Lazarow World-Hike-About

The former were two testing hikes, probably about nine miles each with well over 2,000 feet of elevation gain; the third in the city of Casa Grande, quite long but with insufficient height gain to make it worth recommending. The hikes in Tucson, mostly amongst cacti, attractive mountains and great views, are enough to bring us back for more. The soldiers' trail leads to a former prison camp which is reached directly from a road on the other side of the mountain, opposite from our commencement point. However, we diverted to Bear Canyon which is an over-powering sight further along. The hike up to Wasson Peak is on the tough side. It made for a little more of a challenge when we reached the very steep section. At that juncture, there was a fellow on our heels. One of us did not want to be passed so it became a 'race' to the top. The problem was that the other guy was a tough competitor. Oh well! No wonder Jenni shakes her head so often. This concludes Hike-about ...

Some of the places visited have provided wonderful hiking opportunities but not always unique or different views. Because we have avoided early morning cold weather recently, often the light has not been ideal for photography. We decided to visit Los Cruces in New Mexico on our way to Tucson from Texas. We admit our ignorance in not knowing much about the city. It turns out that it's the second largest in the state by size of population. New Mexico does not have many residents, perhaps a lot have returned to Old Mexico. This city has less than a hundred thousand people. Albuquerque, the largest city in the state, is the only one with residents in excess of that latter number. I was delighted to come across this sign at the beginning of the hike. I often have to warn the editor about fooling around with rattlesnakes. But does she listen? Of course not. Hopefully, the warning will help in the future. I was getting very weary of watching her pat, pet and tickle the rattler...

While we still have a number of blogs from Hike-about 24 unpublished, we took a Sunday hike to the peak of Mount Woodson. It's a firm favorite and quite a climb for this 8-mile round trip city hike in Poway, part of San Diego County. We are officially resting but continue to hike a little and visit the gym each morning to try and stay fit. The cross-training seems to be a good idea and certainly makes us feel strong and upbeat for part of the day before collapsing. We think we can still feel the effects of the forty hikes we undertook in the six western states visited recently. We've posted a few pictures below to give friends an idea of what might be expected should they take up our offer for a hike on December 25th. See invitation after the pictures. A late bloomer or is it very early spring? A strong mist sets the early morning tone. Variety observed from the peak including a pond. Sun struggles to break through the clouds. To get it to ...

Guadalupe National Park in Texas is impressive because it is set in a mountainous region, one of few in the state. More than that though, it has a tranquility, a rugged neatness , if you will, sights into the distance including salt pans, surrounding mountains and special views of smaller peaks from the high spots. Earlier in the week, we climbed to the peak of the highpoint in Texas, also probably the windiest, too and were rewarded immensely. This hike was a little over 2,000 feet of elevation gain along winding paths on outside edges with a return distance of 8.5 miles. We had the trail to ourselves although we had views of fellow hikers moving along the wash below. A view of late-autumn color as we make our way up. The path towards the top or bottom. One of many reasons we find the park so attractive A view into the canyon and its walls. A view from above which gives a fair reflection of the scrub and the 'well-scrubbed'. The editor ...

A fellow we met on Mount Wasson, Mike, suggested we try out the hike to the summit of Picacho Mountain. He described it briefly and it seemed to be much like Angels Landing in Zion. We found it had some common features with the Angel but they are each unique—great experiences but different. The editor was apprehensive when she heard that the length is 2.1 miles one way but the cumulative elevation gain is 1,800 feet with cables in quite a few places. She enjoyed some great whining although assured me it was all in good spirit. I’m still trying to figure out that classification of whining. She also told me that throughout the hike she decided ‘never again’. The following day, she also mentioned that she looks forward to repeating the climb. I’m wondering which of the dual personalities to believe. Nevertheless, she was grand all the way....as always. After reading the sign, the editor became a little tense. A view of Picacho Peak from Casa Grande Mountain. It illustr...