Zena's First Hiking Trip

Ok, so I just realized that I forgot to post about taking Zena (the Great Dane) hiking. We went to Shaw Butte on St Patrick's day. She was soo excited, after all this was her first hiking trip.








Since I'm still a beginner hiker, I walk pretty slow going up the mountain. Zena kept pace with me, although at times she'd get a little ahead of me stop look at me and wait, as if to say "come on you can do it, just keep putting one foot in front of the other see watch me" then she would take a few steps look back at me to make sure I was coming.














Zena doesn't like to leave my side or be too far from my reach when we walk so she was extremely patient with me up the mountain, she never once pulled or even dragged me. I tried to get good pictures of Zena, but it was rather difficult when I'd stop she would stop, and I couldn't seem to get far enough behind her to take a really good photo.

However some nice fellow hiker offered to take one of Zena and I, so I was thankful for that. 

The Dark Side of the Moon

Tonight was another last minute change of plans....and I'm glad my friend and I ventured to the other side of the world. Well maybe not the other side of the world but Apache Junction, AZ sure seems like it. I found that there was an astrology lecture and star gazing program at The Lost Dutchman AZ State Park. A friend of mine agreed to the spur of the moment idea to venture out towards the east side. We were a little late in arriving, but it was amazing...1) to get away from the city a bit and enjoy the cool sweet "campfire" air and 2) We actually learned a little bit about the stars and constellations. Now as to all the names, I don't remember them all or the proper names of them but to name a few, we found the Taurus, Leo, Gemni, Orion, 7 Sisters, Big Dipper, Little Dipper, North Star, Sirius, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and of course the moon. Below are a few pictures of our adventure:

Waiting for the moon to rise over the Superstion Mountains seemed to take forever...

But as we were waiting for that tiny sliver to just come peaking over the mountains, we got to gaze at Mars, Saturn and two of its Moons, Jupiter, more stars I don't remember the names too, and Venus. Which I was able to take a picture of below.

Of course after all that is left is for the moon to rise, we are left waiting for it to peak up. I was glad for this wait because then I was able to mess around with my fancy digital camera and figure out what best setting and best way to use it would be. Then finally after much anticipation you could see it, just the tiniest sliver just slipping over the ridge. 

Now the moon has made her appearance and seems to be rising ever more quickly, and my poor little novice camera can't keep up, but I still manage a couple of good ones. I have determined that my little novice digital camera is still a good camera. I did enjoy staying out there with all the other experienced photographers and even had them admiring some of my handy work.Although next time I think I will invest in a tripod to help keep a more clear picture. 

Now I have saved the best for last.....I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Sometimes instead of plans, you need guidelines...

So my plan today was an invigorating 6.4 mi hike on LV Yates (8) to Nature (304) to Ruth Hamilton (88) to Quartz Ridge (8A) then back to LV Yates (8) then back to my car at 40th st and Shea. It really did seem simple enough. I set out this morning around 7:30, determined to do 6.4 miles. I had chosen mostly easy trails, and then a couple more difficult ones for the way back to my car. Somehow though I ended up off of trail 8, not sure quite where I ended up, some fellow hikers said I was on Quartz Ridge. Wanting to stick to my plan, I turned around and headed back for LV Yates trail. 

Trying to figure out where I was on the map and getting my 6 miles in, seemed almost impossible. I kept finding other trails, that weren't blocked off, and didn't seem to be on the map. I finally just put the map in my pocket and decided just to hike, and enjoy the peacefulness and calm around me instead of worrying about sticking to my plan. At one point I was actually in the middle of the mountain preserve and everywhere I looked was the gorgeous mountain desert. 

At this point I knew I was no longer following my plan, so I did the next best thing, I stuck to trails that had been well traveled. Eventually I made my way back out on the north side, then headed back on trail 100 headed to my car.  Afterwords I looked at the map, and I"m still not sure how far Addie and I hiked, but it was great, and I'm glad that I put the map away and just enjoyed all the hike had to give. 

I guess it just goes to show that the best laid plans aren't always going to have the best adventures! Next time I think I will  just give guidelines as to where I will be.