What is Life

Throughout the years of driving into Phoenix to visit family and friends, I always wondered what the experience of hiking would be like in the desert terrain with the saguaros. Well, being a free-spirit as such, I thought why not just do it. After celebrating a wonderful wedding in Globe, Arizona and meeting up with old friends, my mind was made up and I hiked three hours into the Arizona Trail. And let me just say that the experience was transformative to the point of renewal. 

The original goal was to hike the Arizona Picket Post Trail, which is located just outside the town of Superior, Arizona. Unfortunately, due to not having the map on hand (which I normally do not carry) I found myself going off the intended trail and into the larger known trail called “The Arizona Trail”. Word of advice for everyone: make sure you read the fine print to the directional signs. Because I saw arrows on a sign and didn’t read the fine print and found myself on a six hour journey that didn’t have an end (three hours out and three hours back). The funny part of this story is that I came across a trail-bike rider and asked him how far till I reach the end; he said, “end? There is no end. This is the Arizona Trial. If there is an end, it’ll be Mexico”. I told him “well, that’s my end”. We both chuckled, fist bumped and went our separate ways. About another hour into the trail, I came across two cross-state traveling bikers. They were cool dudes. They came from the other side of the trail intersection. I asked them about the terrain ahead of me and if there were any unique mile markers. After exchanging information, we fist bumped and went our separate ways. I guess I wasn’t the only crazy guy out in the desert lands. 

If someone were to ask me, what is out there? I would say aliens. Just kidding. Absolutely nothing. Nah, for real? I saw the beauty of the rugged Arizona desert. I also saw the life and death of Saguaros. And believe me when I say that saguaros have to be from another world; everything about this plant is just so different from any tree or shrubbery. Whether alive or dead, saguaros change shapes like no other vegetation in my opinion. Everything about the land was exotic. I saw the Arizona desert in a completely new way; and different is good. From the sky, to the dirt, to the sunlight, to the sweet scented air—the overall essence was refreshing. And the open terrain was super nice; being confined to classrooms and apartment walls for the past five months can really put one’s head into a damper state. However, being able to escape the mind is one tough tricky maneuver. It took me about three hours to get myself out of my head and see the beauty before me. After moving along to what would be a never ending trail, I came across an overnight camp spot and gazed at the setting sunbeams over the hillside, listened to the chirping sparrows dancing across the sparse brushes, and admired the sharp rocky mountains in every direction; I was finally free. It was nice. I could finally breathe.

What amazes me is that I always find myself in these crazy traveling tales. But despite my many treks, I often forget how beautiful the world can be. The human experience can be expansive or it can be restricted and limited; the option to how we view the world is totally within our ability to choose. So, if you get locked inside your head, go step outside and enjoy the natural world. Take a break from the screens and fluorescent lights, and appreciate the world we live in. It’s a big world. Perhaps, maybe not venture out into the Arizona Desert without a map (unless you want to). Anyways, thank you for reading. Have a good one y’all!