Ready To Go

Leaving one week from today.  Family is already in Utah taking care of loose ends before we head to Alaska.  The last week of any assignment is always long and drawn out, despite this one being quite favorable.  I feel like we did what we wanted to do in Arizona, explore the Sonoran desert.  I think since we bought the truck camper in December and moved into an apartment, we only stayed home on my days off a few times.  The rest of the time we were camping in the desert, away from the craziness of Phoenix.

The apartment is empty, the trailer is loaded, and I just have four more shifts and an ACLS class to do before heading north.

This is our new travel mode.  Everything we need to live in a tiny apartment fits in that tiny 4x8 folding trailer.  Inflatable beds, inflatable couch, inflatable lounger, folding table, chairs, dishes, bedding, etc.  Living quite clutter free these days, and it feels nice.

Family Camping Trip

Another visit from our Utah family prompted an escape from Chandler to head north to the beautiful Mogollon Rim country near Payson.  Two nights in a forest service campground that was a bit too close to the road, but otherwise nice.  Two days exploring creeks, canyons, and swimming in cold water, then a day down on the shore of Roosevelt Lake.

Three more weekends of work and we are heading north to Alaska.  This being our last camping trip, I'm ready to leave right now.  The job has been one of the better ones, but regardless, it feels like it's time to go.

Tonto Natural Bridge

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Blurry family pic from the bridge

Seeping water over the lip of the bridge.

The river that spills over the top of the bridge.

Campfires every night.  

Day two hike to Christopher Creek.

Brrr.......but nice clear water.

Smell the roses?

More blooming plants.

East Verde River

30' waterfall

A break in the swim to warm up.

Lizard growing new tail?

The namesake water wheel.

Blooming saguaro.

Apache Lake.

Couldn't resist.

Blooming cholla.

Browns Peak

Blurry iPhone pic of javalina in camp.

Morning ride above Roosevelt Lake.  iPhone pics.

Sierra Anchas

Four days in the Sierra Anchas east of Roosevelt lake exploring the Sonoran Desert and highlands near Young, AZ.  Swimming in crystal clear creeks in slot canyons, biking in the forest, and hiking to very remote, hard to access Indian ruins.  One of our best outings yet.

Commuting stop for lunch at the Salt River

Heading up 2,500ft to Parker Creek area.

Short drive on dirt to an amazing campsite.

Look closely.

Spider hole/web

Parker Canyon

More blooming flowers.

Roosevelt Lake in background.

Heading out to the higher ground near Young, AZ.

Hard to get pictures in action.......

A flower we haven't seen yet, similar to Hedgehog, but red, not purple.

Found our swimming hole.

Cold, but pleasant with sun and temps in the 80's.

Up around 6,000ft in the blink of an eye, and into entirely different terrain and temps.

Briefly stopped in Young, AZ, then left.

The drive seemed like something you'd find in Colorado, not Arizona.  Twisty roads, forested, mountainous, and quite scenic.

Next campsite had  a bonus river nearby.

The following morning bath site.

Unusually green for AZ.

Heading in 24 miles to Cherry Creek.  The last two miles took nearly an hour.

Lunch site.

Cherry Creek.

One lane, rough, slow going.

Devil's Chasm, where the indian ruins are, WAY up there.

That's not gonna work!

In camp leveling.

And a little bouldering.

Short hike up Devil's Chasm.

Morning hike/slog up to the Salado Ruins.  Stiff hike, very steep, and keeps the riff/raff out.  The ruins are well preserved, and a very special place.  A totally different feel than the commercialized ruins you find elsewhere.

The hike up was just as amazing as the ruins.

The ruins can be seen bottom left of the cliff.  The approach, if you were hostile, wouldn't be wise.  The Salado would see or here you, and it would be easy for them to trounce you.  It's so steep and overgrown getting  up there, then there's a small ledge traversing to the housing units.....great location.

Construction.

Morning sun.  This is 7:00am in April.

Looking through the three rooms/doors.  Tiny little openings.  How small were the Salado?

I'm assuming, perhaps naively, that this is all the original stuff.  This place is so inaccessible, it's hard to imagine any work has been done to restore it.

Blooming ocotillo.