Tucson Hiking Clubs

[Jim]

I give up. I've held out on this. I know Joe would prefer I don't and might delete this, but after several days of it, and yet another Memorial Day Weekend ruined by high winds, my Colorado Trip canceled due to high wind and cold, and nothing do to but sit and think, I take to the key board. When it comes to my location, I give up.

As some of you know, I moved to Kayenta on September 30. Liz knows I was cautiously optimistic at that time, but generally trying to stay positive about the move. I was getting excited about many aspects of the move, such as renting a house instead an apartment (something I later learned was sort of silver cloud with a gray lining), having a yard, living in a rural area and so on. The house is in terrible shape and isn't even 10 years old. Let me put it like this, "the building should be condemned. There’s serious metal fatigue in all the load-bearing members, the wiring is substandard, it’s completely inadequate for my power needs". Then there's the neighborhood (though this was obvious before the move). It's a disaster area. You might say, "the neighborhood is like a demilitarized zone". The yard is pointless and nothing but dirt, blowing dirt, unless it is mud, or hard packed clay, depending on season. Mostly, the yards seem to function as catchments for the blowing trash and people's 8 trucks they park on them. The rural area, is more of a prison of isolation, hours and hours from anything not this place. Then, there is the air pollution. Not from cars, but coal that people burn. It stinks like an old 2-stroke lawn mower idling with the choke clamped down, and it hangs around on cold winter nights.

All of that pales in comparison to the high winds made so much worse with fierce dust. I never thought it could be that bad. No wonder people in Oklahoma went insane in the 30s during the dust bowl. I had gusts so bad this afternoon, the house shook like I was in an earthquake. I mean windows rattled, the roof shook, and dust hit the windows so hard sounded like they were going to break.

Still, you would think that at some point, it has to get better. Summer is nearly here, it's time to enjoy the yard, the house, the warm weather and enjoy it by starting a garden to get food from. And, I did. I bought some stuff when I moved out, a peach and plum tree, and some other plants, as well as two pines. Virtually everything is dead. Dead, dead, dead. Stuff that looked fair after the last big wind event is now dead. Dried out and dead. All the leaves on the fruit trees, the sage brush I planted, the grapes (long since), and now all of the stuff I had planted in the last month and had come up. I really liked seeing some life, something green, something growing in the world of virtually nothing. My broccoli is shredded and dried out to stalks on the ground. My corn that came up is dead, my watermelon seeds, honey dew seeds, and sunflowers that had come up, all dried out and dead. My tomatoes, my basil, my radishes, my lettuce, and my gramma grasses, all dried out and killed in the last 48 hours. All dead. Even one area where I put in corn and it started growing, not only is that dead, but the wind has been so fierce that the soil I had planted the corn in- that is blown away. Completely gone! I have seedlings in pots that I could re-plant, but I am having a hard time wanting to bother again. I mean, what is the point? I put a lot of work in out here, just to have the wind destroy it. I had a lawn that got buried under 6 inches of dirt. Gave up on that, as you can't shovel your lawn. I had a native plants garden of grasses and wild flowers I planted and seeded last summer right after getting in. That was blown away in April. Not doing that again. I shoveled the dirt out of the street. That came back. Not doing that again. Seriously, I give up. Time to get up on the Model-T and move on.

[Jim]

Hex nut brackets on bridge?

Bridge over the river at the dam. I reported it to the guards.

[azbackpackr]

I might be interested in renting out the house for sure. There is a lot of work to be done before I can rent it out, though. Thanks for asking. This IS a nice place to live. There really is nothing wrong with it. I am just ready to move on after 13 years, that's all.

There is plenty to do here besides hiking and bicycling. I mentioned clubs. Best way to meet people, I think. The Arizona Archaeological Society local chapter is hosting the Supe from Petrified Forest at our next meeting. There are a couple of book discussion groups. Great people go to those (some of the same people go to all the clubs, since it's such a small town.) I volunteer for an Explorer Post where we do wilderness medicine, search and rescue, etc. There's a hiking club over in Lakeside. I also belong to the local treehugger club, the White Mtn. Conservation League. They're having a mtn. biking event this weekend. There's a historical society, too, but I'm not a member.

I'm not the churchy type, but there is plenty of that going on. There are always festivals in the summer. Skiing in winter. Hunting in the fall. Fishing any old time. Kayaking on the lakes. Wildlife watching. Great fireworks, BBQ and parade on the 4th.

This town even has a community college and a hospital, so that makes it almost a real town. It will be a real town again when they build a new swimming pool. The lack of a swimming pool really detracts from it, for me. When I first moved here I swam almost every day in the indoor pool, but they had to tear it down because it was too old. I even took lifeguard training.

So, that's the hard sell on Springerville-Eagar, known locally as "Round Valley."

[Jim]

I think there is a tendency by big city dwellers to idealize rural life, or small town life. While I did not like the climate of Flagstaff, it is a good size and for a number of other factors it has many things a large city would have, and that makes it nice for a lot of reasons. Every time I go to Tucson, the first 24 hours are overwhelming with people. People, people, people! and cars everywhere! I get use to it, though, and don't notice it all that much after a day or two. I have found small town life to be really boring. After 13 years in Eager, you may know what I mean Liz. People really do know everyone here. I'm use to near complete anonymity. NJ is great for that. The township I'm from has 4 times the number of people in the town I now live in, plus all the neighboring areas. I doubt there are even 22,000 people in a 70 mile radius of me (Tuba City and Chinle are about 75 miles away). But, I live in a region of the country that is almost completely unpopulated. At least I know myself well enough to know I don't know what I want. I like the idea, but not the practice of small town life. I am sure a different location, or not being completely isolated would make a big difference. And yes, a mountain range would help a lot.

[outdoor_lover]

I lived in a small town for 14 years, after spending the first 21 years in the big city. I'll take a small town any day and probably will again, sometime in the rest of my life, hopefully for good!!!

[Jim]

I guess it depends on what size you mean. Idaho Falls is a good size, but Jackson is too small and snotty. I could do a Grand Junction sized town, but not Durango.

[hippiepunkpirate]

Bridge over the river at the dam. I reported it to the guards.

Dam it, Jim, you've foiled my monkey wrenching!

While I did not like the climate of Flagstaff, it is a good size and for a number of other factors it has many things a large city would have, and that makes it nice for a lot of reasons.

Jim, are you feeling well? Am I reading this correctly? You think Flagstaff is nice for a lot of reasons? Not that I disagree, but based on your attitudes pre-Kayenta, I think If the guy you were then met the guy you are now he'd beat the (expletive) out of him. Those are the facts. (Loose indie movie reference there, I'd be impressed if anyone picks up on it...hint: part of the movie's title contains one of the words in my username).

Flagstaff is a nice size though...you mentioned a Grand Junction sized city being preferable, and I do believe it is similar in size to Flagstaff. There are a lot of things I miss about Flag, but biggest thing I miss is the size of town. Here in the valley, it feels like I am constantly suffocated by the city and the people. It's nice that Flagstaff has all the key amenities of a city, yet you can drive 10 minutes in any direction and find yourself very much away from civilization, with the advantage of undeveloped public land that essentially surrounds the town. Where I live now, most any which way I drive leads to more city for 20-50 miles, and perhaps much longer just to reach somewhere that feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. The second thing I miss about Flag is the way I can be in the city (like literally be driving through town) and look up and see the Peaks, Dry Lake Hills, Mount and Elden and the pine tree clad mesas that surround most of the town. It just seems a lot easier to be in Flag and still feel connected to the natural landscape. Not that you can't have that in the valley if you go certain places, or live certain places, but it's certainly not something easy to attain down here. I could really rant on and on about this, so I will cut myself off. But yes, I can speak enough about how much I miss Flag

[imike]

Such a subjective dynamic... the perfect mix for any one individual will vary so greatly. New Mexico provides a number of interesting options; I find some ideal circumstances available. Where I currently reside:

Car registration costs less than $50 per year... property taxes $200! House in a nice neighborhood cost $20,000. In a town of less than 30,000, there are constant activities... public gym: $2 per visit... public pool (covered in the winter)... great library, and a second available at the local university... hiking in Whites Sands 20 minutes away... 70+ hike you can walk to from town (ridge, canyon... and mountain)... 30 minute drive to top of mountain for hundreds more hikes... local mountains: 9,000'... 12,000' peak an hour away... summertime temps up the hill: 70's in July!.... for lower income folks: free food!...free clothing...utility subsidy. There are even jobs going wanting!

Lots of volunteer opportunities, too: Habitat for Humanity, Rails to Trails, Clothing Missions, Food Banks, mentoring through the library...

4500' elevation, so cool nights all year... small ski area just up the hill in Cloudcroft... great mountain biking... nice road biking... city streets ideal for bike commute (safer than most places)... active clubs and groups... Rails to Trails working to convert the old Cloud Climbing railway beds to effective trails up and around the mountains.

Lots of church activity... variety of activities associated with Holloman Airbase (they have a really great gym and pool!)... theater.... movies.... farmers market....very family oriented town.

Very undiscovered area... I rarely ever run into anyone when I go hiking. The chances to get that "off and away" feeling even easy from the hikes just out of town...unlike even the Grand Canyon where the impact of constant people so steady (boats, planes, hikers... too much!)

There are probably pocketed communities like this all over... just got to somehow find the right one for you...

I find the best mix one wherein the basics are nicely covered within the community where I live (hiking!)... then hit the road for 4-6 months for travel and extended visits to other areas... which means the community needs to provide the economic opportunity to liberate your budget!

[Jim]

The bolts and washers were missing from a bracket that holds the railing to the chain link fence posts on the side of the bridge. Only the top one was missing it's bolts and washers, the bottom one was fine. Besides, the only thing that would happen is the bracket would fall into the rive.

Flag and my opinions on it are interesting. Mostly, I don't care for it, but as a place to go to and shop, it is a good size town. Way, way nicer than Farmington, and better in size and scope than Page and Cortez. Durango is OK, but too far away. It has some hiking, and this time of year that is usually nice. Windy now, though. No blowing dust, so better than here. I'm still not in love with it, never will be. Don't know if I could take Glendale. Some places are too big and sprawling. I still don't want to live in a town as small as I am now.

[azbackpackr]

I miss Flagstaff, after having lived there all last year.

Since returning from four months in Costa Rica, I have settled in here in Eagar, (wish people would spell it correctly, guess that is my problem, huh?) It's a nice little town. In a way, it's kind of "the last best place," being so isolated, yet having most features a town should have. It's just a bit boring. I have plenty to do right now, though.

I was in Flag last weekend. I went to a photography exhibit at a cafe, a kind of special event where snacks and booze were served for free (it was "First Friday"). Everyone was wearing Chacos, Tevas and Birkies. If I go to any event in Eagar, I am probably going to be the only one wearing Chacos or Tevas. I am not sure what that signifies.

I will probably move to North County/Oceanside (San Diego area) when I leave here, though. That is where my family is gravitating. Or, maybe, back to Flag or Tucson. I do love Tucson, very much. It feels like old home week whenever I go down there. A little nicer climate than Phoenix, and not as big, and great hiking right next to it, in every direction. A job could put me in Phoenix. At least I have a lot of friends there!

[RedRoxx44]

I like where I live. It is quiet and full of older people, quite a few are active ( I define older as 70 and up) that's cause I'm almost 55. It's low traffic except at snowbird time and nice shopping very closely located. I look at the Santa Rita's, Catalinas and Rincons every day. I can get to Tucson depending on where I want to go in 25 min to 45 minutes if it's deep in town or northside. I can walk in some nice desert in the morning from my house. I have javelina and at times roaming horses from the Res in my front yard. Some snakes and bobcats but not too many. Lots of birds.
I wanted Palm trees, Saquaros and a mesquite tree and now I have those planted and growing. I really like my house but I like roaming more so being a homeowner is a weird experience. Anyway, Imike's situation sounds great; if I ever leave Az New mexico is high on the list for the next great place. That and Utah.

[Jim]

Liz, I think you'll just have to get used to how people spell "Edgar, Arizona".

Red, you have what I want, and have wanted for some time. I love it when I'm down there, and miss it when up here. People from this area look at me and say, "but it's so hot", every time I mention going to Tucson. Somehow, no one ever said what they should have to me when I told them where I lived, while I was in Tucson this spring. They should have said, "but it's so dead there". There is virtually no life here. No animals, no plants, and nothing like palms, saguaro or mesquite. I loved seeing the Javelina in March or April, and Pima Canyon was incredible. Coming back was like sensory deprivation.

[azbackpackr]

Amen. Tucson is great. What's not to like? Oh, yeah, drive-bys on the South Side. So, don't go to the South Side. I like the heat. It can get onerous in June and July, but you can always just drive up to Mt. Lemmon, doesn't take long. August is gorgeous, with lots of rain, usually, and everything gets all green.

Tucson has everything. Nice winter weather. Great university. Good community college. Active arts community. Great hiking clubs. Nice swimming pools all over town. Snow if you want it, (I don't) up on Mt. Lemmon. Summers are hot but not like Phoenix.

I really didn't want to move up here in the first place, and now I am the last one left. Have to do something about the house.

[outdoor_lover]

@imikeRedRoxx44
I always thought Alamagordo was a cool town, but I'm a liitle biased, I really have always enjoyed New Mexico and have seen alot of it. Cannon Falls, MN had a population of about 1000 and 45 minutes away you had every amenity you could possibly want in the Twin Cities. Perfect size town and although I won't live in MN again, that's certainly the size of town I will be looking for again in AZ or NM.

[kevinweitzel75]

I have lived in both the big cities and the small towns, White Bird, ID being the smallest (pop. 150). I would have to say that living in a town of maybe 3,000 - 5,000 would be ideal for me. Not too small so everyone knows your every move, but small enough to give you some privacy. I like the small town feel where if you need help, there are plenty of "friends" that have your back, but yet you can still disappear for couple days without a search party looking for you. Unfortunately, I will be stuck in the Mesa, Gilbert area for a very long time. My wife was born in Mesa, and moving anywhere other than this general vicinity, scares the hell out of her.

[azbackpackr]

I have moved around some, and it is scary if it is the first time. The hardest move was from Hawaii, where I had moved as a single person, back to the Mainland, with a husband and three toddlers in tow. We had to sell literally everything we owned. Was glad to get off that rock, though. It's beautiful, but after 8 years of never leaving the Big Island, not even to go to another island, I was pretty much ready to move on.

It was scary moving up here to Eagar, wondering how we would support ourselves. Turns out it was easier to get jobs here than it was in Tucson. Here, if you are a good worker, you can get a job easily, since there are so many lame-os around here, who whine that there are no jobs. I have held up to four jobs at one time, on more than one occasion.

It wasn't so scary moving to Flagstaff.

Moving to a new location can be really good for a person, though. It broadens your horizons. It helps you get over being scared about going to a new place. For some people, moving is a way of life, but I have always put down roots, and it's hard to uproot me.

[CannondaleKid]

Cannon Falls, MN had a population of about 1000 and 45 minutes away you had every amenity you could possibly want in the Twin Cities.

Yup, Cannon Falls is a great little town. I used to bike and/or inline skate the paved trail between Cannon Falls and Red Wing 2-3 times every year. I sure miss those paved trails through the various 'wilderness' areas in Minnesota... without anything like it here I dare say I've skated but a half dozen times in the ten years I've lived in AZ.

[outdoor_lover]

@CannondaleKid
Yep, I remember that Trail. First time I had ever used "Inline Skates" was on that Trail going out of Cannon toward Red Wing. I even just liked the drive between the two, very scenic. Red Wing was a great small town too, although bigger than Cannon. Alot of History in those towns as well, especially those on the Mississippi River....

[Jim]

Rather than create a new thread, which are the good hiking clubs of Tucson, and where is the best place to find them. Meetup, other? I have noticed we seem to have a strong Phoenix cohort, but few Tucson member that are active on the board or in social hikes.

Also, which has a strong membership of single, young to youngish, members?

[rwstorm]

Violin music anyone? :-({|=

[Jim]

Violin music anyone? :-({|=

Why, because I asked which are the hiking clubs to join? I don't understand.