Day 20

No exploring today at Cave Creek.  Woke up to rain.  It kept raining.  And we did not get into the regular campground.  We really did not want to spend a whole day in the "parking lot" without electricity with an all day rain in the forecast.  Actually, it's supposed to rain through Monday - with highs only in the 50's.

So I called the other three Regional Parks and two were full with long lines waiting - no chance to get in today.  The third and largest, Pleasant Lake, had a few spaces available and it was only 30 miles away.  We packed up quickly and headed West to get there before it filled up.  We got in without a wait, but after driving around the entire campground only two spaces were empty.  We got a decent one (given only a choice of two) and quickly set up for the day in the rain.  It's now 9:30pm and still raining so we did nothing today to share with you.  Maybe the rain will clear out tomorrow - it's only a 30% chance - and we'll be able to get out a little.  Forecast is for rain again on Monday before clearing up again.  We were feeling pretty "cocky" about our weather lately, but not so much now.  It sucks!

But you know, it's not snowing! We'll take it!


There is a chain of "hamburger restaurants" out West, mostly in California and Arizona, called IN-N-OUT.  They used to be hard to find because all are family owned and not franchised.  But now they seem to be opening in every new mall in the Tucson and Phoenix area.  Last Thursday, our last day in Catalina, we had to pay a visit to one nearby.  I'm not sure what the attraction is, maybe just the simplicity of the whole operation or the fact we have to drive 2000 miles to find one.  As the menu belows shows, there are only three choices - hamburger, hamburger with cheese, or double hamburger with double cheese.  That's it!  Oh, add fries if you want and a drink, but nothing else.  They are always busy, very clean, extremely fast, and great tasting.  The dogs love going because they will sell a single, plain patty just for them.

The menu

Ellen had a double double, I had a double double with an extra "dog" patty (for me)

Spotless operation

Cave Creek Regional Park

Our "overflow" parking lot campsite

Testing to see if the wine is the proper temperature

Home is where we park it

We were treated to a beautiful sunset

This is our new site at Lake Pleasant on Saturday

And here is a panoramic video of the Lake Pleasant area.  Not exceptional, just wanted to provide you with a "feel" for the area

CLICK HERE

Day 19

We really hated to leave Catalina State Park, but it was time to move on.  Originally signed on for 5 days, added 3 more, and then added one more - and almost decided to stay our full 14 day limit.  It's really comfortable to be in that area.

But, we left this morning.  Only drove 130 miles north to the Phoenix area.  Phoenix has four Regional Parks that have RV sites with water and electricity.  We have been to three of them and today "bagged" our fourth.
It is Cave Creek Recreation Area in Cave Creek, AZ.  North and slightly East - near Scottsdale.

For tonight we are in an overflow lot without electricity.  We expected it to be full and were right.  The regular campground is small (only 38 sites) and you almost have to be here at 9:00am to have a chance to get a spot.  We are 3rd in line to get in.  Might get in tomorrow, but Sunday for sure.  We are self sufficient so it really isn't a problem.  We can run our onboard generator as late as 10:00pm here (way past my bedtime) so the only issue is the noise it creates when running.

More tomorrow after we do a little exploring.

Day 18

Today's post is in memory of Riley, Mike & Cindy Marshall's Golden Retriever who had to be put down yesterday due to cancer. 

We got to camp with Riley last fall when the Lauer/Marshall RV caravan traveled out to The Badlands National Park.  He sure enjoyed being with his Mom & Dad on that two week trip.  Here he is taking it all in.

He is now at the Rainbow Bridge (click here) waiting with his brother Jackson

to be reunited with Mike and Cindy

Day 17

We seem to be getting more energentic.  Another hike today.  But this time the puppies got to go.  We've done this hike every time we have stayed here and it is well worth the effort.  Not too long, not too hard, and water fun for the dogs.  About 3 hours total time.  I'm posting most pictures from today's hike without a lot of "verbage".  Kind of speaks for itself.  It was kind of a "dog day" so lot's of dog pictures.

In addition to the pictures, I have included one movie of our hike.  Be sure to click on the link at the bottom of this post.  Oh what the hell, Here is the link to click on The Girls in the Gulch  You will see in the pictures that Isabelle likes to roll in the sand after getting wet and Gracie likes to dive for rocks.  In the video, Ellen is trying to wash the sand off of Issy and Gracie just keeps diving for rocks.

We flipped a coin today and the result was to stay one more day.  We want to move on, but it is hard to even think about leaving this perfect setting.  We could not make up our minds, so the coin flip told us what to do.

The big picture of the trail area

Start of the trail - wide & easy

The girls finally find water

Isabelle "drying off" - we call it rah-rah-roo

Gracie "diving" for rocks

Ellen cooling her "tooties"

Gracie "caught" a big one

Gracie's rock "sized" next to her leash for comparison

She won't quit!

Back at trail head - we had many stream crossings along the trail - including this to start and finish with

Weather is to die for here.  Enjoy the pictures and thanks for following along with us.

Ellen, Jim, Isabelle,and Gracie

Day 16

Sure seems like we have been gone more than 16 days. Especially since the last 7 have been at one spot here at Catalina.  We really do feel comfortable at this State Park!  Might even extend our stay to see more of what the area offers.  Can't find better weather.  Why leave?

Today we hiked up the Pima Canyon Trail.  Drove a little less than 30 minutes to get there, hiked about 90 minutes up then turned back.  The trail goes for miles and miles, but we did not have the time for more (having left the dogs back at the RV), but got a good physical exercise.

Ellen at the start of the trail

"Rock Hopping" across the wash trying to keep feet dry

Trail view

Cactus in bloom - lots of rain recently.  Correction!  Ellen says it is not in bloom, but it is budding just prior to blooming.

Trail view

Trail "dude"

It's not obvious from this picture, but that's Tucson in the distance

This is part of the Pima Canyon Trail

Entrance to Catalina State Park

Looking back from the entrance to Catalina towards the Highway (Az 77) and the big mall area just across the road - quite a contrast!

Day 15

Today we drove up Mt. Lemmon - 9,175 ft in elevation.
Last year we got half way up but did not know how far it actually was when we started.  Should have filled the gas tank.  Got within 16 miles of the top but was very low on gas so we had to turn around.
This time we made the summit.  It was a 120 mile round trip from our campsite and it took most of the day.
Pictures of our trip follow.  Too many to add "verbage" to all.  Really amazing how much the climate changes within such a short distance of the park.

Also included are pictures taken at Biosphere2.  Ellen insisted!

Hope you enjoy >>>>

Biosphere campus housing for visiting scientists and students

Biosphere 2 entrance

Need to click on to read

A big picture of it all

The Ocean

Mt Lemmon picnic area

Tucson is down there somewhere

Best looking couple on Mt Lemmon today

My three girls

The Mt Lemmon area was destroyed by a fire a few years ago.  Lots of downed trees.

Brother Tim and Sista Dea - we were thinking of you when we saw this at the top of the mountain

My "Rock Hound" Isabelle

Hoodoo's