

Prickly Pear Margaritas - Cheers!

All jokes aside, I am thoroughly enjoying my duties as a Volunteer Park Ranger.  Meeting people from all parts of the world, hopefully giving them a smile or two and contributing to good memories of their time in Red Rock Country.  Funny how many people I meet from IL - a couple from Bartlett, a fellow from Aurora, others from Barrington and Arlington Heights and Schaumburg.  Lots of people from Italy (many of whom take our photos) and the UK (people from Wales are surprised that I've heard of their country!), Spain, China, Japan, Australia...and some very cute boys from Luxembourg!  All of the other rangers with whom I've worked have been terrific, and I'm proud to don my cowboy hat and head "uptown."

The interior of the house has come along...somewhat.  I have actual furniture now, and fewer boxes stacked in every corner.  Would love to cover these white walls with some soft colors, but have to decide on hues and find someone to paint the living area.  All of the flooring is done and the guest room is complete (hint, hint!).

Somehow it all still feels temporary, especially this time of year.  For the last several years, I've spent most of October here and then returned home to IL.  Perhaps that's why I'm feeling that my time is winding down here...but when Halloween comes and goes, I shall remain.  For the first time, I'll witness the real change of seasons here from autumn to winter.  The fall colors will fade, as they do in the midwest, but will not be followed by any extreme weather.  And I can live with that!  Last week in Flagstaff, I enjoyed the first snowfall of the season up at the Snowbowl ski area.  Elevation above 9000 feet.  Gorgeous views of the mountains and the golden Aspens dusted with snow - but I drove less than an hour back to Sedona and left it all behind for temps in the 60's.  And as my bud Teresa said, if I'd continued driving south another hour, I would have seen the saguaros growing and the temps above 70.  Gotta love it!

First snow of the season

Aspen leaves hanging on

Getting Stoned

A couple of weeks ago, Fred Flintsone delivered 18 tons of river rock to the yard.  When I ordered the rock, I was told it would not be as much as I thought.  I pictured a mountain of rock as high as the house.  They were right - I'll need more.  But this was certainly enough to get started.  Yet another one of my "it seemed like a good idea at the time" decisions.

   

Fred backs up into the driveway












Pouring crushed river rock along the west side of the house





I rented a rototiller, and set out to un-compact the flattened, neglected, weed-infested soil.  Afterwards, it was nice to see red dirt that was "fluffy" compared to its formerly concrete-like state.

As if having to finish spreading all this rock was not a big enough job, I decided I would create a path from the driveway, downhill to the flattest part of the yard.  That meant weeding, raking and smoothing the path area, laying landscape cloth, and hauling - bucket by bucket - the larger river rocks to create a path edge.  All of this while dodging the mere thought of snakes and tarantulas...After that, countless wheelbarrows full of crushed rock to be dumped and spread onto the path.  Except for some fine tuning, the path is now done. Yay!

Beginning of the path

Longest part of the path

Curving toward the end

End of the path - with Devil's Claw

growing in the rocks on the right

I had been searching for a native plant called Devil's Claw.  I have known of it for some time, as Native Americans use it in basketry.   Was lucky enough to get a few seeds a while back, which I planted and carefully tended on the north side of the yard.  Nothing ever sprouted, and I forgot about them.  When I was working on the last part of the path, a plant was growing that was unfamiliar to me, so I laid the path around it and let it grow.  Then I discovered the flower underneath the large, fuzzy leaves - Devil's Claw!  I have since found 3 more plants scattered in the yard, and 2 by the gate.  I don't know if the seeds I planted got redistributed by bird or beast or magic, or if these were waiting to sprout after I disturbed the soil.  In any event, I am happy to find them and look forward to seeing them produce fruit and after that, the pod and "claw" that give the plant it's name.

     Devil's Claw - Proboscidea parviflora

Devil's Claw flower

I plan to place a bench, bird feeders and bird bath at the end of the path, along with flowers to encourage hummers and butterflies.  There are some nice wildflowers growing in the yard, along with far too many noxious weeds.  Puncture vine (the name says it all!), purple nightshade, filaree, bindweed - will someday, hopefully, be choked out by native flowers such as globemallow, Mexican hat, twinberry, gaura - and many more.  I have sown some seeds for both flowers and native grass (Side Oats Gramma - Bouteloua curtipendula), and am nothing if not determined.

Each sprinkle of rain brings new weeds, but with any luck, new flowers as well.  I have been saving seeds collected and purchased, both at home and locally, and it could be fun to see what pops up.  It could be discouraging, too, as I've already killed a number of plants purchased here.  Gardening in the high desert is not for sissies!

Seed sorting on the front deck -

my KCCN friends will know this is not quite

the production of Mixing Day at Aurora West,

but I have a bigger stash than I'd thought!

Here's to some good rains for the remainder of Monsoon season (and for the parched Midwest), spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and maybe a hike or two when I decide to drag myself away from Casa Neglecta.

Getting Tougher

OK, this isn't exactly nature-related, but it is kind of an adventure.  As I work on things inside and outside of the AZ house, I often get frustrated because I don't know how to do a certain project.  Where to start?  What tools do I need?  If I figure out what tools I need, will I know how to use them?

I have realized what a disservice it is to us women, and to our daughters (and theirs), that most of us are not taught even the basics of tool use, simple repairs, how to measure/paint/fix even the simplest of things.  In my case, I often don't even know what questions to ask.  Google has helped, but one still has to have a vague idea of where to start.

We need to teach our daughters and granddaughters how to do things for themselves!  Do we really want to call someone to charge us a small fortune to fix something we should be able to easily do for ourselves?  Do we always want to be dependent on someone (a man) to do these things?  Ever since I asked a "certain man" for help with something a few years ago, and was given directions on where to find the Yellow Pages, I swore I would become more self-sufficient.

In the last few months, I have stepped outside of my comfort zones and by determination and necessity (and pure stubbornness), have figured out how to:

Prep and paint a rain barrel (which I scored free at Home Depot), install the diverter kit and hook it up to the downspout;

Purchase and assemble and use a push mower;

Purchase, figure out how to fit it into my little car, and assemble and use a power washer;

Assemble a 2-drawer lateral file cabinet;

Patch a dry-wall hole;

Remove carpet and padding;

Remove rotting wood decking;

Repeatedly clean a disgusting chicken coop - ok that one was better left to either experts (are there such people?) or left to rot.  I can't burn it down due to our current fire restrictions, but it will eventually be dismantled and disposed of.

The above is not bragging, just examples of what a determined woman can do.  I've also had to remove various live insects from the house, using a cute ladybug jar provided by my friend Tracy.  OK, the tarantula in the condo is enough to disprove this whole theory, but there are just some things I can't yet do.  And probably won't, ever.  The snakeskin I found in the yard was the worst of the bunch so far - I cringed every time I saw it and tried to avoid that entire area.  I figured where there's a snakeskin, there must be...However, I just had to clear the weeds from that spot and decided if I just got rid of the darn thing I wouldn't have to worry about it every time.  So, it got scooped up and bagged with the dead weeds and now it is gone.  But I know its owner is most likely still there somewhere...

As you most likely know, I have also faced down a mountain lion.  Well, not really, but I did see one from a distance for about 4 seconds. 

I'd like to know what you have fixed or what project you have taken on that challenged your skills (or lack thereof).  Send me your stories so I can do a follow-up.  I implore parents to teach their daughters (and yes, sons) how to do some of this stuff.  They'll most likely roll their eyes and sigh, but they'll thank you for it someday.  Kind of like most of the stuff we teach them anyway.  I mean, men are only good for one thing.  And how important is parallel parking, anyway?

Happy to report, I'm good at that, too.

Getting into Summer

Here it is, July already.  June went by in a blur, even though at times the days seemed to drag.  I remember as a kid, being bored on hot, steamy LA days.  We were always sent outside to play (no video games to play in the a/c back then).  Whining about nothing to do, no one with whom to play.  And then bam, it was late August and back to school.  NOOO!  Even though I know that summer will last much longer here than back in IL, I don't want to wish it away.  I love the cool mornings and evenings, the star-filled skies.  The hot middle of the days is great for reading, and I've really caught up on some page time.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to spend several days with Ken at the fabulous Pelican Hill Resort on the Newport Coast of CA.  An incredible place of gorgeous surroundings, perfect weather, delicious food and impeccable service.  The trip was an Acura reward for Ken for achieving their Precision Team "Dealership of Distinction" status.  And don't ask for further explanation, because I cannot provide one.

Kelly came out to Sedona a couple of days before I headed to CA, and she and Otis hung out at our condo.  Well, Otis hung out at the condo while Kelly spent her days at the pool.  She was here for a couple of days after my return, and it was so good to spend some time with my beautiful daughter. 

We took a ride up to Walnut Canyon National Monument (near Flagstaff) to see some 800 year old Sinaguan cave dwellings.  Picturesque location, with hundreds of ruins nestled in the cliff walls.  A trail takes you down (about 180 steps, I think) for up-close encounters with the long-ago homes of these Native people.  Those same stairs take you back UP, by the way...

          Looks like the Sinaguan people were about

                        the same height as Kelly

Every step down is a step back up

After our visit to Walnut Canyon, we enjoyed a fun lunch at a cute Mexican place in old town, Flagstaff.  Yum!

After leaving Kelly at the Phoenix airport on Saturday (will that ever get any easier?), I took in an excellent exhibit at the Heard Museum in Phoenix - about Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache people.  Heading back to Sedona, I encountered some traffic congestion just south of my exit.  An 18-wheeler was on its side off the road - scary.  Look at what temp registered on my car - I guess with all that concrete and vehicles running, it cranked up!

But it's a dry heat...

We are starting to get some clouds early in the mornings and then again late afternoons, and hoping that we will get some rain from them soon.  I know it's been a crazy summer in the Midwest, with everyone reporting hot, humid temps.  I'm still hearing about that terrible storm from the weekend and many still without power (including dear Shirley).  I hope everyone else came through safely and without major inconvenience.

I am hoping to have my first rain barrel hooked up tomorrow.  I scored two free ones from Home Depot a while back and one has the knobs and dials and doo-hickeys attached.  I sprayed it tan to cover the heinous original blue (but hey, it was free), and now I need to cut the hole in the downspout and hook it up.  It will be very exciting to have this done before any significant rainfall.  The other barrel will most likely be set up with the "trap" in the top to collect random rain - we only have one downspout.  I know, weird.

The birds and critters continue to entertain me.  I haven't seen any large mammals lately, but bunnies abound.

The excitement for today was the appearance of a male Rufous hummingbird.  I spent way too much time trying for a decent photograph, but this manic little guy is more interested in chasing all the other hummers away than in eating.  I have 4 hummer feeders out - you'd think they could share???  (If a Calliope makes an appearance soon, I will be one ecstatic bird nerd!)

Not the best pic, but I'll keep trying

The Gambel's Quail are about the funniest birds I've ever seen.  A little family has been coming through the yard regularly.  I have a pan of water on the ground for the quail, doves, bunnies...and have to wonder who might be there at night!  Here's the quail family sharing a drink:

There were 7 young'uns but now only 6...

another not-so-great shot, but you can see their

 little doo-dads on their heads

And here's one of my bunny friends

 - a tiny guy I call Peanut.

He was busy nibbling on this low branch
of a  scraggly mesquite

I guess that's the wildlife report for this time.  I am still homesick and missing everyone.  I now have a brand new queen sofa sleeper in the guest room, and in a few weeks should have new couches/chairs for the living room.  I do have indoor plumbing, and chilled Sangria in the fridge.  So come on out!

I'll end this time with these two pics of Mother Nature at her best...

Sunrise...

Sunset...

Getting Behind the Scenes

Last weekend was the annual Members' Gathering of the Grand Canyon Association.  This was my first opportunity to attend a series of programs, lectures and tours.  I drove out Friday morning, checked in for my campsite at Mather, and headed off to join a group volunteering for the vegetation program.  Did you know that the South Rim has its own nursery?  I had toured it a few years ago with the Sierra Club, and it was fun to see again.

Our group of 18 volunteers plus a couple of GCA reps planted 1205 tubes of mutton grass seeds.  All of this native grass will later be planted in various places around the rim.

Poa fendleriana - Mutton Grass



I later attended a program by Mike Bucheit.  I have seen his amazing photography for years and was very happy to meet him and see his slide show.  He has incredible photographs of remote canyon places I will never otherwise see, along with an engaging and interesting narrative.

It was rather a long night of car camping - just trying to get comfortable in the back of the Jeep and stay warm.  I left the windows open a bit to enjoy the fresh air and the sound of the wind in the trees.  About 2 a.m., it was so chilly that I didn't want to come out of my cocoon to close the windows.  I forced myself to emerge, but of course then I had to pee and well, I'll spare the details...

A few more great programs on Saturday, including a geology talk by Wayne Ranney and a tour of the Emergency Services facilities.  I wanted to see all of that without needing to see all of that.  Quite impressive, as we toured the facilities and had close-up views of ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency equipment.  We learned about land, air and water rescues.  The people doing this work are amazing - from treating doofuses (doofi?) who attempt long hikes on hot days while wearing flipflops and carrying 6 ounces of water, to performing search/rescue/recovery operations while putting their own safety at risk.  There is enormous cost (both in money and manpower) to mount an air rescue ($3600/hour just to operate a helicopter), a minimum of 8 people to carry someone out on a litter.  They were all dedicated to preventing emergencies, highly trained and ready to roll.  I was very impressed but at the same time, hope I never see any of them again!

    A sparkling fire truck is ready to respond to structural

    or vehicle fires (wild land fires are handled through a

    different facility).

After this tour, I got picked up by the park superintendent.  Ha!  I was walking to a bus stop for transport to my next event, when he came along and gave a ride to me and another woman heading to the campground.  Very nice gentleman who came to the Grand Canyon from Mt. Rainier just 9 months ago.  I cannot imagine the responsibility of caring for such a park, but I believe he is up to the task and cares deeply about preserving and protecting this magnificent place.

I had some time later in the day to spend along the rim (with thousands of others - this was about the most crowded I've ever seen the canyon).  I was lucky enough to see two adult and one juvenile condors!  I had never seen a juvenile there before, and was told it was hatched in the Canyon - which is why it had no wing tag as yet - had not been captured and tagged.

Juvenile Condor - sex and age unknown.  Juveniles have

 a dark head  - and a face only a mother could love?

    Adult female #55, born in captivity 5/07, released into

    the wild 3/09

#55 takes flight

Everything at the Canyon was booked solid - all campgrounds, cabins, lodges...I was unable to get anything for Saturday night so I decided to head back to Sedona.  I made my way down East Rim Drive, stopping at several viewpoints along the way.  I don't get over that way much and I should - the views are just as amazing and it is generally much less crowded.  I watched the sunset at Desert View and hit the road for home.  I hated skipping out on a few other events, but will make a point to return next year - and not procrastinate on reservations!

Between a rock and a hard place    

I am drawn to this place again and again. Compared to many of the "Canyon-Heads" I met last weekend, I am but a casual observer. That's ok. I'll take what it has to give, return as often as I can, and dream of adventures in a place that must be seen to be believed. 

Sunset from Desert View

Getting Back to Nature

Well, here I am.  A resident of Red Rock country.  Sedona, AZ.  Recently voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America."  No argument there.  Does it feel like home yet?  No.  Are the boxes gone?  No.  Have I bought furniture yet?  No.

I still feel in sort of a state of limbo.  A fleeting thought here and there of "when I get back" or "before I leave" - and then I realize that I'm not going back.  I'm not sure the boxes will ever be gone - I've run out of places to put things (gee, maybe there should be fewer things?).  Have not bought any furniture.  Stores here are few and far between.  Being indecisive means repeated trips to stores an hour away, not knowing what I want and not finding anything exciting.  Oh well - I do have my bed and a patio chair.

I'm finally getting back out on the trails, and soaking up all that Sedona has to offer.  I'm constantly amazed at what grows here, the diversity of plants and trees.  I hiked in Jacks Canyon on Wednesday, not far from the house.  If you would see this trail during other times of year, it would not seem to have much to offer.  There is little shade, and in summer it can be a very hot hike.  But today?  In a round trip of about 5.5 miles, I saw more than 30 different kinds of wildflowers blooming.  From the monochromatic Cream Cups to the deep blue of Larkspur, more of that fabulous Antelope Horn (milkweed) that I saw the other day.  Orange Globemallow, fuchsia Penstemon, purple Goodings Verbena, Scarlet Bugler...and countless different yellows. 

     Mexican Goldpoppies bloom against a charred trunk

        - remnant of a wildfire in this area a few years ago

Indian Paintbrush - always a

favorite of mine

My usual stopping point on this hike is at the "tank" - a watering hole about 2 miles into the canyon.  It's always been a good place to sit in the shade of a juniper and watch the birds that come by.  Always hope for thirsty mammals to show up, but none ever have.  Approaching the rim of the tank, I try to be quiet so that I don't scare off any critters.  The surprise was on me this time - the tank is dry!  Only a couple of mud puddles remain.  This is the first time I've seen it dried up and this early in the year, that is not a good sign. 

The tank is high and dry...

I did take a rest in the shade, and then decided to hike a bit further into the canyon.  Wow, I'm glad I did!  It's obvious that this part of the trail is not well-traveled.  It becomes narrow and sandy, crossing several dry washes.  The canyon walls rise up, the trees grow taller, the only sounds are the birds and the breeze through the treetops.  Beautiful, just beautiful.  Next time, I'll continue farther and see what's around the next bend.  And the next.

There was some great raptor action along the trail today as well.  A Coopers Hawk was chasing a Red-Tailed Hawk.  A short time later, several flycatchers were chasing a Coopers Hawk.  A life-list bird for me as well, a Lark Sparrow.  Yay!

Also saw my first snake of the year, on the way back.  Some sort of orange and black thing.  I tapped my trusty hiking stick, and it slithered back into its snaky space.  I know my snake-ophile friends are tsk-tsking at this, but I don't care.  I don't like snakes, I don't want to see snakes.  I'm sure there will be more, but I hope I can always spot them before our encounters become too close.  There's been a large beetle-y thing flitting around at the house.  Thanks to good ol' Google, I found out that it is a Tarantula Hawk.  There is actually an insect that preys on Tarantulas!  As I like Tarantulas about as much as I like snakes, that would seem to be a good thing.  On the other hand, that insect is scary enough on its own!

A few events coming up - a condor lecture at Red Rock State Park, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, a native plant expo at a local nursery.  I've applied to be a volunteer ranger with the city of Sedona, and waiting for the background check to be completed.  I hope to fill my time learning more about my new world, and volunteering when I can.  I miss my daughter terribly.  I miss my friends terribly.  I miss my "old" life.  I am grateful for the sweet company of Otis - he's a good listener - when he doesn't have his head in a bag of lettuce!

In time, I suppose this new life will be a good fit and the change will be less painful.  For now, I'll count the wildflowers, chase the birds, enjoy the warmth and try to adjust to my new world.  And maybe get rid of a box or two as well...

My favorite lines from William Blake's "Auguries of Innocence:"

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

Getting Ready

April 5, 2011

I've been thinking lately about all the things in life that we count.  Important ones and others that don't matter in the grand scheme of things.  Sheep to sleep.  Our lucky stars.  Blessings.  Count me in.  Count me out.  "If I could count the number of times I..."  The pounds on the scale.  The miles we've run/walked/driven.  The hours we've worked - or not.  The 10 second countdown to a new year.  Birthdays.  At the present time, the number of boxes stacked throughout my house.  The people on whom we can count.  In my case, that last one counts most!

NIFB:

When I began volunteering at Northern Illinois Food Bank, my first shift there involved inspecting and packing frozen meat in the warehouse.  Although I'm not a vegetarian, I'm not all that fond of meat - especially the uncooked variety.  Why was I there, doing such an unpleasant task?  Five years and countless boxes of meat (and lots of other products) later, I found that it has been some of the hardest and most rewarding work in my life.  It was pure luck that I chose to volunteer on Monday mornings, working with a group of people who quickly became my friends.  How could I have known that I would soon look forward to those Monday shifts - frozen meat or not?


    Motley Monday crew, giving me quite the send-off!

Hard at work on "the line" in the food processing room

With my pet project, the Wall of Shame - all of the      

non-food donations.  Each week I would try to reorganize

 it, so that others could mess it up again.             

The colorful fliers on the wall are instructions           

for how this stuff should be sorted.                     

 They actually function as wall art -                     

because no one pays any attention!                    

KCCN:

I'm not sure exactly when my real interest in nature began, but it was again a stroke of luck that I found out about the Kane County Certified Naturalist Program.  I'm proud to say I was part of the very first graduating class of this outstanding program.  I'm now a card-carrying Certified Naturalist.  (I don't think neurotics get nicely laminated cards, so that one doesn't count.)  I not only learned about our environment - flora/fauna/history, but I had the opportunity to contribute to caring for our local natural treasures.  Cutting brush, planting/collecting seeds and oak trees, caring for newly planted trees were just some of the tasks I enjoyed.  Those things led to birdwatching - yes, birds get counted too.  Counting the "peents" of Woodcocks on an early spring evening.  Counting all the varieties of wildflowers along our trails - our crazy weather of late allowed me to see many of them in bloom.  I would have missed them otherwise.  Yesterday, there was a gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail on my viburnum!

At this time in life, making new friends was less easy - as a parent, so many friends are found through our kids and their activities.  With a grown daughter, that phase had ended.  But what an amazing new chapter began!  Sharing some nature classes and volunteer time with a few fun people turned into sharing time together outside of that realm.  Which turned into a smaller, then larger group of incredible women getting together to laugh and eat and talk and yes, howl at the full moon. 

I have many fun pics of our Nature Nerd activities - unfortunately for this writing, they are stored on discs in a box somewhere in the twilight zone...

  Sphinx Moth on a Fringed Gentian (at Carol's Wetland). 

              This counts as one of my favorite photos!

Milkweed fluff - one of nature's small miracles

There is so much to say and so much that I will miss, that I am left wondering why this all seemed like a good thing to do.  Pack up - countless boxes and life as I know it - and start over in a small town far away.  Will it eventually prove to be a good decision?  That remains to be seen.  But for now, I will count the "knowns" in my life.

I know that I have friends who have given me more laughter and fun and support than I could have imagined.  Friends from whom I've learned, with whom I've played, who have made me feel valued and trusted.  For all of you, I hope I have responded in kind and that you know how much I love and treasure our friendship.  How much I will miss you.  How fortunate I have been to know you.

And how you had better keep in touch - and come visit!

A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely.
Pam Brown

Come on out to visit and enjoy some of the great trails

in and around Sedona.  You'll catch Red Rock fever!

With love and thanks to all of you...
Kim

Getting Back to the Top

March 7, 2012

The day of the big climb UP.  Early breakfast, packing up.  Mary and Kathy left just before daylight.  I hung around a while and watched the sky turn a gloomy gray.  Weather predictions still not good - high winds/rain/snow.  I took last looks around Phantom and headed for the Bright Angel Trail.  When I reached the Silver Bridge, it began to rain.  I donned my parka, which was more like one of those plastic bags used in the oven for roasting turkeys.  Quite chilly out, but my cocoon did not breathe and I quickly overheated.  I didn't want to get wet, but as soon as the drizzle stopped - that plastic sheet came off and the cold, fresh air was a welcome relief.

Leaving Phantom

I enjoyed the walk along the river during the first part of the trail.  Winding but mostly level, with nice views and the sound of the water kept me company.  Very few people here, and I always enjoy the solitude.

             Looking back upriver at the two bridges

Continuing along the Bright Angel Trail

New toilets at the Pipe Creek rest house - yay!  The trail turns away from the Colorado River and into the canyon for the trip to the rim. 

Didn't seem to take long to get to the switchback area known as Devil's Corkscrew - this spot gets really hot in summer with no shade available, and unprepared hikers often get into trouble here in the searing heat.

Looking down at the "corkscrew"

When I got near the top of this area, a large bird flew directly toward me - a condor!  The light was rather low and flat, and none of my photos turned out.  He was also flying eye-level to me and I could never get a read on his tag number.  It was a joy to watch as he floated in circles before landing on the cliff face across from me. 

Brittlebush in bloom              

Onward.  Upward.  Cold. Hot.  Windy.  Not.  Flurries.  When I reached Indian Garden - a campground about half way to the top - I was wearing a tank top with my pants and it began to snow quite hard.  I was glad for the small shelter and put my warmer clothes back on.  The problem with this weather - stopping for even a brief break left me chilled.  A quick snarf of my bagel and a snack, and a refill of water bottles.  This is the only place to get water on the hike up.

A quick lunch and shelter from the snow

Indian Garden is also the spot from which the trail really began to climb.  Luckily, the wind did not kick up and after the Indian Garden snowfall, I met only flurries. 

Catching snowflakes on my mittens

And hey!  Peeks of sun!  The light over the canyon behind and below me is dramatic, with low clouds, streaks of sunlight, changing every few minutes.  My frequent stops to catch my breath gave me a chance to enjoy the views.

OK, the almost-breaking point. I knew I was still below the 3-mile Rest House. I looked up the trail and watched tiny people ascending the switchbacks. Had one of "those" moments. "I can't do this." Want some cheese with that whine? After a water/snack break, I recalled the words of Greg, our dinner server from the night before at Phantom. Concerned hikers were asking him about weather reports and after answering questions, he said that we all need to remember what the staff there says about hiking up - "Rejoice, Rejoice, You Have No Choice." LOL. So true! Got myself together and up I went.

Aahhh, the 3 Mile House. A break and a good laugh watching a squirrel run off with a hiker's snack bag. The bag was larger than the squirrel. Hiker chased him, squirrel dropped bag that now has holes in it. Squirrel returned and dashed toward packs. Hiker chased. Repeat.

    Break time at 3 Mile Rest House - and peeks of sun

The ever-changing light over my favorite place on earth

The trail got sloppy and quite muddy in places.  Farther up, there was some packed snow but I did not encounter any ice.  Good thing, because I was too tired to put on my YakTrax.  1.5 Mile Rest House.  The trail got steeper and steeper, but every step brought me closer to the top.  No looking up now -too discouraging.  The lower tunnel.  More switchbacks.  When the upper tunnel came into view, I knew I had it made.

Got mud?

    Saw these petroglyphs under a rock ledge, just below
    the upper tunnel.  Reddish drawings of animals - elk?
    Deer? Very cool.


A last turn or two and...

WOOHOO!!!

I had never seen Mary or Kathy along the trail, but we reunited at Bright Angel Lodge.  A tired, but happy trio.  Mary drove us through the area where employees are housed, and I got to see the very cool house in which they lived when their father worked for the Park Service.  We then headed back to Sedona and shared our stories of the hike up. 

It seems normal to think that after making this climb out - I'll never do THAT again.  Right.  Already trying to figure out when I might return...