Hiking Resource
October 22, 2010 by taha
Happy Fall to everyone!! We are so excited to finally have the cooler weather here! June is actually out hiking in the Superstitions with one of our guests from the Netherlands today. They couldn’t ask for better weather! I can’t wait to see the photos. Anyway, on to the actual topic for this posting. At Take A Hike Arizona, we love to share great resources when we come across them. Recently, we were contacted by Jonathan Wood, founder of Trailcalendar.com, about his efforts to join like minded outdoor enthusiasts by using a virtual calendar to help coordinate activities among them. Below, in Jonathan’s own words, is his introduction to this concept and why it will be a great tool for all of us looking for hiking partners/groups. So without further adieu, here is Jonathan:
Over the past four or so years, I’ve taken to hiking or snowshoeing each and
every week. Unfortunately, most of my friends are not up for the kind of
hiking I like to do. This means I end up going on many of my hikes alone.
Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoy spending a little time on my own. I’m
able to push the pace to where I get the perfect workout. Besides, I always
take my German Shepherd Dog, Suki. So I’m not really alone.
Still, I prefer to hike with others at least some of the time. Also, I’m
keenly aware that the inherent risks involved in hiking and snowshoeing can
be greatly amplified when you are on your own, and there is no one else to
assist in the unlikely event that trouble arises.
As a result, I’ve put a lot of energy into finding like-minded outdoor
enthusiasts that I can join on some of my outdoor activities. But it’s not
quite as easy as I’d have guessed. The better your conditioning, the harder
it is to find people who would enjoy your pace. Also, everyone has their own
ideas about what sort of activity is best.
So I set out to find ways to promote communities of outdoor enthusiasts,
which would allow people to connect with others that enjoyed the same types
of activities. And I thought the Internet was the best place to build these
communities.
There are already large sites where outdoor enthusiasts can hookup, but I
wanted a free community site that was dedicated to people planning and
discussing outdoor activities, and nothing else. The site also needed to be
simple: users should be able to instantly see any activities in their area
without logging in, or even having an account.
The result of this effort is the Trail Calendar website. This site is
divided into different locations so that when you visit the site, you’ll see
only those activities scheduled in your area. (The only exception is on your
very first visit, when you must tell the site where you are located.)
Although the site could potentially grow to be very big, users only see
nearby activities, which makes the site feel smaller and more intimate.
I’ve added the ability to RSVP activities so you can see who plans to join.
The site also rates people according to the number of activities they’ve
posted. I’m currently working on discussion forums and I’m looking at
implementing private groups, with a long list of cool ideas for features in
the longer term.
The site is still new. Some locations are picking up activity, while other
locations are waiting for people to post their first activity. So the next
phase is to get the word out and get more people using the site so that it
becomes more useful for those who do.
If anyone else feels this is a worthwhile cause, please post your next
activity on the site and tell your friends to do the same. Only with the
help of outdoor enthusiasts like you will the site grow the sort of online
communities, which I’d love to be part of.
Jonathan Wood
Trail Calendar
http://www.trailcalendar.com
Our Phoenix hiking guides love this Veggie Burger!
October 5, 2010 by taha
Well here’s another great recipe for you especially if you want to cut back on the red meat! This is a black bean veggie burger that is one of the best I’ve had in a long time! This recipe will make 4 good sized burgers.
Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) of black beans, drained, rinsed and mashed
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/3 cup whole kernel corn
1/4 cup thick and chunky salsa
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
4 whole wheat hamburger buns
Mash beans in a bowl. Add finely chopped onion, corn, salsa, pressed garlic, cilantro or parsley, salt and black pepper to beans. Mix well. Add bread crumbs and egg whites to bean mixture. Mix well. Form bean mixture into round hamburger patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot. Lightly spray pan with nonstick cooking spray; cook patties 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once. Cooking on a grill is not recommended as the burgers will not hold together over a grill and will fall apart when you try to flip them.
Serve burgers on whole wheat buns with optional toppings such as sour cream and salsa. This recipe is so delicious that even the kids ate the burgers!! If you have some great, healthy recipes that are family favorites, we would love to hear from you. We’d even be happy to share your recipe on our blog! In the meantime, enjoy these black bean burgers!
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