Riding with the Snowbirds

We enjoy cycling around Arizona in the fall and winter and the road to Usery Park is one of our favorites with just enough climbing, not a lot of traffic and a restroom before turning around.  Frequently, we find nice people at the visitor's center to visit with while refilling the trusty water bottles. A nice couple of snowbirds from Minnesota invited us to join a group that they ride with during the season. We had a date and time and showed up to meet some very nice, welcoming people.

Thursdays, Mesa sponsers a concert with a food truck and giveaways. We took a scenic 20 mile ride along some quiet back roads, had some lunch while listening to the tunes. Once the giveaways were done, we headed back into a pretty strong wind for 10 miles. Those were a bit tough towards the end of the 30 mile ride but we made it with a little drafting from our friends.

The Snowbirds have a nice website and plenty of routes. We plan to hookup with them again soon.

We have spent time in AZ the past few years and I won't be sharing a lot about our time here this time.

AZ has had record heat this fall. Now that it is cooling down, it was time for another hike along Saguaro Lake.

While walking, we heard eagles calling and followed the sound and found these two sitting just across the water. Later, There were two more joining them as they sailed across the lake. 

An easy walk along the shore.



Our "honey do" list is getting shorter as we prepare for the holidays and a ski trip in Colorado this winter. For now though, we are enjoying the week in Peoria in a beautiful condo as we get warranty work done on the trailer. We didn't realize how much we would forget to pack when we dropped off the trailer but I bet we will be fine without my flip flops.

Lost Dutchman, Siphon Draw and doppelgangers

You have probably heard the saying that everyone has a twin. As I travel around the country, working in different hospitals, I truly  believe this. I see Sara here who was Jane somewhere else. Same look and mannerisms. We ride our bikes down the road and are sure Sid just rode past us.

When my kids were young, I was told that I had a twin that brought her kids to the same gymnastics place that I did. I had forgotten about the comment until one day I was heading out of the gym with Krista and Michael and in walked my doppelganger. We looked at each other and had a good laugh.

After working my two shifts, I always feel the need to be outdoors. Even though the temps were a chilly 45 degrees, we headed out to Lost Dutchman State Park.

My Favorite Martian?

The Peralta Family from Mexico developed a rich gold mine (supposedly) in the Superstition Mountains. Legend has it that the Peraltas died at the hands of Apache Indians and had never told anyone of the location of their gold mine.

 

As the story evolves, in the 1870s, Jacob Waltz, "the Dutchman" supposedly rediscovered the mine with the aid of a Peralta descendant. Waltz died in 1891 and he too never disclosed the mine's location. Supposedly he left hidden maps that several claimed to have found although to this day there has been no evidence the mine has ever been located. I wonder if this was where his cabin was.

Over the years, thousands and thousands have tried to find these lost riches. Many have mysteriously died or disappeared during the hunt fueling even more mystery and superstition. Today the legend lives on at "Lost Dutchman State Park" in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains.

This may not be gold but a real treasure.

It doesn't matter how many times we hike here. I have to take lots of pictures and just sit a while once we get there and soak it up. Maybe, I just don't want to climb over the boulders going back down. 

I pass on trying to get to the Flat Irons. I could crawl up the side of the mountain but not sure how getting back down would go.

A few days later, Mike had Mohs skin cancer surgery and was having some trouble seeing since his left eye was pretty swollen. We wanted to take an easy walk without boulders to watch for and chose the  Butcher Jones Trail.

Saguaro Lake requires a Tonto Pass but the National Parks Pass was also good and has saved so much money getting into national parks with it. Many of Arizona's state parks also accept it.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!