Our Location: Superstition Mountain BLM, Apache Junction, AZ
I was awake this morning before 6:30 am and managed to haul myself out and get the day started just around that witching hour. Riley was up shortly after and together we had things all ready to head out at 8 am. We had discussed with Doug (Miss Adventure Travels) that we'd leave around 9 am but we sent him a text saying anytime he was ready we were too. We agreed to meet at the motel in Tonopah within the half hour. Riley and I headed out and arrived in time to stretch our legs and just do a walk around to check things over before our 100 mile drive. It wasn't too long until Doug & Yuma were coming down the road. They pulled in and we agreed to caravan to Love's for the dump station, water, propane and of course we dumped our trash as well.
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| Doug heading back to climb into his rig at Tonopah, AZ |
Love's was very busy, Riley and I used the facilities while Doug & Yuma headed off to find propane. We had just about finished when they pulled in behind us. Bit of a mix up with keys and locks but after they used the facilities eventually we were back on I-10 East heading toward Apache Junction. Riley and I led the way in the Big Dog and the Igloo moving right along with Doug & Yuma keeping pace behind. It was a pretty straight shot through Buckeye, Goodyear, Phoenix, Tolleson, Tempe, Mesa and finally we arrived at Walmart in Apache Junction. In that mess of cities we slipped onto the AZ 202 Loop East (although Pheobe - our RV GPS- wanted us to take the 202 HOV road which I thought wasn't a good idea and so ignored her and took the regular loop instead) getting off at University Dr, and making our way to Apache Trail.
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| Heading into the tunnel.... |
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| Riley really enjoyed the tunnel.... |
Into the Walmart parking lot we made it, shut 'em down and let out a sigh of relief. We were much closer to our destination now. We all headed off in our own direction agreeing to meet when we were all finished and deciding what to do from there. About 45 minutes later we were all outside comparing notes and discussion Lorne's (A Place Called Away) GPS coordinates. My GPS didn't agree with his coordinates and had it somewhere around Scottsdale, but Doug's phone agreed with Lorne ( I smell a male conspiracy here, don't you?) and so I lead to N Hackamore Road, and then Doug took over.
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| City skyline...I think this might be Tempe...but I'm not sure, I can't remember. |
When we pulled onto this road the first part was paved and looked pretty good. Pretty soon I pulled over and we decided Doug would go ahead solo and check things out as he's much smaller than we are and could turn around in a much smaller spot. So we stayed put while we watched Doug & Yuma driving away. It wasn't long until Doug sent a text saying to come on slowly as the road was 'rufffffffffff'. Well we started off slowly and soon were going even slower, at one point I thought Riley might have to get out and push and we'd have to hook HRH Miss Kitty to harness in front of the Big Dog to help pull but we made it without resorting to those extremes.
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| I have no idea what kind of fake tree this is, or what it's purpose is..but hmmmmm......interesting, don't you think? |
We pulled in to where I'm pretty sure that other crew had parked, Doug and I went off in the jeep to check a few more options and didn't go far until we came to the end of the trail. Turning around we headed the short distance back to the where we'd left Riley, Kitty and Yuma but found a perfect spot just before getting back. Long story short, we are parked, leveled, and enjoying the views by around 3 pm.
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| Decorative overpass and sound barrier displays add an accent of beauty, whimsy and humour to the drive... |
We invited Doug over a cold lunch, we were all pretty hungry and the food was good. Thanks again Miss Riley for all your hard work making salads yesterday, and getting lunch out and ready while we set up outside. Macaroni Salad, Bean Salad, meatloaf, bologna, bread, wraps, pickles, cheese, lettuce, a few condiments made up lunch. We sat around outside our door munching away and enjoying the conversation and the views.
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| These beautiful touches add character to the roadsides and certainly offer an interesting view.... |
After lunch Doug headed home, and we came inside to do a few things more in the setting up process. I called my dad again and we chatted for a while before I headed out to catch the sunset. Not spectacular but pretty nice all the same.
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| Doesn't that just look so inviting? |
Tomorrow may be a short walk here or there but I think we'll take the day off. I'm exhausted, so is Riley and I think Miss Kitty may be pretty tired as well.
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| This is the view out our doorway.... |
Our spot is beautiful, we are literally surrounded by various forms of cacti, tall, short, round, skinny, living, dead and dying. Care must be taken to ensure we don't bring any into the Igloo for little paws to step on. They stick into tires, shoes, skin, etc.
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| Just a bit different view... |
The view out the door is spectacular with Superstition Mountain looking back at us. It is tall, striking, imposing, inviting, and greenish. The sprawl of human kind at it's feet is interesting, not distracting, not unattractive but also not expected. It appears as if humans have encroached right to the very edges of the upward slopes. However tomorrow I'll have a better look and give you a much better idea of what I see.
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| Some of the things we noticed today..... |
Mr. Green, I can see why you spent so much time here. It is indeed a very special place. We've seen one horse rider going past our campsite, and one red trolley which stopped just past our roadway and pointed while I'm sure I heard the tour guide saying," I thought we were rid of those Canadians and now look what's here, MORE."
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| We are parked in among all cacti..... |
So there you have it, our moving day from Saddle Mountain to Superstition Mountain. A good day, a nice spot, not far from a good friend. Life is pretty good!!!
Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment if you like.
Until next time.... take care, be safe,
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| Goodnight from Superstition Mountain BLM, Apache Junction, AZ |
Deb
Deb, I think you will find that the tree you questioned, is actually a communication tower disguised as a tree. We have seen a similar one somewhere down here this year. Looks like you had a great travel day and set up in a nice location. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill. It was the oddest looking thing. Pretty ingenious though.
DeleteWe had a great travel day and the location is excellent, although we must watch for cacti underfoot, they grab on and don't want to leave.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
My old hometown is now a burgeoning big city, as is Tempe, home of my alma mater. Makes me sad to see so much big city where there used to be desert. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to A long and lonesome highway Emjay. I hope you enjoy your visits.
DeleteLike many home towns I think the big cities just keep expanding until they swallow up all that lay around them making them one huge mass.
The desert is stunning and offers a view that we've never encountered before this year. The vegetation is amazing, so many varieties of cacti. The mountains offer to me at least, a view of ever changing scenes. I can see why people easily return year after year.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
I'm glad you made the effort to get there. It will be well worth it. Sometimes it takes a little risk for those big rewards. Watching Superstition Mountain is like watching a bonfire. It is mesmerizing. Do a little research on the mountain and it will become more mysterious. Watch for the lights coming down from the top after dark!! So glad you get to share our favourite place in AZ.
ReplyDeleteEffort is never a problem for me. I'm always willing to go the extra mile. As you say it was well worth the extra effort. The risk was more to Doug's vehicle than mine. I'm pretty high with both the truck and 5'er so I wasn't worried about getting into something I couldn't get out of, only finding a place big enough to turn around. Backing out that road wouldn't be an option.
DeleteIn a day or two we'll be settled and have some time to do a bit of research as well as looking around. Like you I love to watch the different scenes played out on the same piece of real estate throughout the day, always amazing. If you ever get to Saddle Mountain maybe you'll know what I mean when I say the Marble Bunt Cake Mountain (what we called it). It too appeared to be different mountains throughout the day depending on light.
Riley enjoyed the lights out her bedroom window last night, I believe they were toward the Apache Junction area. I would guess the lights on the mountain after dark are people with lights coming down after watching the sunset? Just a guess.
Thanks for sharing your favourite place.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Enjoy your time there , we have seen those fake trees in many places cell towers I think, some are disguised as palm trees in certain areas as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks George, it was an interesting tree to be certain. Much more inspiring than a tower, a clever use of imagination.
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
Nice photos of the mountains. So remote but so close to civilization. A little rest and we will all be looking for places to explore.
ReplyDeleteThanks Doug. True on both counts, we are close yet we seem far away.
DeleteI'm looking forward to getting my hiking boots out of the closet and heading out.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
You have found another nice spot to settle for a few days and get some hiking in with friends. Enjoy your time there, I know it is one of Lorne's favourites.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are great, as always! I'm always interested in what other bloggers find 'odd' in their travels. The motor coach being towed, the cop cars and the funny shaped tree.
We have indeed found another great place and we all look forward to seeing some things around here. I have no doubt we'll enjoy the area. Actually Lorne's posts were one of the reasons I wanted to come here. He seemed to fill my mind with the idea that I needed to come here and see for myself all the wonders that he wrote about.
DeleteThanks. Like you I enjoying seeing what others see. It's always interesting to see how other minds work when in 'production' mode. The cop car with the bicycle on the front was a first, we've never seen that before. The two cop cars on the tow truck was actually not even noticed until I was editing pictures. Riley snapped a picture of a mountain behind and to the right of them but all I noticed was the cop cars. She hadn't seen them when we she took the picture. The funny tree was just weird with the odd little ovals in the branches.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
What a beautiful place to be! Glad that you have a few days to enjoy as we'll get to enjoy it through your pictures! Glad the trip there went off with no hitches to speak of..getting through those cities! Wow..Lunch sounded awesome and no wonder you guys were hungry! I can imagine a day off, but I'm thinking we'll see a bit of a hike anyway! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful place to be resting at this moment. I hope to show you a little of what is around the area at least. I'm sure between us and Doug things will be pretty well covered.
DeleteThe trip through the cities was quite normal. A little back up once due to someone changing a tire on the side of the road and two patrol cars sitting with flashing lights behind him. Other than that, it was an easy drive.
Thanks. Lunch was actually a bit of a plan and a bit of throw together. It worked out well and we were all hungry, so it was a winning combination.
No hikes for me,I took the day off walking except for sunrise pictures which wasn't a long walk. Tomorrow I see a hike or two in my day....
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Great pictures as always and as George clarified those fake trees are to disguise the Cell Phone Towers. People in those expensive neighbourhoods didn't want Towers messing with their view so those were the resolve.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Thanks. I like the idea of 'hiding' the towers. They are certainly much more attractive than a regular tower. We had never before come across one so it was a first for us. I think it shows imagination, inspiration and a bit of humour as well.
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
After looking at Doug's, Lorne's, and your photos this is definitely on the list of places to visit in the future. What a wonderfully beautiful spot you are parked in. Not sure about the ride through Phoenix though...:)
ReplyDeleteI always chuckle when I see those "fake trees" there are also palms like that. Not sure why they do that I think they just look silly.
Question, what program do you use for putting together collages? I have an app on my phone but it can only be used for pictures I take with it. I miss being able to do collages with my photos. Help, please.
Stay safe and looking forward to more pictures of your stay.
I think this area is a wonderful place to visit even though I've only been here a day but there is lots to see and do. Tomorrow we're going to start our touring and I expect it will be a fairly busy number of days.
DeleteThe drive isn't anything to worry about. I only argued with the GPS once and that was due to HOV highway, which I didn't want. It was very simple to do. We were through in a very quick time, less than 45 minutes. We didn't drive fast, 55 mph was the top speed we travelled. I always in the second or third lane from the on ramps, that way I don't have to move over when people are getting on or off. I try to avoid staying to the outer lanes on either side unless I know the exit is near, that way I have time to change lanes if necessary.
I actually like the fake trees. They are more attractive than a cell tower for certain. They don't disrupt the sky line with an ugly metal tower. They may not look realistic but they at least on a quick glance blend in to their surroundings.
I am a Mac User and downloaded Fotor Photo Editor for Mac. I use it strictly for collages, although it has other options as well. It's very easy to use, quick too. I've only just started using it so I haven't really explored it too much. It's a free program, and while I didn't look, I'm sure there is one available for other operating systems as well. I tried Adobe but didn't like it, too complicated and slow.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Thank you for the information. I will remember what you said about Adobe.
DeleteYou're very welcome. It's just what I found, it may work fine for you. I do like the Fotor Photo Editor though, it's very simple to use.
DeleteTake care, be safe,
Deb
That "tree" is a cell tower. Have seen them in Vegas.
ReplyDeleteHello, welcome to On a long and lonesome highway. I hope you enjoy your visits here.
DeleteThanks, I had no idea what they might be, but I think the idea is inspiring. It certainly adds a much nicer look to the skyline than a bare metal tower. Other's have also mentioned they are available in a palm tree as well. I guess it's a mix and match kind of thing depending on the trees in your area.
Take care, be safe,
Deb
Those highways over/under passes around Phoenix as so darned nice. You do need to be careful not to get distracted though!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I could spot our trailer at Lost Dutchman from your site. Sorry we missed you though. We came to Quartzsite today. :-(
They are beautiful. My navigator/co pilot/side kick/photographer takes those pictures while we're moving, and I get to enjoy them much greater AFTER the drive when I edit pictures.
DeleteOh that's too bad, I didn't realize you were leaving so quickly. I did want to thank you for the wonderful post you did about things to see and do in this area. It certainly helped me decide on a few things I want to do while here.
Enjoy Q.
Take care, be safe,
Deb