I woke to this first morning of 2012 and it was early, like dark early. The sun was going to rise soon and it hit me.

Celebrating the morning of the beginning of the year is far deeper than the revelry of the last night.

There was a time I too found the partying, drinking, etc. to be the traditional way to end the old year and bring in the new. I lost that excitement years ago. It seems there are a good number of you who did too. You stayed in last night. Some admitted that to me that it was depressing that they would be alone this year for this big night … I get it.

But is a fake lighted ball dropping and introducing the new year exciting? Really? Is all the revelry fun? Really?

I found the beginning of the first day, at sunrise, to be really meaningful. And a few others did too. Those that were up.

Next year I am planning a sunrise breakfast with close friends. We’ll celebrate with fun and food and coffee! I asked my friend Cindy (who was also up EARLY) if she thought I could find a band for that! In her sharp, witty way she suggested, “Maybe a band from Sun City…” Ha-Ha!

I am announcing the Celebration of 2013! The First Morning: Friends, Breakfast, Coffee.

I think spending it around people you know and care about sounds so much better than the celebrations we now accept as fun and significant events.

Cindy already had suggestions for the event. There will definitely be a great view of the sunrise. Not a falling, lighted ball. This will be fun.

I’ve made hiking Shaw Butte on or near Christmas a tradition since finding the tree the locals decorate with Christmas ornaments. There was a wide variety this year … more that were eco-friendly, non-breakable and habitat thoughtful.

The trail was busy today and while always friendly, almost everyone said good morning and Merry Christmas to each other today. The Santa Cactus was not as decked out this year as in past ones.

Here were some of my favorite ornaments on the tree:

By the first of the year, someone from the neighborhood below comes up and removes everything.

This Christmas’ morning hike was a nice way to start the holiday off. For my previous pictures of the Shaw Butte tree and Santa since 2008, I’ve set up an album here:  ShawButte Christmas hike

Do you hike this trail? Join us at the We Love the Shaw Butte Hike Facebook page and share your thoughts, pictures, etc.

Merry Christmas from sunny Phoenix, Arizona!

After a long hot summer, where most Valley residents stay indoors, the weather is now perfect for outdoor activities. For those of us that live in Phoenix, we now look forward to these late fall through late spring months because it is the perfect time to hike the area trails.

Squaw Peak, located in the North Phoenix Mountain Preserve is my “mountain” and area of preference to get out and enjoy taking desert hikes. Its 1000+ foot elevation gain in just 1.2 miles provides a great workout and the views are stunning.

View looking northeast at the McDowell Range and North Scottsdale

I’ve been taking a route that begins just north of the peak and west of the 51. It is a decent 5+ mile round trip hike that includes hiking to the summit. Access to the park is just off of Dreamy Draw, about a quarter of a mile north of Aunt Chiladas.  The trail access takes you under the 51 and safely into the North Phoenix Preserve.

Once you crest the first hill, there is a valley surrounded by the area mountains and you lose all sense of being in the middle of the nation’s 5th largest city, Phoenix.

The next few pictures were taken on my two hikes into the Squaw Peak area last week. I focused on the Saguaros, my favorite cacti.

The valley just over the first ridge trail from Dreamy Draw.

Steep slopes. Looking west from the summit trail.

I really like the saguaros with their many limbs. Check out the road and parking area below.

It’s nice to know Saguaros are now protected. It takes hundreds of years for them to reach maturity. I’ve been told many were moved to housing developments.

The summit of Squaw Peak! What I really like about this shot is the official summit marker … look closely at the bottom center and you will see the gold colored geological survey marker. Most hike to the peak just north of this. If you haven’t trekked over to the south peak and touched the marker, you haven’t summitted! My friend Steve would call this being elevation inferior.

October 2011. I always celebrate a summit hike.

The coming months offer Phoenix residents a fantastic opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. Hiking Squaw Peak and the North Mountain Preserve is my favorite area for its convenience, stunning views, and diverse trails.

I had opportunity to drop by The Lux Coffee Bar this morning  and boy, am I glad I did. They have finished remodeling and moving into the building next door. It was my first visit to the new digs. It is impressive.

First, you know I have frequented Lux for a good while. They have great coffee, offer delicious food, and excellent service. It’s an eclectic, eccentric gathering place.

The line this Friday morning was steady and at times long. The staff had it down as no one waited more than a few minutes for their orders. I had my usual Americano and this:

This is a mixed berry brioche with what they call the works … oh, so good. The works means that slab of home-made whipped cream and butter. It is fantastic.

Jeff, the owner who you will almost always working the roaster or making the expresso or taking out the trash, has expanded the business to include a good variety of fresh food choices and a full bar (alcohol).

I am looking forward to my next visit. The Lux has my highest recommendation as a Phoenix stop for coffee or more. It is a Phoenix Best.

Lux Coffee Bar light fixture. As cool as its coffee.

Last night the Home Run Derby of the 82nd MLB All Star Game was watched by thousands at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. I wasn’t there, unfortunately. But in the crowd was someone I knew! I asked them if they would take a couple of pictures and give me their impressions.

My friend … actually in the spirit of full disclosure, my manager or BOSS, Jamie, attended with her husband, Josh. She provides these cool pictures and comments that follow.

They chose to sit just behind home plate which I have found to be one of the best views of the field. The outfield, typically the cheap seats, were anything but cheap. I heard some were going for a grand or more.

((I want to note it was near 100 degrees outside so the Chase Field roof was closed and these seats were air conditioned.

Jamie said, “It was an awesome experience — the most high energy baseball event I have ever been to! I have never been to any event and seen such an eclectic group of fans. There were fans decked out in team apparel for every MLB team.”

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks were most represented she said. “The Home Run Derby hitters can really mash (?: ) the ball! Especially Cano, the winner, who broke a record. Got to see so many upper level home runs.”

Jamie also mentioned how cool it was seeing old players (what? I think I am older than some of them…) like Cal Ripkin, who threw out the opening pitch, Hank Aaron, and Louis Gonzales.

Lots of festive activities. The Budweiser Clydesdales.

Just after the Star Spangled Banner was sung, Jason Aldean performed. Here, the windows of the upper area of the field allow sun to shine through.

Probably talked about as much as the Home Run Derby was The Catch of the night.

That’s a big league play right there.

“The crowd did a great job cheering on each player, not just their personal favs. It made the whole event fun to watch.”

Thanks to Jamie for sharing her Big League experience. It isn’t very often one gets to participate in All Star Festivities.

• Interesting notes: Robinson Cano, Yankees second baseman, won the event with a record 12 home runs with 4 outs left.
• Cano had his father, Jose Cano, pitching to him.
• 95 homers were hit.
• MLB and State Farm Insurance will donate $603, 000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Haboob? That’s what I was thinking. The Middle Eastern term is one for a huge desert storm. And that’s what hit yesterday in the Valley of the Sun, er, today known as the Valley of Dust.

No matter where you live, you probably have heard or seen pictures and video about it. This was my first experience of this weird type of storm.

They were still talking about it today on the news. It was big. Apparently this thing got going from Tucson and just grew from there.

The fact that this thing covered the valley is impressive. As you may know, I’ve walked across the valley and one of the impressions of doing that is that the valley is BIG. This storm was bigger. Epic as the newscast labels it!

There are so many videos on youtube recording the moment … I kind of like this guy’s report:

Amazing how dark it turns the day. I went out briefly into it as it hit the area I live and you immediately get a face, eye, and mouthful of sand.

So, my impression? The Haboob’s bark is worse than its bite. Now I should admit that by the time it had hit the North Valley, the winds had weakened and it was more of a nuisance because everything was covered in dirt. It is a very eery kind of thing. But it doesn’t really compare to other types of weather phenomenon.  I mean, how many people stand in the direct path of a tornado and record it …. and live to tell about it! Colorado blizzards are far more dangerous. Hurricanes too.

I have now experienced AND survived my first Phoenix dust storm. I am proud to have all the long time residents talking about its epic nature. For me, it really is just a dirty mess.

A BLACK asphalt parking lot the day after the 2011 Phoenix Dust Storm.

I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but this is the same Phoenix that sent reporters out live shortly after I moved here to cover the areas weather when the valley was experiencing … wind. Yep, it was epic.

In all my 38 years in Colorado and 4 years here in Arizona, I have never run into or over a rattle snake! Never seen one. I await the day for that moment and hope I have a camera for to document the event.

So just this past week, one of the people I follow on Twitter, TTI_Stacia, posts the following tweet:

Look at that!

I asked Stacia if she had taken the picture because it looked like it was taken with a steady hand. She admitted that a co-worker had taken it with his cell phone (no zoom).

Stacia said, “The men all stayed inside of the building while a few of us girls were outside with the snake. [uhmmm, not surprising. This was in Scottsdale : )] When the fire department arrived, one of them picked it up with his long snake catcher thing and the snake went crazy rattling and hissing or whatever snakes do, but he was super mad.”

Good snake …. It is true that rattle snakes will always look for a retreat. Looks here as if he had decided to make a break for it. But not so fast.

The Phoenix Fire Department arrives.

I think this is where Mr.Snake got a little upset and went a little crazy with the hissing and stuff. Stacia added, “He (the fireman) took it across the street to release it. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the thing finds its way back to our door. Where my building is located, we have had javelina, roadrunners, hawks, bob cats, coyotes and snakes. It’s like the wild kingdom around here.”

I appreciate Stacia sharing her rattle snake story and pictures with me. And I hope when that rattler returns, I’m there to get my picture taken with it.

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