Desert Flora

Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring  or indigenous--native plant life.

Candy finally got her stitches out yesterday from her leg surgery, this is the third time shes had the operation, it was time to get her out for a walk, though I would share a few pics of the local plants, and area where I been living for 3 1/2 weeks. Although I am sure not all of them are native species I hope to at least to warm up the individuals reading this who

live in the cooler climates of the world.

This is a Agave Americana also known as the century plant, claimed to only bloom once every 100years then die. On average they bloom once every 10 to 36 years, and have been told if the bloom is cut the plant can survive, this is because they can grow up to 25ft in under a week using up all the plants resources.  Tequila and Mescal is also made from agave.

Agave Blooming

 Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes become extremely abundant into winter the winter months. Good practice to bring a pillow case with just in case no ones looking:)

Barrel Cactus the yellow part is fruit

Some palm trees and a Ocotillo in the middle.

Not sure what this is but its very soft, and rubbery, not prickly very rare for these parts.

 Prickly Pear also edible used to make jellies a fellow camper made me some prickly pear french fries last year. Not bad, but I think Ill be sticking to Mickey D's

A icon of the Sonoran Desert the Saguaro cactus. Rumors say each branch represents 100 years for the cactus, after a bit of research average age is 150 to 200 years, they can reach a height of 40 to 60 ft, and weigh up to 5000 pounds.

Finally the furry looking specimen is called a jumping cholla rumored to actually jump onto you, after a few wobbly pops:) with my brother we decided to see if the rumors were in fact true. Turns out they are not true, but these lil devils will hook you then break off from the main plant nearly impossile to remove by hand because of their fierce barbs.. More then likely you be standing there with both hands attached to the Cholla pondering away to escape from their grasp. If wandering into Cholla country bring a small comb with, its the most effective removal device I have found to date, and if your hiking with the pooch they'll be happy you had it with as well. If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Good day!

Vandicap Ramp

Candy has finally reached the age where getting in and out of "The Turtle" has become a cumbersome chore, if you were to ask her though she would most certainly deny such a accusation of not being able to jumping into our mobile dwelling. Over the last couple months I had several ideas on how I could make her life easier most my plans involved 2x2s, plywood, sprockets, cogs,



hooks, nuts, bolts, fasteners, duct tape, latches, eyebolts, and other ways to keep the ramp from sliding around,and falling to the ground during her entries and sometimes explosive exits depending on what lil woodland forest critters she was off to chase. Luckily for me all those plans turned out to be much simpler then I previously expected. Things I would need included......................

A 3/4 inch piece of plywood, which I found in my Stepdads garage already cut to the perfect size! Will be getting a new paint job as well to protect it from the elements.

A bolt

Tools needed for such an arduous task, would involve a drill, and few adult beverages. The plan was to drill a hole in the plywood, then slide the bolt thru the plywood into a pre existing hole in the floor of the Turtle. Hope your keeping up with this complex undertaking I have taken on.:)

  Success!!! Candy was a wee bit leery of the new contraption, but with a piece of ham and some coaxing up she came! 

Another hard day of work accomplished:). If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks!

Desert bound

Had to head to the desert early this year because my navigator Candy developed a large tumor on her leg, that begin to grow at a exponential rate. We needed to get surgery done quickly, also needed to have a somewhat sterile enviorment for her recovery, someplace that didn't involve her jumping in and out of  "The Turtle" which could rip her stitches in a hurry. Southern Arizona south of Tucson is where my family lives, I made a call to  folks to make sure we had a place stay for awhile well the healing begin. My Mother confirmed Candy and I stay at her mini zoo which already contained 9 cats (3 of which are rescues) a Dog (Sammy) and a bird (Chico). Candies surgery was


a success! She has been home from the vet for almost a week now, and is doing well :).

 Candy the day after!

 Candy about 30 stitches I could count.

Part of the gang waiting for dinner.

Sammy on the right

Chico getting angrY! If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks!

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

If you enjoy the blog please subscribe via email to receive updates of the adventure, or share on your favorite social site. Thanks!

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!