February 20-21, 2013

What a rudeness!  Can you imagine, snow on the ground in Queen Valley and Mesa.  I did catch a rainbow after the storm in Mesa.

Superstition Range from Apache Junction

Superstition Mountain after storm passed

Storm on the Mountains - Major downpour of rain in town

Snow at the house

Rainbow after snow in Mesa

Boy Scout Hike and Magma Mine

Saturday we took the Boy Scouts - "Panther Patrol" on a hike to learn and practice orienteering.  Then we went for a drive around Superior and drove up to the Magma Mine.  Beautiful area.

Working on getting the map and compass oriented.

Coming to the last part of leg 1.

Looking up the next leg.

MAGMA MINE AREA east of Superior

One of two water areas 

The mining dericks

Red rock and Green foliage

Small pond with rock retaining wall

Organ Pipe Cactus

We took a long bike ride to visit the Organ Pipe Cactus Monument.  It is directly below Gila Bend closer to the western side of Arizona and just miles from the Border.  Lots of Border Patrol check points and visibility.  We saw some different types of desert and rock formations than are near us. We went by the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Gunnery Range and through the O'ODHAM Indian Reservation in our travels.

Distant Mountains going toward Ajo, AZ

Black volcanic hills

Entrance to the Monument

Dense Desert growth

Mount Ajo - 

At the Monument - Cholla, Organ Pipe and
Saguaro cactus

Prickly Pear and Organ Pipe - The Organ Pipe Cactus
grows abundantly in Mexico, but only in the Monument
Reserve in the USA.

Beginning of low plant desert with multi-colored mineral
deposits in the mountains - Reservation Area

O'ODHAM Reservation - DESERT

Round buttes of Lava - colorful when you are in them.

Craft Fairs Extraordinary

My first adventure into craft fairs with one December 2 in Queen Valley Rec. Hall and February 9 at Queen Valley Resort.

Armchair craft holder

Flexible First Aid Kit for Hikers

Crafter's Equipment Kit

Dishrags - So Popular

Casserole Carrier

Carries all kinds of casserole dishes

Picnic Kit complete with serving for 4

Casserole Carrier and Matching Dinner Service Set

For someone special - afghan

Queen size

December/Holiday Delights in Arizona

Working with the Scouting program has interesting benefits as we take the YMYW to see the Christmas Lights at the Mesa Temple.

Also great weather for December:

Motorcycle Trips

November ride around Oracle Loop - Interesting "Junk Yard".

January ride by Roosevelt Lake and a look at the Roosevelt Dam with Gary and Shannon Summers.

Water used to come over the rock cliff before the dam was built.

February 5, 2013 - Ride to Mount Lemmon - Grammie & Pa

Mount Lemmon from a distance

Mount Lemmon

Around south side of mountains

Headed up Catalina Hwy to Mount Lemmon

Overlooking Tucsan valley

Restaurant at the ski resort

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley

Coming from the top

Nipple Dome

Catarac peaks