Congratulations Arizona. You’ve finally done it. After more than a year of exploring the Grand Canyon State’s backwoods, trails and deserts Fallon and I found a hike reminiscent of Montana: a hike that was rated “difficult” and for once, actually was. Picacho Peak State Park is nestled to the west of I-10 in between Tucson and Phoenix. Barely a half hour drive from our home on the northwest side, it was an adventure I had been craving for quite some time. The views atop the monstrous peak weren’t all that appealing (it’s desert and fields in every direction) but the hike itself seemed to make up for the lack of scenery. The Hunter’s Trail wraps up the east side of the tower with the occasional wooden plank steps built in. The dirt quickly turns to rock which is where the adventure truly begins. Rebar handles and steel cables serve as handrails to lift you above the stone trail. My feet (and in certain areas, my shoulders) could barely fit between the narrow pathway scaling the hill. It wasn’t long before my calves were burning and it wasn’t the 85 degree temperatures to blame. Fallon, the marathon runner she is, took the lead and never relinquished it until the summit. As mentioned, the viewers are not what I would describe as mesmerizing but you can see for miles in every direction. We took what pictures we could, but the ratio between bugs and oxygen was a little too close for our comfort so we scaled back down. Arizona is a beautiful state and Tucson offers mountain ranges that at the very least remind us of the Treasure State, but Picacho Peak, a tower slab of stone in the middle of nowhere, is the most strenuous hike we have found so far.
0 Comments
I have always been captivated by incredible pictures. A photo of a sunset, wildlife, a hurdler or something as simple as clouds: when done right, photography is the most beautiful of art. When Instagram first arrived, I imagined it to be the perfect place to view these majestic images. Instead, I find myself looking at pre/post workout pictures and ridiculous memes. Each can be artistic I suppose, but the simple form of sharing has taken away from the endless beautiful possibilities. I have recently become enthralled with the action camera GoPro's "Photo of the Day" section. Users are allowed to submit their photos (and videos) to the company which then shares the best for viewers pleasure. It's incredible how some people can take a simple setting and turn it into a work of art. If you have never seen the GoPro Photo of the Day, I highly recommend it (just click here). I have never considered myself a photographer when it comes to still images (we in television are known as photographers if we use the video cameras to "shoot" video) but I do enjoy taking pictures. I will snap shots from vacations, sporting events or just sitting around the home (which catches Fallon and the dogs off-guard). I do not currently have a night DSLR camera, but am hoping to get one in the future. However, with the technology in smart phones and my GoPro, I find I can still capture some pretty good looking images. Time Magazine won't come knocking at my door anytime soon, but they don't know what they're missing out on! GoPro is on to something with their Photo of the Day and I wanted to install a similar theme into my website to share with all of you. You'll notice a new tab, Photography, in the directory near the top of this website. In there you will find my version of the Photo of the Day. One picture will be posted each day of scenes I find during my every day routine. You will have the option to like, share and comment on the photo! It is my vision to eventually allow YOU to send me your best photos so I can also share a "Viewer Photo of the Day" to the same page. I enjoy my interaction with readers and like to keep you all included in my journeys. The biggest question is interest: would anyone be interested in sending their pictures for me to share? It could be an easy way for your portfolio to be seen. Perhaps just a simple snapshot from the high school football game your son was playing in. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below! In the meantime, I hope you will check out the new Photography section of this website. Like, share and comment so we can have some fun interaction! In the meantime, I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. I can see I'm already late for work so stay tuned for more! Click here to be taken to my Photo of the Day section. |
AuthorRichie is a small-town boy chasing big-city dreams. When he's not involved with sports, he's spending time with his wife, Fallon; their yorkie, Tinker; and their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rosie. Archives
April 2016
Categories
All
|