Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride by Terry

We’re at another transitional point in our travels. We’re getting ready to take a flight from Phoenix to Ft. Lauderdale on Tuesday. That entails prepping the RV (PeeWee) for storage for 3 weeks, staying in a hotel for a night prior to departure, and parking the car while we’re away. We’ve gotten away from remote camping the last few days. It’s all part of the diversity of environments we are so fortunate to experience during this adventure.

Speaking of adventures, today Annette and I went on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I’d been told by a Euro-Canadian we met at a campsite outside of Tucson of a “don’t miss” day-trip close to where we’re staying here in Apache Junction. He was right and it was fabulous.

This map would make it appear that there is a paved road going to the junction with AZ 188.

Wrong! After we passed through an extremely crowded Tortilla Flats the paved road disappeared. We stopped at a beautiful lookout spot and, viewing the steep, rugged road from there, talked about turning back . We’d already seen some gorgeous sights; I said let’s go on. Hell, it’s not like hiking, where you have to walk and climb back when you’ve gone too far. On we went, and boy am I glad we did. At some point, the Versa (Mr. Toad) decided it was a Jeep and for the next 33 miles we climbed, bounced, and rolled through some of the most majestic country we’ve seen so far.

Sunday is a work day (nyuk, nyuk), meaning getting ready for air travel. Monday, once we’ve secured the RV, we’ll see the Cubs at a spring training game (I’ve always wanted to) and then off to see great friends in the Sunshine State. The dream goes on.

By Annette: ok i just had to post this picture of an RV putting a boat in the water. Doesn’t look real safe, does it?

Apache Junction Arizona

I wanted to stay in a place with full hookups, laundry, and a pool. I mean, it just can’t be camping and roughing it all the time. Not for me, anyway. I also wanted to be near stores, hiking, and Cubs spring training. So, here we are at Golden Sun RV Park. I may be the youngest person here. 😆

I enjoy seeing the Golden Sun residents enjoy life here in sunny Arizona. There are activities like bingo and dancing. They have a lending library and an art room. There is even a work out room. The laundry room has big tables with large puzzles that anyone can work on. It’s also cool to talk with people here. They are always glad to share a story or two about their families or their travel experiences. ☺️

Yesterday was a good day. The sky was sunny and the temperature was in the high 50’s. Not typical Arizona weather, but it’s great hiking weather. We drove the Toad up to Lost Dutchman State Park to hike Siphon Draw trail. It’s a little over 4 miles out and back with about 1,200 feet of elevation change. Totally worth the effort!

The trail is part of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National forest. It begins cutting through wide open space with views all around.

The closer you get, the more magnificent the landscape becomes.

We took our time, stopping occasionally to take it all in. We don’t talk a lot when we hike. When we do talk, it’s not about politics or other current events. It’s all about the earth and the energy you receive when you are open to it. For me, nature has healing powers.

We made it to what is called The Basin. From there, it’s another mile with 2,000 feet elevation gain to the Flatiron. Now that’s an entire day hike. Not for us. So, Terry chilled out in The Basin while I explored a little more. The trail disappeared and I had to climb boulders to get here:

There were two other people up there, so I took their photo and they reciprocated. Getting down was tricky. It was really steep with some loose gravel. I was better off crab walking it. I’m sure I looked like a dork. Whatever. I’m alive. Notice that flat rock outcropping on the left in the photo below. That’s where I climbed to. Amazing!

Sure was good to have a snack and a rest. Oranges are plentiful in Arizona, and they travel well in a backpack.

Time to soak our old bones in the hot tub. Next post is by Terry. 👍

Picacho State Park

The weather has cooled down a bit. We had 2 days of rain which the locals said was much needed. Our only hike was not very long, but it was very pretty.

The desert is beautiful after it rains. I’m hoping to see some wildlife, especially a javelina. So far, only some birds and a tiny lizard.

We drove through Saguaro National Park on the west side. It’s a vast expanse of desert that includes a mountain forest.

There are lots of “snowbirds” here in Arizona. One of the things snowbirds do in the winter is play golf. I’ve been feeling guilty when I am on the golf course. Aren’t I supposed to be working? I’m not ready to retire.

Terry is loving this retired life. He’s always smiling. I’m happy about that☺️.

Tucson

This was the opportunity to stay in a house. A very nice house . Terry’s uncle Bill and aunt Mary Pederson live in Saddlebrooke, a retirement community in Tucson. The four of us enjoyed breakfasts and dinners together, and we also played Trivial Pursuit at the “club” with other members. Our team had the most correct answers, but we were disqualified because we had 7 players instead of the required 6. Whatever!!!

Terry and I also visited the home of Kimberly and Scott Winchell. Kimberly is the daughter of my friend Wendy. I’ve known Kim since she was a little girl. It was fun spending time with young people. Kim and Scott are newlyweds as well as great hosts.

We said our goodbyes to family and headed for Catalina State Park. The weather continues to be wonderful here in Arizona, so camping is still fun.

Terry and I decided to hike Romero Canyon. Lots of sunscreen and water is required for this hike. Oh, and hiking poles made coming down the mountain so much more manageable.

I sure love a good, ass-kicking hike! 😊

Today we played golf at El Conquistador in Oro Valley. We played with a nice couple from Minnesota. Terry beat me on the front nine and I beat him on the back. Even though it was crazy windy, it was really fun.

Tomorrow we make our way toward Phoenix. We will take our time exploring until February 27, when we will leave PeeWee in Phoenix and fly to Florida to visit friends. What an adventure we are having!

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

This post will probably be mostly photos. I am so happy we did not miss this unique, spectacular place here in the desert. It’s definitely off the beaten path.

The weather could not have been more perfect! High 70’s during the day with sunny skies. Nights in the low 60’s. Pinch me, it’s February!

The highlight of this visit was definitely our hike through Estes Canyon and Bull Pasture. Four miles and 1000 foot elevation gain. For me, that equals moving meditation.

The colors of the desert are magical. They change with the sunlight. Organ Pipe and Saguaro cactus provide vertical perspective on this vast, surprisingly green landscape.

The trailhead is 12 miles into the Ajo mountain range. The Toad handles the road pretty well.

We decided to start the hike by taking on the elevation part first.

Away we went, with lots of sunscreen applied and water in the camelback.

Ok, you should see this handsome geezer climb these trails! Heart attack schmart attack! He is a great hiking partner!

I packed us a picnic lunch for the summit.

We are comfortable with silence during these hikes. Sometimes Terry will bust out into song, but usually our walkabouts are intimate and introspective.

We love to talk about our children and grandchildren. They are all together in San Sebastián right now.

That makes us REALLY happy!❤️

BY: Terry

We’re back to exploring new places after our wintertime respite on the Sea of Cortez.  The landscapes here in southern Arizona are desolate and beautiful.  We decided to get out into the desert on our bicycles to see if we could find gila monsters and scorpions.  We chose a gravel and sand road used by ATVs and took off on mountain bikes.  I really enjoyed it and was feeling very fortunate to be in great health and adventurous enough to get some strenuous exercise while getting a close look at our surroundings.  There were spots – some too rocky, some too steep and sandy – where we had to dismount and walk the bikes.  We covered over nine miles in that terrain.  Heading back the the campground was pretty-much downhill.  I guess I got a little carried away.  That’s how I ended up on the side of the trail in a bush, unharmed.  I was in front of Annette moving along pretty good when I saw a gully in a sandy area ahead.  I figured I could jump it on the bike (a line from a Little Feat song “when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t … ” comes to mind) and keep clipping along.  Well, I jumped it, but I didn’t keep clipping along.  Annette says I looked quite graceful when I went airborne (sans bike) and as I was landing in the bush.  It was a pretty soft landing and, luckily, there was no cactus in that particular spot.  THAT would have been painful and dangerous.  I got to my feet with a couple minor scratches and we kept going.  All-in-all, it was a great day of exploration and exercise as we  Ride-and-Seek.

BY Annette:  OK, I have to admit, it was scary seeing him fly up in the air off the bike, but when I saw that he was not hurt, I started laughing and I haven’t stopped!  Crazy old man!

Just a soft landing in the sand and mesquite bush.

Painted Rock Petroglyph campground

Coming back to the USA through San Luis border crossing was quite an experience. First, cars and trucks are lined up to get approved and people are walking in and out of traffic, selling their wares. Terry did his best to maneuver PeeWee and the Toad into the RV lane, which by the way was NOT easy. We were almost at the gate when Terry checked the side mirrors and realized that we might be too close to a big cement divider pole. Holy cats he was right!!! About one inch away from crashing into that pole, which would have ripped off the awning and the back end of the RV! The border control agent was really calm and suggested we unhook the Toad so we could CAREFULLY back up. So, among all this traffic, 6 lanes across, we got it done! (Terry did👍😘💕). Not a scratch! And they waved us through without an inspection! Not that we had anything that would have caused a problem 😉. Off we went, to Yuma Arizona, to stay one night with Pete and Pat, friends from Palisade Colorado.

So now we are at Painted Rock Petroglyph campground between Yuma and Tucson. It’s quite remote, but there are other campers around.

Terry and I were up super early for the lunar eclipse. These photos just don’t capture the beauty of this special event.

Today we went on a bike ride through the desert. We rode the ATV trails. Whoa, what a rough ride! But great scenery!

We did not see any scorpions or javelinas. Only a few lizards and a hawk.

We managed 9.5 miles without a major injury. 😉

Our day was complete when the sun set in the west at the same time as the moon rose in the east! Magical!

Cool desert evenings make for comfortable sleeping. Good night!

Adios San Felipe ❤️🇲🇽

It seemed as if time stood still here on the shore of the Sea of Cortez. The sun and the waves provide a predictable pattern that causes people to slow down and just be.

San Felipe is going down in my journal as a place where I was able to begin to come to terms with my brother’s life and death. Quiet beach walks in the warm sunshine allowed me to open up and begin to let go, poco a poco. I’m going to be ok. 👍

Let’s talk FOOD. I’m talking fresh seafood. Barbecues on the streets with yummy chicken and shrimp kebabs. Fresh fruit everywhere.

And the cocktails…

All in moderation, right?😉🍍

Valle de los Gigantes

This place is so desolate, yet it has a stark beauty like nothing I’ve ever seen. Valle de los Gigantes (Valley of the Giants) is just south of San Felipe at Rancho Punto Estrella.

These saguaro cactus plants, also known as the Mexican Giant Cardon, can grow to be 30 meters high and live to more than 2,000 years!

The seed is the size of a poppy seed, and after the first year, the plant will only measure 6 millimeters.

Aren’t they magnificent? It was a perfect day to visit this impressive valley. The temperature was around 65 degrees. Terry and I walked around and saw the trees up close. But not too close. Watch out for the spines!

Don’t expect to drive anywhere in Baja California without potholes and rough driving. But The Toad behaved like a Jeep and took us through the park and back to San Felipe.

The gentleman at the entrance/exit was hilarious! He kept saying, “land of the Lincoln!” That was his reaction to our license plates. Mexicans are a warm and welcoming people, even to a gringa like me.😉

An escape from winter

San Felipe is a place where many people from Canada and the US come to escape from the cold. They spend months living here. Food and lodging is much cheaper in Mexico than it is in California, for certain. Our friends Stacy and Bob are here from Palisade Colorado. They will stay until April.

Staying a long time in one place is the best way to really get to know the area and its culture. San Felipe is not a resort town, it’s a small fishing village that boasts great fish tacos and shrimp ceviche. The margaritas are pretty good, too. But for me, I’m really enjoying the people. They are warm and welcoming, just like the morning sun.

There are lots of dogs roaming the streets. I like to think they are free to hang out with their friends.

And sometimes you see an alternative type of transportation.

I just couldn’t resist taking that photo!

Truth be told, I have conflicting feelings about life on the road. Yes, there are so many things I love about it. I have shared those things in previous blog posts. But sometimes I’m just plain confused. I think I’m supposed to feel all fabulous and motivated every day. I count my blessings and send my thanks out to the universe for leading me here. But sometimes I go to bed at night wishing I was done. That I was back in Colorado, working and doing my thing. So I’m hoping a little confession and straight up honesty will help me snap out of my funk.

Must be too much time on my hands. I’m going to follow my niece Melissa’s advice; live in the moment. Thanks for listening. Please feel free to respond; I can take it. 😉