On a long and lonesome highway....: Marion

Our Location:

North of MM 4, Ogilby Road, Winterhaven, California

Riley and I were lazy this morning and didn't head out for our walk until the clock was closer to 9 than to 8 am. We walked toward American Girl Mine Road and reached the outer fringes before turning around and heading back home. We both had over 6500 steps before we were back home. Only a short piece was difficult walking, the rest was pretty good. Riley stopped at home but I slipped over to the White Lion to check on Doug & Yuma. Doug and I chatted for some time before I left him with a decision about what we should do today. His choice and he chose to use the Dogsled and go to Tumco. So that's what we did, Doug, Yuma and I, Riley opted to stay home. I think a wise choice in hindsight.

Last night's moon rising.

That same moon this morning on it's way down. Taken through my window.

As the moon was going down, the sun was coming up.

The drive is about 4 miles from home and before long we were out of the Big Dog and heading off through the desert floor. Doug remembered seeing a big hole in the side of a mountain with a cage barring the door so you can't get in, he said the hole was big enough to drive a truck into. He's positive it was here at Tumco. I didn't recall it, and I've walked a fair amount there but none the less, off we went with Yuma in the lead. We wandered around for a long time, up hill, down hill, over hill, around hill, you get the idea. We searched and searched but came home empty handed, no big hole that a truck could get into. Lots of shafts that go straight down with cages over them, and a smaller cave like hole but nothing that he remembered.

Doug, Yuma and I visited here today.

We believe these are graves. There are two cemeteries in this small area.

This is just sand but beaten, wind blown and hardened by the sun.

It was a nice long hike and I enjoyed the views but it was too long for both of us and I think we are both going to be paying for today's adventure for a day or two. I walked 6 miles/ 9.7 km which is just under 16,000 steps, so far and it's only shortly after 4 pm. It took me a little under 3 hours to do that. It was not all at once of course, my first 6500 steps were my morning walk. However I enjoyed the walk and I hope you enjoy the photos.

Doug was concentrating on something.

Inside one of the holes in the sand banks.

I'm sure some of you are tired of these kinds of photos but they fascinate me. The rock is paper thin.

Talked to my dad last night, he had an early appointment in Espanola and so stopped at the Centennial Manor on his way home to visit his friend Marion, who had a birthday yesterday, she turned 94. He was there when the flowers Riley and I ordered were delivered, they apparently made her day a bit brighter and gave her a reason to smile. Since that was the purpose of sending them, they accomplished their goal.

We found this opening and of course the two fellas had to go in, but not me.

Blurry but you get the idea.

It's very stark but very pretty.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.

If you want to see more photos of today's hike, come back tomorrow. I'll post some more.

Until next time...

Take care, be safe,

Deb

Our Location:

Superstition Mountains BLM, Apache Junction, AZ

A change of plans for Riley and I as the rains continued to fall off and on all night and still this morning. Doug & Yuma (Miss Adventure Travels) however wasn't deterred and off they went around 8:15 am. We said our goodbyes and both headed back to get our camera's for photo's at the same time. He texted to say he was on the main road before 8:30 am. A quick trip on this road with his motor home. He said he simply followed the wet tire marks and made it easily. It was fun getting to know him and Yuma, and the two weeks flew by before we even realized it. Again we wish them wonderful safe travels and hearty adventures as they continue their journey.

Early morning fog rolling in, around and over the Superstition Mountains....

Superstition Mountain to the right, with the notch through the mountains on the Apache Trail to the left but lost in the fog.

We've settled in for the day, it rained off and on and then the sun would pretend as if it's going to make an appearance but soon the clouds swallow it up again. I don't like to drive in the rain and while it may stop everything will still be spraying up on the road and that often gives me a headache with the wipers swooshing back and forth. Tomorrow will be sunny and good travel weather so we'll be on the road then.

How can one say the desert isn't beautiful?

Amazing how the fog and light play with the mountains, isn't it?

Today I think will be a catch up day where I can read blogs, finish my book and just relax and enjoy the day. Always the kind of day I like before a travel day, and yesterday was pretty busy for me for a pre- travel day.

Getting ready to hit the road. Yuma wasn't a happy fella but Doug looks happy to be getting away from us....

Goodbye Friends, safe travels!!!!

As I watched the morning slipping past I'm so happy we didn't travel today, the fog is thick at times, rolling and out blocking the mountains completely one minute and showing outlines or hints the next. I am glad I'm not driving in this stuff. We will (I think) be heading toward Globe tomorrow which is where the fog seems to be thickly hanging in that direction. We would be climbing a bit and definitely we would be driving in fog. Doug & Yuma went the other way, toward Tuscon so I hope it's not as thick that in direction.

The sun tried vainly to come out over the mountain....

It can almost be seen.....

I love the mystical way the fog wraps this mountain in it's blanket....

Texted back and forth with my sister in law Janet for a while this morning, getting caught up on the 'need to know' stuff. In two months time they'll be heading home to Roseneath, Ontario and Buttercup Ridge. Sadly we'll be departing from Buttercup Ridge before they arrive home. Hopefully we manage a visit during the summer time.


*This mountain has been visible from a number of short hike's we've done into the Tonto National Forest from the Igloo and today my goal was get closer....*

The fog was everywhere....

Around 10:15 am the rain had stopped, the skies were starting to clear and I donned my hiking boots, and gear to head out for a walk that has been on my mind for a long time. We've often seen horseback riders moving along through the mountains behind the large rock we climbed to the other day. I've wanted for a while to follow that trail and see what they see from what I deem as the 'far away' spot before they head downward and into the valley for a long time. Riley and I were about half way before we turned around the other day. Today I took various different paths but eventually I ended up exactly where I had seen the horseback riders disappearing over the edge. What a view they have!!!

About a half hour after I started out I took this shot of the Dogsled and Igloo. Looks funny without Motor Home and Jeep near by.

Turning around I took this picture. Love the shadows on the mountains.

The path I took was one I've not been on before but I had no fear of getting lost or turned around. I followed it for quite some time. I followed many horse paths, a few off road vehicle paths, and did some cross country hiking making my own way to paths I thought looked more fun or were heading in the direction I wanted to go. The going wasn't too bad, and I enjoyed the solitude. I didn't see anyone except one dirt biker when I was heading in and he was playing around in the big pit I've shown many pictures of before. I did see a rabbit, a couple of birds but that was it, nothing else that moved until I was just about back to the pit once more on the way home, then I encountered a few different folks, vehicles and dogs.

I'm getting closer but not quite there....

Isn't this view something to see and I'm not back yet to where I want to get....

I made it to the spot that I wanted to be but noticed some pretty dark rain like clouds caught on the mountains in front of me and beside me so I thought it best if I hurried my butt back homeward bound. I checked the time and it was 12:21 when I started for home from the furthest point away. The views were pretty awesome though I must say. I enjoyed them for a few minutes before heading homeward.

I've dubbed him the Saguaro Padre!!!

This what I came to see.....and they just kept getting better the further I went...

The trails homeward bound were a bit more challenging as I took more cross country routes and found myself in places that didn't look easy to move in the direction I wanted but I still managed without any problem. I will tell you though I was sweating, the sun was out and there was no breeze of any kind. By the time I got home you could wring water out of my shorts and t-shirt. I could hear some dirt bikes tearing around but I didn't see them for a some time as they headed off in the opposite direction I had ventured.

Amazing to see the shadows back toward Superstition Mountain....

Amazing to see how the sun casts shadows and lightens the mountain to look so different, isn't it?

I had a text from Doug but couldn't receive it as I don't have data capabilities here in the USA on my phone. I also called my dad, who's name also happens to be Doug. How funny is that? Dad and I chatted while I walked the last half mile or so to the Igloo. Gave me time to cool down a bit and a chance to chat with him since he is once again 3 hours different than we are here in Arizona since Arizona doesn't do the day light savings time stuff.

Looking back at Superstition Mountain as I head further in the other direction. The head of the mountain is still hidden by the fog and the darkness makes it look very ominous I think.

I didn't notice the hole in the rock until I edited the picture, that big tall rock we've hiked to twice before but I've not had a picture from this angle before.

After a half hour conversation with Dad in which he told me they have had a new snow fall in the last few days, he and my sister did his grocery shopping, and he's visited Marion again, along with a few other little tidbits I was in the Igloo and ready to sit down and take off my boots. Saying our goodbyes for a few hours, as I'll be talking to him tomorrow when we reach our overnight destination to let him know we've arrived safely.

Pretty amazing looking I think.....

It was worth the walk....

Lunch today was spaghetti and cheesy garlic bread. Riley did an excellent job of preparing lunch once again. She even cleaned up afterward and didn't want my help. I like these kinds of days for sure. Hahaha...

I started editing my hike pictures but decided to read for a while instead. I finished the Edward Stewart book, it was good, and I'll look for more written by him in the future. I started a Patricia Cornwell that I'm sure I've read many years ago called Scarpetta. I always enjoy her books. However true to my nature I had to close the book, take off my specs and have wee nap during that time. I was back down stairs and editing pictures once again before 5 pm. So many good shots, it's hard to cull them down to so few but I am doing my best.

After editing I continued on this post I had started this morning. I could hear this noise out the door and eventually looked up to see a para glider or whatever they are called not far from our door, he was buzzing the little white hill I've shown in many pictures. The engine revving was what caught my attention, very loud and whiny sounding. He buzzed around here for a number of minutes landing finally back where the big parking area is with the gate into the Tonto National Forest. I took pictures but will post them another time. I have enough for tonight.

So there you have it, our aborted travel day due to weather. A busy day for me and I enjoyed my hike a great deal. I know there are a lot of pictures but there was always something wonderful to see. I hope you've enjoyed your visit, feel free to leave a comment. I enjoy reading them.