Beautiful Colorado–enroute to Colorado Springs

After a very rough season of Camp hosting, I am having some much deserved down time, all to myself.  Time to enjoy nature, and find my wits again.  The last month on the job, I suffered a severe case of RAD (never even heard it before – Reactive Airway Disease).  I knew I had COPD, but none of the normal cures were helping me. I could not stop coughing. The last six days on the job, I finally found a cure.  Fell and cracked 3 ribs… let me tell you, you WILL stop coughing.  And Lordy, I think it hurts worse than having a baby… sure takes longer for the pain to stop.  LOL

So, it’s off to enjoy some wide open spaces, and I am loving every mile.

I have friends and family in Colorado Springs… so I am SLOWLY heading that way.  Brother, and sister-in-law, nephew, great niece and great nephew, good friend from “vandwellers” tribe, and who else???? 

And on the way, this….

Swankie’s wits… where are you?????

Arizona National Trail–Passage 1 Scouting Trip (April 5, 2016)

For more than 2 years I have been planning this hike, Arizona National Scenic Trail, or the AZT, and now it begins, well sort of… I still do not have the gear I need for an extended stay in the wilderness, but I have begun as of today, to explore the trail by road, visiting as many trail towns, trailheads, etc. as I can reach with my van. 

From guide book, p. 50:  A historic obelisk and simple barbed-wire fence at the Mexico-U.S. border mark the official start of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) from it’s southernmost point.  Here, before your eyes unfolds the expansive San Rafael Valley – a unique Sonoran grassland environment that is beautiful during all seasons.

Entering the Coronado National Monument, this sign was a disappointment, No Camping.

The Visitor Center.  They were friendly and has a few nice exhibits.

Today I began with Passage 1, a roundtrip hike from Montezuma Pass, in the Coronado National Monument to the Mexican border.  I was told by the Visitor Center that is was 3.7 miles round trip but that may not be correct.  Afterwards, my body felt like it was more like 37 miles. 

This is the hike I did 4/5/16.

Yes, I have some conditioning to do… and am going to do it… “on-the-trail” training (you know, like on-the-job training?).  As I travel by van to check out the locations, I will be going out on some overnights, camping out, testing my gear, and then returning to the van.  I will refine my body and my gear as I proceed northward to the UT border where I will begin the solo thru hike southward.  I pray, my gear and I will be ready for it by then, early Fall 2016.

From the guide book, page 53:  At the top of Coronado Peak, is where Flagstaff schoolteacher Dale Shewalter sat with friends on a clear, cool evening and presented the question of whether it would be possible to link a series of trails across the entire state.  (When I learned he had the same birthdate as me, I considered it a sign, that I should hike this trail.  May 16.)

A spur from the Joe’s Canyon Trail, the trail descends steeply to the US/Mexico border. Here you can view International Boundary Marker 102 located at the southwestern corner of the park. This trail marks the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 800+ mile diverse and scenic trail that extends from Mexico to Utah. For your safety, please do not cross over fence into Mexico.

There was a fire a few years back that killed many of the trees.

Joe's Canyon Trail and the Coronado Peak Trail are both part of the National Trails System and classified as National Recreational Trails. The Yaqui Ridge and Crest Trails are part of the larger Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) which stretches nearly 800 miles from the Arizona-Mexico border at Coronado National Memorial to the Arizona-Utah border.

My hike was surprisingly beautiful.  I didn’t expect that.

Trail markers, a rock cairn, and an AZT marker.

I thought I had to hike all the way down there, but then around the bend, there it was the border and the marker.

From the guide book, page 52:  After touching the monument and traveling north for almost 2 miles, you arrive at a trailhead at Montezuma Pass.  Getting there is worth the effort, as you will no doubt agree when the passage climbs onto the first of several landforms called sky islands, which are unique to Arizona.  These isolated mountain ranges rise several thousand feet above the surrounding desert, resulting in dramatically different life zones from those found at lower elevations only a few miles away.  These elevated biotic communities are evidence of what the Sonoran Desert climate was like 10,000-plus years ago and as the climate has warmed, the plants and animals have retreated higher into the hills.  Thus, these sky islands are surrounded by a sea – of desert.

The fence was cut open in a number of places.  That was my greatest fear, was running into Mexicans, but I saw none.  I saw no people until I was almost back at the parking lot.  Then I saw a female guide taking two people to this location.

Post put there after a Treaty between Mexico and America.

Well there it is, the beginning of Passage 1 of the AZ Trail.  Now that I have hiked it, I might not return in the Fall.  I forgot to take my photo at the monument, so who knows, I may come back just to do that.  I sure it will be easier to hike at the end of the 800 miles than at the beginning.

There were more trees along the trail than I expected, and they gave some welcomed shade. I rested under this one a long time, just to listen to the quiet. (my brain is making too much noise).  I felt very at home and at peace out there, alone in the wilderness.

Tiny tiny little flowers, smaller than a penny.

Ah ha, almost back to parking lot.  And as I got to the parking lot, there was a young lady seeing a male hiker off… his pack looked very very heavy and he was carrying at least 3 gallons of water.  I told him I thought he had enough water.  I don’t think I could have carried his pack.

I used 1 1/2 bottle of water, a few grapes, and a couple bites of a Payday candy bar (and had no breakfast).  I began at 7am and returned to the van at 11:30am.  And I was slow.

Yes, I am a happy camper, a tired and sore happy camper.

From there I went on to find two more trailheads, Sunnyside Canyon Trailhead and also Parker Canyon Lake Trailhead.  Parker Canyon is where Passage 1 ends and 2 begins.

More details on training and conditioning.

Next:  Passage 1 & 2 - Scouting and Research Trip.

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I still need gear.  Please donate to my equipment fund for the Arizona Trail hike, in the Fall 2016.  I promise to pay it forward.  There is a PayPal donation button in the top right corner, but I realize people using phone may not see that so I am repeating the button below. You can see a list of gear I need at http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/p/wish-list.html .

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WEEK SEVEN–Still want to hike the Arizona National Scenic Trail (Aug. 23-29th, 2015)

NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!

Goal: Hike The Arizona Trail.  It is an 800+ mile recreation trail from Mexico to Utah that connects mountain ranges, canyons, deserts, forests, wilderness areas, historic sites, trail systems, points of interest, communities, and people.   (From:  http://www.aztrail.org/at_about.html).

I have been very excited about the idea of doing this as a solo hike, but after studying the book on the trail, and coming to understand more fully just how big a challenge this would be, I am having second thoughts BUT a possible solution would be to skip the section by the Mexican Border and begin at the 2nd section.  Still thinking about it.  Anyone interested in hiking the first section of the trail with me??? 

Previous post.  

My sunset last night (Sat. 8/29/15) from atop a mountain above Raton.  It has just stormed a little with wet sloshy hail, and then this wonderful view.

Training Days Forty-two to Forty-eight (8/23-29, 2015,  Sun.- Sat):

What have I accomplished in the four main components of preparing for this challenge?

BETTER news.  I’m getting past the depression and am off the meds that were suppose to be helping me.  My energy level is improving.  Sometimes  medication has the wrong effect.

1) Get fit, food wise.  I did much better this week with sodas and coffee popsicles, because I spent time in the wilderness away from the temptations of fast foods and grocery stores.  I have felt hungry a lot, odd for me as I am usually loaded up with carbs and sugars,  but I worked on accepting these feelings as a good sign.  Monday I had a small coke and some snack crackers.  That’s the only bad thing I ate all week.  It seems my body is going through some major metabolic changes.

2) Get fit, fitness wise.  

Day 42 (Sun).  I pretty much just rested.  I planned to change this up… and do something on Sundays, walk or do a strength training routine, but I did nothing but escape into genealogy research.

Day 43 (Mon).   Overslept this morning.  Ate the bad snacks.  Still lurking too much in the family tree but have about decided there is no solution to the broken branch I have been trying to fix.

Day 44 (Tue). Feeling very lazy today… and gave in to it.   Pout!!!  Just blew 3 whole days without any exercise.  Pout!!!   I hate myself.

Day 45 (Weds). GREAT news.  Today, I swam a mile in 1 hour and 30 min, using a kick board to strengthen my legs, which increased my time.  I was very proud of myself and felt highly motivated, until the next morning?

Day 46 (Thurs). Feeling depressed and needing to get out of town.  My joints hurt from swimming and I have not been taking Ibuprofen this week.  Drove up the road that goes behind Goat Hill (the hill with the flag on it), and found a place to park.  Feels good to be in the wild again and be able to hear crickets, birds, and the wind.  Lightening off in the distance.  I have missed being in nature.

Day 47 (Fri.).  Found the motivation to drive back to the pool this morning, and swam 1 mile in 1 hour and 20 min., 10 min less than Weds.  Used a kickboard for part of that and my legs are feeling stronger.  Drove right back up the hill after without going to town.  It’s 2.7 miles to my parking spot. 

Day 48 (Sat).  Have enjoyed just being in nature.  Walking the area a bit.  Got out my bag of gym items, weights, bands, etc. and am working out a strength-training routine to do beside the van.  No one has bothered me in this location and I seem to have the world to myself.  Most of the time I have good wifi signal as well.

Still having trouble in the mornings,  I wake up, plan to go swim, go back to bed and just sleep… enjoying the fresh cool air here.  OMG, it is so relaxing.  I am feeling more refreshed and less depressed and I believe when that medication finally gets out of my system, I will feel even better.

That first segment of the AZ Trail worries me because of the way it is written up in the book re: illegal immigrants coming across the border.  I am now considering skipping that part of the trail, unless I get someone to hike that segment with me.  I now plan to begin at the 2nd segment of the trail.

3) Learn how to ward off biting bugs.   SAME. There just are not many bugs here!!!  I’m keeping a notebook of ideas for future reference.

4) Get the equipment I need.  SAME.  Backpack donated.  No other progress made on equipment needs this week.  I have not yet made a list.

DEPRESSING news.  Budget still stinks, but I have managed to partially pay back some of the friends who helped me out this summer.  It has really strapped me financially and the only solution I see is NOT to go onto LTVA when I get to Quartzsite.  I am just not going to have $180 to pay for that up front.  Besides, if I begin to hike the AZ Trail in the spring, I won’t be on LTVA all the way to the end of the season.  The alternative is not too appealing either, as I will have to move around every two weeks, which  means I will not have the comfort of setting up my permanent camp.  But all that is doable.  I can pay $40 for two weeks in LTVA, and the go camp on free land for 2 weeks, and repeat.  So cost will be $10 average a week for camping.  That I can manage regardless of how annoying it will be to have to move every two weeks.

Weight?   Last week: 225 pounds       This week:  227 pounds    Weekly Loss/Gain = +2.  UGH!   Total Loss/Gain (since July 13) = -13 pounds.   Keep in mind, loosing weight is only a by-product of getting fit, not the goal.  And although weight loss is not the goal, it makes me feel disappointed in myself that I gained this week.

Please click on the blue bar at the top to “Join this site” and follow me.  You will get a e-mail notice when there is a new blog post.  Thank you.

Working on the sketches now instead of getting lost in my genealogy research.

Also, I am creating a set of notecards of southwestern images to sell in order to raise money for equipment or to help pay back my friends.  Please have a look at what they may look like.  I hope to have them finished and ready to mail out by Thanksgiving.  You can reserve your set of note cards now by sending a PayPal donation of $25 to charlene.swankie@gmail.com.  Note Cards will be sent out before Dec. 1, 2015, or delivered to you are the Winter RTR Rendezvous.

Sample Southwest Notecards

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What I am NOT Thankful For!

Chef Steve, lowering the turkey into the deep fat fryer.  Took 45 min. to cook that bird.  It was yummy.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving 2014, and I spent it with my “vanily.”  That’s right, VAN-ily.   (Van + family)  There were about 40 of us gathered off grid in the AZ desert with no services.  My friend, Steven, was the Host and Chef with the Most.  He did all the work of preparing one of the best thanksgiving meals I ever had.  I prepared an apple/pecan cobbler that was to die for.  It was a great meal and good time renewing old friendships and beginning new ones.  I got to meet three new tribal dogs, Kaylee, Cody, and Max.  So, you would think I would be happy.  But it’s just not so.

Just at dusk, this horrible cloud of smog blew in from the west, agricultural dust from CO River Valley, ATV and Mountain bike dust, and truck fumes.  I had to retreat to the van, put on a mask, and run my A/C until the cloud passed.  How is that fun???  This I am not thankful for.

I woke in the night with allergic reactions to dogs, dust and the pollution.  My eyes were itching, my nose was running, I was stuffy and having trouble breathing.  I was also up all night peeing gallons (???).  What the heck?  Why does my price for having fun have to be so high?  This morning, I came to the realization, one I have been fighting for a couple years, that I would not be able to continue to gather with the tribe for the desert dinners and for RTR.  My allergies have just gotten too bad.  In the future I will be remaining in an isolated camp alone, and will try to remain healthy enough to endure the exposure I get from dust of the rock club itself… and avoid any other allergens in the future. This I am not happy for.  Hopefully, I will not have to give up the Rock Club, my original reason for coming to Quartzsite.  That I would not be thankful for.

Cody (Bob Wells new dog) and Kaylee (Lori Hicks new dog), playing besides the chairs.

I love dogs. They know it and all want to come to me.  I have to be mean and firm and cruel to them to keep them away.  They want to romp under my feet and kick up dust that I have to breath, so I have to be mean and wear a mask.  That is not fun for me.  This I am not thankful for.  We had half a dozen dogs at Thanksgiving dinner and I expect a minimum of 2 dozen at the RTR, most will be allowed to run loose and pee on whatever they wish.  One peed on the canopy of my blue chair, while it was down.  Some clubs, like WINS has a rule against bringing your dogs to the meeting circles and meals.  There will never be a rule like that for RTR, so I will just have to stop attending after this Jan. 2015.  I have to choose between the RTR and my health.  It is unfortunate, but that is just the reality of it.  The dogs have more rights and freedom than I do… this I am not happy for.

I am hoping the year will end on a better note, but am stressed out about that as well. My son had his 3rd hip replacement on his right hip in two years.  That 3rd was in November, and when he went back for a check up  and to get staples out a couple of days ago, they discovered his femur had fractured.  This I was not thankful for.

So December 2, his daughter is having open heart surgery, and on December 3, he is having his 4th hip surgery, to go in and wire his femur back together.  Astonishingly, he reports that he is having NO pain at all.  I believe the pain would be unbearable, so his body and mind have shut it all down.  This is very stressful for me.

A tooth in a box… cost $950.00

And then there is the botched Mexican dental work that I am having to pay to have redone in America.   $950 out of pocket to a Mexican dentist… only to have the final crown fall out two days later because he used the wrong size abutment (and he knew it was wrong, but didn’t tell me and went ahead and let me pay him the balance).  He agreed to a refund in October, but I have yet to see one penny.  This I was not happy for.  NEVER go to this dentist… he is not reliable, honest, nor honorable.

Beware:   Dr. Sabas Magana Ambriz in Los Algodones, B.C. Mexico

I want my blog to be upbeat and all about fun and adventure, but I swear 2014 is making that a real challenge.  I will make one more post in 2014, and I promise you it will be a happy fun one.  Stick with me, my dear followers.  Swankie will be swankie again before too long.  And if you pray, please keep my son and granddaughter in your prayers.

It might be a genetic flaw… we laugh and get silly when serious stuff happens.  I would be very thankful for all the prayers you can send their way.  They both deserve to have full and happy lives, even if I don’t.  This I would be very thankful for.  Thank you.

I’ll be back, Swankier!!!