Stunning views, holiday weekend warriors, trekking poles, altitude wheezing. I bagged my first peak in the Challenge. However, I started ay the trailhead with a sour attitude. I almost decided not to finish the two-hour drive to the trailhead after receiving a speeding ticket. Clearly, the highway patrol officer didn’t empathize with my need to secure a limited parking spot at a busy trailhead on a holiday weekend + get a jump on the heat (ie little to no shade on Bear Mountain Trail). As I sat here sulking, I recalled the sage advice of an old Peace Corps friend, who once said life is about perspective. I’d never heard that before. I realized my negative mindset was a choice and temporary. Like hiking, I needed to put one foot in front of the other and see this phase of my challenge through.

Pic 1: Overlook onto the Coconino National Forest and famous Sedona Red Rocks.

Pic 2: Trail arrow painted to guide hikers through the flagstone-paved trail.

Pic 3: Trail summit. I love that the sign states “end”. Was someone concerned hat weary hikers would stumble over the edge?! I also spotted two ravens riding thermals, while they scouted for food hikers might have dropped while resting + catching their breath nearby.