SHARING THE DESERT

After a particularly long, hard, frigid, winter in Northeastern Oregon, our friends Bob and Diana Rush were able to escape their lovely, but cold, home in Enterprise and with their Harley's tucked into the trailer, head South to spend a few days with us in the warm Arizona sun. It had snowed (again) the day before, but the window of opportunity was open....... I had made a Southwest Chicken soup to welcome them---I'll make this one again, as it is really yummy.

They had enjoyed Oatman and the burros who live there, so we did a return visit this year. Since Oatman is so close to Kingman, we had to hit Cracker Barrel for a bite to eat.

Diana did the walk at the bridge and channel with me. Off then to our wild animal rescue place in Valentine, AZ. Keepers of the Wild. Up close and personal with the animals at feeding time is an impressive sight. The stories of how these animals came to be here is sad, but with a happy ending for them.

The next day took us in the other direction, across Parker Dam. An "open house" sign caught our notice and we stopped to check out the "one and a half" models they had for sale. Somewhat pricey, but decorated so nicely with your own private beach space----I could live there. We looked at few more along the Parker Strip, also doable, but the $400 a mo. maintenance fee, was a major turnoff for me. They are interested in a "something in this area" to get out of the cold for a few months each winter, but do not yet know what that "something" will be. I would be great fun for us to have friends to ride with here."

The Desert Storm boat show was in full force on McCulloch. Diana and I walked it. Absolutely wild boats!

Friday a.m. we said "so long" to our friends. We may get to visit with them after our summer in Glacier National Park Glad we had a chance to share "our" Arizona warmth with them.

WHAT A DRAG

Drag race that is. We had a chance to work the Las Vegas spring drag race. It was our last chance to visit with our "race friends" for quite some time. The soapopera that is AS THE MAINGATE TURNS continues: Lots of plots and subplots, the twists and turns of life on the race circuit. Our friends that have left the MG family are all working elsewhere and happy.

We worked in the Nitro Mall, which gave us a renewed respect for our friends Len and Ellie, and found ourselves "working" with some young people who are temps and did as little "work" as they could. We were amazed at the lack of work ethic shown by them. Spikey Hair (we never did learn his name) was lazy, his girlfriend was sullen and bored.

I had to step up about 12 inches into the stock truck, and by Sunday noon, I felt as though I had been on my own personal StairMaster. I thought I could not step up there again! I should have buns of steel after that workout----but no such luck.

The 12 hour days of Fri. and Sat. turned into a 15 hour day on Sunday as we had to do the dreaded INVENTORY. The adults worked hard and the kids counted stuff. Doug is a machine, Patrick works like a dog....I think he will be sorely missed.

That was last weekend. We are home preparing for a visit from our Oregon/Harley friends Bob and Diana Rush. Dan has been busy with a landscape project and has not found any new roads to travel while they are here. But even if we travel on roads we have done before, it is always good to get on the bike and play with friends.

Return to the Lake

This adorable young tiger has absolutely nothing to do with our return home, but everything to do with Keepers of the Wild as Jonathan has about 10-12 of the beauties in residence AND I just remembered I had a picture!

Wildflowers; lupin, Indian paintbrush, the big yellow ones, and tall reddish ones lined the highway as we left the Verde Valley area and headed home to Havasu. Many of the Yucca were in bloom or just out of bloom. I'm searching for the" perfect "saguaro to photograph. "What constitutes the perfect saguaro" . That would be one with a solid green bottom, arms, but not too many, that curve upward and are symmetrical. One standing alone, preferably against blue sky with a few white clouds, and maybe some of the big yellow wildflowers at its base----That should keep me occupied for a while.

As we came through Parker and along the river, it struck me that the terrain is similar to what we had just enjoyed in Sedona--smaller and less grand, but similar. The river seemed especially blue today and I thought of our winter visitors who, for the most part, have returned

home to the North. As much as we enjoyed our stay in Verde Valley, home base is pretty nice too.

MYSTICAL RED ROCK LANDSCAPE

Sedona is situated in the heart of a unique geological area that has mesmerized visitors for years. Massive red rock monoliths that contrast with the green of cypress, pinon, junipers ,rise against a blue sky. Oak Creek winds through town from the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon. These words are mostly borrowed from a guide book, but truly describe the mystique that is Sedona.

We took a drive around scenic Red Rock Loop and discovered some walking/hiking trails which we intend to use on our next visit here. Everywhere I looked, I saw another photo op that I had to take.

While on the hunt for "native made" jewelry rumored to be found next to the Dairy Queen in Oak Creek Canyon (where it really is) Dan said he had just signed us up for a helicopter tour of the area. We had only to listen to a sales pitch for a property that had RV spaces. Well OK then, off we go, (we are pros at this sales pitch stuff) only to be met by a razor haircut, slick ,loud, high pressure salesman. Did I mention that this helicopter tour is FREE? We could deal with him-for the FREE helicopter tour-but due to a scheduling glitch, and Sam waiting for us back at the motorhome, we bid farewell to Delbert the razor-cut, slick, loud, high pressure salesman AND our FREE helicopter jaunt. I joked to Dan that it was all a ploy to whisk me away from the natives with the "native made" jewelry in Oak Creek Canyon. So, I bought a wonderful pair of earrings at the Blue-Eyed Bear in Sedona.

So much pottery, art, and jewelry--we will be back.

I neglected to mention Johnny Rocket's restaurant in the Cliff Castle Casino. Dan had the absolutely best hamburger he has ever had. You know that Dan is the hamburger guy, so if he thinks it's the best---it must be! We had a great little "senior" waitress, who enjoyed her job and did it well. Ya don't see that everyday.

Many, Many, Many Trails

Here we have Dan and Sam at a park in Verde Valley on the banks of the Verde River. Nice park.

With the purchase of our Camelot came an offer to stay 3 days at a Thousand Trails. We had planned this Arizona loop to include Keepers of the Wild, Williams (to check out a future job), the Grand Canyon, Cottonwood, Verde Valley, and Sedona. As Dan was reading Nick's blog (Gypsy Journal), he noticed that Nick and Miss Terry are staying at this TT.

"Are you up for another membership park sales pitch" asked Dan. "Sure", I said. Even though we are OK with boondocking where we can, stayed in field across from Grand Canyon RR station and across the street from Cliff Castle Casino, it would be nice to have a park to use as home base for a couple of weeks and explore the area---beautiful scenery , steeped in rich history.

Always on the lookout for great places to dine, we took Nick's advice and visited Hog Wild in nearby Cottonwood---absolutely great BBQ. Several other places were added to the list by Greg, the TT salesman. When can we come back here?

A Glimpse of the Past

Montezuma Castle National Monument-WOW-This ancient cliff dwelling dates back to 1150. The Castle stands in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. The Sinagua Indians lived in this valley along the banks of Beaver Creek which, along with Montezuma Well, provided water for daily living as well as for the farming. The natives grew corn, beans, squash, and even cotton.

Bits of pottery showed evidence of their artistic skill. The ranger attempted to play the flute, which he said was "really quite easy", but did a poor job of it. He did, however, weave a tale of life as it probably was in the days of the Sinagua Indians who lived in the great house up on the hill.

There is much of interest to see in the Verde Valley.

Just on a Wild Chance....

Our love of animals-big, wild, cats in particular, led us to the gate of an animal sanctuary that is literally the "last chance" for unwanted animals. Keepers of the Wild is home to 150 who would have otherwise been destroyed.

At one time Jonathan Craft was an illusionist, but seeing the abuse that was happening to the big cats used in the shows, decided to find a solution to the problem, rather than be part of the problem.
The story of how Keepers came about is indeed a tear- jerker for animal lovers. Johathan is truly my hero.

Keepers moved into their new home in Valentine, AZ where they have about 17 acres of land. Nice big habitats have been created for the 2 remaining lions, 4 or 5 cougars, and many tigers! Our adopted cats include Bobcat Angel, and Lynx-Kitty. There is a large pack of wolves and hybrids. We heard how many of the residents came to live at keepers and wonder what people are thinking when they attempt to make a pet (for a child) of a wild animal.

We were on hand for "snack time" about 2-ish, chicken bits designed to get the residents up and at'em. The cats would sleep the day away if you let them. The real meal, an 8-12 pound chunk of beef tossed over the fence, was quite a production. A team of workers placed pans of meat into spaces within the enclosures--teamwork is a must for safety. I could, would, love ,.to work here.

Over the years of travel we've spent the night where we could hear the crashing of waves, the babble of a brook, the wind in the trees, a train in the night. But this was the first time we've been able to hear the ROAR OF A LION!! Life is good.