LOST DUTCHMAN STATE PARK

March 14^th thru the 26^th.

Lost Dutchman State Park and Canyon Lake.

While still at McDowell Mountain there was this bird that had a habit of flying up 3-4 feet then diving back to the perch. We have seen Phainopepla do this when eating bugs, but this looked more like a mating ritual.

March 15^th had us moving from McDowell Mountain to Lost Dutchman State Park.

This is the view as you enter Lost Dutchman State Park.

Sandy took this picture from inside the LD to show the view we have from the Motorhome. We were here once before, and by luck got a site with a good view of the mountains. This time we made reservations 6 months ago and this was one of only two sites available, we lucked out again.

Enjoying the view of the Superstition Mountains.

Even though the Superstition Mountains are great to see during the day, it’s at sunset that the MAGIC appears.

These are pinnacles along the top of the mountain.

On our way to Canyon Lake for a boat ride. The land is now made up of green and yellows. This turned out to be a perfect day to be on the water as the temperature was 81 degrees with a slight breeze.

Ocotillo in full bloom.

This was the boat we rented for a half day (5 hours). They also rent fishing boats and pontoons. All can be rented by the hour, half day or full day.

We are moving across the main lake for a 10-mile ride through the canyons to the Apache Lake Dam. We never got to see the dam as it was around the corner from where the buoys stopped us from going further upstream. This is an interesting boat ride because of the different rock formations and vegetation along the way.

There also were a few kayakers on the water.

There were a few spots where it narrowed down to 100 to 150 feet wide. All the rock hazards were well marked.

Dave hard at work navigating the treacherous narrows…..

and Sandy enjoying the beautiful day on the water. Sandy must be feeling real comfortable with boat skills today, as she usually wears a life vest when in the bath tub. Just kidding.

Can you see the pink blooms of the hedgehog cactus?

Again, thank goodness for telephoto lenses.

Back out on the main lake there were several groups of grebe on the water.

While eating at the restaurant it was interesting to watch this couple paddle boarding with their dog. When we first saw them, the dog was on the man’s board. They brought their boards together and the dog smoothly crossed from one board to the other, and no one ended up in the water.

Canyon Lake from a lookout as we headed home.

On March 23^{rd ,} the weather finally broke. We woke up to a 50  degree morning and we had .22 inches of rain last night. The high today was 65 degrees. Other than yesterday, this is the first day since March 9^th that the high hasn’t been between 90 to 95 degrees. In the morning, there were some clouds covering part of the Superstition Mountains giving it a different look with all the yellows in front.

The next day, we met Vern and Ruthie and went to supper at the Organ Stop Pizza. This is a 5 million dollar instrument that has 6 thousand pipes, numerous percussions and countless traps. It is the largest Wurlitzer organ in the world. What looks like TV screens around the organ are actually glass louvers that open to let out the sound of the pipes playing at any particular time. It was an amazing experience to watch and listen. The pizza was pretty good too!

Ruthie, Sandy, Dave and Vern.

The next day was another beautiful day so we took an opportunity to take a ride up to Payson and stopped at the Saguaro Lake Marina for lunch. Very good food, and Sandy took a chance on the fish which she said was excellent. Our friends, Pat and John, can attest to our bad luck ordering fish.

Until next time,

Dave and Sandy