Jacket, J. Crew Factory (old, but I like this one) • shorts, J. Crew Factory • shades, Target
When I go to Arizona, my favorite activity is shopping. Ok, let’s be honest – that’s my favorite activity no matter where I am. But in Arizona, the stores are bigger and more decadent, and the malls are just so clean and huge. My boyfriend Brian’s favorite activity, however, is hiking. It was his first trip to Arizona, and I figured being the kind girlfriend I am, I’d go hiking one day, and then we’d go shopping the next. We decided to hike to Weaver’s Needle, a massive rock formation in the middle of the Superstition Mountains just east of Phoenix. Legend has it that Weaver’s Needle is the site of a lost gold mine, and the 2.5-mile trail up wasn’t supposed to be too difficult. No big deal, right?
Bull-f’ing-shit.
Remember what I looked like in the picture above, because things quickly melted down from there.
This wasn’t the trail, but it might as well have been. Two-and-a-half hours of massive rocks that I had to maneuver around, or else risk breaking an ankle. I wish I had a picture of the trail, because 95% of it looked like this. I may have had a meltdown when I thought we were almost to the top and realized there was another hour of hiking to go. But I kept going.
Brian is an outdoorsman, one of those rare breeds of people who enjoys difficult/dangerous hikes. I am related to several of these people, and I do not understand them. Notice the “gentle” trail? This was the easy bit.
But even I have to admit, the scenery was beautiful.
Brian obviously took these pictures. I was too busy making sure I didn’t fall off the edge and wondering if I was ever going to make it off that mountain. (When I start melting down, I get even more dramatic than I already am. Seriously, poor Brian.)
This was a total forced smile. For you see, it had just dawned on me that what hiked up must then hike down. I cursed and made Brian promise never to make me go hiking again. Then I apologized and said I’d go, but only on a gentle stroll. And in an effort to make up for my abysmal patience for hiking (plus I really do love this guy), I have already researched another trail in the same area for our next trip. Because clearly I am a sucker for pain. And cute hiking outfits.
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Haha this entire post cracked me up. Oh the things we do for love.
It’s TRUE! Anything for that boy. He’s so darn cute.
What fantastic views! You are lucky to have Daniel Boone with you to help you navigate!
of course your fashion looks great in the mountains too!!! Did you have hiking boots on?
You mean playing Oregon Trail in our woods did not prepare you for this??
+++++++ Favorite comment ever.
This sounds/looks like one of the many ‘adventures’ D has dragged me on! I do my best to keep up and be cheerful but let’s be honest it’s not an ‘adventure’ until I have a meltdown! Kudos to you for surviving this trek and being up for more!
Glad to know I’m not alone!! I felt like such an idiot, but I am NOT a hiker.
This would totally be me on a hike. I love the concept of hiking, especially in places with beautiful scenery, but I would eventually have a meltdown, too.
It was SO embarrassing, though. There may have been tears.
I grew up in Phoenix, and my dad made us go hiking almost every weekend for ages. So. Horrible. I’m sure we hiked Weaver’s Needle, although I think I have blocked it out. I applaud you for making it, and you look super cute! I would definitely have melted down. I can’t even imagine. Maybe Piestewa Peak next time? I think it might be a lot less crazy.
Bahaha! You seriously make me laugh all the time Catherine. You’re just so darn cute…even when you are probably not trying to be
Great photos by the way…
xo – Marion
And frankly, down is harder than up! But… I Iove hiking. Even with my asthma and my orthotic shoes. Hiking is only second to canoeing…canoing being first because of the slow, gentle, sitting nature of it. ; ) I also have a jacket like that that I love…and now I wish I could throw on some shorts and go hiking! Hurry up July!