Cholla Trail

The warm dry heat hit me as I stepped across the threshold of the plane and onto the bridge as I deplaned.  I took a deep breath to see if the desert air would affect me the same way as it does when I land in Australia, but alas no such luck.  

True, it was exhilarating to feel the sun on my skin, and see a crystal blue sky especially after the long, cold and grey winter, which we just experienced in Toronto, but being in a city for work is not the same as when you’re there purely for pleasure.

The trail sign as I start to climb the last third of the trail
Camelback Mountain, Arizona

As the cab drove toward the hotel, the surrounding mountains captured my attention as they rose majestically from the desert floor and it was clear that my mission for the week was to take some time and climb one of them.

As you'd expect my schedule was crazy and although my team had done a wonderful job of coordinating the event, my role as emcee and general host for the conference completely filled my schedule…   Fortunately for me I had come into Scottsdale a couple of days prior to my official duties starting so after touching base with the team, and finalizing a couple of key items I headed back to my room, determined to put my running gear on and get out the door for a hike.

By the time I exited the hotel it was close to 5:00 pm, quickly stopping at the Concierge to ask what time sunset was I estimated that I needed about three hours before it would be completely dark.  I definitely didn’t want to be caught on a mountain trail in the dark, and so feeling pretty comfortable that I could make it back in time I headed out with two bottles of water.

The afternoon was hot, although not the scorching temperatures that it was going to be later in the week where it would top 43C or 110F.  A dry breeze teased the air as I walked over toward the Cholla trailhead, which was about a kilometer from the hotel and by the time I arrived was starting to sweat.

The view north from the top of Camelback Mountain
Scottsdale, Arizona

 As I peered up at Camelback Mountain I felt pretty good with my camera slung over my shoulder.  I noticed a number of people well up the trail but stopping frequently.  The trail itself was a composite of dry hard packed desert sand and loose rocks.  I was surrounded by what looked like tumbleweed and an assortment of cactus.

The further up the mountain I went small rocks were replaced with larger and larger boulders, and the cactus with the significantly taller Saguaro cactus.

For those of you that have climbed on this trail, it’s basically broken into three distinct sections.  The first third is a pretty easy climb to the top of a small peak before you transverse a long ridge spur climbing as you go to a helipad. 

The final third of the climb is rather steep with a number of places where you have to use your hands to climb over and between boulders, but once you reach the summit its spectacular. 

View to the South West - late afternoon from the peak at Camelback Mountain

There were a few occasions where I had to backtrack, as the trail seemed to just peter out into dead ends.  Hhhmmm, it seems that I had somehow missed a turn or two. J Head down taking photos most likely!

As I summited Camelback the views were absolutely spectacular.  Gulping my first water bottle and taking in the breathtaking 360 degree view was worth every moment of the hike.

It was a perfect place to sit and reflect; just sitting I closed my eyes and listened to the wind softly caress the high mountain peak as I contemplated my week ahead.  My physical exhaustion quickly faded and feeling recovered after my water, a short meditation, and cool little photo session I decided not to press my luck and head back down.

The round trip was about 2:40 min, but I stopped numerous times to take photos, in fact I took close to 150 photos all told, but after editing and paring them back I got to much more manageable 75 or so.  

What a truly amazing thing to do to start my week - I couldn't of asked for a better kick off!

Here are a selection of photos from my hike - enjoy!

A mighty Saguaro cactus growing on a rocky ledge
Camelback Mountain, Arizona

The trail across the ridge line toward the helipad

Cactus fingers in the late afternoon light

New growth on a Saguaro overlooking the lower slope on
Camelback Mountain

Looking up a steep portion of the trail

New growth finds a foothold anywhere on the mountain

My mysterious summer plans

As the days start to lengthen and spring turns to full bloom, both the kids and I start to look toward the summer and our respective holiday escapes.  For the past nine years for Zach and seven for Sami it’s been Camp Arowhon.  Set in the beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park about 3.5 hours drive from Toronto, this idyllic camp has served campers since 1934 and is a fantastic summer escape.  They truly love the natural setting and disconnectedness from the electronic world that we’re immersed in for most of the year.

Summertime fun for Zach and Sami

This year Zach is going to camp for full two month’s with a short two day return between the sessions. I know he’s excited and looking forward to camping, canoeing and generally relaxing in this wilderness setting with his mates (yes, most of his cohort are like him and been coming to camp for many years), and although they don't see each other during the school year for the most part they are very close over the summer.  

With Sami and her soccer schedule she can only miss three games, so I'm planning to drive her up a day or two after the normal start of camp so she doesn't break team rules.  Fortunately the way her schedule falls she'll still be able to enjoy almost a full month away which she loves. 

Now as for me, I've been thinking about my annual travel get away as well, but there are so many places I haven't been yet but would love to visit and explore.  

Too many choices…   At the moment my number one destination is Vietnam. Why Vietnam you ask?  

My introduction to Vietnam was not one of beauty but of tragedy, as the footage from the Vietnam war featured prominently on the nightly news through most of the 1960's and early 1970's, yes even in Australia.  However, with the war some 40 years distant and the country almost completely rebuilt Vietnam is on the rise.  For instance, did you know it's the second largest rice producer and exporter in the world after Thailand?   Plus over recent years has really come into its own especially in the manufacturing sector, just take a look at your household products next time you buy something.  But best of all is that its still relatively untouched by the tourist hordes (yes, the ones just like me).  J

Gateway to the Citadel in Hue
(Vietnam)

If I go to Vietnam my number one destination is the ancient Imperial city of Hue (pronounced Way), situated astride the Perfume River, and adjacent to the coast about halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).  It’s often been described as a city caught in another time; with its wide boulevards and its definitely French Colonial influences juxtaposed with the ancient Citadel that lay nestled against the river. Sounds like a perfect place for an adventure if you ask me!

Even the sound of the Perfume River conjures up images of a bygone era, a time of floating markets, and slow moving boats as they gently ply the river. Of beautiful Vietnamese women dressed in their traditional Ao Dai (“flowing tunic”) strolling the wide boulevards, or French styled Cafés under the merciless hot tropical sun.  How many stories could you write in an exotic and intoxicating environment like this I wonder?

Its easy to get caught up in these romantic images, but I'm more interested in the reality of the new Vietnam. 

Realistically I'm only going to scratch the surface of seeing or indeed experiencing the real Vietnam in just two weeks, but I definitely plan on spending as much time as possible getting off the beaten track and having an authentic Vietnam experience (whatever that means).  The best part for me is the anticipation, planning, and trying to piece together an itinerary that makes sense given my short time.

The Veranda Lagoon hotel - accommodations are over the water and
situated about 35 km from Hue...definitely on my list!

My entry point will most likely be via Hong Kong before flying to Hanoi and then onto Hue where I plan to start my journey.

With my backpack ready, the camera primed and all of my shots up-to-date (thanks to my expedition to Papua New Guinea two years ago).   All I need to do now is nail down the dates and jump on that plane...

Can't come fast enough!

Inspiration

Some might say its writer’s block; other would say it’s a “loss for words”.  Generally that has never been my problem, in fact I'd go as far as to say that I've always got a point of view or something to say often times to my own personal detriment.  J

No this time was different, this week for the first week I sat down on Friday night and stared blankly at my computer screen…   It was a frightening thing to sit there and toss around ideas in my head but without any real hook or conviction as to a story for my weekly blog.  What to do?  Well, I busied myself helping Sami with her nasty cold that’s set upon her in the last 24 hours, then getting her settled into bed before waiting up for Zach to come home.  Marking time by any other name.

Feeling a tad frustrated I headed for bed once he'd arrived home safely. 

Crazy dreams followed and I woke at my usual 6:15 am (yes, its Saturday…damn it!), remembering only snippets of my dreams thank goodness cos the one that stuck me was me being out with the kids in a shopping mall, at a time when they were both in diapers with the gist of the story being that they both had poo explosions at the same time and I was trying to juggle two very unhappy babies by myself and I couldn't find a place to change them!

You may think I'm changing the subject but I think this is related - stay with me now.  

A few weeks ago I mentioned how I was feeling depressed, so this week after getting a referral from a friend I had my first session with a new counselor.  I discussed it with Zach and Sami last weekend, and as expected they were extremely supportive. 

I’m not sure if you've ever been to a counselor before, but the first few sessions are always a little difficult shall we say.  Well for starters you don't really know this person who you find yourself spilling your guts to – frightening unto itself.  Then, not only are you horrified at telling them your story but with the amount of pent up emotions which seem to flood out of you like a burst dam…its not pretty! 

I think the hardest part is recognizing that you need help, once you’ve come to terms with that realization then finding someone is less difficult.  However, the stress rises again once you're sitting across from them for the very first time.  After sharing some basic pleasantries and surface level background it starts with an innocent enough question – “so what’s going on?”

Those four simple words change everything.

Its not that in your heart you don't know what’s going on, but being honest and saying it out loud is a lot more tricky.

Now I’m sure Sigmund Freud or Carl Jung would have a field day with me citing all manner of issue and why I had the dream last night, especially after my first counseling session earlier this week, clearly there is some connection. J 

I also realize that reading a blog like this on a Saturday morning is a little depressing, so rather than bore you with any of the gory details I've decided to add some photos that I've take over the past couple of years that bring me joy and serenity when I look at them.  The memories from each of these images burnt indelibly into my psyche.

I hope you like them...as much as I do!

Listening to classical music at sunset
surrounded by beauty and warmth in Camogli
(Italy 2012)

My hike to Portofino over the mountains and through the National Park
(Italy 2012)

The artist colony at Dolceacqua
(Italy 2012)

Sunset over the Ligurian Sea
(Italy 2012)

The color of the Mediterranean
(Nice 2012)

An afternoon on Lake Como
(Italy 2013)

Sunlight dancing on the harem walls
(Istanbul 2011)

The three amigos at the UCLA vs. California college football game
(Rose Bowl - Los Angeles 2013)

Reflections in the window
(New York City 2012)

Steel beam in SoHo
(New York City 2011)