The big day in Phoenix. First, hike up Camelback Mountain. I drove to the side that was suppose to be harder and more challenging. I was unable to find a parking spot at the main parking lot, so I drove down the street to the Post Office where a little company was offering rides to either of the trails up the mountain and offered free water/gatorade and food. The cost to ride and be picked up was $5. That was a pretty nice deal and allows a hiker to experience both sides of the mountain. So I jumped in the van and took a ride to the tough course because I have to Go Big.
The beginning started out pretty good and easy. A couple of man-made steps. Then, it was straight up and boulders the rest of the way. I constantly saw runners coming down the mountain, a lot of them. They run up and down the mountain for training. Crazy people. It takes about 45 minutes on average for a person to go up. A lot of the time is spent climbing over boulders. Finally, I reached the top. And man, what a view it was. A full 360 degree view of Phoenix and the surrounding areas. The view was surreal.
Now, onto my second hike for the day. I was to climb Piestewa Peak (aka Squaw Peak) using the Summit Trail. I refueled on my fluids and hit the mountain before it was to get too hot. It was nearing early afternoon this time. The climb was not as steep the entire route as the Camelback Mountain trail, but it was much longer. It never seemed to end. Again, I saw people running up and down the trail for their workout of the day. Why? I do not know. I finally made it to the top and took quite an enjoyable rest at the top. However, what goes up must come down, and so would I. I trekked my way down the mountain safely. I walked back to my car to grab some trail mix and gatorade. I sat down at a picnic table with an older couple. Then, we got to talking. The couple had recently moved to Phoenix. They helped their son move there months earlier when he got out of the Navy. They returned home to Kansas and found out that the husband had been laid off, and the wife, I believe, was either let go from her company or decided to quit so they could move to Phoenix. It took some time, but he was able to find a a job and sounds like she was on her way to find a job as well. They have really enjoyed their experience so far in Phoenix. They brought up the fact that you can drive like 5 minutes to climb mountains and hike trails and feel like you are truly out in the wilderness, but you are still in the city. After thinking about this, I thought this was quite cool as well. And if I were to move to Phoenix, I would be one of those crazy runners going up and down the mountains that I had climbed earlier that day. After continued small talk, they headed on their way to their hike up another trail in the area. I jumped into my car and traveled to the Desert Botanical Garden to check out all the different cacti, flowers, and butterflies. I tried using a different lenses at different times, but it wasn't until I got back to the car that I realized I grabbed the wrong lens. I had wanted to use the wide angle lenses. However, I had grabbed the telescopic lens. I am not sure how you use either one, but I do know the wide angle lens is more for closer pictures.
Afterwards, I headed to the new hotel to check-in, shower, and unwind. Once, I got back I took off my shirt and noticed it had a red oval ring around my neck. It turns out the rust from the chain I wear rubbed off of it onto the shirt and my skin. The shirt was ruined, and now, I had a rusty tinted neck. This sucked because it was very hard to wash all of it off of my neck and it proceeded to ruin future white shirts I wore, but again I didn't know this at the time.
For dinner, I headed to the populated street of Tempe, Az. I headed to a Local Brewery restaurant that was above a Starbuck's. It was a nice place. I found a spot at the bar and enjoyed watching sports. I contemplated between a pasta dish and steak, both sounded really good. The guy next to me had the pasta dish, and it smelled quite delicious. However, I opted for the steak since I hadn't had one in quite a long time. It was disappointing. They overcooked it. I could have complained but had no energy or desire to really bother. I just wanted to eat and then sleep. Thankfully the beer was pretty good. I did try a lettuce wedge for the first time. It is just a quarter of a head of lettuce with bacon and bleu cheese. Quite satisfying. I will now probably try it on my own. I have always wanted lettuce for sandwiches/burgers at home but wouldn't buy a head of lettuce because it would go bad way before I had the chance to eat it all.
Time to hit the hay and prepare for another day of the trip. Tomorrow would be less exciting or at least not filled with so much activities to do, which would be relaxing.
Go Big or Go Home
Photos of the Trip:
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