by Holly Schaffer, Community Relations Manager
For the most part, Isaiah Ortiz’s book Starry Sky Adventures: Arizona was researched and written at Woods Memorial Library.
Before we get to that, though, I’d love to tell you about Isaiah.
A transplant from Las Vegas, his interest in photography began with a phone, taking snapshots and selfies. He said, “I always enjoyed taking pictures, but once I started photographing the night sky, I was hooked. It blew my mind.” He purchased a professional camera and honed his skills for more than 10 years.
Members of the Sonoran Insiders-- a group dedicated to amplifying good stewardship in Arizona landscapes—spotted his photos on Instagram and, it wasn’t long after, that he was contacted by FalconGuides publishing to write a book about his outdoor adventures and photography.
He said, “They had just published a guide in Utah and wanted to expand to Arizona. It came at a perfect time for me. I was wanting a change in my life.” And so, he set off!
“I had been to some of the places, but not all. They were all on my bucket list, though, so it was a great opportunity,” he said.
Starry Sky Adventures: Arizona features 50 trips across five regions in Arizona: Northern, Southern, Central, Eastern, and Western. He kayaked, camped, back- and bike-packed, and stargazed his way across the state.
After all these amazing trips, Isaiah had to get to writing. And that’s where Woods Memorial Library comes in. He told me, “I did most of my research here. I uploaded photos. It was my full-time job, and the library was a place where I could focus and felt supported. I would see neighbors and library staff would ask me how the book was coming along. I became close with the security guard. This place is really important.”
Isaiah and I spoke at length about the library, but the conversation quickly turned back to his adventures. I wanted to know more!
He told me about his trips to the White Mountains, Lowell Observatory, Glen Canyon, and Canyon de Chelly, many of which he did solo, but some with his parents and friends. I got to hear about his most strenuous trip when he and his mom tackled Topock Gorge Moonlit Kayaking. “It was 16 miles done at night. It took us seven hours. We couldn’t see them in the dark, but there were beavers jumping in and out of the water. It sounded like bowling balls being tossed in.” He also recalled going to Mount Graham-Hospital Flat and the Grand Canyon with his dad. “It was a wonderful way to connect with my parents.”
Starry Sky Adventures: Arizona is available at bookstores and REI, and it’s doing great. He was recently volunteering in a project at the Salt River and another volunteer told him they had bought the book and was inspired to do the Glen Canyon kayak camping trip.
It’s also available at your local library. Isaiah said, “It was a full circle moment for me when the library ordered it. This is my neighborhood, my community… and my book is here. I love that I can gift my enthusiasm to readers and travelers. It feels like a win.”
Isaiah is very busy with a full-time job as a ranger at Catalina State Park. His job involves taking care of the park in every way from maintaining trails and leading night hikes to answering visitor questions and participating in search & rescue operations.
That doesn’t mean Isaiah is finished adventuring. He would like to continue his travels and add 25 new trips in an updated edition. His first additions will be the Salt River, Madera Canyon, and the Rincon Mountains.
We hope he’ll come back to Woods Memorial Library when it’s time to get writing again!
Here are some great PCPL resources for everything about constellations and the night sky! This list is for all sorts of beginners, from kids to adults, so you can learn how to find and identify the stars in the night sky.
