Tag Archives: Travel
The past few months have allowed little time for writing, but I am finally in a space where I have both the time and the energy to capture my thoughts on paper. The holiday season is a time to reflect and give thanks for all that brings you joy. Some of my most treasured memories involve time spent outdoors with family. Whether we are by the coast or exploring our own backyard, I love being outside. Unfortunately, the cold and flu season has limited our level of activity in recent weeks, so for now, I have to be content with our patio.
Time spent outdoors enhances not only your physical well-being, but your mental and spiritual health. The beauty of the natural world should be accessible to all people-regardless of your level of mobility. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience all that our beautiful planet has to offer. From wooded paths to saguaro lined trails, Arizona has an incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape. I am not very sure- footed, so I am always looking out for trails that are easily accessible to hikers of all ability levels. We have discovered two walking trails in Arizona that are accessible to individuals with all ranges of mobility- the Bajada Trail at Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy in Scottsdale and the Canopy Trail at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood. Both trails provide scenic views that can be enjoyed by all visitors.
Bajada Trail
Photographing Teddy Bear Cholla Cacti
Bajada Trail at Gateway Trailhead in the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers stunning desert vistas with the McDowell Mountains in the background.
Scenic vistas from Bajada Trail
The half-mile trail is family friendly with interactive exhibits that educate visitors about the area. The smooth surface allows individuals with mobility challenges to enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran landscape without having to worry about accessibility or risk for injury.
Bajada Trail
The following link offers additional information about all the trails at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy http://www.mcdowellsonoran.org/visit-the-preserve/trailheads/
Educational Exhibits on the Bajada Trail
Canopy Trail
Easily Accessible Canopy Trail
A drive up north to Cottonwood will take you to Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Canopy Trail- a wheelchair accessible wooded path that is designated for individuals with chemical sensitivities. The loop trail is less than a quarter mile in length and runs through a canopy of Fremont cottonwood trees. A stroll along the shaded walkway is a welcome retreat from the heat and an ideal spot for bird watching.
Canopy Trail at Dead Horse Ranch State Park.
Shady Rest Stop along the Canopy Trail
For additional information about Dead Horse Ranch State Park, click on the following link: https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/things-to-do/trail.
I believe every family should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural world together. Whether you are a reliant on braces, confined to a wheelchair, or like me- a little less sure-footed, nature’s blessings should be accessible to everyone.
For more extensive information regarding recreation sites and nature trails that are accessible to individuals with disabilities in Arizona, I discovered the following two sites: Accessible Nature http://www.accessiblenature.info/?page_id=44 and Accessing Arizona by Loren Worthington http://www.accessingarizona.com/
A collection of our Arizona images is available for download and purchase at Bigstock:
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/?contributor=SILVERBROOK+IMAGES&safesearch=n
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!
With blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Welcome to Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California
Temecula City Hall and Villa di Calabro Winery
To celebrate 20 years of marriage, my husband and I ventured out of Arizona to enjoy an extended weekend in Temecula, California- a picturesque city in Southern California approximately 60 miles north of San Diego. The Temecula Valley is home to a growing wine region that boasts over 30 wineries. Ever since our honeymoon in Napa Valley, we have enjoyed exploring the different wine regions in California and Arizona. The stunning views and the beautiful grounds of the different wineries and their vineyards make for a memorable and romantic experience.
The Temecula Valley is only a five hour drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona. We spent our first day exploring Old Town Temecula, an eclectic mix of restaurants, gift shops, and tasting rooms. At Villa di Calabro Winery we toasted our anniversary with red wine and sampled a delicious variety of herb infused olive oils paired with different flavored balsamic vinegars. After dinner, we enjoyed a leisurely stoll around Lake Harveston, just a short drive from Old Town.
Our next two days were spent exploring the different wineries. The experience of driving past rolling hills lined with grapevines invariably takes us back to our honeymoon. The beautiful setting and relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the different tasting rooms we visited made this anniversary celebration one we will never forget. Here are a few images from some of the wineries that we visited-
Falkner Winery and Pinnacle Restaurant
Maurice Car’ rie Winery
Longshadow Ranch Winery
1969 was a good year- Birth year for both Mount Palomar Winery and Joe!
Cougar Winery
Danza del Sol
For more information about the Temecula Wine Valley, including the different wineries and discount promotions available, visit http://www.temeculawines.org I highly recommend checking out the Sip Passport if you will be visiting during the week.
No matter where you travel to- whether you are close to home or far away- may your journey be safe and your memories joyful!
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
My husband and son at the trail’s entrance
Water partially fills the well
There is something wonderful about exploring your own backyard. We took a Sunday drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona to visit the Verde Valley. In less than two hours, we had escaped the Valley heat and travelled to an elevation of 3560 feet to visit Montezuma’s Well, a detached unit of Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. Montezuma’s Well is a collapsed travertine dome that partially fills with water rising deep from the ground and exits through a swallet or channel in the travertine. An estimated 1.6 million gallons of water flows daily through four vents at the bottom of the well, eventually emptying out into an irrigation ditch on the other side. The National Park Service reports that some parts of the ditch are believed to be 1000 years old. To visit Montezuma’s Well is to walk in the footsteps of history. The legacy of the Sinaguan Indians can be seen in the cliff dwellings that are carved into the limestone walls of the well. The land is still considered sacred and you can feel the energy of the people who once called this area home. It is a beautiful hike and definitely worth the trip. For more information about Montezuma’s Well, visit the website of the National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/exploring-montezuma-well.htm
Looking out over Montezuma’s Well
Ruins of cliff dwellings in the limestone rock
There is a lot to be said for exploring your own backyard. A day trip can offer a simple, but enjoyable retreat from your everyday routine. No matter where your travels may take you in the days and weeks ahead, I pray that you are safe and that the memories you create are filled with joy
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
In my last post I shared my experiences visiting the Grand Canyon and Sedona for the first time and how both places touched my heart. The beautiful and diverse landscape that makes up Arizona provides residents and visitors alike with endless opportunities to reconnect with nature. Yesterday we visited the Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg, Arizona. It is a wooded oasis in the desert filled with cottonwood, willow, and mesquite trees. Walking along the sandy trail and listening to the sounds of birds calling to one another in the tall trees offered a perfect respite from the hectic week that had just ended. As we explored this beautiful habitat, I offered a silent prayer of appreciation to God, his angels, and to our beautiful planet for making this experience possible for me and my family.
I have included two photos from our hike to the Hassayampa Nature Preserve-it’s a beautiful place that is definitely worth the visit. My spirit feels renewed and ready to face the challenges of the coming work week. No matter who you are or where you call home, I pray that you are able to seek out opportunities to find joy and balance in the week ahead.
Many blessings,
Sheryl Brooks