A quick getaway

We're heading up to Kanab, Utah for a quick getaway naext weekend.  It was a Living Social deal I couldn't resist.  Got one for Scott and Christy for their anniversary as well.  They already went and had a great time.  I'm looking forward to ours.

Adventure in Hope, AZ

It's been several years since we've headed south into Hope, AZ for some great ATV riding with friends.  With new tires on the quads, adventure was calling our name.  One of our great friends, Dennis and his wife Sally now snowbird there after spending a week there with us about 4 years ago.  Charlie and Jeannie were the first reason we went, and Hope, AZ has never dissapointed since.  This year, Alan and Liz came with us for a 4 day adventure riding and exploring the hills and valleys around Ramblin' Roads RV Park. 

 

On our first day we ventured over to King Tut Mine...and you know I had to go in and check it out.  There is a small cemetary on the way there. 

Dennis has a new dog, her name is Lucy.  She LOVES to ride his quad and she lets everyone know it by barking and yipping like crazy.

Cassy also went out with us on Friday.  I thought she was a unique dog because she rode quads, but down there she is just another ordinary dog since almost all of them go riding.  As a proud parent, I'd like to report she road 48 miles through some rough spots and did an awesome job.  I gotta tell you though, she was whooped when we got back.  It's been a long time since she, and us as well, have been on our quads and put some decent miles on them. 

We headed up to a high point after lunch...and what a view!  Dennis figured we climbed about 1200 feet, and around here that's pretty dang high.

 

A person could see a hundred miles it seemed.  Which trail was next?

Saturday's ride took us out to petroglyph rock where we ran into a LARGE group of riders.  The Salome ATV club was hosting a group from Phoenix.  There had to be 45-50 ATVs and sidexsides with about 75 riders.  I climbed up on the rock and couldn't get all of them in the picture. 

From there we headed over to Jailhouse Rock.  Sadly, kids have been out there and have been marking it up with graffiti. We headed over and down Tank Pass (it's fun and full of large rocks to go over).  We stopped for lunch in a shady spot in the wash then headed to a 'river house'.  Miners from years ago carved out the bank added a wall with windows and a door.  I'm sure it was much cooler than most anyplace else around.  It was up and over Cottonwood Pass and back towards home base for another great dinner with friends. 

We really want to thank Dennis and Charlie for showing around their winter home again.  We had a blast and looking forward to going back already.  Timm really enjoys the time spent exploring with Dennis.  People don't come anybetter.  Thanks again.

New tires

They're here!!!!  New ATV tires from Rocky Mtn ATV arrived yesterday at noon.  This week they will be on our quads so we can get out and have some new adventures!

A Few Days in Sierra Vista, part one

For the last couple of years my husband's office has closed shop between Christmas and New Year's.  This year we made the most of it by adding a few extra days to a trip my husband had to make to Sierra Vista, AZ for some work.  Cassy and I tagged along and made a vacation out of it.  Let me tell you...it's a long drive from Las Vegas, about 9 hours.  After what seemed like forever, we finally made it, checked into the hotel, then went out to explore. 

We headed for the hills, wandered up a couple of roads and found our way into Coronado National Forest...not what I was expecting so far south.  It was a pleasant surprise...until we came across this sign...yep, we are just a few miles from the Mexican border.  P.S...we saw the Border Patrol heading in as we were heading out by the way.  We did finally make it up to this waterfall...so cool...freezing cold.  Some locals said they had never seen it frozen before.  Just beautiful!

Our first full day we ventured over to Tombstone..."the town to tough to die".  It's really not very big so it was easy to walk all over the place.  Timm, Cassy and I wandered all over and enjoyed a relaxing day.  We took the trolley car tour, it was helpful in learning much of the history and occurances in the area.  We tried to watch the gun show but Cassy didn't like the noise at all. 

Timm and Cassy in front of the Courthouse.  It was one of the tallest buildings between the east and west coasts at the time. 

I loved all the old buildings.  It is however, a typical tourist trap with gift and jewelry shops in every building.  We still had a good time though.  I love old western history.  Millions of dollars worth of ore including silver and gold were taken from the mines here.  They even mined mangenize which was vital to the US efforts in the World Wars, we were told about 40% was supplied from Tombstone.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone...enjoy your adventures.

Finally....a camping and ATV trip

Gosh, Iv'e been waiting a long time to get out and ride my ATV and enjoy a camping trip with friends.  We were planning on Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Utah, but our ATV permits expired, and there has been a ton of rain in the last week and the cold front forcasted snow for that area.  We changed our plans and headed to Chief Mtn near Caliente, NV.  It was great, a bit on the cool side...but great.  We were the only ones at the trailhead campsite.  We didn't see but just a handful of people all day.  We rode our ATVs over to Delamar ghost town, over Apple White Pass, and more.  Cool crisp evenings were enjoyed around the campfire after great potluck dinners.  Chris, Timm and I were joined by Alan, Liz, Mark and Jan.  Thanks for a great weekend!

Wild at Heart

In August, Timm went to Cedar Mountain, Utah for the annual Wild at Heart mens' retreat from Canyon Ridge Church.  Normally, Timm leads one of the ATV groups for their day of adventure.  This year he took the smoker and taught a group of men the in's and out's of smoking.  This group also prepared the meals for the rest of the groups.  Rave reviews were had by all and it looks like he'll be back at the pit again next year.  The best part of it all...bringing men closer to God.