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There have been a lot of cool things I’ve learned about Phoenix since moving here a few years ago. Things like the environment required for cacti to grow, desert creatures, numerous events and outings, and the appreciation of 70 degree temps as cool ones. The most surprising fact is that Phoenix is the home of the world’s FIRST non-sectarian, non-profit food bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Our team decided to dedicate a day and volunteer here. We arrived for a brief introduction.

Before the work begins, volunteers are given a short history of how St. Mary’s Food Bank began. As the story goes, founder John van Hengel had left a lucrative career in California. One morning, while out he found a woman digging through a dumpster for food to feed her family. The food had been thrown out because of being damaged or expired. In a short conversation, she had told him it sure would be a lot better if there was a place this food could be taken and distributed to those in need.

The idea was born. Van Hengel, being in the right place at the right time, decided that he would see that this get done. That was 1967. They started collecting edible but unsaleable food staples from local grocery stores and storing it in a St. Vincent de Paul dining room. To read more about how this one action grew to a worldwide idea, visit the history of the food bank’s influence here.

Our team from work used this  opportunity to volunteer and worked a line packing what was called emergency boxes of food. Each box contained food to sustain 2 adults for 2 to 3 days.

Each team member was to put an item in each box. In assembly fashion the boxes moved orderly down the line where they were then taped and stacked on a pallet. My item was a bag of beans …

Everyone agreed it was the best team builder we have done.

We’re looking forward to doing it again!

The poor we will always have among us, but why the hungry? — John van Hengel

Monday, December 14, 2009. We stayed the night on the west side of the valley so we didn’t have to basically DRIVE it too as we would have been crossing it that morning to get back to our starting point. The blisters were really improving, even after going over 11 miles on Day 3. I woke feeling really excited that today we would finish. What better way to awake than with a kiss … from Cloe …

One of the cutest dogs that has ever kissed me good morning …. NO PUN intended!

I was up way before everyone else. I was given my own room and bathroom because of the perceived way I am about not sharing a room like a college atmosphere … thank you Carly. And I guess I should thank Dave as well as he slept on the couch. To be honest, I was NOT sharing a bed with him … there would likely be a fight break out (inside joke).

So I am up about 5ish A.M. and decide to have a little fun. I proceed to call everyone’s cell phone! HA-HA! I am laughing out loud right now as I recall how each phone began ringing, and ringing, and ringing. They didn’t think it was that funny.

Day 4 is sure to bring a fun route and we were looking forward to it. We planned to be at Westgate by mid-morning and then shoot straight west on Glendale Avenue to Luke Air Force Base. Carly, another co-worker, was joining us.

Our starting point for Day 4. The Arizona Canal is just across and up the street. Not sure what they were doing. Dave obviously is stealing my moves.

University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the back-to-back Division Champs Arizona Cardinals appears. The weather could not have been nicer.

It was apparent that we were closer than we had thought. This was working out and we talked that we would have more time in the Westgate mall area.

As we progressed up the Canal, we took in the agricultural nature of this area. It is really nice. This shot is looking back from where we had come. Camelback or Piestewa Peak was actually this small little speck just to the right of the line of poles. For the first time we began to feel the vastness of the Phoenix basin. We had started the walk 3.5 days prior from a point that was quite a distance east of the points we could see on the eastern horizon. We also had great views of the other surrounding mountain ranges.

Here is the Sierra Estrella Range, south from where we stood.

Carly shows her exuberance and cartwheels as we approach the UOP Stadium. At this point, we are cutting through the fields here.

We spend almost 30 minutes taking various pics here since we all work at the University of Phoenix. That didn’t pull much clout with some random security guy who told us to move on immediately when we were taking a group picture on the E next to the stadium.

We make it to Westgate before 11. This encourages us to take a break and we order celebratory beverages.

We stop at the Yard House. We ordered some appetizers, olives and Bloody Marys. I think it was almost an hour and a half later we decided to get moving! I may not remember the exact time we had stayed, but I do remember quite clearly the tab was OVER $100! We shouldn’t have ordered the olives.

We’re still not sure if what happened next really happened. But as I recall, we had to summit a mountain of SNOW on our way out of Westgate. It was no problem for this Colorado guy, but freaked out these long time Valley dwellers.

Yes, we really did have to negotiate snow on the walk across the valley.

Dave and I checked our technology as to the miles left. He on his iPhone and I on the Droid. There were just 6.5 miles left.

It was to be a very direct walk up Glendale Avenue.

There is Piestewa Peak straight east and the stadium to the right.

Apparently, we were gaining a little elevation as we could now see both Piestewa and Camelback from here. (UOP Stadium to the right). It was Chrystyna that pointed out the wow feelings we were now thinking. We could hear and see the training jets from Luke in the west skies. People at work had called knowing we had to be close.

One of our last breaks.

We had found many interesting things on the walk. Dave says he still has our collection in his backpack! He will have to tell that story over at the blog we are creating about the Phoenix Valley.

I think this picture above was somewhat symbolic of the what the Valley Walk was all about. Simple times. The best kind and fun. With friends. We had a lot of discussions, laughs, a few disagreements. There is meaning in the simple things.

We reached the gate of Luke Air Force Base at about 3:30 P.M. It was cool. Four days, over 55 miles, some blisters, interesting valley sights.

Why? The answer isn’t that simple. But I think Dave and Chrystyna would agree the answer is understood in a conversation that goes like this:

I’m thinking I am going to hike across the Phoenix Valley.

Really?! You mean all the way?

Yeah.  My friend Steve suggested it. I think it would be cool to do.

Yeah …. can like others go too?

: )

You can see all the posts here: 2009 Phoenix Valley Walk

These old shoes helped me finish the walk Day’s 3-4… and yes, I walked with them just liked that.

Day 3 (December 13, 2009) begins and I am feeling good that I made it. We’ve decided to take it slow and see how far I can go. Both Dave and Chrystyna are encouraging in that they are willing to put up with the fact the pace will slow.

We begin where we left off the afternoon before, Seamus Pub downtown.

We flash our “3rd” day sign. It is uncharacteristically overcast and temps are cool (low 50s).

We have a slight disagreement as to what direction we are suppose to head. Dave, after checking his iPhone maps, points us in the right direction. I think this was one of the few times he was correct over the four days. (ha-ha).

We are heading over to Grand Avenue and walking a diagonal north and west to connect with the Arizona Canal. The Canal cuts an angle northwest from there. We are not sure where we will end up exactly.

Not more than 30 minutes from our start we come upon this colorful building.

Sapna Cafe is the most eclectic diner type cafe and we are tempted to stop for breakfast. We are intrigued by its welcoming atmosphere in an otherwise rough looking area and the description of its owner and cook, a globetrotter creating culinary creations. Knowing we are going to be slowed because of my feet, we debate whether to take a break this early in Day 3. Dave and I think it would be cool but decide we should keep going. We default to Chrystyna who seems to think we should try it. So we sit down and enjoy what was Day 3′s highlight and one of the best finds over the four day walk.

The breakfast was excellent. I’ve been back a number of times for lunch and enjoyed it every time. Ana, the owner is always working hard and prepares all the dishes by hand.

I have to admit, the third day is in most ways my least favorite of the walk. To be honest, it was not the most scenic area. While we had been warned that there were some areas that we might want to be careful in because of gangs, I must say we had no problems. I am sure we looked quite the sight with our backpacks, two younger people and a guy limping along the streets.

A mindful bullet hole. Dave tried to position his head to match it.

Most of the graffiti was was destructive to property, there was some impressive art along the way. Not sure what the story would be behind the pictures, but I am sure there are some.

Again, scenery was mostly industrial for a good part of the day. Here we pose for a more serious picture. The valley starts to affect our senses.

Here we are later in the afternoon following the Arizona Canal. For those reading from Colorado, that water is from you! It had rained and was now clearing. Dave was walking backwards again … which was exactly how he looked just before tripping on Day 1.

This was our favorite picture of the day. We were less than a mile from what would be our stopping point of today’s hike. I think we were near 75th Avenue and not sure of the cross street. We were resting near this drainage thing. There was a grate on top of it. We noticed our reflections in the water. I took my Droid and noticed the camera could shoot it through one of the grids! Dave is on top section, Chrystyna lower right, and I on left holding the camera for the picture.

We ended up at a Dairy Queen, just south and east of Westgate. Our friend Carly picked us up to take us back to our cars downtown. We had a beer back at our starting point, Seamus Pub. We would meet at her house later to spend the night and get an early start to Day 4, the final day.

See all the posts on the 2009 Valley Walk here: Crossing the Phx Valley on Foot

As Day 2 came to an end, we had covered just under 30 miles. Six miles into this second day, I really started to struggle with the blisters on my feet. I didn’t look at them, but I could tell they were getting worse because I couldn’t walk right. I kept thinking about how embarrased I would be because I had told everybody I would make it. I had no idea how bad the blisters would become.

Yes, people told me and I knew better. I didn’t train. I was wearing new shoes. But I just couldn’t see how walking on a fairly level surface and smooth one would cause me any trouble. I was wrong. They were right.

When I got home that night, I couldn’t walk on my feet. And when I got my shoes and socks off, I kind of freaked out. I had blisters now on top of blisters and some were bleeding. I’d never seen that before.

I thought I had no choice but to stop. I wasn’t sure what to do, and I didn’t want Dave and Chrystyna to think I was whimping out. I decided to take a picture of one of my feet with my phone and send it to them. That got an immediate call from Dave.

Note: Until now, I haven’t shared these pictures with anyone except Dave, Chrystyna, and my kids. And I’m not posting them now for anything but to make a point and help me remember this made the walk the real challenge for me.

This is the picture I sent: (You probably do not want to see this…) [Read the rest of this entry...]

Day 2 began where we left off in Old Town Scottsdale, Patties Bar and Grill. CJ, the owner, had coffee ready for us. The morning was a bit cloudy. I was moving a little slow and was concerned as Day 1 had ended with my feet developing some major blistering. I doubled up on the socks and was hopeful the shoes had broke in after almost 16 miles.

Joining us today was a co-worker, Carolyn Dahlin and her husband, Jason. We discussed our route and at the last minute, decided to change it and follow Indian School west. Dave had an idea that this route would provide a fun mid-morning stop for a Bloody Mary and also opportunity to stop at his house, located in the historic Arcadia neighborhood.

Notice Chrystyna and Caroline are dressed as if it were freezing out. They had grown up in Phoenix so these were WINTER temperatures for them. I had shorts on and was happy that I had an opportunity to wear one of my long sleeve sweat shirts from Colorado. It was mid-40s about the time we headed out.

I thought this building provided a fun photo op and snapped it. Camelback, again was ever present. You can see that it was starting to warm up and the clouds start to clear.

Here is one of the views of Camelback Mountain as we walked along the Arizona Canal on Indian School. Camelback is one of the toughest hikes in the Valley. It has a 1200 foot elevation gain in just 1.2 miles. Camelback towers over the valley floor at just over 2400 feet in altitude. It is a popular training trail as many will climb it multiple times in a day for a great workout.

Here’s another view as we make progress along the Canal on Day 2. Dave and I continue to debate the depth of the water in the Canal. Dave thought and thinks it is only a foot or two deep. I am sure it is at least 5 or more feet deep. This debate continues to this day.

This was one of the most unique finds of our four day walk, The Arizona Falls! Dave and Chrystyna have lived in Phoenix almost all of their lives and had never seen it.

Arizona Falls was such a neat surprise. Dave was obviously excited. The falls are actually easy to miss if you were just driving by on Indian School. Walking provided one of the advantages of taking in those things we either take for granted or just plain miss because of the pace we all tend to go.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

December 11th had finally arrived and we were actually going to do this thing. I had gone to bed with some real anxiety. What if something happened? The day before a co-worker asked if we were walking through a particular section of town I asked why? He said that it was pretty dangerous. I had not even thought about that. I looked on Google maps and sure enough, we would be walking right through the area. He encouraged us with the comment that as long as it was during the day, we would probably be alright. I felt so much better …

We had planned to walk to Old Town Scottsdale that first day. We picked a local hang out, Patties on 1st Avenue, to end this day. We parked our cars in the free parking just a couple of blocks from there that morning. My brother picked us up to drive us out to Fountain Hills and drop us off. Our starting point, was the intersection on Shea in Fountain Hills where the welcoming waterfall is. We set up the pic just as we had done a few months prior. The biggest difference were the clothes! The surfer pose was really just done so not to block the wall name.

It was a fantastic morning, as most winter mornings are in Phoenix. It was in the lower 40s as we began.

The view from Shea Boulevard looking south at the start. The first few miles were going to be gradually downhill.

The mood was pretty upbeat. Scenery was great. The McDowell Mountains were to the north. Dave took this picture. It was my best impression of the cactus I always remember seeing on the cartoons when I was a kid in the 60s. I actually thought they grew with a limb on each side, like that.

Yes, I planned exhaustively for this walk. Here were the directions of Day 1, quickly written our that morning using Google maps. This planning approach was not well received by either Dave or Chrystyna. Thinking back on it, I am surprised they showed up that morning.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

Preface: Before writing about Day 1, I thought it relevant to note the training and preparation taken or lack thereof before we began the walk.

There really wasn’t any training. Yet, just how tough could walking across a fairly flat valley turn out to be? Well, in one way it isn’t. But it is amazing how challenging hard surfaces can be on your body when walking on them day in and day out. By the third day, I could literally feel the relief walking on grassy areas or dirt paths. I avoided concrete and asphalt surfaces as much as possible. I now understand those door-to-door sales people who have been out all day and would walk through my yard.

I knew that I needed a better pair of shoes to do this walk in, so about two weeks prior, I found a pair of Brooks running shoes on Overstock.com and ordered them.

Everyone said I had better break them in … but they seemed so flexible and were so light .. 1 lb. 6 oz! I just thought they would be fine. One other slight problem was Overstock didn’t have them in the half size larger, which was recommended as they were said to run small.

So one week prior to our start, Chrystyna, Dave, and I decided to go for a trial walk. We met on an evening after work and did a 6 mile trek around uptown Phoenix. This was the first and only time I wore the new shoes prior to the hike. It was a great walk.

But two things happened that night that foreshadowed events to begin the next Friday. One, we ended that night at Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant on Camelback Road and celebrated with a cold Irish beverage. Coincidently, our first two days of the Phoenix Valley walked ended similarly … not necessarily by design as many observers thought. Pete in South Carolina said we were clearly just doing a pub crawl.

Secondly, I had a fairly impressive blister develop on my left foot after that 2.5 hour, 6 mile walk. THAT was a sign of much worse developments for me on Day 1 and 2. I can only say it was my own fault. One would think I would have learned the importance of breaking in new shoes many years ago. Actually I thought I had, but the Valley Walk proved ignoring them was a stupid move on my part.

Here’s a picture of the new Brooks Summon shoes just out of the box!