One Alpine Cookie Shop, Ep 22

Episode 22, Celebrating AZ

Julie winds us around Mt. Lemmon, then Lisa finds sweetness in the memories of a valued resident in Flagstaff.

Mug: Pendleton turquoise pattern

From “Only at NAU”

by Lisa Schnebly Heidinger

       Jim Babbitt is what he calls an “avocational” historian.  He looks like the scion of a pioneer Arizona family; lean, with silver hair and cowboy boots.  His history degree from Stanford also shows: he is perhaps most relaxed when talking about his research into the early trading posts, and other family and Arizona history.  Really, for a Babbitt, the two can’t be separated.

Like any longtime resident, seeing the changes in Flagstaff can elicit a wistful sigh.

       “When we were little, there was nothing on Cherry Hill.  My mother would pack us a lunch.  We would go up there to a little pond, which was out in the middle of nowhere.  And in the winter, we’d take a lunch up to Snowbowl and spend every weekend skiing.

       “The town ended below where the Flagstaff Medical Center is now; there was nothing until you got to the Museum of Northern Arizona.  Sometimes we would get put in the car in the evening and taken out there to watch the antelope, which would come to the dairy farm out there for grasses and water.  You can see how different it is today.”

       Babbitt was raised in the white house across from the Inn at 410.  He’s surprised anyone else recalls the fur tree that dominated that lawn for decades.  (“They brought it from the North Rim and just stuck it in the ground, and finally it was got so big it was threatening the power lines.”)

       Growing up in what was then a small town, Babbitt says he never felt singled out or special because of his family’s illustrious roots or position: everyone was known as well as everyone else.

       In retirement, Babbitt will continue to get his daily minimum requirement of nature, which usually involves hiking.  He will spend time with his grandchildren. He will remain in Flagstaff, humble, productive, and contributing to the future.

Copyright 2015 Northern Arizona University, used with permission

From “Only at NAU” copyright 2015 Northern Arizona Unviersity

Amazement

by Julie Morrison

I met an octopus once—

once in that fairytale sense—

sense exchanged between us,

us—both tiny and immense—

joining tip to point through glass—

glass a clear and hard divide—

divide to find how many times,

times can hold all this inside—

our stretching limbs a mirror dance—

dance a play of move and wait—

wait, wonder, tear, wipe, laugh, repeat,

repeat this mystery and marvel mate—

on my life’s path, a Sky Island peak—

peak a height to guide not home—

home the sigh and snuggled rest,

rest from system’s strain

and seeking’s roam—

creature, moment, peak—all revelation—

revelation change unshaped by meaning—

meaning no direction given,

given no sign nor reason for intervening—

The Amazing maybe nature’s way,

way to put us in our place—

place a naming, claiming, peace—

peace the gift of making space.

Copyright 2025 Julie Morrison, All rights reserved