Thanksgiving week is upon us, which means soon enough - Black Friday. A day of deals, early morning openings, stampedes, and terrifying accounts later heard on the news. A day that never felt right to me. I hated hearing about the Black Friday aftermath on the news. Especially after a day we’re encouraged to show gratitude. Thankfully (is this considered punny?), there are organizations that choose a different value for the day after Thanksgiving. Like REI.
Since 2015, REI has encouraged folks to reconnect with the outdoors over the holiday weekend through their campaign, #OptOutside. Every year they close down their stores to business, paying their employees to instead enjoy some quality time out in the fresh air and inspiring customers to do the same. CEO Jerry Stritzke explains, "As a member-owned co-op, our definition of success goes beyond money. We believe that a life lived outdoors is a life well lived and we aspire to be stewards of our great outdoors." Getting a holiday weekend off isn’t a privilege we all have, but if it’s one you find yourself with this week, here’s my 5 favorite places in Arizona to #OptOutside.
Oak Creek in Sedona: Oak Creek makes for a beautiful hike or a perfect spot to relax near. Bring a towel, chair, or hammock along with some snacks and you can sit or lie by the creek for some “chill out” time. It’s fun to read, write, or draw and of course take a dip in the creek. There are multiple spots in Sedona where you can hang out by Oak Creek. My favorite spots usually involve a little bit of a hike, but anywhere usually puts me in a nice relaxed state of mind. If you’re looking for more of a hike check out West Fork Trail. If you want to get in the water, then look into Slide Rock State Park. Both need parking passes, so make sure you bring cash. Wanting some more options? Just do a quick Google Search! Keep in mind, no matter where you go there are some really important guidelines when recreating near sources of water. For one, if you have to go to the bathroom, be at least 200 feet away from water. The same goes for washing anything with soap, shampoo, or toothpaste, even if it’s biodegradable. When can all do our part to avoid affecting wildlife or taking away from other visitors’ experience when we prevent water pollution!
The Salt River in Mesa: Another great area for hiking or relaxing. But it doesn’t just stop there. You can paddleboard, kayak, or lazily float down the river. I’ve even seen people on a blow up mattress drifting along the Salt River, haha. Make sure you’re prepared for paddling or swimming in the area you’d like to go though! There are lots of picnic tables nearby too, so this would be a great spot for a picnic. Follow Leave No Trace ethics if you plan on packing along some food as well as the tips listed above. Take a peek at the Tonto National Forest website to find where you’d like to spend your time at the Salt River. Wherever you go, keep your eyes peeled for rope swings that you can use to swing yourself into the water! Note: The more recent times I’ve been to the Salt River I haven’t taken photos, but soaked up the scenery instead. So, enjoy these older photos where I somehow convinced my friends to model for me ;)
3. The Grand Canyon: This National Park has hiking, scenic views, and ranger led activities. Every time I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, I’ve chosen to walk around, completely ignoring any park activities. I have to admit that before working for the National Park Service, I never considered going to a ranger led walk or completing a Jr. Ranger book. Now, though, I do think these are really fun! Get a “passport” stamp, fill out a Jr. Ranger book to get your ranger badge, and go to presentations that the rangers are giving. You’ll probably learn new things and have a good time along the way. Anyone who thinks this is weird is probably just missing out like past Ali was!
4. The Superstition Mountains: If you like cacti, look into hikes in the Superstition Mountains! The springtime brings lots of gorgeous blooms in this area, but our current fall/winter season has some nice cool breezes to refresh you on your desert adventure. Whether you want a long or short hike, you’ll be able to find multiple options around here. All with lovely views. I have a short video about the hike at Hieroglyphics Trail, so take a look at that to get some ideas of the fun you can discover out at the Superstitions. Do some research to find the trailhead that will be best for you and remember to bring water! Even though the weather is nicer than usual, that desert sun will still leave you parched and you don’t want to get dehydrated out there.
5. San Tan Mountain Regional Park: Another great spot for desert lovers. You can hike at this park for a small entry fee. The price fluctuates depending on which entrance you use and how you choose to get there (car, bike, or by foot). I’ve been to all three access points and can say I love them all. My mom lives nearby, so I’ve spent a lot of time exercising and reflecting along these trails. I don’t always love having to pay for a place that feels like my backyard, but I have to remind myself it’s an important “donation” to help maintain an area so many of us love. If you’re not interested in the small admittance fee, then even parking and exploring a nearby area outside the park will lead to fun discoveries. My family and I would sometimes pile in the car and drive around to find a place to explore. We’ve come across cholla forests, bones and skulls, and beautiful views.
Arizona has so many various landscapes, that there’s just too many places to list here! Between all the public lands in the state, you could spend a lifetime uncovering all the unique corners of my Southwest home. These places suggested above are my favorite because they are nearby Flagstaff or Phoenix and don’t require a ton of advance planning. In Phoenix, I’d often hop into my car after work, drive to the Salt River, and take a little moment for myself. In Flagstaff, I could decide on a last minute whim to head south to Sedona or up north to the Grand Canyon. If you have some more time to plan, take a look at all the National Forests, Parks, Monuments, and public lands available to you in Arizona! Either way, take the opportunity to #OptOutside if you can. The theme for this year’s campaign is cleaning up. Wherever you go, consider bringing a bag and some gloves to clean up any trash you see along the way. Let me know your favorite places to spend outside or if you end up going to one of these suggestions.
