Shopping, Lake, River, and resting...

Our Location: 

Superstition Mountain BLM, Apache Junction, AZ

The morning dawned once again overcast, although not as much as yesterday. Warm temps this morning too, even slept with the vent open the last couple of nights, so you know it's warm. 

On the way to Saguaro Lake in the Tonto National Forest.

Some of the fowl we noticed at Salt River, except for the ducks, they were at Saguaro Lake.

After a hot drink and a bit of reading, commenting, etc, we headed outside as we had a few chores to handle today. Doug (Miss Adventure Travels), Riley and I headed in to Apache Junction with a list of a 'must do'. Doug took the fun out of our sight seeing by finding what we wanted on his google phone map. So we finished our morning chores without the fun of seeing the neighbourhoods and some back streets. 

The two top pictures show two herons that are arguing about who has the right to be in this location, the late comer was the first to leave. The third pic is just a reflection as seen in the Salt River. The last pic is the back side of the Stewart Mountain Dam.

More shots at the Pebble Beach Rec Area on the Salt River in Tonto National Forest.

Our first stop was Goodwill, we had a donation of a few bags of things we no longer want but are still in good enough condition to be worth a couple of bucks that goes to a worthy cause. Next we spotted a Walgreen's and a Glacier Water machine. We needed about 10 gallons of drinking water. In both of these stops Doug didn't want anything. Next we found Walmart and we all needed some things there. Including a trash dump. Riley and I had to move smartly around the store as Doug is a hurry in and out person. We managed to secure everything on our list, plus one or two things that weren't on the list. We all loaded our purchases in the Dogsled, before heading off for the last stop. Again Doug pulled out his trust Google Map trick but alas the place he found wasn't available to the public. Propane of course is what we were searching for and found it at an RV place almost across the street from the 'not public' place. We found propane, a place to dump, fill with water and they do repairs all in a one stop deal. Although I think it's a bit on the expensive side as the propane was $2.99 per gallon but I wanted it anyway. The other prices were $10 for dump, $10 for water and I didn't ask about garage prices. I figured from the three things I already knew, it would be on the high side too. 

Saguaro Lake, I believe the lake continues between those two mountains in the picture with the boat, it appeared to come from that area.

 

This wall of rock was on the opposite side of the lake from the dam. The road followed right at the very bottom hugging the mountain on one side and the lake was just out the window on the other. Lots of growth on this mountain, even though there didn't appear to many large flat areas.

Back home we all headed off to do whatever it is we wanted to do for about an hour or so. Riley and I had lunch but I have no idea what Doug did to amuse himself. Of course since we'd been to Walmart Riley enjoyed a rotisserie chicken, while I had something I haven't had for years. Beans and wieners. I even added in some left over white rice. Yum.....we both enjoyed our choice. 

 

Of course my tall stately Cacti have to have a spot in the blog as well.

Back in the Dogsled Yuma joined our little band of merry sight seers and stood with his feet planted firmly on the arm rest between the front seats to ensure that I didn't miss a turn.  We journeyed west along Lost Dutchmen Road, which turns into Brown Road, a right on to  N Ellsworth Road which took us into the Tonto National Forest, Lower Salt River area. N Ellsworth turns into Usery Pass Road. A right on N Bush Hwy had us finding our way to the Salt River's  Pebble Beach Rec Area. 

They appeared to be waiting for their friends who came around the corner about the time we snapped this picture.

The area is very scenic and not at all remote. It is of course on the banks of the Salt River with river rocks everywhere. The beach is okay, lots of water fowl around. Herons, Cormorants (or what I know as Cormorants back home), Egrets, and probably lots we didn't see. Fisher people were plentiful along the banks. A pretty spot for sitting while idling away the time. Numerous covered picnic tables with a covered BBQ grill at each site. Lots of trash cans around as well. The water was calm, no apparent current could be seen. Horses also were evident on this property as we noticed a number of them just grazing not far from the river. 

 

No words can describe this.

Back in the Dogsled we continue along to Saguaro Lake. A very nice body of water in the middle of the mountain chain. It's very user friendly as numerous boats were in the marina area, as well numerous trucks with empty baot trailers awaiting the return of their owners. The lake held a few boats moving about, some seadoo's, even a couple of stand up paddle boarders going along. It's a fairly large body of water that winds it's way back and out of view of the area we parked. The breeze was nice as the temps were warm while we were taking pictures there. 

 

The picnic area at Pebble Beach Rec Area on the Salt River.

Back in the Big Dog once more we drove only a few miles before turning left onto Stewart Mountain Dam Road. The dam was not impressive, and not well kept like the Roosevelt Dam that we visited a few days ago. It was behind a large fence, the area was full of vehicles, dumpsters, etc. Not a picture taking kind of place. 

I'll be watching you...... can you see the eyes?

Back on the road we once again headed for home and within a half  hour were finding our way through the pot holes in N. Hackamore Road to our rigs. I think someone may have managed to do a bit of maintenance on the road but not too much and just in a couple of places. Looked like a bit of a 'fill the hole' type of thing so I doubt it was anyone in an official capacity. Back home we once again went our own way's to do whatever it is we wanted to do. 

I think Yuma needs his own chair.

I did some dishes, did a bit of cleaning, as I hate the dust that seems to be accumulating. I even got out the Murphy's Lemon Oil Soap Wash to do a bit of a shine job on a few cabinets that were in need of a clean up and some recessed places that were starting to grow some Teddy Bear Cholla. That all cleaned up I then sat down to edit the pictures and start this post. A quick visit with Doug & Yuma just about dark to end the day and chat about tomorrow.

 

Can you see the elephant?

I still haven't found much time to read posts today, and I have no idea where the day went. It's just gone. How does that happen? I've started mapping our way home and it looks as if we'll be bypassing Santa Fe, as it's too cold there. Instead we'll head south and slowly east. We have a bit of a plan for making for getting some packages delivered before we get back to Canada so we've decided where we want to sit to wait for those. 

I just love the nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices...

 So there you have it. Our busy day which wasn't labour intensive but we hustled all the same. I hope you've enjoyed your day and did something fun and entertaining today. Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment.

Amazing!

Until next time ....... take care, be safe, 

You have it all in this picture, horse, human, motor vehicles, tractor, hundred year old cacti and the mountains.

Deb