My first trip to Flagstaff, AZ

After five years of near misses I finally made it to Flagstaff this week with hopes of hikes, airplane rides, shooting guns and drinking beers. So far I have done several of those things. I haven't yet rode in the airplane, and probably won't be able to due to yearly repairs. I haven't yet shot any guns, but that'll probably happen tomorrow. I did, however, drink plenty of beers and go on a great hike today.

E.E. Benson, his mom Anne, and I hiked to the top of Elden lookout on this marvelous spring day in Flagstaff. If not for the gale-force we experienced at the top it would be have been even better time. As it stands, though, the views were great, the hike was difficult, and the burger afterwords was passable. Here is a shot of the San Francisco mountains, just to the northwest of Flagstaff, from the top of the lookout.

And oh yeah, did I mention that I currently have a ginormous beard?

Sunset in North Park

I have complained considerably about my time in San Diego. I will be the first to admit that fact, and also one of the first to admit that I was wrong to do so. Over the 5.5 years I have lived in "Old Mexico" I have learned to love running, I've enjoyed the beautiful weather, I've learned a lot of chemistry, and (most importantly) I've made a lot of great friends. I will miss San Diego when I leave, but not because it is "America's Finest City."

No, I don't believe it is the finest, but it does attract some pretty awesome long-term visitors. Only a little more than a month until I leave, and hopefully I can make the most of it.