Writing, Published Articles
Posted on 01 May 2012.
Have you ever felt your lungs gasping for a breath of fresh air or often found yourself staring out of the window in wanderlust? Because I have.
The real southwest became my next oasis in the journey of life. I didn’t need a reason nor did I have a care, all I knew was that I could not bare another Nebraska winter.
I packed up my belongings which included; clothes, shoes and some things to help me look for work including my trustworthy MacBook Pro and freshly pressed Bachelors degree in my 1999 Mitsubishi Gallant.
The 24-hour journey was kicked off at the wee hours of morning on January 3rd of 2012. The drive was grueling yet majestic at the same time. I was leaving behind the plains as the sun rose; it was a peaceful goodbye to a place I called home for over 10 years.
But I was on a mission, to find a career I would love and a warmer place I could call home, a journey to a more rugged and dry terrain. My destination was sunny Tucson, Arizona – a locale that cuddles you with clear skies all year long. I arrived to a lavish landscape that offered me many shades of green and unique textures that extended over five beautiful mountain ranges.
And an urge for outdoor adventure overtook me instantly. I felt as though I was embarking on an adventure of endless discovery, free to explore the countless hiking trails and biking destinations the city had to offer.
I started out slowly, going on walks near the Catalina Foothills and tiptoeing around the edges of the Santa Catalina Mountains. As my comfort grew so did my urge for adventure. I ventured to the Tucson Mountain Park and embraced its short and long trails.
My urge for adventure pushed me further yet, when I randomly took on Sentinel Peak, more commonly known as “A” Mountain named after University of Arizona. The actual A is painted over rocks and has a slick texture which makes it a challenge to hike in flip flops, take note: bring tennis shoes wherever you go in Tucson, because you never know when you will end up on top of a mountain.
“A” Mountain rises almost 3000 feet into the air, and getting to the top felt exhilarating. I looked around and could see a good amount of the city, the view was breath taking and made me feel as though anything was possible and nothing could hold me back.
The future holds endless possibilities of adventure, especially since weather is almost never an obstacle in planning my days now. I can allow myself to walk along on the Arizona Trail that crosses through east Tucson, including a beautiful stretch through the colossal cave mountain park. Make a plan to hike, bike or horseback ride on 800 miles of breathtaking interconnecting trails through the Coronado, Tonto, Kaibab, and Coconino national forests.
However, I think I will head on the Romero Canyon Trail next. The trail leads to cool, natural pools where wildlife abounds and also features a large waterfall cascading into a deep pool, surrounded by cliffs from about 15 to 40 feet above water, perfect for cliff diving.
If you ever get wanderlust or the urge for outdoor adventure, Tucson is truly the hidden gem. I made this discovery when I first felt the peaceful breeze gliding off the mountain ranges and welcoming me to the world of nature when I first arrived here.
