Loralei and wind caves!

Big, big news: we got a kitty!!!

We are still between names so we're not sure what to call her! I'm between "cat" and "loralei," based off on two of my favorites: breakfast at Tiffanys and Gilmore girls! Haha! But convincing Kyle is a completely different battle! 

Anyway, me and Amy were hiking wind caves at usery park last Tuesday and on our way home we came across a "free kittens!" Sign so naturally we turned in... The owners weren't home so we waited... Then went to grab dinner and went back and waited some more. I was exactly three miles from my place when they called! They were home at last! So I turned around, picked up amy again and headed straight back to the house that was 20 something miles away! I got a beautiful kitten out of it so I'm not even mad. 

I believe our biggest fear was Maxx's reaction to her seeing as how he likes to chase small creatures while barking viciously toward them. That being said, after a week I'm pretty sure he's learned he can't eat or kill her... Because she loves to attack his tail... And feet if he's walking past the bed! 

I think he mostly just sees her as a pesky younger sibling... I think I do too.. 

That adjustment has been pretty easy to make however. 

As for the wind caves, the hike was hard in the hot summer heat. I definitely learned my lesson on hiking in Arizona summers. This girl will not be doing many valley hikes, especially if it's past 6am! 

Since this hike I've visited the lovely tonto natural bridge in payson, az!

I'll post that one within the weekend! I also have a little yoga story to tell as well! :) all in time! 

Namaste! 

Falls seven times, get up eight: Seven falls.

I simply cannot believe how busy I've been! With job and hiking and yoga and boyfriend and wow!

I officially don't nanny anymore! 😭 it's sad and lonely but I've filled my time well! 

I only work about three times a week which leaves so much time to seek out adventures! 

So much in my life has changed in the last few months. It's been wonderful and I wouldn't change it for the world!

So one of the hikes I did was with my lovely friend Kendra! Maxx wasn't allowed but it was okay because he would have gotten exhausted. 

Sabino Canyon is located at the base of the Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Bear Canyon Trail will actually take you to Seven Falls.
The trail itself is about 8 miles in length roundtrip, depending on if you decide to take the tram or not. We didn't. I strongly urge you do. I urge this because once we started back on the last two miles it is emotionally and physically trying. It's about two miles to the trail and back from it so with the tram the hike is about 4 miles. I will never not take the tram ever again just because the hike itself is long and towards the end, difficult.
So our beginning was the nice paths they have behind the visitors center to the road..  

This road got old fast.
From the road you enter pretty trees and the bases of the mountains. This was a stunning hike. A little hard to follow at times but there were people every where so we could just wait around for a bit for someone to come down and head up.
The trail does require crossing the creek about 7 times(correct me if I'm wrong) and pretty much follows the creek for the majority of the hike. There are many places to sit and sunbathe or relax and have a snack along the way and most of which have large flat rocks to hang out on. 

It's possible to stay dry but I wouldn't recommend that! ;)
Eventually you will reach a point that is all incline. This was the most difficult part for me. Once you get to the top you will be on the side of a mountain. Seriously. It's a narrow path so when we saw a snake we pretty much ran with the risk of falling off. Haha!
After a while, you will see the falls and the swimming holes and eventually will curve into them.
Unfortunately, I lost my all my photos of this portion when I lost my phone to the washing machine. So instead I will show you the picture from pinterest that piqued my interest in the hike to begin with!

I am almost positive that it really only looks like this after some great rainfall because our water was a little less excited and a lot more green! Gorgeous either way!
So we hung out a bit before deciding to head back but the water was way too cold for us to actually swim.
One cool thing was these falls actually lead to a greater fall that feeds into the creek we hiked along. So it was exhilarating looking down and thanks to the wind, a little bit scary! 

This hike was amazing and I would do it again and again if Maxx was allowed! Since he isn't, I might just do it again! 😊

Namaste! 

Side note: bring about $20 on cash for entrance/tram. We went on a free day so I don't know the fees but there were fees! 

Devil's Bridge & Catching Up!

I know, I know, I know!
I seriously slack in finishing things I begin. However, I like to think I just took a break. ;)
I started that new job and things got hectic!
So, in the spirit of catching up I will tell you all about my recent and not so recent adventures but also, yoga milestones.
First of all, I will start with the possibility of great opportunities that are coming up in my family!
Kyle has a second interview in Washington this month! Eeek!! It's exciting because it is an amazing opportunity for him and also, a grand adventure for us!
Secondly, I have achieved headstand! Next on my list is handstand! It requires so much practice but it was so worth it! Breathing is also incredibly important. Every time I forget to breath, I fall.
Thirdly, I have been attending an essential oils yoga class once a week and it is the most amazing class I have ever been to! Every week is different from the last and each time is more incredible. I'm obsessed!
Fourth on my list, I am enrolling(as soon as I find out if we are staying or going to WA) to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts to receive my 200hr YTT. I'm so excited for that opportunity and it is pretty much the only thing making me hesitate the possible move.
Fifth and lastly(I think), I have visited Sedona for the first time ever. Of course it has kept me going back and the hiking up there is so amazing!

This was my first time up there to hike Devil's Bridge. I was actually introduced to the stunning city by my work friend Amy. She grew up in the area so it's that much better because she just knows things about the region. I am completely clueless up there. She's also very into hiking and we share a lot of interests and I pretty much adore and admire her! She's incredibly independent and makes it look soooo easy, I pretty much look up to everything she does!
Anyway, the hike was fairly easy although the trails are hard to follow. Luckily, the trails are marked well but if you miss the markers, it's easy to get lost...

The view from a clearing just below Devil's Bridge.

The hike itself wasn't difficult until you're climbing up to the bridge. Right about then my thighs were crying. It took us a little bit to realize we were at the bridge but the trail ended and so we looked down and wa la! 

It was incredible. We couldn't stay long because we didn't want to be hiking back in the dark but we stayed long enough to revel in it's beauty! 

Sedona has definitely won over my heart!