Getting Dressed in the Dark

Saturday, October 29, 2011

OK, so I've never been known for my fashion sense.  But hiking has taken it to a new low.  I don't care, but I thought I should warn anyone who comes to visit.  Gray shorts, purple shirt, screaming green jacket, pink hat...I did have on gray socks that sort of matched my shorts.  Really, I did!  Oh, the black gloves keep my hands warm when I start out on these chilly desert mornings.  Don't need them for long.

Perhaps this is why I rarely see any animals???

It's the weekend, which means hordes of turistas coming into Sedona.  Which means I'm avoiding anything in "town."  I headed out to hike the Bell Trail - another favorite spot east of I-17 (Sedona is west).  Good choice!  I had at least 31/2 miles of solitude (read:  no humans) on the way in.   I have done this trail before, but had never crossed the creek to climb the other side of the canyon. 

Bell's Crossing

WOW!  New views at every turn,   Mother Nature's 3 lovely sounds - the breeze through the treetops, the songs of the birds (including western bluebirds), and the babble of Wet Beaver Creek down below.

                       A lovely spot above the creek

Red rock columns and desert greenery

    The long and winding road...           

Love the way this trail hugs the rock walls!

On the way back, I had a nice view of 3 mule deer making their way along the western slope.  A doe and 2 young'uns, white tails flicking as they went, huge ears at attention.

Very glad to be heading out as the humans began heading in.  I was just about back to the trail head...and along comes a group of young adults - a 400 lb guy not wearing a shirt, his friend yakking loudly into his cell phone, and bringing up the rear...a guy dragging a full-sized cooler on wheels.  Over the rocks, up the slope, bump-rattle-racket-racket-racket.  As we YATs say - GAWD.  I'm outta here!

Getting Freaked

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2001

After yesterday's downpours, today dawned bright and clear.  I headed out to hike the Munds Wagon Trail (remnants of an old cattle-drive road).  I've done this trail before and just love it.  It winds through open areas, crosses several washes, and passes through some lovely forested spots.  I was surprised to see some things still blooming, especially Indian Paintbrush (a long-time favorite). 

On the way up, I met 4 women from Phoenix hiking together.  I just love the camaraderie of women friends!  They had such fun laughing together, and we exchanged emails.  Made me miss my girlfriends...(who had better come out here and hike with me!).

Merry-Go-Round Rock never disappoints.  About 6 miles round trip...worth every step! 

                          View of Merry-Go-Round Rock

View from Merry-Go-Round Rock                        

On the way down, I was happily tromping along when the sunlight on the trail fell upon a...OMG...TARANTULA!  Right smack in the middle of the trail.   It wasn't easy, but I did take some photos.  I'm amazed they are in focus, as I was doing my arachnophobia jig.  I know I have friends who are actually arachnophiles (thanks for nothing, Pam!), but it just seems wrong to me that a spider can be that big!  He was stationary for a while...and then began moving toward me.  OK, time for me to go and I gave him a very wide berth.  Yeesh.  If you are an arachnophobe....DO NOT scroll down!

                            Holy crap!  Get off my trail! 

               (Perhaps we were both having the same thought.)

He's on the move and I'm outta there!                     

After a picnic lunch back at the trail head, I went to Page Springs to chase birds.  The fish hatchery there attracts a wide variety of feathered friends.  Some mowing was being done today, and I think that kept some of them away.  There were lots of ducks and herons near the ponds (including Widgeons - so pretty!).  I didn't stay long, but plan to return early one morning.

As I was leaving, I thought I saw a Bald Eagle fly overhead.  Yes!  He landed on the rocks above the road, and I had a great view for a while.  Two crows came by, obviously unhappy with the eagle's presence.  They circled closer and closer, until the eagle took off.  I enjoyed watching their aerobatics until all three disappeared beyond the ridge.  Would much rather watch soaring birds than creeping spiders!

Spider notwithstanding...another great day in Red Rock country!          

Getting Meal-y

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

I decided to try to put to use some of the thousands of Velvet Mesquite pods littering the yard at the house.  I collected a bunch, washed and dried them, and with the help of a great site I found on Google...

Dried Mesquite pods

Using the coffee bean grinder to make the meal
 (glad I didn't have to grind it using a couple of rocks!)

The finished product

Now, if you can stop laughing long enough to read this...Mesquite is high in fiber and protein, and also a good source of potassium and zinc.  I'm betting the jelly beans I consume do not have all that good stuff.  I'm going to bring home this meal and use it to make some whole wheat pancakes. 

I can hardly wait for next summer, when I can start harvesting Prickly Pear fruit.  Hey, that stuff can be used to make Margaritas!  Ole!

Getting Older...

October 25, 2011

A few years ago, I began the tradition of spending my birthday at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I've been lucky enough to keep it going, and hope that continues until I have to be wheeled out there on some sort of geezer-mobile.  The weather was cause for some concern this time, but the stormy sky only made for dramatic lighting over the Canyon - and it changed every few minutes.   Only a few raindrops fell on the South Rim, as the rain moved from south to north and dumped mostly on the North Rim.

Upon arriving at the entrance gate, I purchased a new annual pass.  I had to show my driver's license and when the ranger saw the date, she sang "Happy Birthday" to me.  A fun way to start the day! 

My first stop was Shoshone Point, a place I learned about with the Sierra Club a few years ago.  Few people know of it, and many tourists would not make the 1 mile walk to get to it.  So it remains quiet and off the "tourist trail" - and I hope it stays that way.  Saw only 6 others in the time I was there.

No place I'd rather be!

Had my lunch at this spot, just west of Yaki Point.  I like to offer to take photos for couples and families that come by - a nice way to meet people and they are always so happy to have a shot of everyone.  Perhaps I should put out a "tip jar."

I took the shuttle down to Hermit's Rest (the road is closed to cars until December).  Just as we stopped at one of the lookout points, a Condor did a fly-by!  Generally don't see them this time of year, as they've already headed for points south.  I waited there for a bit, hoping he'd come back around, but no luck today.

From Hermit's Rest, I did a short hike down The Hermit Trail.  Never been on that trail - it is not nearly as well-traveled as Kaibab or Bright Angel and I enjoyed seeing a short section of it.  Maybe someday...to the bottom from here?  The weather was threatening at this point and I used that as my excuse to go no farther.  Every step down is a step back up!

View of the Redwall from Hermit Trail. 

Just to the right of the center tree, you can see

a tiny speck of the Colorado River

This guy caused an "Elk jam" along a road - he was yoooge!

These Utah Junipers take on unique,        

sculptural shapes along the rim            

It was a fabulous day, but I still had the long drive back to Sedona.  In good weather/daylight, I enjoy the drive down from Flagstaff's 7000 ft elevation to Sedona's 4000 ft.  In the dark and pouring rain?  Not so much.  The little Z and I white-knuckled it down I-17 and just the signs along the road are near panic-inducing in those conditions:  Watch for Rocks!  Watch for Elk!  Runaway Truck Ramp (eek)!  Road Construction!  Steep Mountain Grades!

I am always happy to see the Sedona exit - and this time it was a great relief!

  Safe and dry at the casita,

 and a birthday treat/wish to mark the day.

Getting to a New Place

Monday, October 24

I've been wanting to see the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and made the drive down on Monday.  Had to go to Phoenix anyway, to choose the slab for the new countertops.  The Arb is about an hour east of Phoenix, truly in the middle of nowhere.  You gotta wanna get there.  Wow, is it worth the drive!

The Arboretum is set below these hills,

covered in my favorite things - Saguaro Cacti!

I spent several very happy hours here, chasing birds and looking at the vast variety of plants.  Saw this little ground squirrel having lunch atop a boulder. 

Saw this sign along a trail, and thought it was a very clever way to keep humans out.  It sure worked on me!





My two favorite shots of the day - the second one especially, because this bird is a "lifer" for me!

  This male Anna's Hummingbird turned                    

 toward me at just the right moment!                       

                 

Took some chasing, but I finally caught this male

 Broad-billed Hummingbird in a rare moment of stillness

I'll definitely be returning to Boyce Thompson Arboretum next spring when the desert is in bloom!

Getting Star-struck

Saturday, Oct. 22

The night skies here in the high desert are often awe-inspiring.  It has been perfectly clear all week, and with little moonlight the stars are putting on an amazing show.  One need only look overhead for a great view of the Milky Way.  Saturday night, I went to a "star party" at the Red Rock Ranger Station just down the road.  The local astronomy club (AstroVerde) had telescopes set up, aimed at various objects in the sky.  I went from one telescope to the next and these star gazers were happy to share their knowledge and enthusiasm.  Had WOW views of star clusters, several nebulae, Cassiopeia, Andromeda galaxy and the planet Neptune!  My favorites of the night were Jupiter - with 4 moons visible, and the Pleiades (a/k/a Seven Sisters).  Also saw several shooting stars.  Can you say "amazing!"

Not a great pic - taken with my phone in the fading light - 

but shows where the telescopes were set up at the ranger station.

Sunday, October 23

Sunday morning's hike was into Woods Canyon - the main trail can be accessed from an "unofficial" trail behind our house.  It winds across Wild Horse Mesa before turning into the Canyon and following Dry Beaver Creek.  I love the way the trail winds and rolls through this beautiful area.  There were lots of birds around, including flycatchers, bushtits (I can hear you laughing, Peggy!), finches and a Northern Harrier.  Some sort of furry mammal ran across the trail ahead of me, but I did not get a good look.  A marmot?  Lots of animal tracks and scat (deer, elk, javelina) but no other sightings.  :(

A favorite spot along the trail

I can't see Russia from the house, but I can see Bell Rock!

Getting Wow-ed at West Fork

Friday, October 21

I try to hike this trail at least once every visit, and it never disappoints.  Regardless of season, despite the crowds (mostly on the way back - I start out as early as possible), this 6.4 mile round trip is a feast for the senses.  Anyone who comes to visit will be dragged here and forced to endure towering Ponderosa Pines, dramatic canyon walls, meandering Oak Creek, wildflowers galore, a chorus of birdsong...don't say I didn't warn you!

Just one of endless glorious spots along the trail

Ditto

My kind of Golden Arches              

Mother Nature's "red carpet"

I helped this Wooly Bear (and several of his kin) across

the trail so they wouldn't get smushed. 

I saw a few other people doing the same thing - go Wooly Bears, go!

Yes, the sky looks like this every day!

Getting Some Kind of Award

Two loooonnnngggg days in a bumpy truck - 15.5 hours the first day, 14+ hours the second day.  Pulling a trailer loaded with 4 motorcycles and an assortment of worldly possessions.  Does that qualify for some kind of award?  It seems much longer and is much more boring to be the passenger instead of the driver.  I give Ken credit for doing a great job of driving that rig - I did not believe we could make it in two days.  Good weather did help, as did fewer road construction areas than I've seen in the past.  However, the major jam outside of Oklahoma City on Sunday night was about as bad as it gets.




The rig makes it to the house - there goes the neighborhood!





                             The bikes arrive unscathed

Tuesday morning, it was wonderful to see the clear blue AZ sky, breathe in the crisp, fresh air - and devour pastries from Desert Flour Bakery.  The trailer got unloaded, I managed some time at the pool, we had a brief hike in Jack's Canyon, and topped off the day with Pizza Picazzo.  Food is definitely becoming a theme here.

And continuing with that theme...this morning included breakfast at Mesa Grill - the brand new restaurant atop Airport Mesa.  Wow!  Major windows allow views of the surrounding red rocks, tour planes and helicopters coming and going.  And the whole wheat pancakes...yum!  We enjoyed our meal with friends Richard and Kathleen.  Afterwards, the guys headed off to do guy stuff, Kathleen went home (perhaps to work on her new book due out soon?), and I hiked the Airport Mesa loop.  Always a great hike, 360 degree views of the area, lots of wildflowers still in bloom.  Fresh javelina scat on the trail, but no other sign of the beasts.  If I have to hike around their scat, the least they could do is let me get a look at them.

The sun lights up an Ocotillo taking on

autumn shades

M - I - C,   K - E - Y...

Asters bloom against a

Beavertail Cactus backdrop

This evening, attended a wonderful program on owls presented by the Keep Sedona Beautiful organization.  It was a packed house and a fun, informative presentation.  Three owls were brought in by a rescue/rehab group in the Phoenix area - such fun to see them up close!

Banshee the Barn Owl (love that name!)

Olivia, the Great Horned Owl

My favorite - Shorty, the Burrowing Owl. 

Had never before seen a live one, and it is now

my mission to see one in the wild!

Not much to report so far on birds along the trails.  White crowned sparrows, one red tailed hawk, one quail racing across the road, and some cute juniper titmice (titmouses?) at the feeder this afternoon.  Hearing hummingbird chatter, but so far have not seen any at the feeder.