Shaking off the crazy at Wave Cave and Queen Creek Olive Mill

It has been chilly here in the valley causing flight delays at Sky Harbor Airport until the sun came up and melted the frost off the planes.

We are headed to the mountain on the left, part of the way up is Wave Cave near Gold Canyon.

The cave is on the lower right hand corner. The was air brisk and sun shining.

We weren't really sure this was the trail and followed the cairns hoping someone wasn't tricking us.

The state has closed some of the areas on the way here due to ATVs and people tearing up the public land so badly. This side of the road is so nice and part of the Peralta Wilderness.

We were asked by a non hiking couple, if we had problems with all of the wild animals or if we were afraid while in the wilderness. The city can be more scary  than out here to us.

This is a trail?

My job as a nurse gets a bit crazy at times on different levels in critical care. I just need the fresh air and exercise to bring it all back to ok.

Looks like a moonscape to us.

Our visits to the Olive Mill in Queen Creek reminds us of our time in Italy.

The old olive press

We mostly go for the food that is so good but probably not that good for us. Eating too many olives can make me very thirsty.

  

The time goes quickly on a 13 week contract. We have to get to the list to see and do all  the things before time runs out and we move on. We have been fortunate to spend time in this part of Arizona several times and it would be easy to go to the same places we enjoyed in the past. It takes a conscious effort to do new things and see new places but well worth it.

It has been nice to go to the hot tub in the evening or sit by the fire and watch the stars. Often, we are the only people there.

The Canadians are coming

The estimated number of snowbirds in Arizona is around 300,000 with 270,000 from Canada. That seems to be the case here in the community that we are staying. Canada's economy is heavily affected by the price of oil and wheat. Now that oil is  below $40 a barrel, it has negatively affected their dollar. For quite some time, the Canadian dollar was pretty close to the US's if not stronger. Now it is $0.75 and then they have to pay to exchange it.

Many Canadians brought their strong dollars in 2008 and purchased properties that were a bargain then. Now they are looking at paying 30% more for utilities and taxes but the return on their sales higher with the exchange. Many are ready to sell.

We are enjoying meeting our neighbors from the north and learning more about them. They can only stay for 6 months without a visa since they can be charged US income tax if they stay longer and possibly lose their health insurance. As you hear they are very nice people elongate their ooooos and like how cheap beer and wine are at Costco. Eh! or "A"!

I am taller than this orange tree and I am not tall.

When I need a lemon, just pick a monster lemon. I guess they will run out pretty soon.

 

Saguaro skeleton

We found some new trails for desert riding not far from our spot.

We are enjoying our new friends. Many of our fondest memories include the people we meet along the way. Our usual stay is 3 months in any place. Here it will be 4 and we are getting the itch to see new places.

 

 

Sunrise Peak Scottsdale and Boyce Thompson Arboretum

 If you have seen enough cactus and dirt pictures, I get it. But that is what we have here.

 Mike had surgery on his face for skin cancer and was in the process of healing. We wanted to get out in the fresh air and thought an easy hike would be a good idea. Sunrise Mountain wasn't a stroll but uphill.

The trail wasn't too rocky requiring him to hang his head and watch where he was walking too much. But he did end up with a swollen eye by the end of the walk.

The wind was a little unruly at times but felt good keeping us cool.

We have been learning about the geology of the area and how the mountains were formed here. Volcanos, moving plates and continental shifting over time changed the shape of the Sonoran Desert.

A long trek down to the parking lot way down there. You can see the cones of dormant volcanos in the distance.

We had never been to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and decided to take the tour that was starting as we arrived. The volunteer was very knowledgeable and taught us much.

We came across this hummingbird nest as we were walking.

You can see the entrance on the side of the nest.

It was an easy 1 1/2 mile walk though the many different plants of deserts from around the world.

Queen Creek that Mr. Thompson would visit everyday.

Boyce Thompson's home overlooking Queen Creek to the southwest and the copper mines he owned to the northeast.

Desert pupfish and Gila topminnow are protected in Ayer Lake surrounded by some interesting volcanic rock.

There are many classes and educational opportunities offered throughout the year that would be great to attend. I find that I get much more out of experiences when a good docent is there to tell a good story.

Music by flute, didgeridoo, guzheng under the fall colors of the Chinese Pistachio trees made for a nice way to spend our day.

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!!