Traveling Coffee Girl

  • Stricklin Park: A Neighborhood Park That Takes You Back to the Past

    Stricklin Park: A Neighborhood Park That Takes You Back to the Past

    Marie Magoch

    Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial beginning of summer. If you’re in Arizona you know the main rule of summertime hiking: DON’T. Once the temperature gets over 90 degrees, summertime walks are designated strictly for the treadmill, after dark, or in an empty mall. 

    We have spent the last few days before the  90+ degree weather outside as much as possible while we can enjoy the beautiful outdoors without melting into an exhausted puddle. The advantages of living in the Prescott area are the hiking trails and  parks. Since I lived in the city most of my life, my idea of a neighborhood park was vastly different from what a park in Prescott looks like. Instead of ramadas and picnic tables you will find bridges and paths into the woods. 

    Stricklin Park a beautiful little getaway just a few miles away from the bustle of downtown located just off of Thumb Butte Rd., at 1751 Sherwood Dr. This quiet park is the perfect place to take your dog for a walk, sketch in your nature notebook while sitting on a bench among the trees, or read the plaques and learn about Northern Arizona’s natural habitat. During the rainy months a cute little stream flows through the park. You can also take a moment to respect the past by visiting the ruins of the indigenous pithouse dating back to 900 A.D.

    If you are looking for a little more of a hike, you’re in luck. Stricklin Park is the starting point for the 4.6 mile out and back Butte Creek Trail. This moderate path winds through 1.5 miles of the private Capital Canyon golf course and around the backyards of  beautiful, multi-million dollar homes. The trail leads into the Prescott National Forest where the trail connects with the easy Potts Creek Trail, and the more advanced Cramp Hill Trail.



    I personally can’t confirm how easy or difficult the connecting trails are from experience. I walk as far as I can and turn around when my stamina runs out, or when a large deer standing in someone’s yard snuffs at me because it didn’t like my big sunhat. 

    If you’re looking for a trail that’s far away from society, you might be a bit disappointed. But, if you’re just getting your hiking legs or want a trail that allows you to enjoy nature without the deep backcountry push, then Butte Creek Trail is worth a try. So far, I have been fortunate enough not to worry about ducking from golf balls while crossing the golf course. But, just like any other trail, it’s common sense to be aware of your surroundings. 

    Whether you’re planning on hiking the Butte Creek Trail or spending your time exploring the paths around Stricklin Park before it gets too hot, remember the basic rules of hiking. Especially when it comes to bringing plenty of water, being aware of your surroundings (yes, we do have bears, mountain lions, and terrifying deer who snuff at you), and letting others know where you’ll be. It is beautiful and parts of the trail are a little too close to private property for comfort, but we’re still in the middle of the forest. Here’s a small taste of the views you’ll see.

    There is no shortage of beautiful places and interesting stories hiding in plain sight. Subscribe to Coffee Adventures so you never miss a local discovery, hidden trail, or occasional scary deer encounter. If you wish to support more of these stories and adventures, a small cup of coffee goes a long way.

  • Scheduling Your Life for Slower Days

    Scheduling Your Life for Slower Days

    Marie Magoch

    The least fun part about being a woman are the times when you wake up feeling like someone ran a truck through your insides and decided to pull some donuts in the parking lot of your guts. But, it’s like any other day and you don’t have the Call in Sick option, because your to-do list still hasn’t gotten any smaller and you don’t want to get behind. It’s time to breathe into a slower day schedule.

    This week I wanted to write about the downside of Busy. But, that sounded like it would take too much brainpower to think about when what I want to do is sit in a bathtub while eating strawberry cheesecake ice cream. So, now, I’m lying on my bed, fully dressed, sitting among my pillows and plushies, all in the name of being productive. I still have bills to pay.


    But, after work, I have big plans. Lazy, summer plans. Because, part of regulating your nervous system is listening to your body. While I am writing about slowing down more and living mindfully, these aren’t just lessons for you, dear reader, they are also for me. Those who are closest to me know I have a habit of pushing myself further than I should. Even when I’m sick I’ll tell myself, “I can’t be sick” and keep going. By the end of the day, I’ve collapsed.

    The days I accomplish the most are the days when I remember to pace myself. Finish a task. Breathe. Finish another task. Breathe. And, so it goes. That way there isn’t a major overwhelm. Some days are not meant for completing everything, yet you want the satisfaction of crossing things off that never ending list.

    On those days (and sometimes weeks) I have an alternative schedule. Now, if I can stick to this schedule, then my life would be so much better. 

    Here is a small sketch of what I have in my planning diary. Just to give you an idea. Create your own based on your own lifestyle and priorities.

    Time to Reset & Routine

    [For Overwhelming/Anxiety Days]

    R-R-R- Relax
    Reset

    Routine

    • Read a cozy book, magazine, or blogs you enjoy for pleasure. It needs to be light and cozy. No extra work, studying, or anything that makes you overthink and add to the 1000 other ideas you already have in your mind queue. 
    • Limit social media. No doom scrolling. (Put your phone away or at least put it in a mode that locks your apps and decreases the temptation)
    • Daily yoga (even if short morning or evening routine)
    • Weekly/Daily routine – Start small
    • Read little red book (this is specifically for me. I have a little red notebook of inspirational notes and lists I have collected since 2011. This could be similar to “Look through Pinterest”)
    • Saturday, Sunday, Monday – Full down time (excluding mandatory work and/or errands), prep and restoration 
    • Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday Creative work
    • Apparently, Wednesday is yours to do whatever you want with it. 

    BREATHE

    Small Cleaning Tasks When Overwhelmed- Because each little task adds up 

    • Declutter one surface
    • Empty one bin/container
    • Fill dishwasher
    • Clean bathroom sink
    • Polish mirrors
    • Sweep hallway or front step
    • Dust tv
    • Organize one set of clothes 
    • Hang up clothing
    • Date check the refrigerator and clean spills

    When your energy battery is running low, the most important thing on your to-do is taking care of yourself. Take extra time – without guilt- to rest your body and mind. Breathe, play your favorite music, focus only on one thing at a time, and be gentle with yourself.

    I hope you’re enjoying these Cozy Coffee Notes. Subscribe to get Cozy Coffee Notes sent directly to your Inbox every Thursday. If you need a little extra help with that to-do list, check out Tiny Tasks.

  • Bohemian Outlaw: How Colton Burris Is Building Prescott’s Americana Scene

    Marie Magoch

    Prescott, Arizona is known for many things: beautiful mountain scenery, a colorful history, and its reputation as “Everybody’s Hometown”. The one thing I didn’t know about Prescott until I moved here was how active and vibrant the local music scene is. Any night of the week you can find live music playing somewhere at one of the dozens of music venues or events around town. This is especially prevalent during Northern Arizona’s summer festival season. 

    Last week, I was welcomed into Granite Mountain Sounds studio where I had the opportunity to talk about music with Prescott’s newest up-and-coming musician, 29 year old Colton Burris. Coltin traces his Arizona family roots back five generations in Yavapai County. His great-great-grandmother arrived in Seligman back in the 1920s where she worked on the railroad as one of the Harvey Girls. His great-grandparents lived at the Diamond A Ranch (formerly the Boquillas) where his great-grandfather was a  wagon boss, and his grandfather manages Deep Well Ranch in Prescott. 

    Colton grew up living the cowboy life. He  worked with his grandfather at Deep Well Ranch  from the age of 15 until about 23 years old when he decided to become a farrier and begin focusing on his music career. Burris sang every chance he got on the ranch. “While I was driving stays, I wished I was on stage.” 

    Colton was 21 years old when he began taking guitar lessons from The Cheektones guitarist, Drew Hall. On the night of his 23rd birthday he played his first gig at the Windsock with Travis Crowe and was hooked. He soon began playing a weekly residency at the Windsock and decided to go solo about 7-8 months ago when he signed with Mike DeSorda of Granite Mountain Studios. 

    His motto Bohemian at Heart, Outlaw in Spirit  says a lot about Colton’s musical style. Influenced largely by the Laurel Canyon scene, he says his main inspirations are Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Turnpike Troubadours, and a little bit of the Gin Blossoms. This influence gives his original songs a fresh and distinctive Americana sound mixed with an upbeat early 1990s vibe. DeSorda describes him as an “old soul of music”.

    A few weeks ago, Colton and his newly formed backup band Granite (Johnny Stonecipher, guitar; James Malek, drums; Cecil Lay, keyboard)  began production on a music video for their new soon-to-be-hit song “Let ‘Em Roll”. Burris says the location of Olsen’s Grain in Chino Valley was part of his vision. “I wanted to have a Footloose kind of vibe,with the silos in the background, a party scene with everyone dancing, and the band playing in a truck bed.”

    The music video, scheduled for release later this year, is only the beginning of Colton’s future plans. He is currently recording his first original songs album scheduled to release in 2027. “My ultimate goal is to play in sold out stadiums,” Burris says  He continues to expand his musical talents by learning to play keyboard, and is also focused on acting in the future by taking lessons from Matt Conde. The only advice he gives to other musicians is that he wishes he had started on his dream sooner.

    Whether you’re local to Northern Arizona or you’re planning your next escape to get out of the summer heat, Colton Burris and Granite are worth making the trip for. Catch them live this summer and be one of those who can say you were there from the beginning. 

    June 13 Flagstaff Folk Festival
    June 26 Main St. Amped Up, Prescott Valley
    June 27 Prescott Valley Summer Concert Festival
    July 4 Fairweather Social Club, Precott
    July 18 DA Ranch Winery in Cornville

    Keep up with upcoming events for Colton Burris and Granite by visiting Granite Mountain Sounds and Following Colton on Facebook and Instagram.

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