Cool Day, Good Dog

We've finally been getting some monsoon weather, more typical of Arizona this time of year. This morning was so humid, it was more like being in Florida instead of what most people think Arizona is like.

Some new friends of ours' from Casa Grande phoned this morning to see if we'd be interested in a short Jeep run up Workman Creek to Aztec Peak, it sounded like it would be a good escape from the sticky, icky temperatures we're having here at home.

As we climbed to the higher elevations we could feel the temperature dropping and when we arrived at the firetower on Aztec Peak, the towerman reported that the temperature was only 65º, what a super change, we haven't felt a cool temperature like that in a long time. It was overcast with spotty rain at times, the sun stayed in for the entire trip keeping the temperatures pleasantly cool. We've been testing Growlph to see how he'd do riding in the Jeep, taking him on A-Cross Road a few days ago and then up Workman Creek today, we're happy to report he did fine. He was interested in all the new smells and sights and gave no sign of carsickness at all. On the way home, he slept like a baby, not a care in the world. It looks like Growlph is going to fit right in with our lifestyle, he's passed the Jeep test with flying colors.

It's a dog's life, and this one's got it made

Clouds giving the mountains a smokey appearance

Cloudcover kept the temperatures down


Two red Jeeps are better than one

Ralph, Bruce and Judy with Red the towerman on Aztec Peak.

It's a BOY!

We were going a bit nuts around here without a Schnauzer in the house, the house seemed empty, so we contacted the Schnauzer rescue group in Phoenix, wonderful people who are doing a superb job placing Mini Schnauzers in need of forever homes. They phoned us last Thursday to tell us they had a Schnauzer that might suit us, so we headed to Phoenix on Friday stopping at Petsmart along the way to get everything we'd need, we were already sure we were going to adopt him and sure enough, after seeing him, there was no doubt.
He's five years old, salt & pepper, a bit pudgy but dieting (he fits right into our lifestyle) and packed with personality. He's housebroken with no real issues, well, maybe just a few, but we can work through his insecurities he's well past the puppyhood stage, just right for us.
He adjusted to our house immediately and decided WE could easily become trained to cater to his every whim, he's right. This morning we were up at 2:30 AM playing growly nip bark, in the den with a very rambunctious Mini Schnauzer...he decided we'd all had enough sleep and it was time to play.
He came to us named "Snoopy" no self-respecting Schnauzer (unless he's got Beagle aspirations) should be named Snoopy, so we've changed his name to "Growlph," .... a combination of GRrrrowl and Ralph, it seems fitting to name him after his Dad.
We're hoping he'll become our trail riding companion, he seems to ride well without getting carsick, he'll be a nice addition to our explorations.
We'd like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who is looking for a terrific pet to consider one of the breed specific rescue groups, there are many of them out there, an internet search should yield the results you're looking for. There are a lot of great dogs looking for good, loving homes. Puppies are cute but there's a lot to be said for a mature dog who is well past the piddling on the floor, chewing your shoes stage.

Farewell Bailey

Bailey "Boo"

10/28/95 - 7/3/09

On Friday, 7/3/09, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Bailey. His poor little body was failing him quickly. The end for him was peaceful, we held him until the vet pronounced him gone...
Even though we knew it was inevitable, it seems one is never prepared for such a terrible loss. Words can't describe the pain we're feeling at this time, but we're trying to remember the happy times.
It seems I'm at a loss for words to describe what Bailey meant to us, his presence is everywhere, a toy on the floor, an empty place in all of his favorite spots, but most of all he lives on in our hearts and memories of the wonderful times we had with Bailey.
Those of you you have experienced the loss of a dear pet will know what we're trying to say.
Eventually, the sadness will be replaced with smiles as we remember the richness Bailey added to our lives.
Sleep well our beloved Bailey Boo ..............

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Return to the mountains...

We returned to the mountains this morning. It's beautiful and so nice and cool up way up there among the tall pines above the 5000 ft. elevation. This trail is another one in the Reynolds Creek Area. The trail ends at a cliff side, far below we could see Cherry Creek Road and the Sierra Ancha Wilderness seeming to stretch on for miles. It's difficult to capture the depth of these canyons and the wide panoramic views in one dimensional photographs, but they are truly spectacular to experience first hand. We hiked a little way up a trail, there's an old mine up there, but you'd need to be a goat to reach it now. It's hard to imagine how ore was ever hauled out of such a remote location.
A nice morning, now for some food and a nap ... it's a rough life, but someone's got to do it.

The trail ends here.......

This is a very deep, steep canyon

it's hard to show the dimension

in a photo

The Sierra Ancha Wilderness spread out below

One false step here and it's a long way down

Manzanita in bloom

Ralph with Old Peep's Jeep and Old Blue

Blue Spotted Fungus Beetle

Reynolds Creek Mill

Our curiosity got the best of us, so we set out at 6:30 this morning to take a closer look at the mill we spotted along Reynolds Creek yesterday. Larry & Jean decided to follow a hiking trail leading off into the mountains while we crawled around the old mill ruins. From what we've been able to find after doing some brief research, the mill operated from the late 1800s on and off until the mid 1940s. We were correct in our speculations yesterday, after examining the extensive mine tailings, we were able to determine that Asbestos from the areas vast mining operations was being processed there. Huge mounds of Asbestos tailings were piled alongside Reynolds Creek.
Larry & Jean returned telling us about a wonderful oasis complete with a waterfall that they located about a mile up the trail. They also reported that there were several more mines in that general vicinity. We'll head back there during the Winter months to check it out, once the temperatures are more bearable and the snakes are sound asleep.
We spotted three King Snakes near the creek, they were living under an old tree root. I suppose as far as snakes go, these guys were particularly pretty ones, wearing very vivid colors. They're shy, non venomous snakes, who preferred to crawl back into their tree root that to stick around watching us.

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Asbestos tailings mounded along the creek

Old Asbestos Mill

According to the NY Times, the foundry
that made these mill parts burned to the
ground January 1, 1900

More mill remains

Here's Larry wrangling (annoying) the King Snake

One King Snake, there were two more under the log.

Reynold's Creek Trail

One of the beauties of reaching the so-called golden age is the ability to come home from a Jeep ride, eat a full meal, curl up on the sofa and take a nap, all without the necessity of feeling guilty or explaining to anyone why we're doing so....today was no exception.

We headed out at 7 this morning with Jean & Larry to run a trail up in the Sierra Anchas. The air was crisp, clear and downright cold at that early hour, an invigorating change from the desert heat we've been having lately.

Reynold's Creek Trail is simply beautiful, there's no other way to describe it. The scenery changed as we rounded each curve in the trail. Tall, thick Pine forests gave way to rolling meadows, crowned by rocky cliffs and soaring spires. Deer wander the area at will, grazing the abundant greenery. We saw a few deer, plus evidence of elk and bears. The bear tracks looked fresh and very large, we must have just missed him as he stopped to drink from a puddle in the middle of the trail leaving just his huge paw prints behind.

Everything was blooming, Manzanitas, Locust trees and Pines decorated the landscape. Columbines were in full bloom alongside Reynold's Creek

The trail itself is a nice one, a bit rocky, rutted in places with a few large to mid size boulders thrown in for a challenge. The Jeeps did just fine, taking us where we wanted to go in a reasonably comfortable manner.

This area was once heavily mined, we saw remnants of what appeared to be an old mill built right alongside Reynold's Creek, although we'll have to do further research to determine what was being milled there. Asbestos and Uranium mines dot the hillsides. We'll definitely return to explore the old mill site further.

We came home, ate a great meal and took a 2 hour nap, Ahhh life is good.

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Columbine in bloom

Columbines along the creek

The remains of an old mill

Sweeping views

Big bear paw prints

Locust trees in bloom

Inside the old mine, looking out at Ralph, Jean and Larry

This short tunnel looks like they were digging sample holes. If I had to guess, I'd say they found asbestos.

This is the only old bat we saw in this mine.

Some more wildflowers

Cactus Garden 2009

Since we planted our cactus garden a few years ago, it's been growing, maturing and continuing to amaze us every day. Many cacti bloom only at night, the blooms quickly fade and die when the sun rises. Every morning in Spring and Summer we check the garden just after the sun rises to gather pictures before these fantastic flowers wither.
The aromas are intoxicating, we can smell them as we approach the garden. I wish we could upload the scent along with the pictures so we could share the entire experience with you.....