by Mila Besich, Mayor, Town of Superior
Photo Blushing Cactus Photography
Our personal health and wellness have been top of mind for everyone this past year — and not just here in Arizona or the U.S.
Pre-pandemic, we often thought of wellness as a day at the spa, or a workout at the gym, or whatever our individual health regimens may have been. Wellness encompasses much more than these basics. It also encompasses our surroundings, as well as having access to clean air and water and the space and time for recreation and relaxation.
We have had to revamp how we travel and vacation. For me, even my micro-cations have turned into “mini-micro-cations,” which usually entail a day trip involving lots of outdoor activities. These trips are always a welcome respite from a harried schedule and a great stress reliever.
We are fortunate to live in a state with so many days of sunshine! We are able to enjoy a variety of climates across our state that allow us to enjoy the outdoors nearly year long. Access to the great outdoors is available in a huge supply around Superior, and I invite you to visit our community to find your special place to enjoy wellness.
Superior is home to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a 343-acre oasis representing the gardens of the arid desert climates across the world. You will find 4.75 miles of well-maintained and marked trails to stroll. You are guaranteed to find a special place to calm your mind, inhale the fresh air, and you may find that you want to start a new hobby of gardening. The Arboretum offers a variety of classes and has many plant species to purchase.
If you are looking for a little more adventure, and maybe adding more balance and using your upper body strength for your wellness routine, rock climbing in Queen Creek Canyon or hiking to the top of Picket Post Mountain might be your calling.
If distance, time, and planning are activities you enjoy, planning a backpacking trip on the Arizona Trail starting from Picket Post might be another adventure.
If you are working up to any one of these adventures, consider hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding on the Legends of Superior Trail. Users can now hike the entire length of the trail from Picket Post Trailhead through Arnett Canyon and into the ruins of the infamous Pinal City. You can see firsthand how Superior grew from its pre-historic days into a bustling mining town of Pinal City, and fast forward into present-day Superior as the trail traverses through our quaint downtown.
Keep going and you will head into Queen Creek Canyon, where you can hike on the original US 60 alignment between Superior and Miami. This stretch of highway (trail) was America’s first million-dollar-a-mile highway!
If outdoor adventure is not part of your wellness regimen or preference, there still is plenty to enjoy in Superior for your custom micro-cation. Boutiques and art galleries, and a variety of restaurants for every palate, are available throughout our town. Our community also boasts wine tasting and craft brewing.
Most importantly, as our lives continue to pivot and change, please remember that care for one’s self never looks the same for everyone, but self-care is critically important to our personal wellness.
