A difficult journey...

Here's a challenge: name a movie or book that includes a situation where people are forced to go on a long, difficult journey- walking, hiking. I am thinking of something like the Sound of Music where they need to climb over the Alps. I also started reading a book but never finished it where Jewish refugees were constantly on the move from the Nazis. Let me know. I am having a hard time getting comments, but you can try that route or you can write me at cleblanc46 . at . gmail (. com). I don't mean to be difficult with my email address it will be the usual format ___ @___.com but I it seems like bloggers all take this precaution against spammers. Send me your movie and book ideas!

Let's Keep Moving! More Walks!

WALK THE WALK, County Park Walk Series, Walk Into Fall!
from Jack Welch

FRIDAY 28 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Sawmill Park
Start Location: Police Department Parking Lot
911 Sawmill Road next to the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking that will include a visit with a Flagstaff Legend - Elson Miles.
His Bicycle Shop - Bici-Mundo is located on Brennan and is a fun place to visit. Elson will tell us a few of his Flagstaff Stories and then we'll finish the walk. I promise we'll be back to the cars by 9:15 AM

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST - Change in details - Please Read!
County Park Walk Series
Raymond County Park
Start Location: Raymond County Park which is located off I-17 at the Kachina Village/Mountainaire Exit. Raymond Park is right on the frontage Road. At the Exit turn right and then right again. The parking lot is around the corner. The Park can be seen from the exit ramp.
Time: 8:00 AM
We will gather at Raymond Park and then convoy over to the Pumphouse Wash Trailhead (about a mile away). Giving directions would be difficult. Our walk will be about 3 total miles on the Pumphouse Wash Trail where I have never been.

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Peaks View County Park:
Location: In Doney Park. Make a right onto Silver Saddle Road (from 89a - past Townsend-Winona)And another right at the stop sign. Peaks View is behind the Summit Fire Station
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking as we take a look of the Rio de Flag where it runs through Doney Park.

TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2009
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking. Fast and Slow Pace
Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend!

INTERPRETIVE HIKES
from Stephen Hirst

Thursday, August 27, 7 am to noon
AZ Trail: Marshall Lake to Canyon Vista
Join rangers Jane Jackson and Judi Irons for a car-shuttle through hike. Go 5.5 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Canyon Vista Campground and meet at the parking area at the back of the campground. After stationing cars at both ends, the hike will begin at Marshall Lake and lead through forested views across Anderson Mesa down to a shaded lunch stop along the dry bed of Walnut Creek and then up Sandy's Canyon to finish at Canyon Vista. Bring hiking boots, plenty of water, and lunch. Difficulty: moderate with one long, rocky downhill and a few good uphills. Participate by reservation only. Call 527-8222 by August 25 to reserve a spot and indicate how many passengers you can carry.

Saturday, August 29, 9 to 11 am
Pull It? But... It's Pretty
Join ranger Judi Irons for an easy nature walk along Little Elden Springs Trail to learn about invasive plants and benefit the forest by pulling them out. Bring gloves, water, and snack. Bags will be available. Go north 9 miles on Hwy 89 past Townsend-Winona Road and turn left on FR 556 (Elden Spring Road). Go 2.5 miles to Little Elden Springs Trailhead on the right (not the Horse Camp). Call 527-8222 for information.

Saturday, August 29, 9 am to noon
The Cursed Incline
Climb Flagstaff Lumber Co.'s ill-fated railroad incline up Anderson Mesa with rangers Steve and Lois Hirst. Hear from the horse's mouth about the shipwrecked log train, the Walnut Canyon bridge collapse, and the fireman's jump for his life. See remnants of long-gone logging operations atop the mesa. Difficulty: moderate with a 300-foot elevation gain. Bring water and snacks. Go seven miles south on Lake Mary Road to meet at the first gravel pullout a half mile past the old dam on Lower Lake Mary. Call 527-8222 for information.

Saturday, August 29, 3 to 4 pm
Nature Walk
Ranger John Westerlund will lead a walk for the whole family on the Dairy Springs Loop Trail. Meet at Dairy Springs amphitheater at 3 pm. Go 20 miles south of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road to Mormon Lake turnoff. Proceed 3.5 miles to Dairy Springs. Call 526-1157 ext 273 for information.

Sunday, August 30, 9 am to noon
The Hart Prairie Shield Volcano
You've heard about it; now see it: the shield volcano that created the famed Lava Tube and spread its lava over square miles all the way to the Navajo Army Depot (which wasn't there at the time, believe it or not). Rangers Richard Holm and Bill and Ellen Wade will show this one-of-a-kind volcano and the tuff ring that formed on top of it. See a spatter cone, craters, and a lava dike and hear about early early homesteaders who left their mark and their names on the landscape as well. Great views of the Peaks. Go north on US 180 past MP 225 to follow FR 151 3.6 miles and meet at FR 9001U. Difficulty: easy. Bring water, good shoes. No dogs please. Call 527-8222 for information.

Every step we take...

I was reading the Dot Earth blog (one of the blogs I have listed on the side) the other day and they were talking about this artist, Chris Jordan. The purpose of Chris Jordan’s art work is to show how one action by one person can build up to something colossal when you consider everybody. Mostly he was focusing on negative activities or results, for example: art created from plastic refuse found in the Pacific Ocean (this is what got my attention, it’s amazing), the number of plastic cups airlines use stacked in a mind- boggling display, cigarette cartons fashioned into a skull portrait.
He covers a wide-array of issues, many of them having to do with our impact on the environment. After I saw his paper cup towers, I tried to hide my Starbucks cardboard cup that had held a delightful chai latte. According to this piece of “art” we collectively use 410,000 paper cups every 15 minutes.
I remember when I was growing up and I would think about littering. For some reason I remember people saying that it was no big deal, but that might have been in my mind, manufactured for the sake of my mental argument. “Yes, but” my young mind would continue, “if everyone littered then it would be a big deal. So we all have to do our part and not litter.” The point is that littering, drinking from a plastic cup, driving just because it’s easy, using something once and throwing it away- none of these activities is a big deal when just one person does them. But we are millions of people, actually billions- 6.5 billion and growing- all doing these activities.
I did a quick, and very inaccurate (very low estimate), calculation of miles we drive every week in Flagstaff. I based it on driving five miles per day for seven days, I would venture that most people drive more than that. I will let you know if I ever find the statistics to back this up. I based it on a low mileage week for me, just to show you how the numbers add up quickly. So assuming that around 30,000 people in Flagstaff, out of a population of 62,000 (all ages) drive at least 35 miles per week, that would equal 1.05 million miles per week or 383 million miles per year- four times to the sun and back in a year. And that’s just Flagstaff. Imagine if you include Arizona, the United States, the world.
After I saw the 410,000 paper cups, I got to thinking, “Hey, I have a cup I can bring to Starbucks and they can refill it.” I guess that’s a small start to lessening those paper cup towers. Next year I will ride the bus to Climb to Conquer Cancer because driving does make a difference.
For all of my negative behaviors, anything I can change, I believe can make a difference. Naysayers can say I am just trying to empty the ocean with a bucket. But just flip those art pieces around. What if he showed us: the cumulative impacts of people biking or walking to work, choosing to reduce and reuse or do without, or ???
But no guilt to what I do, I will focus on what I can do and I will have my latte- just in my reusable mug.

Squirrel in sight

I can't help it, this makes me laugh. I know most of you have probably seen this but just in case you haven't here it is- the crasher squirrel.
Some walks, as you can see, are very memorable. This couple was hiking in Banff and had stopped to get a automatic photo of themselves in this gorgeous setting. They had a remote trigger for the camera. This ground squirrel was so curious it popped up in front of the camera when it heard the shutter going off. Say "cheese."

A Wednesday Walk List for You

Walk the Walk, County Park Walks
from Jack Welch

WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST
Flagstaff Trails Talk Meeting
A presentation by Kay Perelstein
Those who wander - Alzheimer's Disease
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM
We live inside a big woods with many trails - An easy place to get lost.
Please make plans to attend this discussion about folks who have this
problem and the people who live with them. It's a delicate subject I know but
one we all need to know more about.
Everybody Welcome!
Please do bring a friend!
I'll bring the Store Bought Cookies

FRIDAY 21 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Sawmill County Park
Start Location: Flagstaff Police Department
911 Sawmill Road
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking as we use the FUTS and sidewalks for a walk out to the community college. Expect a few good hills.

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Peak's View County Park
Start Location: Parking Lot which is located on Koch Field Road behind the fire station.
Off Silver Saddle Road
Time: 8:00 AM
About 4 total miles of walking over to the social trail around Old Caves Crater

SUNDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
County Parks Walk Series
Raymond County Park
Start Location: Raymond Parking Lot which is down I-17 - Leave the highway at the Kachina Village and Mountainaire exit
Go right onto the frontage road and Raymond park is just around the corner. You can
see the parking lot from I-17
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking over to the Pumphouse Wash trailhead

NPS/USFS INTERPRETIVE HIKES
from Stephen Hirst

Thursday, August 20, 9 to 11 am
Walnut Canyon Historic Cabin
Journey back in time with ranger Jane Jackson at Walnut Canyon National Monument on an easy two-mile guided walk to the 1904 log cabin built by the first ranger to protect the cliff dwellings from pilfering pot hunters. No dogs please. Participants must be 16 or older. Limit of 8; reservations required at 526-3367. Park entrance fee. Meet at Walnut Canyon visitor center at 8:45. Difficulty: easy. Call 527-8222 for information.

Saturday, August 22, 3 to 4 pm
Nature Walk
Ranger John Westerlund will lead a walk for the whole family on the Dairy Springs Loop Trail. Meet at Dairy Springs amphitheater at 3 pm. Go 20 miles south of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road to Mormon Lake turnoff. Proceed 3.5 miles to Dairy Springs. Call 526-1157 ext 273 for information.

Saturday, August 22, 9 am to noon
Riding the Rails on the Flim-Flam
Join rangers Steve and Lois Hirst for a four-mile hike along Flagstaff Lumber Co.'s Flagstaff and Southern Railroad. Learn about lumbering and railroading when Flagstaff was young along one of its most colorful operations. Difficulty: easy. Bring water and snacks. Drive 20 mi south on Lake Mary Road to the Dairy Springs/Mormon Lake Lodge turnoff and go two miles to meet at FR 132. Call 527-8222 for information.

The lovely ponderosa

Check out this NPR story on the ponderosa tree- it focuses on walks led by Stephen Hirst in the woods near Flagstaff! (I list those walks on Wednesday)Be sure to look at the photos by Tom Bean, they are beautiful!

Back to School

Yesterday was the first day of school for my sixth grade son. I always feel a little bit of sadness when school starts, even if I am ready for it- really ready for it. On the way to school this time, I couldn't help but reminisce on walking on the trail through the woods when my son was in kindergarten- six years ago. When we first started walking on the trail my son discovered a half-buried old wagon wheel near the base of a ponderosa pine tree. Really the outline of the wheel was all you could see but you could tell what it was. As the years passed, more soil washed away and more of the wheel became exposed. We enjoyed seeing part of the old west history as we headed to the school. Unfortunately, someone else noticed the wheel, soon after work was completed in the area, and the wheel was dug out, just scraps of wood were left. I picked up one of those scraps and wished I had taken a photo of the wheel to go along with it. But we still have our memories.

Walks Galore

County Parks Walk Series/ Walk-the-Walk
from Jack Welch

FRIDAY 14 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Sawmill Park
Start Location: Flagstaff Police Department Parking Lot
Time: 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
About 4 total miles of walking as we trek Sinclair Wash down to the Confluence of the Rio de Flag,
Sinclair Wash and Bow and Arrow Wash.

SATURDAY 15 AUGUST Please note the start time
Walk The Walk
FUTS Tunnel Under Highway 17
Start Location: Pullian Airport in the parking lot furthest from the terminal
Time: 5:00 PM 5:00 PM
About 4 total miles of walking as we use the tunnel under I-17 over to Ft Tuthill County Park

SUNDAY 16 AUGUST
Kendrick Mountain Climb
Start Location: Out Ft Valley Road which becomes Highway 180. At FR 245 (about 15 miles from the Flagstaff City Hall) turn left. Drive 3 miles to FR 171. Turn right for three more miles to FR 190.
Turn right and its less than a 1/2 mile to the trailhead
Time: 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
Distance: 9 Total Miles
A beautiful hike with some wonderful views. The second highest mountain in Arizona

TUESDAY 18 AUGUST
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles in and around the surrounding neighborhood

THE THIRD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED!

WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST
Flagstaff Trails Talk Meeting
A presentation by Kay Perelstein
about a seldom discussed subject -
Those who wander - Alzheimer's Disease
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM
We live inside a big woods with many trails - An easy place
to get lost. This important discussion will be about folks who
have this problem and the people who live with them.
It's a delicate subject but one we all need to know more about.
Everybody Welcome!
Please do bring a friend!

USFS/NPS INTERPRETIVE HIKES
from Steve Hirst

Thursday, August 13, 9 am to noon
Walnut Canyon Overlook
Join ranger Jane Jackson on this five-mile walk along the Arizona Trail horse bypass. The way passes through open oak-conifer forest and crosses a small canyon on the way to an overlook into Walnut Canyon. See an ancient landscape with a wide variety of plants and trees. Difficulty: moderate with canyon crossing. Take I-40 east to Walnut Canyon and follow monument access road to FR 303 (Old Walnut Canyon Road) before monument entrance. Follow FR 303 two miles to Arizona Trailhead parking area. Difficulty: moderate with canyon crossing. Bring hiking shoes, water, and snacks. Trekking poles helpful. Call 527-8222 for information.

Friday, August 14, 9 am to 1 pm
The Mineral Belt Meets the Flim-Flam new hike
Join rangers Steve and Lois Hirst and accompanying historians as they trace the grade of the abandoned Arizona Mineral Belt railroad south from Pine Grove to its junction with the Flagstaff & Southern RR. Follow portions of the 800-mile Arizona Trail through sunny meadows and ponderosa glades and use the new trail gate at Pine Grove. No more bending through barbed wire! Go 18 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Pine Grove Campground. Park in the first pullout on the campground access road. Difficulty: moderate for five-mile distance. Level. Bring hiking shoes, water, lunch or snack for lunch break at Railroad Tank. Call 527-8222 for information.

Sunday, August 16, 9 am to noon
The Lava Tube
Join special ranger Heidi Strickfaden on an exploration of the Hart Prairie shield volcano lava tube. Yes, you heard right: HEIDI, yielding to popular demand for a command performance of her signature hike. She will lead you three-quarters of a mile underground into a cavern made by flowing lava thousands of years ago. Wear ankle-height boots and a jacket (It's cool down there). Even though it's 35 feet high in places, a bicycle or ski helmet is recommended for occasional low ceilings. At least one flashlight per person is a must. Difficulty: moderate for rocky footing and occasional skooching. Meet at parking area at intersection of highway 180 and Snowbowl Road. Group limit 20 and age limit 12 or older; call 527-8222 for reservations. Leave your name and number if I'm not in, and I'll call to confirm.

Good News

Good news, just in. Walking has improved my health.

I think I have mentioned that walking makes me feel better, that my day feels a little lost without starting it off with a walk. I also have felt some other “unquantifiables.” I feel I have more energy and can do more through the day. I find it much easier to complete physical tasks. My attitude is much better and I feel happier. But until my doctor’s appointment I had nothing tangible to point to- I haven’t lost any weight, at all. But something else changed.
When the nurse, at the appointment, first took my blood pressure I had to ask her to take it again. It was too low! 100/65
My blood pressure is usually in the 120/80 range and sometimes is higher. My family has a history of high blood pressure so it’s something I watch for. So I thought of a ton of stressful stuff and she took it again: 110/70. I haven’t had a reading like that since my 20s.
I realize it’s one reading, but I am hopeful it’s a sign that I am moving in the right direction.

Granny D

Oh the summer doldrums have set in. Sometimes, when I lack motivation, I look to others for inspiration. Have you heard of Granny D?
I remember following her walk across America in support of campaign finance reform in the late 1990s. It took her a little over 14 months to make it coast to coast- talk about a dedicated walker. Anyone who literally walks across America can be an inspiration, the thing with Granny D is she did it when she was 89 years old, going on 90. She has been an activist most of her life- she and her husband helped stopped the use of the h-bomb in Alaska in the 1960s and in 2004 she was the Democratic candidate for one of New Hampshire’s U.S. senate seats. She received 34% of the votes even though she started her campaign just four months before the election (after the other democratic candidate pulled out). She is what this country is all about. Apparently, she is still alive and celebrated her 99th birthday this year. In 2007, HBO released a documentary about her called Run Granny Run. And she has written a couple of books. Check out this brief video about her, made by Northeastern University and released by the Boston Globe.

Early August Walks

We just got back from a relaxing swimming vacation in Phoenix- hot but fun. Not much walking done.
Here are the week's walks.

Coconino County Parks Walk Series, Walk-the-Walk, Big Brothers, Big Sisters 1/2 Marathon
from Jack Welch

PLEASE TAKE PART IN THE NEW COCONINO COUNTY PARKS WALK SERIES 12 Walks in and Around Flagstaff's County Parks
Sponsored by "THE FRIENDS OF COCONINO COUNTY PARKS"

The Coconino County Parks Walk Series starts with a walk on Friday 7 August through Sawmill County Park and ends on the last day of the Coconino County Fair Monday 7 September with a walk at Ft Tuthill County Park
All of walks in this series will start at 8:00 AM

Directions to the 4 parks can be found at the bottom of this schedule

FRIDAY 7 AUGUST
County Parks Walk Series
Sawmill County Park
Start Location: Flagstaff Police Department Parking Lot
911 Sawmill Road
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking over to the NAU campus and back
Everybody Welcome!
Please do Bring a Friend!

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST
Big Brothers and Big Sisters 1/2 Marathon Walk
Start Location: In front of City Hall
Time: 6:00 AM
13.1 miles on a well marked and well supported walk mostly in the forest
and meadow up on Observatory Mesa.
The 1/2 marathon run starts at 7:30 AM
Our walk starts at 6:00 AM
If you are interested in doing the walk look at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters web site or
you can get the entry form from me.

SUNDAY 9 AUGUST Please note the starting time!
Walk The Walk
Railroad Springs Neighborhood FUTS
Start Location: Arizona Daily Sun Parking Lot
Corner of Thompson and West Route 66
Time: 5:00 PM 5:00 PM
About 4 total miles of walking which will include a traverse through the Sheep herders
tunnel under the Railroad Tracks

TUESDAY 11 AUGUST
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles in and around the surrounding neighborhood
START LOCATIONS FOR COUNTY PARK WALK SERIES

Sawmill County Park
703 Sawmill Road. Next to the Flagstaff Police Department near the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.

Raymond County Park
I-17 Exit at Mountainaire and Kachina Village off the Frontage Road (west side of I-17).
Turn Right and then a quick right onto the Frontage Road. Raymond park is around the corner and can be seen from the I-17 exit ramp

Peaks View County Park
Behind the Fire Station in Doney Park. Turn Right onto Silver Saddle Road from Highway 89 (past Townsend-Winona Road). From Silver Saddle Turn right onto Koch Field Road (At the Stop Sign)

Ft Tuthill County Park
I-17 Exit at Airport. Stay on the west side of I-17. Ft Tuthill is on the west side of Highway 89.
Or
Beulah Ave become Highway 89 at Lake Mary Road. Ft Tuthill is about 2 miles further south on
Highway 89

USFS/NPS Interpretive Hikes

from Stephen Hirst

Saturday, August 8, 9 to 11 am
Ghost Railway: Walkin' the Belt to Lake Mary new hike
Join rangers Steve and Lois Hirst on the Arizona Mineral Belt RR, one man's grand vision to lay a railroad from Flagstaff to Mexico. This short walk traces its still-visible, 120-year-old grade north from Pine Grove Campground to the edge of Lake Mary. The way leads through meadows and open glades of oak and ponderosa. Difficulty: easy. Go 17 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Pine Grove Campground turnoff. Meet at the first pullout on the campground access road. Call 527-8222 for information.

Saturday,August 8, 3 pm
Family Nature Walk
USFS ranger Steve Hirst will lead a walk for the whole family on the Dairy Springs Loop Trail. Meet at Dairy Springs amphitheater at 3 pm. Go 20 miles south of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road to Mormon Lake turnoff. Proceed 3.5 miles to Dairy Springs. Call 527-8222 for information.

The Walk That Was Never Meant To Be

I should have stayed in bed. I wanted to. Really wanted to. But I got up, figuring my dog, Pip, needed the walk. Dilly-dallied around and headed out the door with Pip. And he nearly yanked my arm off. I looked and looked for what he wanted to chase and finally found the tiny black kitten blending with the neighbor’s car tire- just two golden eyes peering out at us. Our neighbor’s kitten, outside to romp around for awhile. I dragged my dog up the street, happy he didn’t chase the cat to who-knows-where and settled into the walking grove.
And then the black furball of puppy attacked- actually it darted out of nowhere and lay prostrate and peed all over itself to show Pip that it meant no harm. Cute thing. Problem was it started following us and wanted to play with Pip. Quandary, do I continue hoping the puppy stops? Or look for the puppy’s owner? I don’t know why, but I chose the later, kind of already knowing the answer. The puppy was dirty and had no ID. But I can always hope. Skipping ahead and making a long, sad story short- one neighbor believes the puppy was dropped off in our neighborhood. We are going on a trip, a short trip, but a trip where we can’t leave a puppy at our house. So this puppy is destined for the humane society.
I believe it will be adopted. He is cute. This tears me apart, bringing him to the humane society, so if you know him or know someone who would like to adopt him. PLEASE send them to the Coconino Humane Society.