We figured on a quiet weekend along the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest; I mean the website says RVs can camp in the parking lot -- no other camping. HA. We had arrived to find a quiet parking lot; did a bit of geocaching; and hid from the hot sun. As the afternoon wound down, well, the activity level around us ratcheted UP. Some church had 40 high school girls' for tent camping (they showed up with a trailer BBQ!). 3 boy scout troops. About 25 other family and smaller groups. The Mesa HotSpots Fire Team came for a training hike. We just watched all this activity around us. YIKES.
Then we moved up to McDowell Mountain Regional Park (a Maricopa County Park). A real gem of a secluded campground; huge sites; and miles of trails, especially for mountain bikers. We did a bit of hiking and geocaching; rode bikes into town; and watched the vast Arizona sky. Explored the town of Fountain Hills -- a real snow bird high end destination. So fine, there is no laundromat in town but a very fine GoodWill store. So, let's buy clean clothes.
Time to leave the Sonoran Desert behind. The landscape grows on one. But, it is getting warm & the snakes are coming out. Time for me to get north! So in a few days we leave for Sedona & Red Rock country; explore some national monuments near Flagstaff, and then east slowly--going to National Wildlife Refuges and hoping for the first of spring migrants.
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| Cactus in Bloom; note the needles abounding! |
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| Carpets of flowers: purple, white, yellow |
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| Blooms |
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| Hedgehog cactus are probably glowing to the birds! |
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| Everyone is expecting a LONG fire season; there is no snow pack at all! |
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| Salt River -- all water being damned up river; just a trickle here |
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| Yellow! |
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| Grand Master Saguaro |
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| Calling all hummingbirds! |
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| Tiny blooms seem to be everywhere! |
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| Geocache hidden up a wash -- fun activity! |
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| Delicate flowers lacing on a decaying log (mesquite?) |
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