by Melanie McManus | Mar 11, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Today I was so excited to be headed toward Saguaro National Park. The day had such promise! Sigh. Sandy made me oatmeal with blueberries, plus coffee with heavy whipping cream. Pure bliss! Then she got me on the trail around 8:15. The day looked to be a good one: 19.9...
by Melanie McManus | Mar 12, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Big fat evacuation bummer! So I heard mid-afternoon yesterday about the rain and snow coming. And how everyone was getting off the trail. Except me, apparently, who didn’t get the memo! Last night the rain began. I was snug and warm in my tent. But it didn’t stop. At...
by Melanie McManus | Mar 13, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Today was a zero day in Vail, at Sandy’s home. It rained quite a bit again, plus the winds were very strong. I’m sure it was snowing on the mountaintops. So while I missed hiking, I was glad to be warm and safe. I took the time to revise my itinerary – an...
by Melanie McManus | Mar 14, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Diana dropped me off at the Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead around 8:20 this morning. The plan was for me to hike SOBO. Then, after she picked up Amy at the airport, they would meet me at Italian Trap Trailhead late afternoon. Heading south from Gordon Hirabayashi, the...
by Melanie McManus | Mar 15, 2019 | Arizona, Arizona Trail 2019, Hiking, Trail Journals, United States
Last night, nearing Summerhaven, we heard lots of coyotes as we drifted off to sleep. It was pretty cool, although their howls were interspersed with the sound of planes flying overhead. It was cold and windy once again last night, too. Yuck. Why do people enjoy...