Tag: Hiking

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7 Books to Check Out: New Titles by Tucson Writers

It’s a new year, but don’t miss these books released by Tucson authors in 2025!

undersea mural
Mural by Jessica Gonzales on the side of Antigone Books, Tucson

Order, order!

I’ve included links to order via Bookshop.org, but you can also check your favorite local bookstore.

Fun fact: Most bookstores that sell new books can order just about anything in print, whether they carry it or not. If they don’t have an online shop, call or stop in.

Find an independent bookstore near you. Or order from any of the ones listed below.

If you prefer to browse in a brick-and-mortar shop, I’ve listed independent Tucson- and Phoenix-area bookstores that say they have a particular title in stock. (I didn’t bother which stores you can order these books from, because the answer is any of them.)

Barnes and Noble also had a few of these books available in certain stores, so you can check there if that’s the option closest to you.

 

Urban Trails Tucson book at a desert trailhead.
Via Trails Inspire / Sirena Rana

Book List

1. Urban Trails Tucson

by Sirena Rana

You may know the author from…

Her Arizona Trail advocacy, as well as her photography and writing about hiking and the outdoors.

About the Book:

This book is part of the Urban Trails series, published by Mountaineers Books. It’s a look at nearly 50 trails in Tucson and the surrounding areas. Each trail has a several-page description, along with maps and photos. Even before you get to those, there is tons of information about desert wildlife, Tucson culture, hiking tips, and local pronunciation. There’s a handy map and chart that will allow you to quickly find a trail based on location and length, as well as kid- and/or dog-friendliness.

Formats:

  • Paperback
  • eBook

Find it:

More:

 

Arizona Poppy Shop shelves
Sonoran Rosie book at Arizona Poppy

2. Seasons of the Desert: The Wellness Wisdom of Southwestern Native Plants

by Sonoran Rosie (Rosie Crocker), illustrations by Hannah Davies

You may know the author from…

Their desert plant-based skincare/self-care products and their artist spotlight in my all holiday market post. They are also the owner of Arizona Poppy Shop and founder of the seasonal Desert Air Market.

About the Book:

Divided into blooming seasons, this book helps you identify key plants and describes their place in the Sonoran desert ecosystem. It explains practical uses for each plant and how they can be responsibly foraged. goes beyond helping you simply identify desert plants, it describes their practical uses and even includes recipes for natural skincare, herbal remedies, and other goodies!

Formats:

  • Hardback
  • eBook

Find it:

More:

 

Pink Eraser Art book cover
Pink Eraser Art book by Serena Rios McRae aka Cactus Clouds Art

3. Pink Eraser Art: The Ultimate Guide to Carving Incredible Eraser Stamps

by Serena Rios McRae

You may know the author from…

Serena is a prolific artist in a wide variety of media. You may have spotted her ceramics, stickers, or watercolors at a local market, seen her murals at Hotel McCoy, or watched videos about her process and – often surprising – projects. And I’ve heard her DIY eraser stamps made a big splash on TikTok.

I also spotlighted her new book on my all holiday market list.

About the Book:

Carving stamps from pink rubber erasers is more than just the latest maker trend. It’s about democratizing art, about the freedom that comes with creating using what you have on hand – instead of being limited by expensive supplies.

“…using the less expensive materials is freeing, healing, and I believe will help us gain that confidence in ourselves that we need to trust our creativity.” –Serena Rios McRae

 

Pink eraser art stamped into a book by Cactus Clouds Art
By Serena Rios McRae / Cactus Clouds Art

Formats:

  • Paperback
  • eBook

Find it:

More:

 

Via Western Sky Communications

4. Water Harvesting 101

by Martha Jean Retallick

You may know the author from…

Her beautiful coffee table book, City Nature.

 

“Drought affects all of us. Whether you’re in the deserts of Arizona, the plains of the Midwest, or urban centers like Los Angeles and Atlanta, water resilience starts at home.”

–Martha Retallick

About the Book:

A practical companion to City Nature, this book goes deeper into the how-tos of creating a lush landscape in the desert. If you’re familiar with Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster, then you’ll be aware of concepts like shaping your yard to capture rainwater and reusing gray water. In this case, however, you have the addition of Martha Retallick’s nature photography with text that is informational, but much less dense.

water spouting from a garden hose
Image via Water Harvesting 101 Podcast / Martha Retallick.

Formats:

  • eBook
  • Audiobook

Find it:

More…

 

book: In the Circle of Ancient Trees: Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell
In the Circle of Ancient Trees: Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell via author Valerie Trouet

5. In the Circle of Ancient Trees: Our Oldest Trees and the Stories They Tell

edited by Valerie Trouet, art by Blaze Cyan

A follow-up to her previous book, Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings, this time Valerie Trouet has collected stories of trees from all over the world. She introduces the book by explaining the science behind studying tree rings, and then presents 10 stories from other dendrochronologists, each about a tree species that has been important in their work.

It is illustrated by intricate woodcarvings by Blaze Cyan, a British landscape artist who feels especially connected to ancient trees and forests.

Formats:

  • Hardback
  • eBook

Find it:

More:

 

6. 100 Western Women: The Bold, Brave, Gutsy Women of Arizona’s Past

by Jan Cleere

You may know the author from…

The monthly “Western Women” column she’s written for the Arizona Star for over a decade. This is her seventh book – and the fifth that focuses specifically on historical Arizona women and girls.

About the Book:

Each of the titular 100 western women gets a short, biographical chapter in the book. They are grouped into broad sections, such as Pioneers, Innkeepers, Educators, Military Wives, and “The Compassionate.” While it sometimes glosses over the more problematic aspects of the stories, there’s enough good information to make it worth the read.

Because each chapter is adapted from a self-contained article, you don’t have to read them in order. You can skip around or skim the table of contents for names that catch your attention.

Formats:

  • Paperback
  • eBook

Find it:

 

7. The Southwest Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden

by Jack Dash, Luke Takata, Native Plant Society Arizona

“Habitat fragmentation is the global challenge that the average gardener has the greatest ability to help solve… Almost anyone can grow native plants and help knit together the fabric of ecosystems that have been torn apart by human activity.”

–The Southwest Native Plant Primer

The book is part of a series of Native Plant Primers by Timber Press. There’s also one for the Southeast, the Pacific Northwest, one just for Texas, etc.

This particular volume describes the diverse bioregions within the Southwest. Besides descriptions of 235 plants that are native to the region and commonly available, it also includes hints on topics like mulching and choosing annuals vs. perennials.

Formats:

  • Paperback
  • eBook

Find it:

More:

 

bookshelf
Urban Trails Tucson on the shelf at Mostly Books in Tucson.

Of course, these aren’t the only recent releases by Arizona authors. I found lots more at the Stacks Book Club local author list!

As an affiliate for Etsy and Bookshop.org, I may earn commission on purchases you make after clicking one of my links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps support this site. Thanks!

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What To Do With 24 Hours in Tucson

Gates Pass in Tucson
tacos, squash, and a drink
To do in Tucson: Eat at Seis

I wrote a guide for Tucson Foodie about how to get the most out of Tucson if you’re only here for 24 hours. Of course, where to eat is a big part of it. But I also recommend where to stay and fun things to do while you’re here.

The post is split up for 4 different types of travelers. (Kind of like a very short Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book.) So there’s a different 24 hour itinerary depending on whether you’re a Super Foodie, Outdoor Adventurer (looking to hike, mountain bike, etc.), Wellness Seeker (looking for a DIY spa-like experience) or Family with Kids.

hills covered with desert landscape
Gates Pass

Check it out and let me know which itinerary you would choose!

coffee cup on a placemat with the Maynards logo

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Picacho Peak + Wildflowers

Picacho Peak rising from the fog in the distance

“Picacho Peak is arguably one of the best spots to see blooming wildflowers and cactus in Arizona…”

Picacho Peak in the background of a field of wildflowers
Picacho Peak during wildflower season. Via Picacho Peak State Park.

If you’ve ever driven I-10 from Phoenix to Tucson (or vice versa), it would be hard not to notice the distinctive shape of Picacho Peak rising from the desert floor.

Picacho Peak from the freeway at sunset

It’s the center of an Arizona state park and a great spot to see spring wildflowers!

 

wildflowers on rocky desert ground

Peak Wildflower Season

“…Experience the trails as they wind through a colorful sea of yellow, orange, purple, and red wildflowers.”

–Arizona State Parks

lupine in the Sonoran desert

Superbloom

We visited during the 2023 superbloom year, when Picacho Peak was absolutely carpeted in golden poppies and purple lupine!

Continue reading “Picacho Peak + Wildflowers”

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A Short Walk in Flagstaff, Arizona

orpheum theater flagstaff

Flagstaff is a great place to take a walk. For one thing, the summer weather is gorgeous! Plus, there’s the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS), a network of over 56 miles of walking and biking paths throughout town.

Quijote the dog in Flagstaff

Wheeler Park

When we were in Flagstaff recently, I wanted to take Quijote on a short walk before we went to meet up with family. I found a nice little quarter-mile route downtown from Wheeler Park to Heritage Square.

Wheeler Park has a central location with free parking nearby. I recognized the park name from Happenings List events that take place there, like Flagstaff Art in the Park.

I had done a quick search, and it didn’t seem like anything like that was scheduled for that day.

 

chaotic mural
“Sound of Flight” mural on the side of the Orpheum Theater by Sky Black and Mural Mice.

Unexpected Hullabaloo

But there was. The sidewalks got more crowded the closer we got. The street we planned to turn on to get to the park was completely closed. As we circled around the block, we realized the entire park was fenced off. And so was the parking lot.
Continue reading “A Short Walk in Flagstaff, Arizona”

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Top Fives of 2020

Road up Mount Lemmon

We humans are weirdly resilient.

"Dirty P" art by John Carrillo.
“Dirty P” art by John Carrillo.

A few years ago, I wrote (through tears), “Life can be such an off-balance mix of highs and lows, beautiful moments and heartbreaking ones all scrambled together.”

It remains true at the close of this tumultuous, challenging, disorienting – and, yes, often heartbreaking – year. There are points of light, even in dark times.

Dog
Quijote hanging out with me before polling place setup in November.

I asked a few friends to think of some good moments they experienced in 2020 and share them in the form of a top five list of things they did or simply enjoyed.

Their lovely responses (and fun photos!) are below.

 

Handmade clothes and quilts
Craft projects by Kelli.

Kelli Donley Williams: Top 5 Things I Made

These are my top five favorite makes of 2020 – a year that provided ample time for me to be creative.

1. Cornflower Yoke Cardigan from Vintage Baby Knits for my niece, Maxine Eleanor. She was born August 1.

2. No. 1 shirt from designer Sonya Philip. I learned how to sew basic garments this year. I made several of these and lived in them all summer!

3. I participated in Denyse Schmidt’s Proverbial Quilt Along. The quilt reads, “The Darkest Nights Make the Brightest Stars.” I gave it to my eldest niece Alexis, who headed off to college in August and was having a hard time with everything she’d been forced to miss due to the pandemic.

Sweater
Kelli in a sweater she made herself!

4. My best friend Meghann turned 40 in August and asked for a quilt in her colors. This is the most ambitious quilting project I’ve ever completed. My mom quilted the top with her longarm, to make it extra special. The pattern is an Ohio star.

5. I completed Morning Sky sweater in cornflower blue and have enjoyed wearing it. I really like the scalloped edge and the fit. I made it from inexpensive yarn, and it has held up nicely!

 

Healthy meals
Serious meal prep by Christin!

Christin Underwood: Top 5 Ways I Stayed Healthy during 2020

1. Meal prepped weekly to stay on my nutrition

2. Made sure to do at least 3 home workouts a week

3. Made sure to hike weekly for Vitamin D

4. FaceTime and Zoom called my family once a week

5. Journaled and did meditation for mental health

 

Lucrecer Braxton portrait
Lucrecer with some of her many plants, who she plays music and dances with.

Lucrecer Braxton: Top 5 Songs I’ve Been Listening to This Year

1. Diana Gordon, “Woman”

2. Almondmilkhunni feat. Evander Griiim, “Grapefruit”

3. Yung Baby Tate, “That Girl”

4. Maxine Ashley, “Lobster”

5. Koffee, “Toast”

 

Sangeeta and Shanauk got the beet.
2018 photo that I dug up on Sangeeta’s Facebook.

Sangeeta Agarawal: Top Ways I Learnt To Do R+R This Year

1. Call and Zoom friends

2. Walks in nature and meditation retreats

3. Cook fun recipes

4. Clean and decorate house

5. Coloring and calligraphy

6. Reading spiritual books

7. Being in pajamas

8. A little bit of gardening

 

Dog in a tent
Laurel says her dog, Honeybear, is an excellent camper!

Top 5 Things I Enjoyed in Spite of 2020…

• from Laurel Shane:

1. Camping trips

2. Cuddling with my dog

3. Reading Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

4. DIY projects like sewing masks and making home improvements

5. Rewatching The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

 

Yosemite
Vesna hiking Half Dome.

• from Vesna Taneva-Miller:

1. I went on my first meditation retreat in Stockbridge, MA a week before everything shut down because of COVID. This was on my 2020 list before 2020 arrived.

2. I went on an epic hike in Yosemite and hiked Half Dome. I was sooo lucky to be invited on this hike as going all the way to the top requires a permit that is given through a lottery system.

Stamps
Two of Vesna’s hand carved stamps.

3. I was able to stay home for 6 weeks when COVID first hit. We did a lot of walks in local parks. I also learned how to edit videos and filmed 3 classes for Skillshare.

4. I planted two fruit trees in my backyard: a fig and a pomegranate. I will always remember that they were planted during COVID year (haha)!

5. I am joining Carve December, and I am determined to carve a stamp a day during this month.

 

Happy campers
Lori camping with family.

• from Lori Meisner Cleland:

1. Socially distanced camping trips with my brother and his family

2. Discovering new (to me) music, like Gregory Porter

3. A slower pace

4. Increased support of and appreciation of small businesses

5. Seeing all the amazing creativity going on as people work to navigate this crazy year together

Food and beverages
Photos from some of the local restaurants Lori supported this year.

Photos that go with the lists are from the respective listmakers.

P.S. Dinah Liebold’s list of gift ideas that was so detailed and timely that it got its own post last week, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already!

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