Everything excellent has to come to an end. At least that is what is said.
The year has had a challenging start. Nobody specifically instructs you on how to handle unforeseen unemployment. But, everyone does count on you to maintain a positive image online and in public.
I've been keeping myself occupied and afloat by working a few freelance tasks, including managing social media for businesses, writing a few industry essays, and starting the second year of a leadership program for young ranchers. Yet, going from being on the road 80% of the time last fall to basically none this winter and spring has been challenging for me.
I work best under deadline pressure, so having a schedule helps me stay on track. So it has taken some getting used to to having the rug pulled out from under me (not that I am there now).
The grass under my feet began to grow too much last week, so I took advantage of a last-minute flight offer and spent a few days in the Arizona desert. I'm glad I accumulated points from all of my travel last year. I prepared my luggage, grabbed some food, a couple running outfits, and left (with the tablet so I could continue working). Sometimes all one needs is actual space to contemplate.
The first day was spent in Yavapai County on the western side of the Tonto National Forest. The Falcon Guides book series, which lists the locations and specifics of several adventures across the nation, is one of my favorites. This time, it was simple running for 10 miles as I found my way through some forest service roads in ranch land close to the Verde River. It was great to just go for a run while allowing my brain to take everything in.
South Kaibab Trail in Grand Canton National Park
My first trip to Flagstaff came during the next stop. This is a mountain village at a high height that is close to the snow-covered San Francisco Peaks. Downtown strives to maintain its antique charm while providing a variety of restaurant and beverage alternatives.
Then I went to Grand Canyon National Park for the second time. I ran on the North Rim on Labor Day of last year; this time, I went to the South Rim. Undoubtedly less accessible and my favorite of the two is the North Rim. I ran/hiked a couple kilometers on the South Kaibab Trail after hiking the rim and dodging people. The vistas of the canyon below make the quick descent worthwhile. Of course, if you go down, you have to get back up. At that point, a storm began to approach, and I received a thorough sandblasting. But more significantly, I continued going up the final climb without pausing. I continued to rise, albeit slowly. #training
Of course, I observed the aforementioned sign on this trail...
Down is not required. Up Must Be Done.
That strikes a chord with me in several ways. I'm currently having trouble with something at work and in my personal life, in addition to the difficult trek out of the canyon. Setbacks can easily make me feel sad, drag me down, and make me generally cranky. Going back up is difficult, but it is necessary.
We won't have a choice but to become lost in the canyon if we allow all of that to bring us down and don't make an attempt to climb back up.
No matter how impatient I am or how often I am reminded, I will continue to do this. It feels chilly and lonely down there at night, so I don't want to get caught in the canyon.
Although it's corny, that's what gets me to sleep at night.
Returning to my trek through Arizona... That night, it started to snow and became a little chilly. Yet in late March, that's an elevation of 8,000 feet! The song stayed stuck in my head for the following 48 hours after I reached Winslow, Arizona, where I was standing on the corner in Standin' on the Corner. And indeed, it is a depressing small town. Downtown, which is bypassed by the highway and merely a shell of what it once was in the 1970s, is nonetheless worth a pit stop. whether a fan of the Eagles.
Standing in Winslow, Arizona, at the corner
My next trip was the Tonto National Forest's eastern edge, where I found more snow and had a fantastic drive. I visited Tonto Natural Bridge State Park with my free Arizona State Parks day pass (always stop at those tourist information centers for potential freebies!). The park contains a number of trails to explore the bridge and its caverns from various perspectives, and this landmark claims to be one of the largest travertine natural bridges. Be on the lookout for stray javelinas. On the route, I came across a few people, but I didn't want to linger too long to find out how amiable they were.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Arizona
Finally, you must experience some of the desert's heat while visiting Arizona. I spent the day in Tempe (on the western edge of Phoenix), where I ran a few kilometers around the ASU campus. There's nothing like spending some time in a big city to remind me of how much I value solitude.
Also, as much as I enjoy traveling, it's always pleasant to arrive at my last decent home and see those mountains.