Hiking Camelback Mountain

We decided to hike Camelback Mountain on New Year's Day. We got there around 2 p.m.-ish. We were definitely not alone on the mountain. Brian was kind enough to get in line to park and let the rest of us start hiking. We went in two groups: Jon-Erik, Benjamin, Adam and then Emma and me. It was a perfect afternoon for some local hiking! 

Here we are, just starting out.

Do you notice the tiny people towards the bottom left of this photo? Just to give you some perspective. The entire hike is only about 1 1/4 mile up to the top and takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes if you are in average shape. The boys made it up in less time.

Don't let this scare you. There are handrails to help you climb.

You get rewarded along the way with the views and interesting things to look at, people to greet. ("Mom, stop talking to strangers!")

Does anyone else see a dog here? Or a nose, or something? 

This is a really ancient looking cactus about halfway up. It looks so hammered and yet there it stands, stoically marking the path. Since I'm taking a photoshop class this semester, I've decided to start collecting textures and this cactus has the most "tree-like" looking trunk texture. I think this is what a wrinkled cactus looks like.

We also ran into Jon-Erik and the boys around here on their way down.

(A little bright, but it was the only picture I had of them and poor Brian got nothing!)

Emma and I finally made it. Waiting for us up at the top were 24 people, 5 butterflies and another festively decorated tree (really a bush).

I know this is smog, but it made for a beautiful additiont to the sun skimming across this section of Phoenix in the late afternoon.

I should mention that Emma and I met Brian just as we were leaving the top. We waited for him to touch the top and then we hiked down together. I just love this hike! I'm up for it any time, just give me a call and 'Let's Go!' :-)

Hiking Shaw Butte Mountain

The only thing that's really noteworthy about Shaw Butte Mountain is that it is the little mountain that I could see from the house that I grew up in in North Phoenix. It's a nice little hike that anyone can enjoy, not too strenuous, no climbing involved...well, you climb in elevation, but not with your hands AND your feet like Camelback Mountain, just your feet. Pretty relaxing as far as hikes go. On the day after Christmas several of us hiked to the top.

My brother, Andy with Hannah. Andy lived in Sweden for 18 years after he graduated from the U of A. He and his family moved to CA two years ago. We love having them closer. Having been away that many years, Andy is very nostalgic about this area. This is Andy's fake serious face.

One of the things I like about hiking around Christmas is that you find little holiday reminders along the way. Isn't this a cute Santa?

One of many ornaments decorating this big bush.

Not afraid of us.

As we approached the top, my brother James leans over to me and quietly says, "Watch Andy, he's going to go stand near that edge over there, hold his arms out, and say, "Mi Bario"". So I have my camera ready, waiting to see if it happens. As soon as we get to the top, Andy walks over to the appointed place and does exactly as James said he would. He does it EVERY time we hike this mountain. I love this photo of him proclaiming his love for his "Barrio".

My brothers. They're great. I'm so lucky. They make me laugh.

Emma and Hannah at the top. The rest of them made it to the top before we did, so I never had a chance to document their climb.

On our way down. Can you tell which one is me?

This is Arizona. It has it's charm, doesn't it? I actually thought of my friend, Meg, when I later looked at the saguaro. Doesn't it look like a peace sign? Come on, take your right hand and do the peace sign with your palm facing you. Can you see it?! I can see it. I bet Meg can, too. :-) Next stop: Pizza over at James' and Christine's house. We had worked up a little appetite.