Saturday, March 30/2013

We got a text early this morning from Lorne and Marilyn saying that they had decided to start heading for home today so they were taking a rain check on our trip to Castle Hot Springs and Lake Pleasant.  They stopped by the park to say good bye then headed out.  It was so good to spend time with them and I must say, we have lots of fun and laughs whenever we get together.  Hopefully we will see them this summer.  That would be totally awesome!!
Being the end of the month, Ray had to head over to Aguila to read water meters so he was gone early. Kay and I met outside by the gate to enjoy the early morning over a cup of coffee and while sitting there, decided that we didn't like the brush pile where it was so decided to move it.   Once we decide to do something, there really is no stopping us so we got busy and within an hour, it was moved and the empty acres outside the fence now look soooo much better.  Now we can plant the wild flower seeds that Kay brought home a few days ago out there and hopefully next year, there is a whole riot of colourful flowers to grace our mornings!!
while moving the brush pile, we found a huge horned toad.  It was the largest one that both Kay andI have ever seen.  His hard shelled back was as big as my palm.  He was awesome.  I picked him up and put him under Ray and Kay's back porch where he will hopefully find a new home and eat lots of bugs.
Being only the three of us today, John decide to go for a jeep ride.  We had planned on a ride anyway with Lorne and Marilyn, so we merely changed the destination.
We headed down Constellation Road and drove past many old mining areas, past the old assayer's cabin and almost to William's Ranch.  We stopped along the way enjoying a cool one and the wonders of the desert which included some awesome spring flowers and a rather large scorpion.  He was not impressed with us disturbing him and I bugged him with a stick enough to make him want to sting me!!   Hell, I just wanted a picture!!  Unfortunately, it didn't focus properly so I won't be able to show it on the blog.
We spent most of the day on the trails and John got even more sunburn on his shoulders.  He will be screaming like a baby when he stands in the shower tonight!!
Back at the park, it was time to sit and enjoy the rest of the evening.  A campfire was started and we sat around it until it was time for supper and bed.  What a great day.  Tomorrow we have decided to do the Castle Hot Springs/Lake Pleasant trip so that sounds like fun too.

Yellow Daisies - Looks like it is going to be a day for taking
pictures of the Spring flowers!!

Mr. Get the Hell Out of Here or I will stick you with these
very sharp horns!!

Constellation Road

Hedgehog Cactus

Pink Fluffy Flowers

Mexican Poppies with some purple flower mixed in.

So many..... don't know the name of them all so will have to
get a book.

Hawk on a saguaro

Raven in a tree.

Just how do these plants grow right out of the rock?

Tired arms!!

Right out of the Rock!!

Hogan, checking out the trail.   This was our turn around point as there
was no way to get down this rock waterfall.

More Hedgehog Cactus

Another "Dead End Trail" we found.  Nice country...
just doesn't go anywhere!!

Sun shining through the Palo Verde trees.