Sunday, March 17, 2024

A FEW PHOTOS FROM NORTHERN ARIZONA AND UTAH.

 

Pronghorn north of Holbrook, AZ.

Further north of Holbrook, AZ.

Snowflake, AZ.

Near Round Rock, AZ.

Near Round Rock, AZ.

Near Round Rock, AZ.

Near Round Rock, AZ.

Near Round Rock, AZ.

Old house in Bluff, UT.

Old house in Bluff, UT.

Following two plow trucks between Blanding and Monticello, UT.

Following two plow trucks between Blanding and Monticello, UT.

Dropped down out of the snow zone on our way to Moab, UT.


Saturday, March 16, 2024

LAST PICS FROM SOUTHERN ARIZONA - WE'RE IN GRAND JUNCTION HEADED HOME!

We left Florence, AZ Wednesday morning and spent the night in Snowflake, AZ.  We drove through some sleet/snow just before Snowflake then it tried snowing much of the evening but there was no accumulation.  Thursday night we spent in Bluff at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park and they had a gorgeous state of the art bathroom/showers.  Beautiful tile work and layout.  Yesterday, Friday, we made it to Clifton and are parked at Jim and Judy's.   The roads yesterday were not great.   We did luck out and get behind two snow plow trucks just north of Blanding, UT and followed them all the way to Monticello, UT through the worst of the snow.  Apparently that section is not recommended for travel today.  I had seen that 10 -15 inches of snow was expected last night which is why I didn't stay a second night in Bluff.    We will stay here a few days before continuing our journey back to our place in Oliver, BC.   We played cards last night with Jim and Judy and Marie and her roomie, Glenna.  Fun times even if I was on the losing team.

We went to Catalina State park near Tucson on Tuesday with Richard and Judy.

The poppies and saguaro were in fine shape.

Playing peek a boo with a coyote in Catalina.

Round-tailed Ground Squirrel in Catalina.

Two Gila Woodpeckers in a saguaro near the motorhome on 96 Ranch Road.


The lupines along the highway south of Florence.

Desert Marigolds mixed with the lupine.

The lupines along the highway south of Florence.

The lupines along the highway south of Florence.

Highway 60 and the Salt River Canyon.  This is where you climb into the Arizona high country and the temperature drops.


Lots of elevation change as the bridge is down at river level.


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

SPRING WAS WELL UNDERWAY MONDAY ON OUR ATV RIDE IN THE DESERT.

There were lots of wildflowers blooming as well as lots of wildlife as we wandered around south of the Gila River.   We were fortunate to have it almost completely to ourselves except for two young guys on mountain bikes.  We never saw another powered vehicle from the time we left Diversion Dam Road until we got back to it.  The north side of the river including Box Canyon was probably overwhelmed with people.  Family Motorcoach RV club had thirty or more Jeeps staging just south of Florence when we drove past on our way to Caliente and the ATV rental place had a large number staging there as well.  They probably all went to the north side.

We pulled out of our 96 Ranch Road location at 8:38 this morning and are in Snowflake, AZ tonight.  We drove via the Salt River Canyon and just before Show Low ran into rain.  Between Show Low and Snowflake we had snow covering the windshield for a ways.  That was a reality check!!!  We're not in the valley of the sun anymore.  It is currently raining lightly with the wind rocking the motorhome.  I dug out our electric heaters and they are making it cozy inside.  I think we will make it to Bluff, UT tomorrow then Clifton/Grand Junction the next day.

On the way home from the ride, I suggested to Richard that we check to see if the owl was in his usual spot in Florence Gardens.  He was.

I believe these are called Red Maids.

Blue Dicks.



One of several windmills we passed on our ride.











At what the club calls the underground house.

Wave to me guys.

We even got to see the Copper Basin Railway in action.


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

I WENT FOR A LAST RIDE WITH MY FRIEND RICHARD AND WE LUCKED OUT WITH WILDLIFE!

We had eight other side by sides along with us and we covered quite a variety of trails.  The wildflowers were looking excellent as well.  I will post those photos in my next installment. 

Tomorrow we are leaving the Florence area and heading back to the Grand Junction area for a few days before heading north across the border to our home in Oliver, BC.  We went to Tucson today with our good friends Richard and Judy and had supper at Culver’s.  We managed to touch base with a few other friends during this really short stop in the area. 

These two Javelina somehow found their way through the fence along the canal.



As we were continuing on our way, they decided to run along with us for a while.



Red-tailed Hawk.

American Kestrel.  A small hawk.

Harris' Hawks.

Harris' Hawk.

Antelope Jackrabbit.

Rock Squirrel.

Harris' Hawk.

Harris' Hawk.

Harris' Hawk.

One of the more rugged sections.

One of the more rugged sections.

Sad to see but this seems to be the only way I get to see a Badger.    We came upon it on Price Road on our way home.