Been a bit busy, and a cough...

Our Location: Saddle Mountain BLM, Tonopah, AZ

I didn't forget about you folks, I've just been busy and then yesterday came down with the 'not feeling so greats'. This morning however I am feeling better, a scratchy throat and cough but according to Dr.Riley,  I will live, it's a long way from my heart. So I guess I'll make it. 

I believe that may be the reason they call this area Saddle Mountain. Do you think? 

As I am certain all or most of you know that we have been helping our friend Doug (Miss Adventure Travels) move his living space from Miss Adventure to the White Lion. It was pretty much a one day job but a few odds and sods were also needed the last day or two. I think I can say that he is now firmly settled into the White Lion and we wish him well in his winter home. 

 Riley walked back in this direction yesterday.

Some interesting views if you climb a little. 

Riley and I took a drive westward to the Harquahala (Hark-wa-hal-a) Mountains and took a mosey on down Eagle Eye Road to see about a better spot than our current location. The spots are pretty but the cell service is missing, so we won't be going there, or at least I don't think so. We'll have to check it out again on another day to ensure that our findings were indeed correct. Cell service on the road but the bars dipped and rose with each half second passing. Step off the road, the bars went away completely. Hmmmmm.....maybe a restart of the phones next time. 

 Doug making his way back home yesterday after a quick visit. Can you see him? 

He's in the  middle left of the photo, blue sweater. 

We also checked out the Vicksburg, AZ area. Some interesting spots there as well but very close to the cattle stockyards and so I think we will be bypassing that area as well. While at Vickburg I was going to fill up with diesel and of course the pump wanted me to swipe my card twice, apparently the first one didn't go. Then I had to go inside instead to make it work. Well wouldn't you know it, after pumping fuel I had a fraud message from TD about my card. I spent the next 20 minutes explaining to them it was indeed me using the card, and yes I know it was swiped three times quickly, blah, blah, blah. I was happy that they caught it so quickly but the wait times were silly. Started on the road home and I get a phone call from the same Fraud Squad office about the same thing. So I explained that I had just straightened it out with someone else not more than 10 minutes before only to have the guy on the other end of the phone make it sound like I was wasting his time. Since he called me, I'm not sure how that could be. Summary, it's all fixed and I hope not to have to deal with them again this winter.

We no longer have a wonderful view of this mountain as we haven't been parking more to the west which gives us a frontal view of the mountain. However, I'll take it, it is still very pretty. 


It looks like this may be our last time at Saddle Mountain and the surrounding area, due to flies. Of course everyone is complaining but truly Riley and  I haven't noticed them too badly this year. Not like last. There are a few around but I did a quick spray with RAID on the door and window screen and it seems to have accomplished the trick, so far at least. We shall see how it goes. 

Some 'young' saguaros in our area. 

The photos were all taken yesterday after a short visit from Doug. I will say I didn't get any photos of Doug's moving day as I was busy working. Doug posted a couple on his blog as I don't think he was as busy as I was, since he had time to take photos. Just kidding Doug. I know you worked really hard but you must admit, it's nice to be finished now. 

Our front yard, Doug was parked over in that area a few days ago. 

The days have been sunny but a bit on the coolish side although we have no complaints. The cool weather keeps the flies in check and so we're happy. I don't think we will be getting much hiking accomplished here due to a number of things. Riley managed a nice walk yesterday but didn't take the big camera so I can't even show you her sights. Oh well, it is what it is. 

 Our back yard. 

A quick chat with my dad last night, the weather up north is cold but then again, they are up north, I guess it's to be expected. He's doing well, my sister was there visiting and so we didn't chat long. 

Lots of colour in the desert if you look. I did what you do Deb, and looked down, and see what I found! 

A belated birthday wish to our friend Roger, who celebrated on Feb 7. I met Roger when I first started travelling solo in the southeast a number of years ago. Roger makes his home in Georgia, in the Albany area. Happy Birthday my friend. 

 I'm always amazed at where and how saguaros grow.

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

 Riley coming home from her walk yesterday. Can you see her? Bottom middle of the photo.

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

Deb