As the dawning of 2023 begins, I find it customary to think of the paths, trails and trials of 2022, to gain inspiration and aspirations for the upcoming year. Reflection is a gift of the soul which generates the enthusiasm to seek new adventures, new paths, and new explorations in the future. Truly, as an outdoors adventurer, nature beckons me to walk longer trails, climb higher mountains, and conquer novel escapades. Yet, it is through reflection of where I have been which presses me forward and onward, not only in a physical sense, but also in an emotional and historical sense. 

For example, in February 2022, Don and I explored Camp Reno, located on the desert basin floor, on the eastern side of Mount Ord. Camp Reno was once a hopeful military fort site, built in the late 1860’s, in hopes of connecting Tonto Basin to Fort McDowell via the Mazatzal Mountain Range. The purpose of Camp Reno was to secure and protect travel for the military troops through Tonto Basin as western conflicts increased between settlers from the east and Native Americans, tensions running high for both. Securing water was also a major goal; yet, because the desert conditions were so harsh and dangerous, proving fatal for many, the fort was abandoned in 1870.

Wow! What a journey for the military personnel who made the arduous trek from Ft. McDowell, over the Mazatzal Mountains, to Camp Reno in 1867; not to mention, the difficult task of constructing a military protection wall out of river rock once on location. What a great inspiration! Someday, I would like to map the exact trail and try to hike the same track they did, starting at Ft. McDowell, backpacking over the mountain range with Camp Reno being my destination. I have yet to convince Don of how much fun this will be as I think he may view it more as a trial and tribulation than a trail. 2023? We will see. Maybe?! (No need to stack river rocks into walls. I have done enough yardwork involving rocks — I’m good.)

In June of 2022, Don and I visited the oldest capital city in the United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico. What an amazing historical city! The unsurpassed architecture of the Historic Cathedral Church of St. Francis of Assissi, created eras ago as a well known host for the weary and tired spanning five centuries. It astounds with a realm of peacefulness and serenity. The conflicts of yesteryear melt away as you stand on grounds many before you have traversed, perhaps even centuries ago. 

For me, two of the greatest fascinations are two trails used hundreds of years ago to reach Santa Fe. One of them is the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. In 1598, Don Juan de Onate with Spanish colonists traveled this path, which would later be named “The Royal Road of the Interior Lands.” The trail traversed from Mexico City, north of Santa Fe, bringing settlers, priests, soldiers, and travelers wearily into the northern frontier of New Spain. What an endeavor! 

And yes, you guessed it! My imagination runs wild with time travel, visualizing the tired trekkers, walking what perhaps seemed endlessly to and from Santa Fe. And yes, I am trying to persuade Don to trek with me part or all of the trail, trying to convince him how historically pertinent this trail may be for our collection of memories. 2023? We will see!

After visiting Dodge City, Kansas in July of 2022, we once again crossed the paths of the Santa Fe Trail, the second trail of interest. After seeing the end of the trail in Santa Fe in June, it was a great treat to cross the same trail in Kansas, thinking of how weary travelers and pioneers traversed the weathered path, walking miles and miles to reach the western destination of Santa Fe. Santa Fe National Historic Trail spans 900 miles through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico. An enormous cross near Dodge City, Kansas marks the crossroads of the trail. It was explored by Don Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s as he pursued his quest to find the seven cities of gold in mid America. On June 29, 1541, he crossed the Arkansas River. Absolutely mesmerizing!

And yes! What a great hiking experience this trail would be to make in 2023! As I have been conversing with Don, he has brought up a few questions to be explored before traversing. What about the weather? What about the food sources available on the trail? What about cell phone service should an emergency occur? These questions are valid and need meticulous planning and exploring. As always, serious preparation is crucial before starting on a hiking adventure, no matter how great or small. Imagine traveling in 1541, self-independence would have been crucial for man and beast.

Later in August, our travels in 2022, took us to North Padre Island, Texas. From Corpus Christi, traveling on South Padre Island Drive, the drive is approximately thirty to forty minutes, depending on traffic, to Padre Island National Seashore. What a treasure! Opened in 1962, Padre Island National Seashore is preserved as a national park. It has not been developed with beach hotels and accommodations. It remains mostly primitive and undeveloped, giving way to wildlife and birds to live on the beautiful seacoast in their natural habitats.  

Because of the continual effort to maintain the natural integrity of the island, the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are able to lay nestling eggs, burying them in nests on the beach. The public can view the delightful hatching of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle hatchlings by reserving a slot with the Padre Island National Park Service. These hatchlings usually occur mid-June through August. We barely missed it, so yes, I want to return to Padre Island National Seashore to watch this amazing, uplifting testament of precious life — turtle hatchlings trying to reach the warm water destination of the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe 2023?  

The camping on North Padre Island is dependent on tents and travel trailers for accommodations. There are two campgrounds in the park with a minimal nightly fee, and free camping running for miles to the south, on the beach; however, the road is primitive and requires four wheel drive. Should you decide to go in 2023, happy camping! You will love it!

My reflections of 2022 absolutely influence my ambitions for 2023 or at least my future aspirations. And although a couple of my goals seem arduous, I cannot help reflect on the famous words of Theodore Roosevelt, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

Did I mention I am getting Don a sign with this statement on it? Wish me luck in my endeavors and convincing my hiking buddy to endure with me my future aspirations.

From our house to yours, may 2023 bring you many great adventures in the outdoors. May you have peace and blessings, health, and happiness! (And if you need a Teddy Roosevelt sign to help coax your hiking partner, I will report on how it is working for me.)