Day two and three of our California trip.

6-3-13 thru 6-4-13

While driving through Wyoming we came to a place called Independence Rock. Approximately 400,000 emigrants passed by this rock on the Oregon Trail in the 1840’s thru the 1860’s. This marked the halfway point of their 2000 mile journey and their goal was to be here around the Fourth of July, thus the name Independence Rock,  to ensure their passage over the western mountain ranges before winter set in.



Independence Rock.



It was a tradition for the pioneers to inscribe the rock face, unfortunately, this tradition continues to modern day.



And, of course, there were many who started the trip but never got to see their dream come true.



While walking around the rock we startled this antelope who would move to the left out of our view then come back out to look at us.



As we were leaving Salt Lake City we took this  picture for our friend John to let him know there is still going to be a supply of salt for his next meal.



Will we ever make to the end of this straight away?



The Sierra Nevada mountain range as we approach Lee Vining, CA.



Until next time,

Dave and Sandy

More changes in our lives and the start of our California trip.

5-10-13 to 6-2-13

We made a decision on our trip home in April to sell our Lazy Daze and order a new Lazy Daze with a lighter interior wood.  Deb and Karl (friends of Jane and Ron in Arizona) came to look at our motorhome while we were in Cave Creek, AZ to look at a newer model because they were interested in buying a new one.  Well, when they found out we were sellling ours, they contacted us and decided to buy ours.  We were kind of sad to see the Lazy Daze leave. But we are looking forward to the new Lazy Daze (mid January).  Karl and Deb flew to MN in May to pick it up and drive it back to AZ.
 




This is our last picture of our motorhome, but I’m sure we will see it again in the future. Safe travels Karl and Deb.



Sandy’s mother had her 85th birthday on the 17th of May, so we went out to celebrate with them.  We took this family picture after the church services on Sunday with the flowers in her honor.



We had a very late Spring with lots of rain this year.  The lilacs across the street from us were so beautiful and were a welcome sight from all the dreary weather.







On 6-2-13 we headed out for a three-week trip to California. I’m taking my Honda trike to Lake Shasta, CA to have a custom seat installed.  The first night we made it as far as Hot Springs, SD. That was a total of 657 miles today. This trip will not be as much fun as normal because we are driving the truck and pulling a motorcycle trailer.  We’d much rather be travelling in our motorhome, but we’ll still be able to travel to some beautiful areas of the country again.



That is what we get for selling the Lazy Daze before the new Lazy Daze is ready for pick-up (middle of January). I did tell sandy that I could toss a couple of army cots it the trailer along with a camp stove and cooler and we would be all set. Needless to say she was a little testy with that suggestion so it’s motels for this trip.

Till next time,

Dave and Sandy

Back Home

April 6th to April 23rd.

On Saturday, April 6th we got up early and headed for home. But first we had to stop in Rock Springs for early breakfast with Ron and Jane. Or was that pie? Anyway we had breakfast with Ron and Jane and then we headed to Flagstaff where we are going to spend some time sightseeing. Rather than drive the freeway all the way to Flagstaff, we took a route suggested by friends of ours. Thanks Bob and Twilla, it was a very enjoyable drive. The route was to turn east on 260 at Camp Verde, then northeast on 87 for about 10 miles before picking up 3 (Lake Mary Road) north to Flagstaff.

 

After we checked in at the campground we headed to the Meteor Crater National Landmark. Although very interesting, we were disappointed to find out it was a private operation and fairly expensive. BUT, that hole is sure impressive. To think that a meteor 150 feet across could create a hole that is a mile across and 550 feet depth is something to behold. 50,000 years ago, this huge iron-nickel meteor weighing several hundred thousand tons struck the rocky plain with an explosive force greater than 20 million tons of TNT.



The next morning we drove to Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments.  We also explored the Bonito National Forest Campground near Sunset Crater.  Too bad the campground wasn’t open yet as we would have loved to camp there.  It is probably the nicest national forest campground we have ever seen.



It is amazing to see how trees can grow in the hard lava rock and cinders created by the volcanic eruption 800 years ago.











The Wupatiki Pueblo area was inhabited by indigenous Southwest people for at least 400 years before the volcano erupted.  These people were farmers, but were forced to leave the area until about 100 years later when plants and animals slowly returned adapting to life in the lava earth.  Their decendants still live nearby, including Hopi, Zuni and Navajo people.









A view of Mount Humphreys (12,633 elevation).



Some of the scenery between Flagstaff, AZ and Albuquerque, NM.



We had planned on spending more time in the NE Arizona and the SW Colorado areas before continuing on home. However, after looking at the weather forecast we decided to head for home, so at 1:00PM we headed for Albuquerque.

We left Albuquerque around 7:00AM and made the mad dash home. I drove all day and all night and got to the house at 6:15AM on the 9^th. I think I’m getting too old for this, but we did beat the snow storms that were hot on our heels.

Our Lazy Daze safely tucked away from the weather.

 

Just a little note, December 9th this was the scene out our back windows as the first snow storm of the season dumped 12 inches of snow on us.





And now today, April 23rd, we woke up to 5.5 inches of new snow. Enough already.  This is about the third snow storm we have had since we returned home.  At least we were gone for 7 weeks of this.  Here is a view out our back window today.



A view out our kitchen window.



And, a view down the freshly plowed street.  Hopefully, this will be the last snow and Spring will finally arrive!  The snow doesn’t seem so pretty and exciting anymore.




Until next time,

Dave and Sandy

One last hike before we leave.

4-5-2013

We went over to Ron and Jane’s for Easter dinner. Thanks Ron and Jane, it was great.
Sandy has been taking a few pictures of the birds around the campsite.



Female Cardinal. She is less showy than the bright red male, but he wouldn’t cooperate for a photo.



Brown Crested Flycatcher.



We have taken the drive to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area a couple times this year but had never been on any of the trails. People have told us there are several trails and a nice easy one for us flat landers. We combined a portion of the Spur Cross Trail with the Metate Trail for a nice 2.5 mile loop.

This is what the land looks like on the higher elevation trails.



This is Cave Creek as seen from the higher part of the trail loop. Later we will be walking at water level and the environment is completely different.



Sandy called this the valley of the saguaros.



Most of the time when you get close to the these lizards the scamper off and hide. We figured that because this one was bigger than most that he must consider himself “King of the Rock”



There were lots of these magnificent old saguaros along the trail.



But it is hard to visualize how big they actually are until you can give it some scale with me standing beside it.



The Metate Trail is named after the metate stones which the Native Americans used for grinding their grains to make flour for cooking.



It sure was a lot cooler down along the banks of Cave Creek and the lush grass was at least a foot tall here.



This is the skeleton of a dead saguaro cactus.



Now stop kidding me!! Which way is back to the trail?



These are a few pictures of Cave Creek. What a beautiful, peaceful walk this was. We have to do it again.







Tomorrow is April 6th and we are heading back home with a short layover in Flagstaff, AZ to take in some areas we haven’t visited before.

Until next time,

Dave and Sandy