February 21 came out of nowhere. I had been training for Ragnar Del Sol for a few months, but it still seemed so far away. Suddenly it was a week before Ragnar and I had a list of things to do and buy. The night before Ragnar we decorated our vans with window paint and packed some our belongings. One of my teammates was sweet enough to bake carrot cupcakes for the birthday girls on our team. I ... Read more
9/11 Memorial Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park
I visited the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park today to reflect on the 12th anniversary of the terror attacks. Each of the nearly 3,000 American flags represents a victim. It's an emotional experience to walk amid the rows of flags. Each has a card attached with the name of the victim and notes on the person's life, as well as where the person died. Healing Field is hosted by the ... Read more
Ragnar Del Sol 2013
My first Ragnar relay, Feb. 22-23, was an unforgettable experience that pushed me to my limits and gave me an unrivaled sense of accomplishment. Ragnar is a 12-person, 200 mile relay race, with courses around the country. My nerves didn't let me get a wink of sleep the night before Ragnar Del Sol. Our team had met to decorate our vans and pack some of our stuff. I came home and finished ... Read more
Wandering around Papago Park
The goal of my day spent exploring Papago Park was to crawl inside Hole in the Rock. I was prepared for quite a hike, but it was an easy walk up. I stayed to watched the sunset. Downtown Phoenix can be seen in the background. Have you been to Papago Park? ... Read more
Late-night hiking at Hayden Butte Preserve (A Mountain)
No matter what time it is, you'll likely find people climbing Hayden Butte, better known as A Mountain. I climb it for fitness reasons, as I'm preparing for a Grand Canyon hike. It's a quick, steep ascent that really gets the heart pumping. Do it two and three times and you're set. But give yourself time to enjoy the view. Hayden Butte Preserve ... Read more