You can't get there from here...

 

Our Location:

Saddle Mountain, Tonopah, Arizona

 

A very nice night, we slept with a window or two open simply because we forgot to close them. Lucky for us it was a very balmy 56F/13C at 6 am. It has since warmed up nicely as I start this blog post it is 10:25 AM and it's already 70F/21C. It's going to be a warm one today I think. 

 

Sunrise this morning but this is in the western sky.

Morning sun on the mountains to the northwest. 

 

Yesterdays errands simply wore me out, I have no idea why but it is what it is. This morning I have recovered and opted for a quick breakfast of coffee, toast and eggs. I had a plan today. I left a bit before 8 am and was home less than 2 hours later. I put in just under 10,000 steps and walked a little over 3.5 miles/5.6 km.

 

Morning sun on the southwest mountains.

Can you see the human profile on this mountain?

 

I headed back once again to the area behind us, past where I climbed the other day. I was hoping to see  behind the mountain from on the mountain but well, it just didn't work. I think it would have been too far for me and I would have struggled to make it home. Instead I enjoyed the views and snapped a few photos. I hope you enjoy them. 

 

Another profile, can you see it?

And yet another.

Our friend Doug has been on my mind all morning and so I sent him a quick text just to let him know we are thinking of him. We hope things go well and his luck changes for the better. 

 

The sun changes the mountains appearances through out the day.

As I write this caption those mountains are now dark, with no lightness at all.

One of the things I enjoy about the desert is my ability to walk/hike and see views I don't see back home in Ontario. Oh we have spectacular views as well but somehow they just aren't quite what I see out here. I feel that ability is not what it was and I notice places I would have gone before are now being left unexplored. I've noticed this year my aches are more deeply rooted and the dry air while helping isn't working as well as before. I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that I spent the last two winters in the cold, damp climate of Northern Ontario and maybe my arthritis is just progressing more rapidly because of it, although I think my AS has been progressing much more rapidly than my RA, simply because of where most of the aches and pains are located. What ever the reason, it is what it is. 

 

Cactus nestled at the bottom of a mesquite bush.

Standing in an approx 8' deep arroyo.

 

So with that thought in mind I've come up with a plan for blogging. I'll take enough photos for two blogs on each hike. Now how smart is that? I know, genius!!! I'm glad I thought of it.

 

 

Those banks are steep and no I didn't climb up there, I found an easier pathway.

The water undercuts everything here. 

Riley and I took a drive down Courthouse Road yesterday toward where most people park. It's almost empty, less than a dozen rigs scattered over the entire area and before you could count a dozen rigs all within shouting distance. We also notice 4 dead cattle on the side of the road, which might help explain the odd whiff of foul smell we had the other day. Not over powering just every once in a while a not very pleasant hint to the air for a sec or two before it was gone. It appears they don't clean up road kill here in the Saddle Mountain area. 

 

I walk part way up there last time to the saguaro on the right.

I climbed around on top but couldn't get down to the lower levels.

Yesterday we headed into Buckeye for a few things. We needed a new broom, since I broke the old one. We needed drinking water and a couple little things for the fridge. I had thought of new hiking boots but the nearest Cabela's is way off in Goodyear and I had no desire or need to go that far for a pair. I'll pick up a pair at a later time. 

 

I walked past that saguaro on the middle left but couldn't get down to the lower levels, just the top.

Looks easy but it was anything but easy. 

So that's it, all of the exciting things going on here at the Igloo. I hope you enjoyed your visit, thanks for stopping by.You all know you can leave a comment if you like, I enjoy reading them and I will answer.

 

I climbed up there, very steep, very rocky.

A very thin path along that saguaro up there.

 

Until next time...

 

When it rains the water runs down there leaving scored rocks behind.

From above, the same water chute.

Take care, be safe, 

Love the cactus, what a view it has up here.

That little white spot is the Igloo.

A web in the spines of a saguaro.

 

Deb