I Hiked More Than You Yesterday
I hiked to the top of a tall mountain (2,330 feet elevation) by myself yesterday in ninety-five degree heat. The sun was blaring in it's anti-christ-like splendor, sweat was glistening, my epidermis was melting, desert plants were jolly green, and a light breeze dared to traverse the arid landscape - blanketing my naked body in it's cooling goodness. Alright, maybe I wasn't hiking naked.
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All I have to say is this - Thank the heavenly spirits for Hawaiian Tropic SPF 70 Sunblock. Yes, I said 70. My outer shell is so pale/fair/white/pasty/un-human/freckly/pale that it does not deflect one iota of sun - shit - I might as well be a human solar panel. Does that even make sense?
Anyway, I hiked a total of about seven miles on either a constant incline or a sheer decline. Luckily, my legs did not get tired once, I guess going to the gym three times a week pays off in the end. The only time I tripped was when I felt something hit the back of my leg. I thought it was a desert squirrel attacking me for my water. So I squeaked a little, performed a little (seizure-like) freak-out dance, tripped over a rock, and almost fell down the side of the mountain. Funny.
It took me about three hours round trip, and believe me, I definitely felt the three hours of sun exposure when it was all said and done. But that sunblock did work it's magic, no sunburn! However, I do have to say that trying to work SPF 70 into your skin is the equivalent of trying to get a piece of chalk to fit into one of your pores.
Here is a link to some facts about the mountain.
Now of course I had to take my camera along for the ride and I do urge you all to take a gander at my photos.
The mountain and preserve is truly beautiful.
This hieroglyph is over six hundred years old!
South Mountain was home to the Hohokam Indians. They inhabited this area from 300 B.C. until the 1700's.
This is halfway up the "easy" path. You can see a few neighborhoods in the distance. This was taken right next to the hieroglyphs.
A random wood fence. I sat on it for a little while, admiring the landscape.
This picture was taken on full zoom. I couldn't believe how clear it came out
I was a little confused when I came upon this road. But I guess lazy/sane people need to get to the top of the mountain too.
At this point I decided to just hurry my sweaty ass up to the top of the mountain, so I put the picture taking on hold.
But I could not resist taking a picture of these... Good God the colors!
When I got away from the road, and the higher I climbed, these landscapes began revealing themselves to me.
Not really a great photo, but it is a full zoom shot of downtown Phoenix. You can only witness this view from the top of the mountain.
Clouds are big.
Another shot of the towers. I love the vivid colors.
I forgot to tell everyone, I was the first man to reach Mars.
These towers are at the summit of the mountain. At night they slowly blink a dark red. They used to put to me to sleep when I was a child. I was going to re-size the picture, but I decided that the bigger it is, the better. This is my favorite picture.
-
All I have to say is this - Thank the heavenly spirits for Hawaiian Tropic SPF 70 Sunblock. Yes, I said 70. My outer shell is so pale/fair/white/pasty/un-human/freckly/pale that it does not deflect one iota of sun - shit - I might as well be a human solar panel. Does that even make sense?
Anyway, I hiked a total of about seven miles on either a constant incline or a sheer decline. Luckily, my legs did not get tired once, I guess going to the gym three times a week pays off in the end. The only time I tripped was when I felt something hit the back of my leg. I thought it was a desert squirrel attacking me for my water. So I squeaked a little, performed a little (seizure-like) freak-out dance, tripped over a rock, and almost fell down the side of the mountain. Funny.
It took me about three hours round trip, and believe me, I definitely felt the three hours of sun exposure when it was all said and done. But that sunblock did work it's magic, no sunburn! However, I do have to say that trying to work SPF 70 into your skin is the equivalent of trying to get a piece of chalk to fit into one of your pores.
Here is a link to some facts about the mountain.
Now of course I had to take my camera along for the ride and I do urge you all to take a gander at my photos.
The mountain and preserve is truly beautiful.
This hieroglyph is over six hundred years old!
South Mountain was home to the Hohokam Indians. They inhabited this area from 300 B.C. until the 1700's.
This is halfway up the "easy" path. You can see a few neighborhoods in the distance. This was taken right next to the hieroglyphs.
A random wood fence. I sat on it for a little while, admiring the landscape.
This picture was taken on full zoom. I couldn't believe how clear it came out
I was a little confused when I came upon this road. But I guess lazy/sane people need to get to the top of the mountain too.
At this point I decided to just hurry my sweaty ass up to the top of the mountain, so I put the picture taking on hold.
But I could not resist taking a picture of these... Good God the colors!
When I got away from the road, and the higher I climbed, these landscapes began revealing themselves to me.
Not really a great photo, but it is a full zoom shot of downtown Phoenix. You can only witness this view from the top of the mountain.
Clouds are big.
Another shot of the towers. I love the vivid colors.
I forgot to tell everyone, I was the first man to reach Mars.
These towers are at the summit of the mountain. At night they slowly blink a dark red. They used to put to me to sleep when I was a child. I was going to re-size the picture, but I decided that the bigger it is, the better. This is my favorite picture.