I’ve finally uploaded some photos from my March 2009 trip to China with my cousin

wandering around Guilin	cruising down the Li River
bicycling around Yangshuo	hiking around Detian Waterfall
Buddha hillside carvings in Hangzhou	strolling around West Lake
sightseeing in Shanghai

Cheap eats/accomodations, spectacular scenery, and great company made this a fun, budget-friendly adventure!

[View China photos]

Abineau/Bear Jaw Trails, Flagstaff, AZ

Sunday, we hiked the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trails in Flagstaff, where temps only reached the upper-70s and a quick (gotta love the 75 MPH speed limit!)  2 hour drive from Phoenix.  I tell ya (East Coasters) that Arizona is not all desert and there are so many wonderful, scenic places to explore!  It was a 6 mile loop hike with a 1,900 ft elevation gain.  Being a slow hiker who likes to take photos, I was a little nervous about the pace of the hike, but the “sweeper” posse made sure everyone made it back to the trailhead safely.  Afterwards, we hit up Beaver Street Brewery for some delicious food and drink–I’m not sure why, but hiking and breweries always goes so well together

Take a Hike is a member-driven group and anyone can lead a hiking or camping trip.  It was my first hike with this group and everyone was so nice and friendly that even a slow-paced, introverted hiker like myself felt comfortable with.  Looking forward to hiking with this group again!

View photos of the Abineau/Bear Jaw Trails