travel
Having lived for ages in the great state of Arizona, I thought I had seen a lot. And, I really did see a lot, but I neglected year after year to watch the zoo lights.
This year, the wife and I decided to go. It seemed a great way to celebrate the holidays, and a super time to take some night photos. We found a ticket discounted $1 at the Fry’s Grocery Store service desk (all Fry’s carry them), and headed to the zoo. Total entree $13 each, believe me, a bargain.
We anticipated something “NICE”. What a mistake. This was absolutely, positively the coolest thing ever.
We could see the lights from the freeway 202 and new something special was in store.
It was gorgeous. There were a lot of people, but it didn’t feel that way. We weren’t all crushed together. There were 4 circular type loops of pathway that went by sections of the zoo. It was easy to follow each path. The kids and adults were amazed as the zoo did indeed have 17 million LCD lights wrapped around trees and wound around frameworks of animals. They were beautifully done. We went on January 6 and it was such wonderful weather.
I am including my photos of the event and a link. The history and such can be found there. Bottom line, we both felt ashamed for not having come sooner. I am taking my granddaughter there next year. At 4 years she should really get a bang out of it.
It is rumored that Pancho Villa once stashed a cache of valuables somewhere in Arnett Canyon, Arizona. Located south of highway 60 and just west of Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, it is located across the ridge below which the arboretum is located. One must hike in from the west or east, and we hiked from the west as it seemed easier to
approach the canyon from there and follow the Arnett Creek east around to the bottom of the canyon. One can also approach the canyon from the perlite mine in Superior, Arizona and head west around the ridge shadowing the arboretum. I have never done that, and it seems one would have to cross private property, but I am not sure.
While I discovered no treasure (wasn’t looking for any either), I discovered a treasure of beautiful plants and weather worn rocks and mountains. After about 2 miles, there was a lot of water in the creek, which I found unusual since everything near where I live there is pretty dry. The temps were around 89 degrees so the hiking was very pleasant. The highlight of the trip was climbing 3/4 of the way up a mountain to a pinnacle of white rock which can be seen for miles. Seeing the other mountain ranges from there was breathtaking. It was about 3 hours walk into the canyon where we stopped.
Had a delightful day hiking into Arnett Canyon. Beautiful rock formations and lush green desert growth. The canyon is south of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. See page 2.
It is amazing what the sea can do to metal. This is very interesting; a veritable treasure.
You should take a look at these photos.
http://sillymonkeyphoto.com/2013/02/10/from-flagstaff-to-sedona/
For an even bigger adventure, click http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g31352-w2-Sedona_Arizona.html#26002526
See the 6808 candid photos by TripAdvisor travelers. This is a cornucopia of wonderful shots.
Today was quite a wonderful day in several ways. First, I was going to Tucson to visit my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Second, the sky was perfectly clear revealing a wonderful blue sky. Third, I found the Santa Catalina Mountains still had specks of snow visible on top of the peaks. But, fourth, the snow was melting and the streams falling from above down the mountain were different in color, which made me look closer. Of course, the snow melt created water flow, and that is why the recesses between gorges were so shiny!! It doesn’t take much to excite a 63 year old.
I pulled over and took a photo of the mountain range and will now share it with you. You probably know that snow is rather rare in the desert, but at 9000 feet, the mountains can catch it when we get an unusual air flow from the jet stream that bends way south and creates mucho chilly temperatures. I won’t go into the temps because mid-westerners will laugh at what I consider cold. However, it is unusual to get down into the teens in southern Arizona. Flagstaff to the north got down to 6 degrees at one point. But that is to the north.
Here is a view of the last remnants of snow at the peaks that are melting and running down the mountain.
Of course, the best part was visiting my granddaughter and seeing how big she is getting. And of course, grandpa loves the running hug he gets from her every time she sees him.
Recently I began a blog focusing mainly on linking prospective or active gold prospectors to plans for building their own equipment. To date, I have 61 posts and links to plans for sluices, shaker tables, dry washers, rock crushers, high bankers, and much more. I have interspersed the plan links with history, photographs, artwork, maps and other curiosities about gold prospecting.
If you have enjoyed my reports about gold prospecting, I think you will find this interesting. At least I hope so!
Try reading my new blog offering free equipment plans for prospecting, photos, and some commentary on recreational prospecting. http://freeprospectingplans4u.blogspot.com/
AS you may know from reading my blog, I am very interested in placer gold mining. Placer gold is flake and nuggets found in waterways. It has been washed out of mountains where it became dislodged in nature, most often by the passage of water over an outcropping.
The following article is informative and has great photographs. I recommend this if you are at all interested in finding gold.
http://www.infobarrel.com/Gold_Pannig_The_How-To_Have_a_Great_Adventure