I recently traveled to Arizona — my first time in the state! My husband, two friends and I visited two friends who recently moved to the Tucson area. We all knew we wanted to explore the beautiful landscape with some hikes.

Our first hike was at Catalina State Park. The park is open year-round and offers several trails of varying lengths. We tested the water resistance of our hiking boots as we crossed a stream, normally much lower in the dry season. We decided to hike Canyon Loop Trail. At just about 2 miles, it was a great way to start our trip. Our friends said they saw a variety of wildlife and bugs (namely tarantulas) on previous hikes, but the trail was empty during our visit.

The second hike of the trip was at Saguaro National Park. The drive to the park is breathtaking, with miles and miles of rocky hills and mountains full of cacti. Once at the park, we decided to take the King Canyon/Gould Mine Loop trail. The trail began with a challenging, rocky, stair-like section, boasting views over the park. The trail winds up and down through hills covered with cacti before returning to the trailhead near the parking lot. It was a short yet challenging hike made all the more special thanks to the spectacular scenery.

We came back to Catalina State Park on our last full day in Tucson. This time, we did the short Romero Ruins Trail. The .75-mile loop features markers detailing the history and culture of the Hohokam village ruins. There are still stone structures, partially intact, throughout the trail. We also wanted to check out the Montrose Pools, located off the Canyon Loop Trail. Some members of our group went down the steep hill to see the pools up close. My friend and I walked to the edge, then admired the pools from afar.

After three days of hikes, I felt in awe of the majestic cacti throughout the region. The landscape is so different from where I live in New Jersey. I left our trip feeling grateful for travel and the experience of exploring the diverse beauty of our country.

— Katie Skrzek, vice president/digital director