The Grand Canyon and Me, The Changes Over TIme

Out On A Ledge                                                                                      ©2011 Jeff Felske

Some twenty plus years have gone by between my first experience at the Grand Canyon and a spontaneous day trip this Easter weekend. Google maps claimed the drive time as three hours and forty six minutes from my house to the park....a world away from the big city congestion of Phoenix and a universe away from the girl that I was.

I dimly remember the other trip, probably because it just wasn't my thing back then so I didn't file the memories away in that box labeled 'Precious'. I hated the idea of hiking, even walking was labeled "too pedestrian" in my book, and I was merely curious about this big gaping hole labeled one of the World's Great Natural Wonders.

Time changes all and today the parking lot at Mather Point is gigantic, 250 parking spots labeled by animals and numbers a la theme parks, albeit still a short walk to the South Rim Trail. Back then you got out of the car and could almost see the edge from your hood. I remember this because I got out of the car, close enough to be able to see just...how...far...down...it...was, clutched and refused to take even a step farther out of fear. Good enough was a glimpse in real life that showed me less than what the IMAX movie in Tusayan hinted at but hey, saw the movie, got the concept, right?

As the park has improved, so have I. Upgraded changes have smoothed soil and gravel into  handicapped accessible concrete and asphalt trails. Long shallow steps and rails now give safe harbor to even the most fearful. Twenty years of growth has given me a love of the gravel under my feet and fear has been replaced by the innate curiosity to see past the obvious.

As I stood on the edge of the rim balancing in the wind gusts I marveled at the immense grandeur of the scene around me and the fear behind me. The world is a wonderful place as I look 360º around me to appreciate what life has to offer.

Those Campfire Recipes - Tuna Casserole

My best friend the backpacker waxes poetically about his hiking buddy's culinary trail skills. Says his friend wants to make sure that not only does everyone eat good on the trail, but also insure that if he gets sick or injured he continues to do so.


What D. does is pre-package meals at home. All the ingredients are bagged together and the directions written on the ziplock with a sharpie. This way anyone can make a great dinner in camp.

My Tuna Casserole
1 box Au Gratin Potatoes
2 tablespoons Butter
2 1/2 cups Water plus water to rehydrate veggies and potatoes
2 6oz. foils of Tuna
1/3 cup dried milk
1 cup dehydrated vegetables

At lunchtime, place dehydrated veggies in a Nalgene and cover with water. by dinner time they will be re-hydrated.

Mix 1/2 cup of water with dried milk and set aside. Cover potatoes with  water and allow to soften (this cuts down on cooking time).

Once you are ready to cook, Drain potatoes and veggies and then combine with 2 cups hot water, 2 tablespoons butter, sauce mix and milk. Bring to boil, cover and simmer til tender, stirring ocassionally. Add Tuna and allow tuna to come up to temperature of potatoes and serve.

This is so simple in camp that even the kids can do it ;-)                                                                ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

Sunday Surfing - Arizona Wildflowers

I love lazy Sunday Mornings...sitting on my patio with a jumbo cup of coffee, my laptop and all the time in the world to just...surf. I found this video of Arizona Wildflowers and wanted to share it with you. Pretty flowers, pretty music, a little relaxation from me to you.

Papago Park West Trails

Ok, I admit it....I haven't been out. I caught the Swine-Asian-Bird-Spanish-Hong Kong flu and after 9 days in bed walking around the block left me breathless. But, the ground was calling me. Enter my friend Charlotte, business coach and owner of Moms With A Passion, who wanted to mix business with pleasure as much as I did.

Trail #5 Papago Park West Trails                                                         ©2011 Marcia Mauskopf

We met at the Elliot Ramada Trailhead, a comfortable place for a picnic or casual meeting, with bike racks, water fountain and covered picnic table. The beauty of Papago Park is that you can have a pleasurable desert hiking experience in the middle of big city Phoenix.

The loop trail here is 2.7 miles, part of a network of trails and service road that crisscrosses the park. The loop takes you along the base of Double Butte, skirts the golf course and gently brings you back again. Along the way we took photos, marveled at the glowing pink ears of a jack rabbit backlit in the morning sun and talked about art and whether we should try one of the butte incline trails (the heart was willing but the lungs not so much). Back at the ramada we shared almonds, talked about life and business, laughing at the cactus wrens and squirrels checking out Charlotte's snack bag. A great morning getting my lungs back in shape and enjoying an oasis in the city.

How To Get There:
Take the 101 Loop to 202 West (Red Mountain Freeway). Exit at Priest Drive. Going  North on Priest which will turn into Galvin Parkway. Turn left on Papago Park Road. This will turn right into the parking lot for Elliot Ramada Trailhead. The trail is just beyond and a service road suitable for wheelchairs is to the right and goes up to Elliot Ramada, located at the base of Double Butte.