We've been having computer problems and are down to our little notepad. Although we can still download photos, I have decided just to write an update about our week at Usery Mtn Park.
Phoenix and all it's suburbs have a population of about 4 million and, of course, we had to drive from Wickenburg through Phoenix & burbs to Usery Mtn Park. Much to our surprise it was a relative breeze. Phoenix is well laid out with three separate circle routes and Gabby our GPS performed well that day! As did our driver Gord! We also arrived on the outskirts about 10:00 a.m. after the traffic had slowed down a lot.
Usery Mtn Park was a great place to stay for a week and again we were able to do some of the hiking trails. The most popular trail is the Wind Cave which is just over 3 miles up and back. The trail was all switchbacks up to the cave and quite rocky. It was very hot that morning and the few times we were in shade was appreciated. The dogs did well and their energy picked up on arrival at the cave when they discovered a huge chipmunk population lived there. They weren't happy at being leashed, but it's a park! Also the drop and the cacti were a threat. Bees were in the cave as well and apparently have been there for over 30 years. There was no wind and the cave is more of a large indent, but the view from there was spectacular. I'm sure we've used every adjective there is to describe all we've seen.
Friends from Vernon who now live in Victoria were in A.Junction and we were able to get together several times. Brian and Marilyn took us on a day trip circle drive through amazing steep canyons to Globe, AZ and we enjoyed a picnic lunch at Roosevelt Lake. Next stop was at Tonto National Monument where we climbed up to a pueblo built by the Salado Indians in the 1100's A.D. The Salt River was nearby and although they had to carry everything up a steep mountainside they appear to have adapted to their area very well. No one knows why they left.
We then drove UP Highway 88 in Brian's Hyundai Santa Fe (no, this is not a commercial) over an unpaved, washboard, loose dirt road with extreme drop offs on the passenger side! They hadn't realized this road wasn't paved. Took us 2 hours to get through and every now and then I yelled STOP BRIAN and took another of my 200 photos that day. The mountain wildflowers were blooming and the magnificent views took our breath away. We stopped at the overlook at the top of Fish Creek Canyon and could trace part of the road we had just travelled. Marilyn and I each bought a piece of jewelry from Rocky as a momento of our day. Rocky is a craftsman and native of the area who, with his wife, was selling his wares at the overlook. The last miles were paved, three cheers! Our last quick stop was at Tortilla Flats, a very small town with a POP of 6. The restaurant has thousands of dollar bills plastered over every surface except the floors. Busy place!
A long day, but what a great one. Our last major siting at the end of the trip was a bonus. Three mountain sheep were standing near the side of the road. Thanks Brian and Marilyn for some amazing memories including hikes, meals and cards!
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