It’s still cold as shit here in Phoenix, so I’m likely to spend the morning thinking of warmer times, like the day we spent swimming across Samoa. I could use a bit of the South Pacific today.

After yesterday’s scenic drive down the Apache Trail (see my IG stories), I ran across this photo, shot during an overnight backpacking trip on the Arizona Trail from across the lake.

A daytrip along the Apache Trail. #fb

Quick stop at the Salt River this afternoon. #fb

Auto-generated description: A calm river reflects dramatic, cloudy skies and barren trees in a serene landscape.

Always great to get some time in the Supes. #fb

Phoenix was pretty foggy this morning, which reminded me of our 2016 visit to Shenandoah National Park. This was one of the few shots we got that day where the clouds weren’t totally socked in. Undeterred, we stopped at every single one of the 75 scenic vista pull-offs on Skyline Drive and took a picture, which resulted in a fun fog album on Facebook. I’ll definitely need a return visit to see it on a sunny day.

#optoutside #nationalparks #shenandoah #skylinedrive

Seems appropriate πŸ˜† #fb

Happy Statehood Day, Arizona! No matter your age, you look as gorgeous as ever.

Sunset over Arizona’s “West Coast”

#optoutside #statepark #arizona #amAZing #instagramaz

A railroad gently curves around the South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River near Johnstown Flood National Memorial. #findyourpark #optoutside #nationalparkgeek

Brews and friends! Brian Stultz with Julie Polovitch and Scott Jones at BottleShop 48. tagged on #fb

Auto-generated description: A group of four people is smiling at a table in a bar with various beer signs on the wall.

Crusty.

Checking off another Phoenix pro team! Go Hotshots! β€” with Jen Wiles, Patricia Graham Jones, Norman Jones, Rebeccca Carr at Arizona Hotshots Football. tagged on #fb

Stoked to snag some Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness permits for early May! It’s a perfect trip for first-time backpackersβ€”gorgeous canyon, easy trail, plenty of water, and plenty of unscheduled time for exploring the various side canyons. I’m hoping to convert some dayhiking friends into backpackers on the trip.

I’m not a big fan of snow (hence, why I live in Phoenix), but WOW, the Swiss Alps sure are gorgeous. I enjoyed much of my last trtip to Europe, but our time here was definitely one of the highlights.

Currently charting out some spring weekend trips, including a possible stop at Marble Canyon, gateway to the Grand Canyon.

On the ‘trail’ in Delaware Water Gap. I’m not sure why I love boardwalks so much (maybe because my fav state park in Michigan when I was a kid had one?), but it’s always a delight to stroll down one in a national park. #boardwalk #findyourpark #optoutside #delawarewatergap #getoutside

It was a bit rainy this morning, with low clouds hugging the ridgelines in South Mountain Park. But the wildflowers are popping up, the temperatures are nice, and it was a great morning for a quick hike to find some treasure. - - - - - #southmountain #phoenix #igersphx #whyaz #arizona #sonorandesert #instagramaz #desert #desertlife #phx #myphx #wearephx #phxphotographer

In Phoenix, winter = Supes time.

I grew up in east Mesa with a view of the Superstition Wilderness from my driveway. So when I finally started hiking in high school, it’s no wonder that we ended up thereβ€”in spite of all the warnings about how dangerous it was (you know, with those prowling rattlesnakes, deranged treasure hunters, and all the other things you don’t actually have to worry about). My first hike was a doozy; we ended up accidentally finding our way to Flatiron, which is no joke for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing and was woefully unprepared. I was young, dumb but in great shape, so we all survived. And thus was born my love for the mountain range.

#optoutside #supes #superstitions #wilderness #tonto #flatiron #bouldercanyon #sonorandesert #keepitwild

Big ass feet and necklaces decorate some of the petroglyphs at one of my favorite [well-known] rock art sites in Utah. #getoutside #optoutside #rockart #petroglyphs #utah