Friday, March 9, 2012

HARQUEHALA MOUNTAIN

Karen Mills in an abandoned ruin at the base of Harquehala Mountain


A large old water basin: for the animals would be my guess.






On our way up: pretty red barrel cacti on the side of the mountain.




This poor old Saguaro got decapitated.




Quite a steep climb. We walked up about a half mile.





This amazing saguaro was on our way up. Denny is 6'3" tall. We estimated the saguaro to be 30-40 feet tall. Saguaros grow approx. 1" per year. About 8' of this one was below the banking.





definitely a tall one!



Inside the old mine on Harquehala Mountain




small metal tracks lead inside the mine.




looking back out towards the entrance




This streak of copper residue followed along the side of the mine shaft.



Looking out to the entrance of the mine






remnants of the old wooden framework in front of the mine



As if we hadn't climbed up far enough, Paul (Billy Goat Fournier) had to go up to the next ridge to look down on us!




The old wooden structure as we first saw it.




a five foot tall Teddy Bear Cholla on the side of our path




A tiny cactus clings tenatiously to a rock crevice.



Thursday, March 8, 2012

RIDE TO TWIN PEAKS

Beautiful twin peaks
such a gorgeous evening



Amazing view with Teddy Bear Cholla in the foreground



backlit and beautiful



A pack rat burrow, protected by Teddy Bear Cholla cactus




Inviting trail into the wilderness





FRANK FLIES HIS POWERED PARACHUTE

A puff of dust as he gently hits the ground
Guiding it in between the Saguaro




What a pretty chute and a perfectly calm day to fly.




Coming in from a trip into the desert







BOX CANYON RIDE AND GEOCACHE

Judy and Joann check out the booty
Pristine geocache



Judy checks out the treasure





Judy's brave, she reaches in



Not sure what the rocks were for



Pack rats cover their burrows with Teddy Bear Cholla to keep out predators




Garey C. and Frank K. check out the rocks



Canadian Pat P. enjoying his RZR





Really cool box canyon







The brittle bush is out in full bloom


Friday, March 2, 2012

PAUL TAKES HIS CHECK RIDE (LOL)

Paul's helo on the ground. Not much damage.

hmmmm he's on the ground but what happened to the examiner?
Must have lost him somewhere over Prescott.


Ah well, all grins.





Guess you could call it a fixer upper.








PRESCOTT AND THE PALACE

Wonderful life size statue in Wickenburg

iPhone photo from our walk on Watson Lake in Prescott








I love this shot. So different.




Paul and I had a drink and lunch at the historic "Palace" hotel and saloon, built in 1877





Paul sits at the bar