Our Location: Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ
A quiet night for sleeping, a bit cool outside but not bad at all. Out the door with the camera in hand around 7 am. I walked a little bit this morning and didn't actually manage to catch the sunrise, but from where I was further in toward the base of the mountains I could see the valley drenched in sunlight long before it reached the crags and nooks nearer to the bottom. I would say it was easily 15 to 20 minutes before the whole valley was filled with sunshine. I wandered around looking at various things, took a few pictures and found another place for us to park. Thought we'd walk up and have a look later.
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| Morning sunrise in the offing.... |
Back home I decided I had a few things to do outside before waking up Riley with my banging around. We removed the hitch from the back of the truck for yesterday's trip to Parker. I took out in two pieces as it's lighter and also I wanted to put one of the pieces in the cubbie along with the pins just because I could. So this morning I was putting the hitch back in. I was just settling the bottom piece in place when I heard Laura coming down the road. Laura and her husband Rick are from BC, Canada. We chatted for about a half hour, she came inside to see our new chairs as she had seen the boxes yesterday as they were coming home from Mesa. We chatted some more before she decided she had better be getting back as they were leaving today, heading west and eventually north to pick up a grandson at an airport in Nevada for a few days visit. We wish them safe travels.
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| Pink hues over the mountains across the valley floor.... |
After Laura left I went back out side to finish the hitch, rearrange the box in the truck box which I had to unlock and move yesterday. Then I once again put everything back where it belonged in the cubbies. By that time it was time for a hot drink a bit of relaxation.
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| Can you see the sun on the mountains back there? |
We put out the awning, attaching the sunshade as it was warming up nicely before noon. I was outside doing a few things when suddenly the winds started gusting, dying off and gusting again. So it went for the rest of the day. It was windy enough that we had to removed the sunshade and pull in the awning. We noticed the new Air Stream in the next spot (he arrived late yesterday) also removed his sunshade and brought in his awning. It was also at this time we noticed the blue bus was gone. It was there this morning on my morning walk but pulled out before noon. It hasn't returned. Yeah, we can walk down there again. This means we won't be heading out to look at the spot I found this morning.
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| Notice how green both parts are? Looks like it's just hanging on by a hair and a whisker.... |
Riley's day to cook today. Sunday is always pasta day. She made me a wonderful garden salad, along with spaghetti and cheesy garlic bread. Excellent stuff!!!She's a good cook!! We had just finished up the dishes when I noticed a silver jeep just out of the corner of the window. Soon we heard a voice calling hello. Doug & Yuma had come to visit.
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| Regal, majestic Yuma.... |
We always enjoy our time with Doug & Yuma of Miss Adventure Travels. Doug looks very different without his beard, but is still a handsome fella. We chatted about the area, places we'd like to go and see, and before we knew it the time was pushing late into the afternoon. As they pulled out to head home, probably about a mile and a half away over some pretty rough terrain I noted the time was 4:30 pm. Where did the afternoon go, chatting with our friend it just seemed to slip away.
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| Yuma, Riley and Doug... |
Since I've been hearing about big horn sheep on the mountain beside us always seen around dusk, tonight I decided I would head over there and see what I could see. So I sat outside reading until shortly after 5:15 pm before I headed out. I climbed up the closer mountain until about half way but decided I'd do better on the mountain across the roadway so I could see the whole side nearest our Igloo. Finally settling myself where I could see everything and get cell reception I called my dad while I watched the mountain side and the sunset. We chatted for about 20 minutes and caught up on all the latest news from home. Their weather is warm, right around the freezing mark and they have been getting some rain/sleet/ice pellets today.
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| I love this mountain, it changes drastically over the day light hours... |
The big horn sheep either sneaked past or didn't come out tonight to my side of the mountain as I didn't seem them and I watched carefully. Oh well, maybe another time. At least I got a few nice sunset pictures, some more walking in and of course a spectacular view from my seat.
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| On my climb to see if I could find the big horn sheep I took this picture of that unit way down there....the furthest one.... |
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| Yeppers, that's Doug & Yuma's spot down there.... |
I hurried along home as it was becoming darker by the minute and I had to traverse a few washes on the way. The road would have taken too long and it would have been past dark before I reached the Igloo and I didn't want to worry Riley. I made it back just as it was getting too dark to see far and alerted Riley to be my presence before I pulled open the door.
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| Looking out across the valley floor..... |
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| We are down in the front, and that gathering is two roads over, that's quite a bunch. |
Back inside we chatted about the conversation with Poppa while I closed up the Igloo before the night's cold temps cool everything off. After that I began editing pictures and then writing this post. I think it will be an early night as I can hardly keep my eyes open.
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| The start of sunset tonight... |
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| The last little bit of rays as it drops.... |
So there you have it, a nice day, a bit windy but nice. A great visit with our friends Doug & Yuma, my new friend Laura and her husband Rick pulled out earlier today as well. One of the two units next to us with the red haired children also pulled out today. Seems lots of folks are heading out. We wish them all safe travels.
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| Looks like molten lava.... |
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| Love the cacti in the shadows.... |
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Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment, I enjoy reading them.
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| This quarter moon was very visible while I waited on the side of the mountain tonight... |
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| It's the same quarter moon but I think my hand shook when I took this picture.... |
Until next time.... take care, be safe,
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| Goodnight from Saddle Mountain BLM..... |
Deb
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the deleted comment. I pressed the wrong button. You seem to have an awesome spot there! Good picture of Riley and Doug. They seemed to have become good friends. Glad to hear the Blue Bus is gone. That will make it easier for you to take a walk anytime you like.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder what people write that they delete. That would have intrigued me the rest of the day if you hadn't told me. Hahaha...
DeleteWe have an excellent spot and now with the bus/dog gone we are free to roam anywhere we like and we have been taking advantage of that and will continue to do so. We love this area and will return often. It's one of THOSE kinds of places.
Riley really likes Doug & Yuma. She's very comfortable with them and that is quite evident to me. I also enjoy Doug's company, he's a very knowledgeable fellow with lots of insights and ideas, and it's always a treat when he drops by.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Some neighbors you hate to see go but then others you want to do a happy dance when they are gone. It is great that you will not have to move.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. What a nice one of Riley, Doug, and Yuma. I really, really like the one of the start of the sunset.
That is true, even though I think it's a very sad thing. A simple piece of rope would have saved that from happening. I'm sure they were very nice people.
DeleteRiley likes Doug & Yuma, she's very comfortable with them and a picture is worth a thousand words.
Thanks, the pictures are fun and I enjoy taking them. The sunset was from a very different spot that I've never thought of using before. I think I'll use it more often, as it offered a different perspective.
Take care, Be safe,
Deb
What a nice productive day you had and a wonderful visit with Doug and Yuma as well. Keep enjoying that spot there on Saddle mountain.
ReplyDeleteIt was very productive. I was thinking of a few other chores that should get accomplished over the next number of days as well, but I may put them off instead to enjoy more hikes and some new roads that Doug mentioned during his visit.
DeleteWe really like it here, it's a spot we'll keep returning to.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Nice to get some tops from Doug as well.
DeleteGlad you found a place you really enjoy, one place we have yet to check out, Usually don't travel that route.
Beautiful sunrise and the sunset was amazing. That was quite a climb you had to look for the sheep! Beautiful area you are in. Nice to hear the blue bus is gone and nice that Dough and Yuma stopped to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazingly beautiful area. It offers a lot of opportunities for photo's all throughout the day and I'm too lazy to catch more.
DeleteWe are happy the bus/dog is gone, it makes the place much more enjoyable. Although had they simply tied it up everything would have been fine.
We truly enjoy Doug & Yuma's visit. Such an interesting fellow with lots of information of things to see and do. We're going to make the trek up to his spot for a visit one of these days. He has a fantastic looking spot!!
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Happy to hear the Blue Bus and its occupants has left. Great that you got another visit with Doug and Yuma. He sure looks different without his beard! He probably will take a while to recognize himself in the mirror!
ReplyDeleteYour weather is a sure sight better than ours! Enjoy!
The bus/dog kind of just sneaked out without us seeing him go. I'm happy the dog is gone but a piece of rope would have made me happy too.
DeleteDoug & Yuma's visit was very nice. He does look very different without his beard. He's a handsome fella either way. We enjoy their company, Riley and Yuma seemed to hit it off well. He was quite content to just lean against her and get pets. I think Doug wore him out and he was tired.
The weather is beautiful here. It's supposed to cool down for a day or two but still won't be too day during the day. We can use those days for indoor chores or driving tours or some such thing. We haven't been to Wickenburg yet and it's only a bit up the road. So who knows maybe we'll do that. We shall see.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Great picture of Yuma. Downloaded it to keep as my own. Today is Yuma's third birthday! We had a great visit and looking forward to future visits. Hopefully, I can find that tortoise and give you a tour of his place up on the mountainside.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those new chairs and don't let Miss Kitty claim one for herself.
I liked that picture of Yuma as well. He is so photogenic. Happy Birthday Yuma!!!!
DeleteWe too look forward to more visits and excited to hear about the tortoise.
Loving the chairs, and Miss Kitty will only claim them when we aren't using them. She's not the type of cat to curl up in the chair with you. She'll leave as soon as she knows we're going to sit down.
Hope you enjoyed your jeep ride.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
I'm a bit behind. Those new chairs look great! Nice that HRH gives her approval.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have a great spot there. Wonderful sunset shots!
Nice that you and Doug can keep an eye on each other.
Be careful moving around that hitch. Mine weighs close to 200 pounds, so I always need to take it apart to move.
New chairs are fantastic and we love 'em.
ReplyDeleteWe have an amazing spot here, tucked up against the base of a mountain.
Doug & Yuma are great fun and always nice when we get to visit. He's so knowledgeable about the area as well, gives us great ideas of things to see and do. Doug I mean, Yuma usually just nods his head in agreement. Yuma doesn't say much except to exchange a few passing words with HRH Miss Kitty.
I always take my hitch apart, otherwise I can't manage it. It's still heavy enough in pieces.
Take care, be safe,
Deb