Shaw Butte

I hiked Shaw Butte with a girlfriend this morning. Gorgeous but a bit humid for Arizona.

Welcome to my hikes!

Hiking

I started working out about 10 months ago and have found a real love for exercising outside. Today I hiked North Mountain and the surrounding area with a girlfriend.

Last month I hiked and biked 192 miles, down from 208 in May but still a heck of a lot more than last August when I did 0.

Since then I've lost 30+ pounds and 2 sizes. I feel like the old me.

Venice Beach: Day 1

The kids and I took off after work in Friday for California.

it's been really windy and cold so not a lot of time was spent at the beach. We can see it but haven't put our fret on...yet.

The kids both got new hats from Arbor skateboards that they have worn since greying them. Me....I'm just enjoying the ride and playing many games of Qwirkle.

Renaissance Festival

Kids and I had a beautiful day at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

Sunny and 70 degrees. W were lucky because my Dad came with us this year.

Urban Assault Ride

I participated in the Urban Assault Race in Tucson on Sunday with a friend of mine.
Basically we ride about 20 miles around Tucson finding checkpoints, doing a fun activity challenge and then ride to the next one.
I can tell you we set  no speed records although my partner could have on his road bike if he hadn't had me as his partner. I was looking at his butt most of the day.
It was a great morning of riding and I hit a personal goal of riding 20+ miles in 1 day. My furthest ever!
We were rewarded with post race beer so out want all bad. We are ready for next year!

Urban Assault Ride

I'm leaving after my son's football game to head to Tucson to participate in the 2012 Urban Assault Ride tomorrow.  I have mapped our route (so far about 16 miles) and my partner is laughing at my planning.

We have 1 more mystery check point to find to see if the route is longer than 16 miles.  Either way, it will be a morning of fun and laughter.

Tom's Thumb Hike

I took a hike yesterday in the McDowell Mountains on the north side of the Tom's Thumb trail.

I am heading to the hump that kind of looks like a thumb in the middle of the ridge.  It is a long way up!

I am less than a 1/2 mile from Tom's Thumb

Finally made it!

Here's a photo where you can ALMOST see the fountain in Fountain Hills (I could see it when I took the photo).

On the way back to the trail head.

Almost back to the car.  It is was a beautiful hike.

I took a hike yesterday in the McDowell Mountains on the north side of the Tom's Thumb trail.

I am heading to the hump that kind of looks like a thumb in the middle of the ridge.  It is a long way up!

I am less than a 1/2 mile from Tom's Thumb

Finally made it!

Here's a photo where you can ALMOST see the fountain in Fountain Hills (I could see it when I took the photo).

On the way back to the trail head.

Almost back to the car.  It is was a beautiful hike.

Morning Hike

I have to brag for a minute....I covered 120 miles last month in cycling/walking/hiking. My most ever!
I walked this morning, just over 3 miles in under an hour.
There was a big cat and a display of grapefruit and plastic bags. The citrus tree owners wanted me to have a fresh glass of juice with breakfast.

Pinnacle Peak

As I may have mentioned, I'm hiking the Grand Canyon in Sept. and I've been working on getting in better shape.

Pinnacle Peak has been a nemesis of mine for awhile and I've been avoiding it because although I can do it, the hike kicks my butt and makes me worthless for the rest of the day.

Hmm....I'm in much better shape because I had a new personal record of 1 hour 15 minutes and I was fine the rest of the day!!!

Some photos from sunrise.