Saturday, December 22/2012

I awoke early this morning and the sun was shining.  It is supposed to be another nice day and we are planning on going for a quad ride today.
I had to scoot into town before leaving to do the final shopping needed before Christmas and I also had to stop and get an new roller for the varathane.  The one I used on the spare bedroom floor was way too thick and put too much varathane on the floor at one time so I was busy brushing it around and that totally sucked.  So, before I start the kitchen/living room floor I will get a new roller.
Back at the bus everyone was pretty much ready to leave except me (of course).  Once the groceries were hauled in,  and the refreshments secured in the back of Henrietta (the side by side) we were off.  Kay wanted to ride her own quad so I sat in Henrietta with Ray and John rode the CanAm.
We headed to the Hassayammpa, under the train trestle and towards Wickenburg Mountain where we accessed another trail that eventually took us back to the river bed.  From here, we went under Hwy 60 and accessed San Domingo Wash which eventually led us to "The Wall".  It is here that prospectors built a huge wall in order to hold back water that was used for their sluice boxes when they were mining for gold.   There was still water running, from where, I have no idea considering there was nothing but desert out here so it must have been from underground.
I kept my eyes peeled to the ground in the hopes of finding that one huge nugget of gold that the last rains just happen to have washed up!!  Now, wouldn't that be an awesome Christmas present??  Alas....it was not to be!!
We carried on down the wash, accessing Little San Domingo Wash, then another trail (leading to an active gold mining claim) which eventually spit us out into Monarch Wash.  It was here that one was able to finally open up the throttle and "drift" around a few corners although I can't really say that Henrietta is all that great at "drifting".  It was fun though and Ray and I were able to throw a little dust on John and Kay!!
We accessed Hwy 60 about a mile and a half from home and arrived back just in time to feed the javelina.  They had just arrived so we were able to enjoy their antics for a while.  The Triplets came to visit tonight and they are always entertaining.  Sibling rivalry is alive and well, even amongst the
javalina!!

Heading down the Hassayamppa River bed

Wonderful desert scenery along the trail

Awesome trails

Lots of "prickles" along the way.......just waiting to poke the
unsuspecting

One can never take too many pictures of the magnificent
saguaro cactus

Too many to count!!

Our first refreshment stop.  There is a geo cache nearby.  Last
year we took a look inside and found all sorts of little treasures.

Another peril of this desert - the teddy bear cholla - always looking
to attach itself to your person!!

One of the many washes.  Many of which were still damp from the
recent rains

Rocky terrain in some of the washes

Back on the Hassayamppa.  Have travelled about 15 miles so far.

Under the train trestle 

More awesome rock formations heading towards Hwy 60 Bridge

San Domingo Wash

Guess who got the gate?     Ya, that's right.......Marie!!

Lots of travel in this wash as well

smooth easy trails

perpetual water at "the wall"

The Wall - constructed by gold miners to hold back the water for
their sluice boxes

There must have been some swift moving water at one point
to move this rock up against this tree.

John "chillin" beside The Wall

Kay "chillin" on top of The Wall

Open, wide trail

A challenging spot on the trail

Kay requiring a "helping hand"

Out of San Domingo Wash and on desert trail  heading
towards Monarch Wash

Final refreshment stop in Monarch Wash

Pic from behind "the surveillance bush"..........actually, I just had to pee!!

Another fire was started and we all sat around again tonight while we each took our turn in our respective showers.  Again, it was another awesome day and with the potatoes on the BBQ and the steak ready to go on when the spuds are done.......Well, what could be better?     Life is good!!