There’s More to Arizona Than the Desert
When I first moved to Arizona, I saw a lot of cactus, burnt rocks, and a whole lot of desert.
Although I came to enjoy those things, having grown up in Colorado, I still felt like Arizona was lacking something. But personal experiences sent me outdoors in search of healing, and the more I explored, the more I realized how much this state had to offer.
The Superstition Mountains first started changing how I saw Arizona. Then I discovered places like Sedona, Prescott, and the Mogollon Rim. I found pine covered mountains, snow, winding trails, small towns, strange history, and places I never expected to find here.
That’s what inspired Beyond the Cactus.
Why I Created It
My love of the outdoors comes in part from my father, who was an avid hiker and camper. I watched him set off to hike the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, and Mohawk Lake, just to name a few, and he let me tag along on several of those wild adventures. Today, I share that love of exploring with my spouse, an adventurer and trail runner who is always ready to see what’s around the next bend.
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about Arizona, but I’m also constantly reminded of how much more there is to discover. I created Beyond the Cactus to share what I know, keep exploring, and help others experience more of this incredible state.
Here you’ll find:
Arizona Adventures: Hidden gems, destinations, day trips, and experiences worth discovering.
Trails & Outdoors: Hiking, camping, wildlife, and Arizona’s wild places.
Desert Lore: Ghost towns, strange history, local legends, haunted places, and the unexplained.
Arizona Now: News, events, seasonal happenings, and stories from around the state.
Listen to the Whispers
Sometimes an idea keeps finding its way back to you.
It might come through a conversation, a memory, a coincidence that arrives at just the right time, or simply a quiet nudge telling you to pay attention. I’ve learned that those moments are worth listening to.
Beyond the Cactus was one of those ideas for me. It kept coming back until it became something I knew I needed to follow.
Listening to the whispers also means slowing down and noticing what’s around us. It means taking the unfamiliar road, stopping in the small town, following the trail a little farther, and staying curious about the stories and places we might otherwise pass by.
That’s what I want Beyond the Cactus to be. A reason to look a little closer, explore a little more, and experience everything that makes Arizona such an incredible place to call home.
Because there’s always something more out there.
See You Out There.
Beyond the Cactus
Listen to the whispers. Discover what’s waiting.