The Arizona Trail: Am I Crazy or What? July 18, 2025.

 Now, it was probably a good thing that I invited my three wonderful sisters, Alyson, Amy and Emily, who are now horrified that I am planning this hike. I thought that I had planned my this adventure pretty well, but they have brought up some very good thoughts.

First, and foremost, they are afraid that I am too old for this excursion. The hike is difficult and promises to be a real challenge. There will be miles and miles of desert as well as mountain ranges to cross. Then Amy, who is a retired Physical Therapist, worries that my hip, which was replaced in 2012 may cause me problems, and realistically, it is a concern. Their real concern is for my dog, Jack, who has been my best friend since I inherited him a year ago. They worry what would happen to him. Their concerns are all well founded and must be addressed.

Border Wall

One factor that I had overlooked was starting at the Mexican border. Being more cautious now, I looked more carefuly at my plans, and I found that it is not a good idea. I read that t border wall is being constructed, so I will find access to the trail in another location, and there are many trailheads. 

Addressing my age of 75 years, I am healthy and my only medication I require is Levothyroxin for hypothyroidism. For all of the above, I will have my doctor look at me to determine if I should not try to hike this trail. There are countless reasons that I must address all issues. But I am an avid mountain biker, and hike 3-4 days a week. I use trekking poles to take some of the ware and tear of of my hips, knees and feet. My bet is that there are many individuals who are not as healthy as me, who have not taken the precautions I have, and who have hiked this trail.

I will also be hiking much of the trail with Amanda, who is very fit and a nurse as well, so when she is with me, I will have the necessary support. And chances are that I will meet others on the trail who wouldn't mind if I tag along. 

Last, my old friend Jesse will give me support, bringing me supplies and the items I will need. I will be on the trail a day or two, then I will exit to a location where Jesse will be. If something begins to go wrong, I will meet Jesse at the next stop.

Each of my sisters, has their own perspective on this issue. Emily cut to the core. She has offered to pay me monthly if I don't go on this hike 

I love you all!  Steve 

 

The Arizona Trail and What Will I Eat? July 18, 2025

 My focus now is to determine what recipes I will use. The backpacking dehydrated food may be relatively tasty, but it is expensive. In the past I used to dehydrate my own food, but now I don't have a dehydrator. Now, I am asking my Facebook friends to help me out. If you have a suggestion about meal opportunities, please click on the "Comment" link below. Thank you!

Later, Friends,

Steve 

The Arizona Trail, The beginning (07-17-2025)

 I am finally on the path to do those things that I had wanted to do while I was in Kansas. This time I am hoping to hike the Arizona Trail, an 800 mile trek from the Mexican Border to Utah. The last part of the hike will take me through the Grand Canyon. I purchased a camera that will take both pictures and videos which I will publish into this blog.

I will be hiking with Amanda, a fellow hiker and a dog owner. In fact, Jack, my dog, feels that Amanda's pooch, Honey, is his girlfriend. Now, she has been unfaithful to him, but he keeps a stiff upper lip, and forgives her. 

If you return to this blog, you will see more pics and videos as well as a running commentary of this trip. I've been flirting with the idea of taking this foolishly long hike for months, but I feel good about it. It's not like I'm climbing K-2, but the  hundreds of miles of desert will certainly be a challenge. 

The photo shows Jack in the front hogging the camera, honey to the right, obviously not interested in having her picture taken, and Amanda attempting to control the dogs.

Much of my confidence of this fools errand comes from the fact that Amanda, who is a nurse, will be there with me, at least for a while. And Jesse, my old friend has volunteered to be at points on the trail where I can get re-supplied. My only fear is getting water. When this trail was created, there were places along the trail where through hikers could have access water. Hikers who need this water, and all hikers do, will need to filter some pretty rough wet stuff, and much of it will be green mossy water for drinking and cooking. I have a filter for this water and have drunk green water once on a packing trip with my daughter in the 1990s. It tasted pretty fishy, but it was wet, and that is all that matters. 

So far I have a tent, a camera, 2 backpacks, a doggy pack, a light weight single burner camp stove, and a tent. We will need much more, but we are on our way.

There's one more task I need to address, and I will try to make this endeavor a way to collect donations that will be used to help fund education. I figure that there are some who believe I am crazy, but there are some who seem to want funding for education stopped. Education is vital for building our country back to where it once was. Unfortunately there are some who believe that education is unnecessary. I guess they want to create a third world economy where there are plenty of workers who must work for starvation wages just to survive. I don't want that world, and I will do everything to prevent that from happening.

Happy Trails!

Steve