When Spring Has Sprung But You Can't

The weather is warmer. The days are getting longer. Plants are beginning to bud and bloom. Spring is here! And it’s my favorite time of the year.

It’s not just the weather that I love, but also the opportunity. Spring brings new life. For some reason that notion carries over from the physical world and into my mind. It feels like a fresh start. Inspiration strikes me. I get the idea that I could in fact accomplish the mile long list of dreams I’ve written out. Spring hasn’t just sprung, so have I!

Yet, this time feels different. 1) The weather is not quite as lovely in Alaska as it is in Arizona. I haven’t been able to wear my sandals yet (I’m rolling my eyes). My customary footwear tan lines are nowhere to be seen. 2) We’re “hunkering down”. Usually spring finds me wandering all over the place. Driving into new towns to climb up a different trail or sit by a river. This time last year I was really in a season of “new” as I made the trip from Arizona through Canada to Alaska. With travel restrictions I can’t bring myself to call my misadventures “critical”. So I’m sitting still. Spring has sprung, but in fact I have not.

So, what does one do instead? Look for the adventures at home. With some recent low tides in town, I’ve been exploring a whole new world of intertidal life. Chitons, sea cucumbers, anemones, crabs, and sea stars. All much slimier than the prickly critters of the desert. I walk further down the beach than I have before. It’s not open toed shoe weather, but it’s definitely warmer. The sun lights up the sky till 9pm, so I’ve been walking for hours before I realize it. I finally finished crocheting a mitten I started back in January. It was too big, so I started a second, smaller mitten. Does anyone need one large mitten? I read. I write. I jot down ideas as they come, adding to my ever-growing list of dreams.

Maybe though it is still a season of growth – just out of the norm. Instead of springing outwards, expanding my physical boundaries to new places I’ve sprung inwards. At first it seems like retreating. More time indoors. More time to myself. But through all that time, ideas are being planted and sowed and soon enough something new will sprout up from this plot of earth.

My 5 Favorite Places to #OptOutside in Arizona

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.

Hieroglyphics Trail | Hiking in the Arizona Desert

Two winters ago, my brother, Tim, and I went on a hike in the Superstition Mountains. Hiking with Tim is always great because we both love taking photos for fun and usually keep the same pace with all our photo taking. This time I decided to take some video and challenge myself to create a project outside of my norm. It was really fun to put together, but when it came time to share it I froze! Was this on brand with my style? What would it show future collaborators about the value of my work? Blah blah blah. A bunch of boring, little thoughts that get in the way. The great thing about discovering a project from a while back is that you have a new perspective. This definitely shows my love for the outdoors, for challenging myself, and for working in an intimate setting.

Hieroglyphics Trail is a pretty easy, non technical hike and gives you a beautiful view of the desert once you’ve reached the top. Roundtrip it’s less than 3 miles, so it can be a shorter hike. Or if you are like Tim and me, then you can take your time snapping photos and exploring the top without worrying about making it back to the car in time. You gain almost 600 feet in elevation, which I barely remembering noticing in the low desert since I’d been living at 7,000 ft, but Tim teased me that he could feel more of a difference. The trail is also a great place for families and dogs (if kept on a leash). If you come during the right seasons there will be wildflowers along the way and even small pools and a waterfall at the end of the trail.

When you get to the top there are petroglyphs you can look at, take photos of, or even sketch, but of course don’t touch the petroglyphs! Bears Ears Education Center has some great suggestions on how to visit places with respect. It’s important to respect the land for future visitors and just as important to remember we might consider this public land for everyone, but often these are archeological sites of indigenous people and there are laws about cultural artifacts. These places aren’t just objects of history or science, but a connection to people.

If you get the chance, check out Hieroglyphics Trail or the surrounding Superstition Mountains. It’s a gorgeous desert area that will give you appreciation for dusty browns and faded greens. Check out my video below for some desert views!

Lessons From the Desert

The desert is hot, dry, and vast. Driving through, you'll look out your car window into an expansive stretch of brown dirt, reaching back towards the horizon. Waves of heat rise up off the pavement, shimmering. Lizards scurry along the rocks in search of shade. To the untrained eye, nothing seems to be thriving in a land so parched. Yet this place has lots of secrets to share, hidden in it's dusty patches. As you look closer you can see the bright colored fruit of the prickly pear and the soft, white blossoms on the saguaros. They offer nutrients to the roaming families of javelina and nectar to the whizzing hummingbirds. When you accept the invitation of the brown, rolling hills and venture further, you'll stumble across tiny oases, reminding you beauty doesn't fit into one definition. You start to see yourself reflected back you in the desert. You're seemingly small and insignificant, but in fact you're so much more to the world around you. If you take enough time to pause and listen, then the desert will pass down it's wisdom to you too.

I love helping others capture their story to share with the rest of the world, but it all began with knowing my own stories. Going back to what's meaningful in my own life allows me to see the beauty in what's meaningful to others. Here's a bit of my own story through an ode of sorts to a place that raised me.

The World Needs You

Once in film school, during an end of the semester review, I had two instructors tell me I should take vocal lessons to deepen my voice because as it was now I did not command respect. There had been a situation on set in class where I was in charge of tracking supplies as crew members came to get them like they always did. However, this time no one came to check out equipment no matter how many times I made the announcement. At some point while I was struggling to do my job a man much older than myself apparently felt I had conducted myself so poorly that he threw my belongings on the ground and screamed in my face. It wasn’t the first or last time my authority was challenged on a set either, but what was so upsetting was that my instructors defended that behavior and actually suggested I learn to have a more masculine voice to avoid people treating me in such ways.

As a woman it’s pretty upsetting to be told to fit into a man’s world, but this isn’t just a woman’s issue. So many of us are often told to change something about ourselves to be accepted into “normal” society. Even by well-meaning people! I’m here to tell you, though, you don’t have to change because you are exactly what the world needs.

We all have unique qualities that are important to the world. Basically, everyone needs to be here being their individual self to keep this little planet well rounded with lots of special talent, skills, and thoughts! I’m sure you can agree with me that it’s not super fun to hang out with people just like you. I enjoy having friends who differ from me and offer perspectives or a presence I don’t. Being surrounded by different personalities keeps us more open minded and able to see parts of the world we might not be able to otherwise. So, why should we all act the same way? If you feel like someone is telling you to be different or fit into the norm and you’re getting frustrated, let’s just stop for a moment. First, push that negativity out of your head! It may be coming from a well-meaning place, but it’s really not that helpful and honestly it’s a little personality crushing. Consider the situation from your own viewpoint and decide whether or not if you’re happy with your outcome. Let me give you an example. While my teachers were giving me this review, I was so upset I didn’t even want to give the situation more thought. I knew they were wrong and I couldn’t focus on it anymore. However, when I paused to think about how that day on set went I knew I wasn’t happy with how things carried out.  If you are happy with your outcome, then who cares what the naysayers say? I’ve had people tell me I’m being too quiet and should get more involved when I am perfectly happy silently observing my surroundings. I usher those unsolicited comments out of my mind and continue taking in my setting and that’s exactly what you should do if you’re at peace with your result.

If you are unhappy with your outcome though, then what’s next? Instead of being annoyed by feedback and running away, figure out what it is you want to do to get a different outcome next time. For me I had to realize a better outcome wouldn’t involve a change in anyone else’s behavior. I mean that would be nice, but really I knew a better outcome would be me feeling empowered and sure of myself despite other’s actions. I can remember the doubt that crept into my head when this man screamed in my face and my peers and instructors defended his actions. I thought maybe I had deserved this and I just wouldn’t be a good fit in my dream industry. That is such a lame feeling! When I realized I wanted to feel empowered instead of disrespected, unimportant, or unsuccessful at my dreams, then I could see that a better result would come from standing up for myself. Voicing my opinion and not backing down when people were being so obviously belittling would give me more of a sense of strength and control. The response would probably be the same, but this mindset would allow me to remain sure of myself and remember what I wanted for my life.

The shift of concluding I didn’t need to deepen my voice and change something about myself, but rather add more tools to my belt and in fact be more me and share more of me was such a relief. For so long, I’ve felt the outside, human world telling me to change, as if I wasn’t good enough on my own, but that simply isn’t true. We are valuable just as we are! This also really opened up my world a lot more. After this class, I decided I wasn’t going to work with men in the industry. I avoided projects that were male dominated and backed out of male spaces. It was nice to dodge negative experiences, but I was missing out on the chance to bring my perspective to other people! Now, however I can find myself in a meeting full of men and see it as an opportunity to use my voice and speak up for others or myself when I see something as wrong.

My hope would be that no one ever disrespects you or makes you feel less than as you are now. But I know our lives aren’t ideal. If someone ever does treat you this way, then you can always come here for a little pep talk. You can even come to me and we can remind you of all the things that make you lovely and important to this world. We all need you and I don’t want anyone to keep your wonder from us!