Tuzigoot National Monument

Early AM last Sunday we headed to Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale, Arizona. I enjoy exploring Indian Ruins. There is something about the history of the ruins, that calls to me. I try to imagine myself living in that time and I don't think I would have lasted long. I would have been the one they left behind when they moved along because I couldn't make the trip. It was a simpler time, but I think a much harder time to live. What no running water or electricity? Those are kind of basics to me. Clarkdale is just up the road from Old Cottonwood. It is an old mining town, big surprise I know. The temp in the car went from 50s to 20s in a flash, however, by the time we got there while windy and a bit chilly it was really quite pleasant with the sun beating on us. Here are a few photos of the ruins:

 

 

As always, please stay on the trails there are many things that creep and crawl and bite and sting and RATTLE!

After exploring the ruins, we did a quick cache. There I am making the find.

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Took a quick tour through Clarkdale and saw this church. In case you can't read it, it is St. Cecilia's Mission.

That was pretty much the day, quick trip up and back with a stop at Portillo's on the way home. 

Daytrip to Globe

Let's get this out of the way. 

• Yes, it is still over 100 degrees most days here
• Yes, I have had more than enough
• Yes, I know it will probably last at least another month
• Yes, I am still whining about it 
• Yes, I know we are all sick of hearing me whine about it
• Yes, I am sick of hearing myself whine about it. 

So we took a daytrip to Globe, if you think that stopped my whining, wrong you are. It is just as hot there, but at least it was new scenery. We are doing the 31 day Geocaching challenge. Which means we need to find at least 1 cache a day for each of the 31 days of August. Check out the Instagram photos on the right for progress of the 31 day challenge. I am determined not to miss a day no matter the heat and I may extend it to a year long (or more) challenge. We found a couple caches in Globe, there aren't that many in that area that don't involve hiking and I don't hike in 100 degree weather. We did find the old Globe cemetery, which proved very interesting. Since Globe is an old mining town (big shock I know) it is situated on hills and parts of the cemetery are so old that it is in a state of disrepair and it appears graves are slipping down that hill.

 

 Stopped in Superior looking for a cache, this was a park full of old mining equipment, we didn't find a cache here but it was fun to look around.

 On top of Globe, found the cache up here and a nice view of the town!

 This is what I mean about history in the cemetery. A prospector killed by Apaches in 1876 (that's a bit before my time) and first to be buried in the Globe Cemetery.

 Some grave sites were very well tended and even had recent "additions" to them.

 A much older section of the cemetery, not that well tended.

 The children's section was very sad, there were multiple graves, some very old and some newer, but all had new  toys left at them.

 There was a section for Confederate Veterans and Buffalo Soldiers. I am not even going to pretend I know anything about that.

All in all it was a fun trip, we got 2 caches, spent some time exploring an older section of Globe, well all of Globe is old but we hadn't been in this area before, and we stopped for lunch at the Mexican restaurant we found last time we were in Superior.

Geocache Adventure #8

I am finding it hard to believe that in over three years we are only on Adventure #8. MIght have been a few small ones in there I forgot to record, but Really? three years and only eight? I love doing this geocaching thing. It is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by all, no special skills required. It gives us a chance to be outside and visiting areas that we probably would never go to if not on the hunt for buried treasure. I think I like it the most out of the four of us, and it isn't always easy to get others to go along with me on this, so imagine my delight Sunday AM when Mike asked what if anything was going on for the day and I said I would like to do something outside and he replied "like geocache?" WOW yes like geocache. Everyone was on board and so off we went. I planned a route that wouldn't take us too far from home, but had a couple of interesting historical sites to search at.

 

 Find number 1 and we are off to a good start.

 Be careful in those rocks you never know what may be there.

 Find number 2 and this one at an old entrance to what was once Williams Airforce base which is now the far east end of Mesa/Phoenix Gateway Airport.

 Three guys on the hunt, who will get there first? Yes this does somehow turn into a competition. Guess that can't be avoided when males are involved.

 Who the best, looks like William the best!

 Putting the cache back where he found it.

Now for my personal favorite of the day. It is one we tried a couple years ago and couldn't find. It is at another historical site, this one at the Desert Wells Stage Stop. Pat found the cache, it was a great hide, very clever.

 

I am thinking Pat wins as the best for today's outing. I was super excited to finally have that cache discovered. It was a fun couple hours driving around finding buried treasures, and especially fun because Mike and William came and participated, even if there was two dozen KrispyKreme brought along as a bribe.

Sedona Hike - Huckaby Trail

Hiking season is here! This beautiful Sunday morning had us up at 5AM to get to Sedona to hike before it got too hot. Sedona is probably my favorite hiking spot in this state so far.  I haven't hiked the the Grand Canyon yet, I am sure I will love that, but don't think I will love it more than Sedona. I am not one to buy into that whole "vortex" thing that goes on there, however, I do feel a certain calm and sense of peace when I am there. The natural beauty of the area is amazing to me and I love to hike early when there is hardly anyone else on the trail. To say I do not like my peace being disturbed is putting it mildly. I don't like people talking or kids screaming or whining or dogs barking, I like to lose myself in the sense of being alone in the wilderness.

This particular trail was approximately 5 miles round trip. We went down into Oak Creek Canyon, I love hiking near the creek. You can hear the water rushing, you are down in the canyon and can't hear or for the most part see any other part of civilization. We also managed to pick up a cache while on this hike. Pat found the cache, it was in a hollowed out old juniper tree, high above the city of Sedona. It is always fun to be able to combine a cache with a nice hike.

After we finished hiking, we headed over to El Rincon for a little lunch. This place has one of the best margaritas EVER. The food is excellent also. I had a blue corn crusted chile relleno and Pat had a green chile burrito. It is a great place to refresh after the hike. It might be my go-to place after a good hike in Sedona, as it is where Mary and I went after one of our very long hikes last spring.

One last stop on our way home was the Rock Springs Cafe. We see the signs on the highway every time we travel up north, and Pat has always said some day he was going to stop for a pie. They have world famous pies (they wouldn't lie would they?). Well, today was the day. Rock Springs Cafe is conveniently located with an easy off and back on to Route 17. A Tennessee Lemon pie was the choice and back on the road we were.

Can't wait for the next hike! 

Geocache Adventure #7

This adventure found us leaving early on a Sunday morning and the goal was to have Mike practice driving and to find cache along the way. I must note here that it is not easy to be the driver on a cache adventure. There are last minute screams of TURN LEFT NOW and TURN AROUND WE MISSED IT, so it can be very trying. We didn't go far from home (we were without the youngest of the Loftus4) but we found a nice park with quite a few cache in it. My newest favorite was the cache camouflaged with tree bark and set on a branch of the tree, but it required going into a space that was barely big enough to stand up. I probably don't need to mention that the thought of being in a small space with the possibility of snakes or other such desert like creatures falling on me creeps me out and this was no exception. We enjoyed the rest of our walk around the park and then found a couple near the library before heading back home. There was an "Alice in Wonderland" themed cache and it was a rather large mushroom and you tip it over and inside it was a storage container the size of a loaf of bread. Someone had left headphones in there for a trade item...Pat and Mike were not all that happy with me when I insisted that we couldn't take them. The spirit of the trade is that you leave something better than you take and well I don't think our rubber wristband was in that category. It was a nice morning and Mike did a great job driving!

Geocache Adventure #6

This adventure kept us much closer to home. The weather is starting to cooperate just a little bit and so we left early on a Sunday morning to do some local caches. We traveled at most 10 miles south of homebase and then looped around back home. First stop was a cache that was on a fire hydrant, it took a bit of looking around, never expected it to be so small but I guess that is what a nano is. Second stop was another one just as small. Our favorite cache of the day was the one that looked like a sprinkler. Seriously looked like a sprinkler. Mike "found" it then said no, then said yes then no. Is it? Isn't it? YES it was. Very fun and certainly explains how you can hide something in plain sight. A couple of the caches took us to Modern Day Ghost Towns - subdivisions abandoned because of the economy. These were fun to poke around at and I am saving my pictures of them for another post. We even ended up at Panda Express where William found the flashlight that was a cache. So many clever people out there hiding things for others amusement. The fountain at the Queen Creek library was really nice looking and the entire area was so perfect for checking out a book, sitting in the sunshine and reading. One that we didn't find was at a historical site in Queen Creek the Desert Wells Stage Stop. There are even old posts there to hitch your horse to. That one is going to require a second try for finding the cache. Geocaching has certainly taken us to places right near where we live, as well as further away, that we might never have taken the time to see or go to if not on our quest for a cache.

On the road to Tortilla Flat

To get to Tortilla Flat involves a lot of winding and curving along a road that at times you wonder if you would fit with a car passing by. Then there are the one lane bridges that you have to take turns using, let's just say not everyone knows how to play fair. It is a popular road and heavily traveled especially on holiday weekends. The road leads to Canyon Lake and if you stay on past Tortilla Flat goes to Roosevelt Lake. Motorcyclists love to travel in this area and Tortilla Flat is a popular resting place along the road. We have gone out here one other time and never past Tortilla Flat. Basically this is a two building town. They have a shop that sells souvenirs and ice cream and then there is the cafe/saloon. The bar stools are actual saddles. It is all very old and rustic, a fun place to visit but not too many people live here. I believe the population is 6. The journey to Tortilla Flat is a very scenic one, traveling through National Forest Property and past Canyon Lake. It was a beautiful day and nice to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.

Geocaching Adventure #5

This next adventure found Pat and me on the road with Frizzle. It is Labor Day and a couple of someones can't give up their "day off" for a little fun. So be it. We cached our way to Tortilla Flat. A lot of our time was spent on National Forest property, searching for caches. We had a good time, learned a lot about the art of hiding a cache with magnets. Yes, magnets! Who would have thought, but it sure helps to know little things like that when you are searching and searching and can't imagine where it is. We also ran into one of those attacking cacti, UGH I don't like them they get you and won't let go and then you have stickers all over you. Well this time it was Pat's shoe they got and let me just say those stickers do not come out easily.

Tucson or Bust!

Some interesting things to see on our trip to Tucson. There was the skeleton of what I don't know, but I am thinking I am glad whatever it was, wasn't alive when I ventured on that dirt road. There are the weeping palms, which I mistakenly refer to as the weeping willows - I loved my willow tree and well guess it was on my mind. (note to self: make a willow tree post) There is the abandoned not to be built any time soon subdivision that the weeping palms are welcoming you to. There is the now requisite religious sign. There are the fancy underpasses in Tucson all colorful and welcoming, and the not so uncommon totally dry river. Then there is Frizzle driving home. Apparently after my driving "incident" on the move here, it has been decided Frizzle would be a better driver than me.

Geocache Adventure #4

This adventure took us towards Tucson. We decided to try to stop along the way to look for caches instead of waiting for our destination to start looking. Our first stop was in the Casa Grande area - anyway it was a dud of a stop for us. Apparently we are still very beginners and need to stay away from the micro cache until we gain more experience or something. Next stop was on a road towards the Saguaro National Forest. Last stop we made was in the Tucson city limits. The Loftus4 were down to Loftus3 and even then the 3 is questionable as one young one was having major allergy issues, and never got out of the car to help look. Frizzle was his usual help, and constantly had to be pulled out of trees. He is never afraid to climb a tree to look for cache, just has trouble getting down again. We found five cache on this gorgeous Sunday, had a look around at University of Arizona, a quick lunch at the local Sports Pub and it was time to head back home. A good day, being out in the sun always tires me and a nap was in order when we arrived home.

Geocache mini-Adventure #1

Biggest cache container yet - a five-gallon paint can!

The Geocaching mini-Adventures will probably be just Pat and me checking out cache in the area. We are starting to receive resistance from the other other two members of the Loftus4 team. So we decided to try some local cache to get more in touch with our inner-geocaching spirits. Out of five stops we found 3, probably could have found 5 but I have a heat tolerance and since it is still well over 100 degrees in this area, I can only look around for so long, before I melt. Tomorrow we are off to Tucson to search for cache.

On the Road To, In and Around Sedona

We got a late start on our trip to Sedona/Oak Creek. I had a dentist appointment at 7 AM and expected to be done by 7:30, I mean all they had to do was superglue a couple crowns in my mouth, how hard could that be. At 8:30 after having my mouth open for 1.5 hours and almost swallowing one of those crowns I was done, finally! So it was closer to 9:30 by the time we left for our third adventure in geocaching. Check out the huge truck full of hay that for some reason had to cut in front of us on the highway going 75!!! OMG did I mention I get carsick? That didn't help at all.

One of the spots we went to for a cache was a Catholic church in Sedona, in a most gorgeous area with breathtaking views. We didn't actually go into the church, but the outside areas were really nice. They had multiple different sitting areas with these great stone benches and statues with candles, nice places for meditation, sitting and enjoying the purple mountains majesty and feeling the swirl of energy as the vortex surrounds you. (If you're into that) They also had the Stations of the Cross outside, going around the perimeter of the church and buildings. Very relaxing, very beautiful, a nice trip.

Geocache Adventure #3

For our third adventure we went to Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon. It is probably my favorite area in Arizona. I love the red rocks, the creek and canyon are gorgeous, and the weather is so much nicer. I had a list of approximately 12 caches to look for. Max accompanied us on this trip, which we all know thrills me to no end. NOT!!! First two finds were fairly quick and relatively easy thanks to my natural geocaching skills. Cache number 3 was a bit harder, it was IN the CREEK under a rock, somewhere.....we never actually found it, well I never got in the creek to look, but Pat, Mike and William searched for quite awhile. Which is why I was left on the road with Max yanking my leash, holding Frizzle the mascot (he didn't want to get wet), carrying my camera and tripod and a bunch of papers and that is when I took a tumble. Fell right down there in the road on my CAMERA, banged up my elbow and knee, hurt my entire left side and lived to tell the story. My camera lens died that day, but the camera is fine and we just had to use a telephoto for the rest of the day's pictures. Soon after, the 3 searchers came out of the creek, carrying a soaking wet PSP. Yep Mike had it in his pocket, guess he wasn't expecting to get wet in that creek. Lucky for him the PSP lived and the only casualty was my camera lens. Cache number 4 was on the creek bed somewhere on the other side of the bridge, William and Pat gave it a quick look and we left that area zero for two.

We drove into Sedona to regroup, stopped in a parking lot and realized that a cache location was right there, so we hunted for that, but no my natural instincts had been whacked out of me with the fall, so after a quick search we abandoned that one. Checking our coordinates we realized that we passed two other caches on the drive from the creek to Sedona, and no one felt like going back so press on we did. Next stop a parking lot of an abandoned storefront office building. Pretty quick find under a huge rock, on we go. One more find at a church parking lot and that made our four finds for the day. We did search for one other but couldn't find it, and then the final two we decided to skip, everyone was tired and they involved a hike into a more remote area.

We had a great time even though we didn't find all the caches we were looking for. The red rock mountains are really gorgeous and look different at all times of the day depending where the sun is. Every stop had breathtaking views and it was a great day to be outside. I definitely want to go back to that area to search for more cache. That creek one is on my mind to find! We had to skip Slide Rock State Park too as it was way too crowded, the parking lot was full and no more cars were being allowed in. It looks like a fun place to spend some time and I will get back there soon.

Prescott, AZ

Downtown Prescott was having a Whiskey Road Shootout, I am guessing a reenactment of some shootout from the Wild Wild West. William says they do a lot of that cowboy shooting, old town stuff out here and they sure do. I am not much into the wild wild west and shooting but people watching was in full swing. Doing a reenactment means dressing the part and these participants were having a great time in their costumes, shooting off guns and acting all western.

Prescott is Arizona's best preserved town with more than 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. There was an abandoned Motor Inn. It was really sad to see the building is such disrepair but you can just imagine all the people that have stayed there in the past when they were in the area for a vacation or just passing through. We saw some interesting "bumper stickers" throughout the town, I believe the pictures speak for themselves.

When was the last time you have seen a public phone booth on a street corner? Not sure if they don't have the network behind them up there or what but that was certainly something I haven't seen in a long, long time. The last couple pictures were taken from the window of the van going 75 on the Interstate . Enough said, lots of scenery to be seen.

Geocache Adventure #2

We decided to head to Prescott for our second adventure in geocaching. Prescott is about 90 miles northwest of homebase, so the temperature is a little cooler. The day was sunny, the time was early, the team was ready! We had quite a long list of possible caches to find. Even though we only ended up finding one, we had a good time hunting. We found the area on a few of them, but were unable to locate the cache due to locked roads or other obstacles keeping us from the final victory. Sometimes the little country roads fly by too fast and we are unable to safely turn or even notice that we missed a turn. We enjoyed the trip, it was a nice drive and we learn a little more about geocaching every time we go.