One of my favorite things...

Okay, I am back. I guess I got lost in wanting to do more for this troubled world. But I will remind myself of what my friend said, “every little step counts.” That’s why I still like “Going for a Walk,” every little step counts in walking and what you do in life.

So my son is doing this tracking project and taking all sorts of photos of animal tracks. Have I already talked about animal tracks? Probably. But on my list of favorite things they would rank pretty high. I feel like I am looking into the secret world of animals when I see their tracks- you usually don’t see the animal you just see where the animal was.

Sometimes stories are written in the tracks. Today, in the new snow, we saw where a squirrel jumped from a tree, hopped to an area, dug up some ponderosa needles, and went to another tree. Did the squirrel find something to eat under that patch of needles?

This past spring we visited Death Valley and stopped by the dunes. I had to stay back with our dog but the others headed off for a quick journey to the impressive sand dunes- my family and dozens of other people. As I hung close to the parking I checked out the vegetation and the sand near there. Hundreds of tracks told a tale of life hidden from these daytime visitors. Tractor-like tracks- an insect?, four-footed tracks with a tail on one side then another- a lizard, more lizards, more insects, mice, other rodents, rabbits, a fox? And now where were all of these critters?

Once I felt I chanced upon a nighttime story. We were coming home late in a light snow. As we drove up the road slowly we could see a group of five or six deer on the street under the streetlight. They kind of looked around before one-by-one they turned and trotted into the neighbor’s yard, into the darkness. My biologist-side explained that they had been on their way to some available vegetation. But for some reason the image that lingers is a night-gathering, a party for the deer. In my imagination what we had interrupted was a brief moment of the deer enjoying the spotlight. Maybe if we came upon the hoof prints left by these deer the next day, it would have looked like a dance.

Heartache and hope

Sigh. So much is going on this world that just makes me want to hang my head in despair. But really we can't afford to do that, can we.

I want to share this web site that I check out every day, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Every day they have a species highlighted that is in some way threatened in its continued survival. They list species from the entire living kingdom: fungi through primates. Most of the time, in my informal survey, the reason listed for the organism’s plight is habitat destruction. And, most of the time, that habitat destruction is human-caused, in one way or another.

Yesterday, I was stunned to see Grevy’s Zebra on the list. When I was in my 20’s I went to Kenya and went on a safari to Samburu National Park. I got to see Grevy’s Zebra next to the more common Plains Zebra. Grevy’s Zebra have narrow stripes and almost look brown. Apparently, only about 750 Grevy’s Zebra remain in the wild. Habitat loss and hunting account for part of this population decrease. Efforts are underway to protect this zebra, so there is hope.

When I see these threatened species I know the answers for their protection are not simple, people around the world are just trying to survive. In Kenya, safaris and eco-tourism are huge so that is why the Grevy’s Zebra have a good chance. Here in the U.S. we have a big impact on the land. But instead of being overwhelmed by what we need to do we need to remember that, as my friend, the super walker, said “every little bit counts.” So I can start, or continue, by walking and taking the bus more.

While out walking, I saw...

grey! And it was beautiful!

Plenty of walkin' goin' on...

I have included all of Jack Welch's March activities here in case I don't get to them as the month goes on. As you can see, there are plenty of activities.

SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY
Snow Shoe
Start Location: Entrance Into the Walnut Canyon National Monument
Time: Noon
Snow Shoe to the rim

SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY
Snow Shoe
Start Location: Lower Lake Mary Entrance Into the Parking Lot
Park along the road
Time: Noon
Snow Shoe to the shore of the lake

Walk The Walk & Snow Shoe Activities
MARCH 2010

TUESDAY 2 MARCH 2010
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

THURSDAY 4 MARCH
Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Location: City Hall in the Staff Conference Room upstairs across from the Mayor's office
Time: 4:30 PM
Discussion of location bicycle issues

THURSDAY 4 MARCH
Friends of the Rio de Flag Meeting
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM
Update on projects along the Rio de Flag and the Rio de Flag Walk Schedule will be
available. Everybody Welcome! Please do bring a friend

FRIDAY 5 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Office Max Parking Lot
Time: 9:00 AM
If the weather is good we'll walk outside. If its bad we'll go inside the mall for our 3 mile (total) walk

SATURDAY 6 MARCH
Snow Shoe
Start Location: NPOI Road (Marshall Lake turnoff) at the Top of Anderson Mesa.
Time: Noon
We'll use the Arizona Trail to snow shoe to the Lake Mary overlook.

SATURDAY 6 MARCH
Discovery Hike at Wupatki
Coyote Waters
Start Location: Wupatki Visitor Center
Time: Noon
Must call 928 679 2365 to reserve a spot
$5.00 fee to get into the National Monument
Check out the Wupatki Web Site for more complete details

SUNDAY 7 MARCH
Snow Shoe
Start Location: Walnut Canyon National Monument
Time: Noon
A different day a different route. Come be surprised!

TUESDAY 9 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

THURSDAY 11 MARCH
Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
Start Location: City Hall in the room behind the City Council Chambers
Time; 4:30 PM
Discussion about local pedestrian issues

FRIDAY 12 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Office Max Parking Lot
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking: Outside if the weather is good. Inside the mall if the weather is bad

NO SNOW SHOE THIS SATURDAY (tomorrow). I'M GOING TO WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANTELOPE HOUSE DISCOVERY HIKE

SATURDAY 13 MARCH
Discovery Hike at Wupatki
Antelope House
Start Location: Wupatki Visitor Center
Time: Noon
Must call 928 679 2365 to reserve a spot
$5.00 fee to get into the National Monument
Check out the Wupatki Web Site for more complete details

SUNDAY 14 MARCH
Snow Shoe
Start Location: Park outside the entrance (closed) into Lower Lake Mary parking area
Time: Noon
Different Day different route. Come and be surprised!

TUESDAY 16 MARCH (morning)
Walk Into Spring
Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

TUESDAY 16 MARCH (EVENING)
Outdoor Club Meeting Presentation
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Subject and presenter to be announced

NEW MORNING WALK FOR 2010

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH (St Patricks Day morning)
Walk Into Bushmaster Park
Start Location: Kachina Square which is located at the corner of
Steves and East Route 66 - In front of "It's About Coffee" Cafe
Time:
7:30 AM if you want coffee
7:50 AM The walk starts
About 3 total miles on a route that will take us through Bushmaster Park

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH (EVENING)
Outdoor Club Presentation
Location: Adult Center
Time; 6:00 PM
Subject and presenter to be announced

FRIDAY 19 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location to be announced!

START OF A NEW " WALK THE WALK" SERIES
12 WALKS ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE RIO de FLAG

SATURDAY 20 MARCH
Walk The Walk
Rio de Flag Series
Big and Little Leroux Springs
Start Location: Parking area corner of Highway 180 and Snowbowl Road
Time: Noon
About 5 total miles of walking to the start of the Rio de Flag waterway
Big and Little Leroux Springs. May be some mud so wear boots

SATURDAY 20 MARCH
Discovery Hike at Wupatki
East Mesa
Start Location: Wupatki Visitor Center
Time: Noon
Must call 928 679 2365 to reserve a spot
$5.00 fee to get into the National Monument
Check out the Wupatki Web Site for more complete details

SUNDAY 21 MARCH
Walk The Walk
Rio de Flag Series
Baderville Route of the Rio
Start Location: Parking lot at the corner of Highway 180 and SnowBowl Road
Time: Noon
About 3 total miles of walking to see where the Rio makes its grand turn southward.

TUESDAY 23 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH
Walk Into Bushmaster Park
Start Location: Kachina Square which is located at the corner of Steves and East Route 66 - In front of the "It's About Coffee" Kafe
Time: 7:30 AM if you want a cup of coffee
7:50 Walk Starts
About three total miles with a visit to Bushmaster Park included in the route.

THURSDAY 25 MARCH
Outdoor Club Meeting
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Subject and presenter will be announced

FRIDAY 26 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: To be announced
Time: 9:00 AM

SATURDAY 27 MARCH
Walk The Walk
Rio de Flag Series
Behind the Museum of Northern Arizona
Start Location: Museum of Northern Arizona Parking Lot
Time: Noon
About 3 total miles to see a new section of the FUTS and the wonderful Rio de Flag canyon behind the museum

SATURDAY 27 MARCH
Discovery Hike at Wupatki
Coyote Waters
Start Location: Wupatki Visitor Center
Time: Noon
Must Call 928 679 2365 to reserve a spot
$5.00 fee to get into the National Monument
Check out the Wupatki Web Site for more complete information

SUNDAY 28 MARCH
Walk The Walk
Rio de Flag Series
The Rio de Flag in Thorpe Park
Start Location: Marshall School parking lot on the corner of Thorpe Road and Bonito
Time: Noon
About 3 total miles of walking to see the route of the Rio through Thorpe Park

TUESDAY 30 MARCH
Walk Into Spring
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH
Walk Into Bushmaster Park
Start Location: Kachina Square which is located at the corner of Steves and
East Route 66 - in front of "It's About Coffee" cafe
Time:
7:30 AM if you want coffee
7:50 AM to start the walk
About 3 total miles of walking with Bushmaster Park along the route

Snowshoes!

This winter I made the untimely statement,"I am done with snow." That was before our "big" storm that brought us about four feet of snow. That was before the Arizona Daily Sun reported that we have had 118 inches of snow for the season, well above our thirty year average. Sigh. I know we need the moisture. I know we will relish in the green of spring and summer this year, rather than the dust-kicking browns.
I have tried to get over this attitude. I have been snowshoeing and it's been fun. Still, I am clinging to something a friend said her aunt would always say, something like, "if it's winter, then spring is just around the corner."
By the way: One of my favorite web sites, Botany Photo of the Day, is doing a series on plants and sports. For February 24 they have an entry on the trees used to make snowshoes.

Flagstaff Friday!

First Friday Art Walk- TONITE, Downtown Flagstaff

Events from Jack Welch

Excellent turnout for the Randy Wilson presentation about ccsking and ski skating Wednesday evening at the Adult Center.
Randy will be leading a group of beginner cc skiers on Saturday 6 February. Meet at the Fox Glenn Park entrance at 10:15 AM. I will be there so just look for the Red Ford Aerostar. No skis provided. Bring your own or rent

Please call Randy Wilson at 556 2254 to let him know you are interested in being a part of the beginner cc skiing activities
I can't participate in the skiing because of a previous snow shoe scheduled date. The snow shoe starts at Noon. Details to follow:

The following is a schedule of our activities from Friday 5 February through Tuesday 9 February Snow Shoe activities are sponsored by the Friends of Coconino County Parks

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Winter
Start Location: Office Max Parking Lot behind Sears at the Flagstaff Mall
Time: 9:00 AM
We can walk outside but the weather may force us to do our 3 miles inside the Flagstaff Mall

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY (morning)
Beginner CC Skiers
Start Location: Fox Glenn Park
Time: 10:15 AM
Please contact Randy Wilson if you are going to take part!
His telephone number is 556 2254

SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY (AFTERNOON)
Snow Shoe
Continental Lakes
Start Location: Old Walnut Canyon Road
Off County Club Drive
Park along the road near the lakes (opposite Campbell Mesa)
Time: Noon

SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY
Snow Shoe
FAA Facility
Start Location: John Wesley Powell dead-end just east of the road into the Airport
Time: Noon

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY
Walk Into Winter
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking - weather dependent - We walks last week because most of the sidewalks were clear!

Skywatch! After the storm!

Check out all of the cool sites listed on Skywatch Friday, from around the world!




Aaaaah, clear skies after the storm...
These are views of the San Francisco Peaks on the day after our big storm ended.


Record snow here in Flagstaff, Arizona. 54.2 inches over five days! that's the second highest total, the record is over 80 inches over one week period- I don't even want to think about that.
My Mom use to tell me about the snows they would get in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, how sidewalks became tunnels. I always wondered how that would feel and now I, kind of, have an idea.
I have been snowshoeing down to get my son from school and that has been fun. A lot of people are skiing in the woods so tracks criss-cross the path we take. I haven't noticed a lot of other animal tracks, tho. I wonder how the other animals are doing with this snow.

my street during the storm












our house during the storm









help from neighbors!









the day after the storm, ponderosa pine trees