Is that fennel in your backpack?

I love the bounty of the fall season. I love going to the Farmer's Market on 4th and smelling the roasting chiles. Yum. I usually buy a quarter of a case (?) of the mild or medium chiles. Meanwhile, folks around me are buying cases of the hot chiles. I wonder what they do with them. I'd love to hang out in their kitchens.
This year I have finally been a regular visitor to the seasonal Farmer's Market, downtown. We have been walking or riding our bikes down to get the fresh melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. One week I purchased some fennel for a salad and put it in my backpack. We then headed over to the craft show going on in the nearby park. A woman saw a fennel frond peeking out and asked, "Is that fennel in your backpack?" Turns out she had been looking for the market but ended up at the craft show, thinking that was it. I was happy to point it out to her. By the way, the fennel salad was delicious.




Corn from our Flagstaff garden.





hubby roasting chiles and onions (and corn?)





Watermelon grown in our garden in Flagstaff. This started from a volunteer seed (we didn't plant it. It didn't quite finish but looks good, eh?





Yummy tomatoes and cucumbers from a friend's garden in Utah

Walk Into Fall, Walk the Walk, Festival of Science
from Jack Welch

FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
Walk Into Fall
Location: Aquaplex Parking Lot next to Huntington
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around this interesting neighborhood
Fast and Slow Pace

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Festival Of Science in Wheeler Park
Time: 10AM - 2PM
I'll be hanging around the Picture Canyon booth the whole time so a visit
from you would be much appreciated.

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
Walk The Walk
In Search of the Wholly White Goat
A Walk to The John Elden Grave and Homestead Site
Start Location: Parking Area at the corner of Mountain Meadow and El Paso Drives From 89 (in front of the Flagstaff Mall) Turn onto Cummings (next to the Pizza Hut) and
follow that road around to El Paso Drive (next to Christensen School). Mountain Meadow
Drive is at the end of El Paso Drive near the Mountain Meadow Farm.
Time: 4:00 PM 4:00 PM
About 4 total miles of walking on some really hilly terrain up to the John Elden Grave, homestead and spring sites. Also where the famous Mt Elden fire started. There's a feral white goat running loose up in that area and if we are lucky we'll get to see it. Also, The Mountain Meadow Farm is always a beautiful place to see.

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER
Scalaway Mountain Climb
O'Leary Peak
Start Location: The trailhead is located just before the entrance into Sunset National Monument Turn at the Sign "O'Leary Group Camp Site" and follow the road back to the
trailhead.
Start Time: 7:00 AM 7:00 AM
Distance: About 10 total miles.
This is an exposed trail - mostly on an open road - which is why we are starting at 7:00 AM
But its worth it! The views of Sunset Crater, the lava field and the wonderful look into the Painted Desert from the Fire Tower are excellent. If you choose to do only one of these mountain climbs O'Leary is the one to do.

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
Walk Into Fall
Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood
Fast and Slow Pace

NPS/USFS Interpretive Hikes
from Stephen Hirst

Our 2009 swan song is set for next Sunday, and it takes us out in style. This has been another wonderful summer discovering our surroundings together, and we'll count on having you back next season. If any events of interest to you outdoor fanatics come up in the meantime, we'll try to notify you. And I will continue to be at the top of the Skyride on weekends until it shuts down for the season, sometime around mid-October, so come up and visit.

SNOWBOWL RANGER TALKS
USFS interpretive rangers Steve and Lois Hirst answer questions and give periodic presentations at the top of the scenic Skyride every weekend from 10 am to 4 pm Friday through Sunday until the end of fall color or the onset of wintry weather shuts us down to gear up for ski season. On October 4 during the Festival of Science, rangers Jane Jackson and Karen Malis-Clark will join them. The Skyride takes passengers to 11,500 feet above sea level for the greatest view in the Southwest.

Sunday, September 27, 9 to noon
Walk in Beauty new hike
Beginning at 8600 feet at the top of Lockett Meadow Campground, Steve and Lois Hirst will finish the season on the new Inner Basin trail that winds two miles up through old-growth forest and a vast aspen grove to meet the Pipeline Road 800 feet above. On no other trail occur so many stunning examples of every tree found on the Peaks. Arrange carpooling to the max and arrive early or camp at Lockett overnight due to high visitation with the onset of fall color! At least we hope for fall color; but it will be beautiful, color or not.

Go 12 miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 89 and go left across the divided highway at the Sunset Crater NM intersection onto FR 552 toward the Peaks. Follow signs approximately four miles to Lockett Meadow. Park in one of day-use parking areas and meet at upper end of campground. Difficulty: moderate with 800+ elevation change and four-mile round trip. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water and lunch. Trekking poles helpful. Call 527-8222 for information.

It's been awhile...

I didn't mean to wait so long to post again, but I have been out of town and then distracted. I went to Utah to visit with some friends. When I left Flagstaff it was late summer, almost-need-pants kind of weather. When I got back, four days later, it was full-fledged fall, thankful-for-a-jacket-in-the-morning temperature. And the leaves were changing.
There is still a ton of walking to do here in Flagstaff: fall hikes to see the aspen color, Festival of Science starts Friday, Farmer's Market continues until October 11 and Pedestrian Awareness Week starts next Wednesday, September 30. Be sure to do the Downtown Scavenger Hunt, as well as the other activities.

Walk the Walk, Walk into Fall, Senior Games, Workdays and more
from Jack Welch

FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Flagstaff Aquaplex
Corner of 4th Street and Huntington
just south of the 4th Street Overpass
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - SENIOR GAMES
SEPTEMBER 19TH AND SEPTEMBER 20
Pick up a registration packet at the Adult Center
The 10K Walk is on the 12th of September with a 7:00 AM start time

SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
Flagstaff Loop Trail Work Day
Please check the Flagstaff Biking Web Site for more details.

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER (morning)
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER (evening)
Flagstaff City Fest - I will be at the Picture Canyon Booth
Flagstaff City Hall
Time: 4:30 PM until 7:00 PM
Table top displays of this wonderful community asset.


NPS/USFS INTERPRETIVE HIKES
from Stephen Hirst

Thursday, September 17, 9 am to noon
Kachina Trail
Ranger Jane Jackson will guide a walk on one of Flagstaff's most beautiful trails with spectacular views and deep forest. Meet at the Kachina trailhead in first lower Snowbowl parking lot on right after entrance sign near top of Snowbowl Road. Difficulty: moderate. Wear hiking shoes and bring water and snack or lunch. Call 527-8222 for information.

Friday, September 18, 9 to 11 am
Building Lake Mary new hike
Join Steve and Lois Hirst on a short walk around the old Lower Lake Mary dam uncovering things you've always wondered about Flagstaff's history. Who was John Clark? How did Flagstaff get its name? Where did the Babbitts begin the CO Bar ranch? (You may be surprised) Did Lake Mary cover an underwater railway? What did Tim Riordan characterize as his greatest contribution to Flagstaff? (Hint: It wasn't Arizona Lumber & Timber) Call 527-8222 for information. Go six miles south on Lake Mary Road and pull into the Public-
Use area past the store and before the old dam. Meet in the parking
area.


Saturday, September 19, 3 pm
Nature Walk
Ranger John Westerlund will lead an informative hour-long 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, September 27, 9 to noon
Walk in Beauty- new hike
Beginning at 8600 feet at the top of Lockett Meadow Campground, Steve and Lois Hirst will finish the season on the new Inner Basin trail that winds two miles up through old-growth forest and a vast aspen grove to meet the Pipeline Road 800 feet above. On no other trail occur so many stunning examples of every tree found on the Peaks. Arrange carpooling to the max and arrive early or camp at Lockett overnight due to high visitation with the onset of fall color!

Go 12 miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 89 and go left across the divided highway at the Sunset Crater NM intersection onto FR 552 toward the Peaks. Follow signs approximately four miles to Lockett Meadow. Park in one of day-use parking areas and meet at upper end of campground. Difficulty: moderate with 800+ elevation change and four-mile round trip. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring water and lunch. Trekking poles helpful. Call 527-8222 for information.

Challenge update

How is the alternative transportation challenge going? So, so. I can't say I have eliminated all unnecessary car travel but I have reduced it. Here are some positive results from the challenge:
* I now walk or ride my bike to nearby events/ appointments/ shopping.
* Many days I avoid driving altogether.
* I am walking more than ever and feeling better for it.
* My son and I have made many carless trips to downtown Flagstaff.
I have far to go with my personal challenge, but I am enjoying the journey. One fun experience I had this past Sunday was a combination walk/ bus ride. My son and I started off by walking along the FUTS trail in Coconino Estates. What a treasure that trail is! Beautiful tree-lined, off-the-street walking/biking trail. We followed the FUTS to the downtown library and Sunday's Farmer's Market. Turns out the Route 66 celebration was also going on, so we picked up some melons, checked out some cool cars and then headed for the bus stop. We rode the Mountain Line bus back to the base of the hill near our home- very convenient bus stop. I now have no excuses for not riding the bus. This trip was in preparation for the upcoming Pedestrian Awareness Week. More on that later.
I am a little behind in getting the photo of the week posted. If you have any photos you would like to share, please email them to me. cleblanc46 at
gmail dot com. Family, I fixed the comment section, so you can now post your comments under "anonymous" without having to log in.

Don't stop now, keep walking

WALK THE WALK, WALK INTO FALL, SENIOR GAMES WALK

From Jack Welch

SENIOR GAMES WALK
10K - 6.2 miles
Meet on Saturday 12 September at 7:00 AM at Buffalo Park.
Expect some hills.
Do the 10 K walk in less than two hours and get a beautiful Senior Games Water Bottle plus we will have some modest food at the end and attendance prizes!

Don Carter will lead so bring your fast walker shoes
I will be the last walker for those who would prefer a lower foot speed.

Bring Water and wear suitable shoes. About half and half on pavement and gravel trail.

The Walk is not on the "Official" Entry Form for the Senior Games. It will be there next year if we get a good turnout this year. Just get the registration packet and fill out the entry form. Write "Walk" on the top of the page. There is a $10.00 registration fee to enter the Flagstaff Senior Games.
I hope to see you all there!

FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER - Please Read - Change of Venue!
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Flagstaff Aquaplex located on the corner of 4th Street (just across the bridge)and Huntington.
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood.
Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend!

**************************
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 7:00 AM Start
Senior Games 10K Walk
For more information see above!

***********************************
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER - Please note the start time!
Walk The Walk
Campbell Mesa - Located on Old Walnut Canyon Road which is off County Club Drive near
the golf driving range.
Time: 4:00 PM 4:00 PM
On really good hill at the beginning but five interesting loops on this wonderful trail system We'll do between 4 and 5 miles

MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Tree walk with Tom Degomez
Start Location: Flagstaff Police Department Parking Lot
911 Sawmill Road
Just east of Willow Bend Environmental Education Center
Time: 9:00 AM 9:00 AM
Between two and 3 miles of walking with stops for discussion about the trees
we will be seeing.Tom Degomez of the NAU Forestry Department will be
the leader and Willow Bend is the sponsoring agent.
I hope to see you all there!

TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER (morning)
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles in and around the surrounding neighborhoods

TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER (evening)
Trails Talk Meeting
Alaska and the Giant Bears
Location; Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM 6:30 PM
Collis and Charmain Lovely recently spent some time in Alaska and cam back with some remarkable slides about their adventures at a Grizzly Bear Site.
Please make plans to attend!
I'll bring the store bought cookies!

WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
Geo Caching Presentation
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM 6:30 PM
Please join Corrie Hannah for some information and instruction (GPS units) about
Geo Caching. Corrie will bring some units for some hands on activities and I'll bring
the store bought cookies.

NPS/ USFS INTERPRETIVE HIKES
From Stephen Hirst

Saturday, September 12, 9 am to 1 pm
Sandys Canyon
Join Steve and Lois Hirst on this five-mile walk to Fisher Point with discussions of volcanism, water resources, and plant life along the bed of Walnut Creek. Go 5.5 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Canyon Vista Campground. Meet at the Sandys Canyon trailhead in the day-use parking at the back of the campground. Difficulty: moderate with 300-foot elevation change. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring water, and lunch. Trekking poles helpful. Call 527-8222 for information.

Saturday, September 12, 3 pm
Nature Walk
Ranger John Westerlund will lead an informative hour-long 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.

Walking through the county fair...

My son and I went to the county fair this past Labor Day. While he was with friends on the rides, I got to walk around, and see...
sheep and goats












sleeping pigs












horses and llamas



















chickens, turkeys and geese

























honeybees














and my son flying through the air.

These trees I see

I decided to start identifying the plants along the walk we take to and from school each day. I thought I was being a smarty-pants starting with trees. Okay, we have ponderosas, oaks and junipers. Done. But…

I started taking photos and realized that we have two, no, make that three juniper species along the trail. Following is the identification to the best of my ability. I will ask one of the local botanists to check on this.

Of course we have Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa, we can see all ages of ponderosa, from black jack to yellowbelly. Check out my previous post to learn more about the beautiful ponderosa (it links to an NPR story).















Gambel Oak, Quercus gambelii, is another common tree in this area. It’s about time for acorns…




















Alligator Juniper, Juniperi deppeana, is the reason I got to thinking of doing this. I think this tree is so cool and so easy to identify- just look at its bark. Talk about a name being descriptive.

























Now here’s the hard part. I had one set of photos and started trying to identify the juniper I saw. I had a few too many questions that couldn’t be answered by the photos: one-seeded or two, drooping branches or not, one trunk or many, light blue berries or purple berries. The photos I had taken were not helpful. So I went back out. I was narrowing down the species to Utah juniper, Juniperus osteosperma, light blue berries, one trunk.































And then I found this tree- multiple trunks from the ground, purple berries- and so I identified it as Oneseed Juniper, Juniperus monosperma.

























So there we have it, three juniper species, one pine and one oak. Let me know if you think these juniper id's are in error. What trees do you see?

See you at the county fair!

WALKS AT THE COUNTY FAIR, WALK INTO FALL
from Jack Welch

WALKS AT THE COUNTY FAIR

1. All these walks start from the Cochise Ramada which is located next to the Tennis Courts
across from the paved County Fair Parking Lot.
2. All the walks start at 8:00 AM
3. Arrive before 8:00 AM and you can park free on the fair grounds parking lot.
4. Do a walk and gain free entry into the Fair

Schedule
FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
About 5 total miles of walking on the FUTS to FR 532. We'll use that road to get over to the old dam in Sinclair Wash

SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
About 4 total miles of walking on the Soldiers Trail behind the Race Track and Amphitheater

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
About 4 total miles of walking using the Bridge Trail which is above the Campground and Fair Grounds

MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
About 5 total miles using the Highland Trail over toward Kachina Village

A New Walk Has Just Been Added!
If you're looking for something unique and different -
TRY

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
Wild Food Walk
Led by Patty West
Start Location: Cochise Ramada
Time: 8:30 AM
A slow meander around the Ft Tuthill woodland to identify wild plant food sources and
medicinal plants.

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER (early morning)
Walk Into Fall
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood.
Fast and Slow Pace

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER (late morning)
Wildcat Plant Dedication as a new Class A facility
Location: The Wildcat Plant is located on Flagstaff El Paso Road which is on Old East Route 66 at the top of the first hill behind the new Home Depot Store. Go left on El Paso (off Route 66)to the plant
Time: 10:00 AM
Plant tours and short organized hikes around the site.
I know I'll be there. I hope you will be too!

I NEED SOME HELP! (Jack Welch)
It would be much appreciated if a few folks would volunteer to help me with the Cochise Ramada
from 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
I will be leading a walk that will end sometime inside that time frame and the ramada and bicycle parking facility have to be open and available. Nothing difficult. We just need someone to be present at the Ramada until I get back....

And Of Course you're all welcome to just drop by and hang out.
***********************
NPS/ USFS INTERPRETIVE HIKES
from Stephen Hirst

Labor Day Weekend. We're stretched a little thin, so this week is light on special events. We've got the county fair coming up and after that the Festival of Science so lots on tap. Later September will feature new hikes and hiking favorites, two of which are listed in the current Mountain Living as primo autumn treks. Come with us and learn why.

Our September brochure with all the listings will be available within the next day or so at the Visitor Center (train station), the Peaks Ranger Station across from the mall, Museum of Northern Arizona, the county fair, and at any of our events.

INTERPRETIVE HIKES
Thursday, September 3, 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, September 5, 3 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.