Casino camping

The temperatures finally begin to drop below freezing up at 7500ft, so I decided to head down the mountain to where I could be in the the 70's  once again. Looking for a place to park for the evening I remembered hearing rumors of a casino in the area that catered to travelers. Time to do some casino camping something I look forward to in the winter months, its always a welcomed change of pace. After cooking

on open fires, and long hikes thru the woods everyday. It is now time for restaurants, and some entertainment.

 Heading down the mountain.

View to the North the Casino

 To the west Sonic and a mini-mart about 50 yards away.

 To the east fresh frybread, which is basically just deep fried bread dough haven't had a chance to try it yet, but hoping they would open soon. The large building is a rec center, that has a swimming pool, showers, Jacuzzi, saunas, and more, weekly membership is $10 so Ive been told. The smaller building is the Apache police department with several police vehicles parked outback. Never camped in a police station parking lot, but guess I need to be on my best behavior.

 and to the south the Tonto National forest.

Located at 4900 ft its a perfect spot for fall and spring time, and definitely has everything one could want. Cost to stay here is free, unless of course the casino persuades me in to give a donation. If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks! 

The Waiting Game

Not much to report still waiting up in the higher elevations for the temperatures to break below so I decided to do some exploring.

This is the East Verde river which eventually makes it way into the mighty Colorado river. Although I am not

sure how much of its water actually makes it there? I didn't get to do a lot of exploring in the area was hot down here, and didn't want Candy to go sniff out a sunbathing Rattlesnake. Few more pics of East Verde river below.

Found this van in the wally world parking lot. Seemed a bit much to me. Wasn't there a commercial about having the right tool for the right job?

Picked this up before I left town Smoked Porter would go well with my burgers tonight!

 Back to camp which is way up there!

Tried to get a good shot from the top of the rim but the weather wasn't cooperating, but I did come across a frog and some wild horses

Candy kicking back after another stressful day or guarding my Busch Light. If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks!

Ocean Front Property in Arizona?

Maybe George Straight was telling the truth? :) On a current hike thru the Apache Sitegreaves National Forest I stumbled upon what appeared to be a seashell and then another. Upon closer examination I had confirmed in fact these were seashells. Wow I thought to my myself with such an amazing discovery I'm gonna be rich, but as I walked further putting seashell after seashell into my now bulging pockets my thoughts of being wealthy began to fade. After returning to

camp and doing the research the facts were in, this area located at 7500 ft was once the ocean floor. Between 600 million and 1.5 billion years ago these little critters made there home here, which is now home to the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world and a common area for fossil hunters to explore. I've
heard stories of people finding sharks teeth and fossilized fish in the rock I had no such luck, still amazing that these creatures from such a distant past are just beginning to surface now. Wish these guys could tell me there stories....

 Top Side

 Bottom

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The New Neighbors

Perched high upon the Mogollon Rim (pronounced MUG-EE-YUN) located at about 7500 ft. This is where I would stay until the temperatures down in the valley reached a reasonable temperature as I write this its 72 degrees for a high here and 103 down in the valley just a mere 60 miles as the crow flies. Anyhow during a hike through the forest I had stumbled across a old trailer that were not there on previous excursions.

After poking around briefly I decided not to stick my nose where it didn't belong so I continued on my



way.

 Later that evening as I settled in for a few wobbly pops I started to hear bells so sticking my head out the door there seemed to be a large white mass moving across the forest floor. Rubbing my eyes I thought what in the %*&@ is that. Turning around and glancing back to make sure this was  my second beer I received further confirmation.

Candy had seen it too!

So I began to approach the white mass and was suddenly confronted by 1 of 2 Great white Pyrenees. Then it occurred to me after hearing bahhhhh bahhhhh bahhhhh this great white beast was protecting his flock. These animals attack and even kill anything that got close to the flock. Including bears, mountain lions and coyotes, but with a piece of ham I was able to befriend 1 of the 2 guardians the other was not fond of Candy or myself.

Then the final invasion begin! (Click the youtube button for best quality)

Sheepdog and Coyote really do exist :) Then after all the sheep and dogs were on there way I could see a man following behind all of them ahh yes the Shepard! So I confronted my new neighbor anxious to find out about the life of a Shepard. It was clear to me in just a few second there was one heck of a language barrier after about 5 minutes of trying to converse he was on his way.

Suddenly he turned

around and

spoke 2

words I could

understand

Uno Cerveza! He came through camp the next 3 days only to repeat those words. If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks!