Thursday, December 24/09

Today Hogan and I went for a long walk. We have both been trying to "get into shape"!! We headed up the trail and after about an hour, were fairly far back into the desert. You know how you just want to see what is over that next rise or what is around that next curve?? I was thinking about heading back when I heard voices. Along come three Caballeros - all between the ages of 65 - 70 years of age riding their horses. Hogan didn't seem to mind the horses and the cowboys told me that yes, the trail I was on eventually hooked up to the main trail but not for several miles so of course Hogan and I decided to turn around and make our way back to the bus the same way we had come. What incredible scenery we walked through. The Saguaro Cactus surrounded us and I couldn't help but marvel at the incredible luck that John and I have to be able to experience this landscape and all it entails. Finally, back at the bus and John is making the little truck ready for a road trip. We have been idle too long - time to do a trail and I knew exactly where I wanted to go!! Lets see what was around that curve!!!

We headed out and spent the day touring the miles and miles of trails that surround, intersect and climb over and weave their way around and between the various mountain ranges in this area of the Sonoran Desert. Once again, we are greeted by incredible scenery and again we can't believe that we are here, Christmas Eve Day (no snow or cold weather) in Arizona. The only thing that would make this better would be to experience this with our friends and family.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of the cactus and there were so many different shapes and sizes - so many of them being older that 150 years old. We travelled through several washes and past the various "unfriendly" trees and shrubs and let me tell you, MOST are unfriendly - equipped with very sharp and scary looking thorns and spines. As you can see from the pictures, these cactus have no problem sticking into the tires of the truck or the sides of your shoes. We needed the pliers to remove them!! Shortly after we got the thorns out of my shoe, we had to get thorns out of Hogans back foot. He had several imbedded into his foot when he was not watching where he was walking. He stood very calmly while John pulled all the thorns out with the pliers and I was quite pleased that only a few had caused any bleeding. All in all, Hogan has done pretty good in staying away for the thorns.

We passed several of the yellow signs you see in the one picture. These are posted Mining claims which make it illegal for anyone to do any sort of exploring for metal (ie gold, silver etc.) and illegal to remove any rocks from these areas as well. These claims where held by the Vulture Mining Company. There apparently is still, plenty of gold in these here hills!!

We eventually made it back to the motorhome (after a few dead end trails) as it was time to start a campfire and Skype Jan and Ron as they were having their annual Christmas get together and we of course were invited although it would be long distance!! With the campfire roaring, John and I spent about two hours with the family and that was great. Casey, our youngest son was there and it was great to see him and hear his voice - I really miss him. I had spoken to our oldest son Jace earlier in the day and he and his girlfriend were headed out to spent the festive season with her parents. It was great to finally get to speak with Jace as well. Once all the visiting was done, John got out the bbq and cooked the most awesome steaks. All we had to do now was go to bed and wait for Santa!! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.