Arizona is a mountain trail paradise, especially during springtime. Sue and I discovered a gem near Tucson: Tucson Mountain Park. Home to a forest of saguaro and other cactus varieties, the park offers 62 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. We enjoyed eight miles with moderate elevation change and found cactus “groves” that rival neighboring Saguaro National Park West. Crowds? We saw just a handful of walkers during our hike. The park is one of the nation’s most impressive parks run by local government.
I highly recommend a new book by a young author whose first effort was my favorite book of 2020.
David Smart’s True Nature: The Wise Woman in Nepal and Searching the Himalayas for Enlightenment is a captivating story about his adventurous quest that was filled with twists.
His first book is The Trail Provides: A Boy’s Tale of Walking the Pacific Crest Trail. I have read a library full of trekking books and The Trail Provides is the one I couldn’t put down.
Here is the Amazon description of True Nature:
“After receiving a mysterious invitation to train with a spiritual guide in Nepal, David and his monastic friend Bradley leave behind their old lives and embark on a journey to find spiritual enlightenment.
“The two soul searchers find themselves on a madcap trip through the chaotic streets of Kathmandu and the breathtaking peaks of the Himalayas. Along the way, they meet a few friendly nomads, a clever businessman with an enticing offer, and a wise woman who teaches them unexpected lessons about friendship, soulmates, and ultimate liberation.
“Filled with more than 50 photos from David and Bradley’s real-life travels, True Nature is a captivating blend of adventure, spiritual insight, and personal reflection. Whether you’re looking for a companion novel for your own spiritual journey or simply want to escape into a dream-like adventure, start reading True Nature today.”
I would love to hear your thoughts about David’s work.
Books and my backpack 