The official start of summer is finally upon us!
Lately, I’ve been trying to really embrace each season and relish the unique value that each one provides. For me, summer always brings tremendous energy. I always get a burst of excitement and motivation, and I’m aiming to harness that energy and use it to do some awesome stuff. I know if I don’t make a point to go out and do, summer will be gone in a flash.
Here’s what’s on my list this year.
Race (at least) 3 times
Before I do my big half marathon race this fall, I want to “warm up” with a couple short and mid-distance races to get a feel for racing. I like having something tangible where I can get excited and set some goals. They’re like little breadcrumbs along the path of my training.
My first race is this Saturday and I’m excited for it! My current 5k PR is 30:18, so I’m hoping to best that and make it under that sub-30 mark.
Run the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon
As part of my half marathon training, I’m going to have a lot of long runs to power through. Long runs are much more enjoyable and less tedious when you go somewhere new, pretty, interesting, or all of the above. Although I’ve been to the Grand Canyon about 10 times now, there’s a big section of the Rim Trail I’ve never seen. The Rim Trail is mostly flat and a lot of it is even paved, so it’s a perfect place for a long, leisurely run with some of the best views you could ask for! Plus, it’ll be a good way to scout the best viewpoints for the next time I have guests in town.
Hermit’s Rest (the westernmost point) to Bright Angel Trailhead is 7.1 miles one way or 9.7 miles if I want to run all the way back to Mather Point/the main visitor center. I’ll take the bus out to Hermit’s Rest and then run back. Granted, that’s not the whole Rim Trail, but it’s the main part. The entire trail is nearly 13 miles, so I’ll have to save the rest for another time!
Roam the Irish countryside with old friends
One of the first things I’m up to this summer is jetting off to Ireland! I’m meeting up with some of my dearest friends for a few days of exploring Dublin and the southwestern corner of the island. I’ve never been to Europe at all, so it’ll be a complete change of scenery. I’m looking forward to some beautiful sights like castles, rolling green hills, stunning coastline, and quality time with some of my favorite people. Expect pictures later! :)
Visit Canyon de Chelly
Canyon de Chelly is a fairly obscure national monument near the New Mexico border about 3 hours east of me. I’ve seen some really amazing photos there and I’d love to spend a day exploring and getting some amazing pictures. It’s one of those things I feel like I have to go visit at least once while I have the chance!
Go out for an impromptu photography trip
Since I’ve started this blog, I’ve developed a new appreciation for photography. I’ve had this idea floating in my head to spontaneously head out somewhere pretty for sunset after work and just take some photos. Sometimes taking photos can be an afterthought while I’m out hiking, but I’d like to go out and enjoy photography and hone my skills just for the sake itself. It’s a nice way to slow down and enjoy the scenery without worrying about finishing the hike. Plus, I never hike at sunset, so it would be nice to see some of the same things in new light, literally.
Cross more local hikes off my list
Here in northern Arizona, we seriously have more trails than you could possibly conceive of. I go hiking fairly regularly and there’s still an absurd number of primo trails I haven’t done yet. To name a few, I’ve got my eye on Plateau Point and Hermit Trail at the Grand Canyon, AB Young and Boynton Canyon in Sedona, and Heart Trail in Flagstaff.
So far this year, I’ve been off to a good start and have already crossed two new trails off my list. Besides repeating some of my favorites, I’d like to cross at least 5 more off my list by the time summer’s out.
Dream up next year’s trips early
Up to this point, I’ve planned most of my trips relatively late, with only a couple months or even just a couple weeks advance notice. Although this can work out really well sometimes, it can also mean scraping the bottom of the barrel for things like plane seat assignments and hotel availability.
I’m trying to start planning my trips more like a year early, or at least more than six months. Some of my ideas right now include Glacier NP, Yosemite again to do Half Dome, Norway, and the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Not sure how I’ll ever narrow it down!
What’s on your summer to-do list this year?
It’s so great that you live so close to many fantastic places in the Southwest! We are headed to Santa Fe next week. It’s one of my favorite places in the world – we go regularly, but I get so excited every single time. Have you been? I think it’s probably 6ish hours from you. We also are planning a Canadian rockies trip for next summer. I went as an apathetic teenager and it was stunning. I need to go back! Planning way ahead is great. You can stay wherever you want and you get to look forward to it for months and months! Oh, and IRELAND!!! The perfect place to start your European adventuring… I went with girlfriends several years ago and discovered that empty castles on the side of the road with lots of sheep and no people and no entrance fees are totally my jam. It reminded me a lot of NZ actually – but with castles :)
I haven’t been to Santa Fe, no. I’ve only driven through New Mexico, I haven’t visited anywhere in the state properly. I think your time estimate is about right, so it’d have to be a weekend trip at the very least. I’ve heard it’s neat, but…so many places on the list! D:
dude. “neat” is the biggest understatement EVER. go to santa fe!!!!!
Hahaha fair!!! What are your favorite things to do there? I have no clue what’s popular up in that neck of the woods.
hmmm, well eating should absolutely be your first priority. santa fe has the best food ever. luckily eating is compatible with pretty much all other adventuring. there is lots of stunningly beautiful hiking (and trail running!)… both more alpiney, and also more mountain deserty (nothing like AZ though). there are also cool hikes that have history built in. like if you go to Bandolier National Monument, you can hike through ruins, go inside ancient houses and cliff dwellings and climb up and down ladders to get to the ruins, but then you can also go on a long extended day (or overnight) hike away from the tourists at the same location. the town itself is great for walking around – its very very picturesque and interesting and historical, and there is killer shopping :) i assume you aren’t particularly into art (cause you would’ve been there already) but the art and music is pretty unique and inspirational even if you are just a casual fan (like me). if my assumption is wrong, and you ARE super into art, then you might actually die of rapture.
Haha no…can’t say I’m super into art. Good food is a plus though. ;) It sounds like a southwestern version of some of the towns I’ve visited/lived in in the past. Hopefully I’ll make it out there reasonably soon!
Just got back from Ireland and it is amazing. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. We had some incredible food and the countryside is spectacular. We opted to go to the Dingle Peninsula, versus the Ring of Kerry, it is incredible and it felt like there was no one else there. I used my Caraa Sport bag the whole time and it was great for the travel and all of the hiking and exploring we did. Travel by train is cheaper there than other European countries and gives beautiful glimpses of the countryside as you go. A good photography tip – before you go to Dublin, make a reservation online to see the Book of Kells early in the morning when it opens. The line to get tickets that day ridiculous. Even with a pre-paid ticket you have to then get in line early, but then go straight through to the Trinity Library and skip the Book of Kells. We had the library to ourselves for ten minutes and it was amazing. About the time people made their way through the exhibit we had all of the photos we wanted and then went back and saw everything we passed. Also the Vintage Cocktail Club is a fun hidden speakeasy in Temple Bar – also requires reservations. Have a great time – and pack for rain!
Wow, this is *soooo* helpful, thank you so much Kate! Per your advice, I did go ahead and reserve the Book of Kells for us right at opening time. :) Fingers crossed your plan works out for sweet pics. Thanks for the tip on the speakeasy as well. Looks like a really neat place!! I’ll have to pitch it to my traveling companions and see if I get any bites. :)
Hope they go for it. The Vintage Cocktail Club was a lot of fun. Trust the server on recommendations – ours chose drinks for us we wouldn’t have tried otherwise and they were incredible. Glad you got tickets for the Library. We got there about 30 minutes before they opened and were at the front of the line. The Winding Stair, near Ha’penny Bridge, is also great. Have fun – I already want to go back.
I will also be in SW Ireland the first 2 weeks of July. We try to go back to see family every year. It’s wonderful. So much cool stuff to see, and the people are lovely.
Nice! Wave if you see me, haha! I’m really looking forward to it, everyone says it’s a fabulous place to visit.
Hi Suzanne!
Have you by chance done the Havasupai falls hike? We got a permit for September and are trying to pick other short hikes we can do before we descend into the falls. Any advice would be greatly appreciated since you are an AZ expert :)
I haven’t done Havasupai, unfortunately, since it’s *so* difficult to get permits. You’re very lucky!! As for other hikes, it depends on where you’ll be staying before the hike? I’m not really familiar with the Havasupai area–not sure if there are other hikes in the area besides the falls. But, if you’re staying in Flagstaff or Sedona, there is of course *loads* of hikes to do before you head for the falls and I can certainly give you a few recs. :)
We are leaning towards staying in Flagstaff before, so your recs would be most welcome :)
Alright, Flagstaff hike ideas… :)
Inner Basin – the drive out is kind of horrifying (dirt forest road next to a cliff with no guard rails!) but the aspen forest is SO GOOD. Lockett Meadow, which is at the trailhead, is gorgeous in its own right too. 4WD and/or high clearance is best.
Kachina Trail – gorgeous trail through the peaks wilderness. Up to 11 miles round trip, hilly throughout. Also at 9000′ so it’s a doozy if you do the whole thing. Worth going out for a couple of miles and turning back early, though. The beginning section is my favorite anyway!
Bear Jaw/Abineau loop – awfully strenuous ~8 miles but gorgeous hike through the forest with some nice views. Off the beaten path, not quite as crowded as some others. Dirt road to get there but you can get away with a passenger vehicle.
Sunset trail – one of my favorites! Just took my dogs out here last weekend. Another out-and-back trail that you can make up to 10 miles round trip or turn back early. Mostly uphill, but a gentle uphill, no switchbacks. Several miles of dirt road driving required, but the road is well-graded and not rough.
Aspen nature loop – easy 3 mile trail with amazing views! The drive up is pretty too. (Starts near the same place as Kachina Trail.)
Also, if you want a TOTALLY unique experience, look up the lava tubes!! It’ll be the polar opposite of Havasupai. :) It’s not as strenuous (1 mile each way, flat) but a really cool outdoor activity for the day. That said, it’s 30-something degrees in the caves year round, so you’ll have to have warm clothes and flash lights or headlamps.
Hope that’s a good start for you! If you want any other tips or advice closer to the date, hit me up via comment or email and I’d be happy to share more. :)
Yay for your first trip to Europe! You give me a serious case of the travel bug AA! Your plans sound very exciting.
I’m already behind on my ‘read 1 book a month’ for 2017 and will be catching up. If anyone has any summer reading lists, recommendations I’d love to hear!!
Last year, we did a UK National Trust walk every weekend for 3 months and while we haven’t planned any yet, I’m dying to get up to Scotland and explore the less explored islands for late summer. I need me some fresh non London air :-) modest plans for 2017 for me but I’m looking forward to it.
Looking forward to all your Ireland related blog posts already;)
Ahh Scotland sounds lovely. We thought about meeting up there, but landed on Ireland instead, mostly for logistical reasons. Have you been to the Faroe Islands? A bit further, but they look AMAZING.
As for books, not sure what you like to read, but young adult fiction is rather my guilty pleasure. If you’re into that kind of thing, I recently finished Marie Lu’s Young Elites series. It was fabulous!! She is an excellent storyteller.
Never been to Faroe Islands. My Scotland visits have all been big city adventures. I’m excited to plan this now!!!
Thanks for the reading recommendation! I’m open to anything as long as it makes my mind wander:-)
Ah, I will enjoy that rim trail run vicariously through you! Enjoy, and post pics please!
Oh I will!! :) Really excited to do it, but I haven’t quite worked up to the necessary mileage yet.
Yay to summer running! (except that heat = tired legs for me usually lol)
I just started taking an intro to aerial series and I’m loving it! I’m thinking about starting crossfit too, since I miss doing more intense workouts and a team/group environment helps with motivation in the beginning. There seems to be some mixed opinions about crossfit though…anyway, do you have any advice/recommendations for someone thinking about doing it?
Nice!! Are you doing silks or another apparatus? Aerial is so much fun. And it’s a brain workout as much as it’s a physical workout, haha.
As for CrossFit, my biggest piece of advice is to try multiple gyms. Not all CrossFit is created equal! They run the gammut from toxic environments with bad coaching to welcoming, helpful, and positive. Obviously the environment and people will *completely* make or break the experience. I would also look for a gym that has an onramp program/beginner class (unless you have a lot of familiarity with the movements). If you’ve never done CF before, it’s generally very overwhelming and frustrating to be thrown into a regular WOD. If you do give it a try, let me know how it goes and what you think! :)