Traveling, Camping and Hiking My Way Westward
Adventure Location/Trail/Park: Phoenix and Tortilla Flats, AZ
Stopping to spend time with far flung friends is one of the best parts of travel. Reconnecting, meaningful conversation, and adventure with a local all make the time special. I am deeply grateful for the friends I’ve made who are flung far and wide. The circle of my life has grown with each phase, adding a richness to life. Being able to travel and know I will have a welcome place to rest and enjoy company from my solo travels is truly a gift I don’t take for granted.
I was about to spend two luxurious days with good friends in the Phoenix area. I also hoped to be able to reconnect with former colleagues based in the area. The first order of business though was to simply relax.
That’s easy to do when people you know are consummate hosts. I arrived to one of my friend Jean’s home cooked meals followed by a beautiful evening catching up with Jean and her husband Tim next the firepit. We could have talked all night. Eventually though we turned in to get some rest for the yet-to-be planned day ahead.
When I got up the next morning, Jean had again made sure food was at the ready along with a glass of cold brew coffee. We lounged on the porch and discussed the plan for the day. On my last trip we’d taken a short drive to one of her favorite spots just outside of Scottsdale. Today she had a different plan – Tortilla Flat. As soon as she said it, I lit up. It struck a memory of a conversation with a former colleague about coming off trail near there and the great food to be had. Of course I was in on the idea!
Winding Roads, Saguaro Cactus and Tacos with Black Beans
It was late morning before we were ready for the adventure. Jean insisted on driving. We stopped at the Canyon Lake Vista in the Tonto National Forest on the way. The view at the overlook was spectacular. The area’s deep canyons are seemingly hidden as the elevation changes. It wasn’t long before I realized why I had been planted in the passenger seat. Jean had an idea of my fear of heights, but soon got the full understanding. As we wound further up and around the narrow road through the Superstition Mountains, I explained I’d be looking at the floorboards, not the view. Every now and then I’d look up only to quickly look down again. I was torn between the sheer beauty and the utter fear the heights struck in me.
Tortilla Flat is the quintessential western town, tiny as it hugs the canyon between the steep walls. It looks like a western movie set. Northern facing wood buildings with deep porches and boardwalks to shade from the blistering. Easy to imagine the rough life of those who settled in the area. We ducked into the Superstition Saloon to put our names in for lunch. While we waited, we wandered through the mercantile gift shop.
Before long, our table was ready. I took in the walls covered from floor to ceiling with dollar bills from around the world, the bar with real saddles for seats, and a menu with so many options it was hard for a moment to choose. I quickly decided to try the tacos and added some black beans as my side. I was not disappointed. I’ll opt for black beans over refried, but I still won’t eat a ton. Not the case here – I devoured it all as if I’d been out hiking for days. We lingered in the late afternoon heat deep in conversation. Jean is one of my friends who I can turn for perspective when I am challenged. I appreciate people like her to help me when I’m feeling lost. Not to show me the way, but to ask hard questions as I seek my way.
We decided to move along, stopping in the restrooms before plunging into the late afternoon heat. A trip to the restroom is its own adventure at the Saloon. Well worth it and definitely laughter inducing.
On the boardwalk we turned toward the tiny Tortilla Flat Museum. This small building that once housed the town schoolhouse now serves as a jam-packed history capsule. You can learn about life in the town, the mysteries and legends of the Lost Dutchman’s mine and sign the guestbook. We laughed about how much is crammed into the tiny space, while learning about what makes this such a unique place.
The winding road back had me yet, again switching from looking at the floorboards to staring right at the side of Jean’s head. I caught her off guard, startling her when she looked across toward me to take in the view as she drove. We both laughed more as I told her I just wanted to look at my beautiful friend. She knew the truth though. I tried yet again at taking tiny looks at the scenery, saguaro and cholla cactus everywhere. Where I could drum up enough courage I took in the incredible views of the salt river on its path through the landscape.
Coffee, Chinese and Catching Up
We arrived back at Jean and Tim’s place just in time for me to change and head toward Old Scottsdale for a quick visit with one former colleague before dinner with another. I was excited to see Diana for many reasons, foremost that I might be able to spend time with her and her newborn. We picked a coffee shop near her home where I met her, for what I would learn was her first outing without the beautiful little baby. What an honor to be the person who would draw her from that special time as a new mom! The time we had was all too short. Again, I was reminded how wonderful the breadth of connections I’ve made across the wandering path of life.
Next was off to Tempe for dinner with my former colleague Megan. She’d been tasked with taking choosing our dinner spot. Her excitement at sharing her favorite Chinese restaurant was palpable. We ordered more food than either of us could possibly eat. It was glorious.
Our conversation flowed easily as we shared all that had passed in the months since we’d last seen each other. I told her about my day’s adventure. She shared places she’d love to share on my next trip through the state, hoping it would be sooner rather than later. Eventually we had to part ways. Gratitude for the connections I’ve made filled my heart.
Back at Jean and Tim’s we continued our conversation. I took them on a tour of the camper I’d been calling home on my travels. We could have stayed up all night again, but I eventually gave in to gathering my belongings for the next stage of my trip. From Arizona I’d be heading reluctantly home to Minnesota.
This travel, hike and camping took place on the traditional territory of the O’odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O’odham (Upper Pima), and Hohokam who have stewarded this land for time immemorial. I respect the histories, languages and cultures of these peoples, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant and changing communities. Join me in learning more about the tribes and these lands, by following the links provided.
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HOME AWAY FROM HOME: My adventure camper is a lovely little teardrop made-to-order by the incredibly talented people at Vistabule in St. Paul, MN.
GEAR: Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack,Marmot Kompressor Pack,Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof,Oboz Katabic Low,Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Light Jacket, Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Pant,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket,REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants, Gnara Go There™ Pants, Chickfly Merino Eucalyptus Leggings,Icebreaker Women’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings, SPOT GEN3 Satellite GPS Messenger, Dueter Dirtbag, Kula Cloth, Leki Women’s Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA trekking poles, Nemo Dragonfly™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent, Nemo Sonic™ 0 Down Sleeping Bag,Paria Thermodown 30 down quilt, Exped Ultra 7R Mat,REI Flash 3-Season Sleeping Pad, Thermarest Z Seat™,MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, TOAKS Titanium 450ML Cup with Lid, MSR® IsoPro™ Fuel.
Want to know more about my gear selections? Head on over to Gear & Gadgets or check out my posts titled “Gear in Review”.
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