Judith Kuse Spring has sprung here in Arizona, and summer is fast approaching. It’s rattlesnake season. Hikers, be on the lookout. Snakes are out of their winter haunts enjoying the sun’s warmth. As you hike during the next months, keep this information in mind. Thirteen species of rattlesnakes reside in Arizona. Rattlesnakes are identified…
Judith Kuse On November 10, SLHC members and potential members gathered at Oasis Park in Sun Lakes I for the opening picnic. All were treated to a bountiful smorgasbord of fried chicken, salads, casseroles and desserts. After lunch, leaders of the club shared their advice for successful hiking. The list of safety tips-in-a-nutshell follows: Choose…
Roberta Arpan Shinrin-Yoku, a term minted by Japanese researchers, translates loosely into “nature bathing.” This tidbit was included with findings about the therapeutic effects of being in nature that appear in a TIME magazine article written by Alexandra Sifferlin (“The Healing Power of Nature,” July 25, 2016). It is beyond the scope of this Splash article to…
Roberta Arpan If your out-of-town guests aspire to see more of Arizona than golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools, take them hiking. Below are descriptions of three popular spots. Trail Name: Hieroglyphic Trail Difficulty: Easy Specifics: 3.5 miles; AEG: 625’; 42 miles from Sun Lakes Highlights: Numerous petroglyphs can be spotted on the cliff…
Roberta Arpan The statistics are in showing the Sun Lakes Hiking Club enjoyed another very successful season. The number of Sun Lakers on the membership roll increased to 215, up 49 members this year and 81 members in the last two years. In an effort to keep the numbers on each hike manageable, club leaders…
Roberta Arpan The Sun Lakes Hiking Club is supported entirely by its members. Hike leaders are the backbone of this organization and the hike coordinators are the heart. In 2010 when Marilyn and Dennis Harkins took over the responsibilities of Hike Coordinator, the club offered two hikes each week and the job description was quite…
Roberta Arpan The statistics are in summarizing the achievements of the Sun Lakes Hiking Club. In a nutshell, there were 63 scheduled hikes during the 2013-2014 season. Included in that number, 26 were Monday hikes, 25 took place on Wednesday, 10 of the hikes were classified as “Retread” and there were two special hikes: the…