Hiking the San Tan Mountains

After a month of small motor skills indoors, this month’s adventures are all about being outside. After all, spring in Phoenix is beautiful…when it’s below 100 degrees.

The San Tan Mountains are relatively close to us, so my husband, daughter, and I have hiked there several times before. However, still a little tired from a slumber party and yardwork the day before, Zoe opted out of the day’s hike. Jokingly telling her we were going to hike 7 miles might also have had something to do with it.

Our two rottweilers knew something was up when we emerged from our bedroom in hiking attire. They bounced around like rabid squirrels when we got the leashes out, Remus “talking” the whole time and dragging poor Chloe around by her leash. Still getting used to new places, new people, and other animals, this would only be their third hike at San Tan. Remus and Chloe leapt into the car and did not stop wiggling for the entire drive, tails (and entire hindquarters) wagging ecstatically, tongues out and drooling.

At our destination, my husband led Remus while I took Chloe, the more docile of the two, although she still tries to walk ahead in her excitement. Taking the time to constantly remind her she is not allowed to lead, combined with the fact that my stride is substantially shorter than my husband’s (who is nearly a full foot taller than me), Chloe and I were often the caboose in our miniature train, although we did take turns leading a few times. It was tempting to allow her to lead on the uphills so she could pull me as I yelled “mush!” but the thought of her also dragging me downhill faster than my uncoordinated feet could keep me upright was a stronger deterrent. Alas, slowly, we went.

After the second mile, Chloe started getting tired and didn’t try to pull quite as much. At one point during a steeper uphill, a woman in front of us turned around and said, “I thought I heard someone breathing heavily.” I hoped she was referring to Remus, who was panting quite ungracefully with drool dripping off his tongue, which was lolling out the side of his mouth. But don’t fret thinking we neglected the fur-babies. My husband and I each had camelbacks full of water and a collapsible doggy bowl. When we stopped for a drink, they got one, too.

Not a huge water drinker myself (I really prefer Diet Coke), the only time I actually crave water is when I’m working out, so I usually try to drink as much as I can when the thirst comes. However, that is not the case when I go hiking because I happen to know if you suck down your entire canteen on the way there, you’ve got nothing to drink on the way back. So, paced myself with the camel impersonations.

One of the nice things about bringing the dogs hiking is that they can get a little socialization…at least Chloe does. Remus still doesn’t like strangers but if I see someone take an extra second to smile at our puppers, I will ask if they would like to pet the mild-mannered child. More often than not, the response is an enthusiastic ‘yes’ and Chloe loves the attention. I hope this is teaching Remus that he can get more attention, too, if he remembers his good manners, but the verdict is still out.

We always “pull over” when we see other dogs, bicyclists, or equestrian riders coming our way. Remus has gotten better at not barking at other animals. He’s even better behaved when he’s tired…it would appear we have found his kryptonite.

I’m not the best hiker, but I’m an even worse cyclist. I saw a couple riding their bikes past us in the opposite direction up and down some steep rocky portions. The man cruised by leisurely but the woman stopped, got off her bike, and proceeded to walk down the rocky pattern. When she caught my eye, she mouthed “there’s no way.” I’ve never related to a cyclist more.

We took another break at the half-way point, which felt like further than the half-way point because, no matter what I’m doing, the return trip always seems to go by faster. We thought we were taking a five-mile hike, but my Fitbit was adamant that I only walked four miles. It seems to estimate on the conservative side. At any rate, I hit my 10,000 steps on our way back to the car. When I took my camelback off, I suspected I might have had a leak in it because my back was soaking wet, but evidently that was just the product of a good workout. I must have done a decent job rationing my water because I even had some left.

The puppers were much quieter on the ride back home, I imagine because they were exhausted. When we got back home, everyone – including the pooches – got lunch.  I’m pretty sure they passed out after they filled their bellies, although I’m not 100% certain because after I took a shower, I passed out for a nap as well. After all, the best part about a workout is knowing you earned your lunch…and a good nap.