Grab a Shovel, It's Getting Deep in Here: February 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Take A Little Trip!

** Another great post first published in MY newest blog series. All about Exploring Arizona--
http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/ Thanks for reading!!**

I am still in California taking lots of pictures for a post or two from outside of amazing Arizona. Yesterday and today a rare treat-- no really, we saw cloudy skies and rain. After months in the desert both are a very welcome sight! In today's post Butch, the boys, and I Explore just past the caves in Benson, on the highway that leads to Sierra Vista. We had originally intended to hike to the top of the below pictured mountain, but after a lot of traveling and even more heat, we did not appear to be any closer to the great hill. Another challenge for another day. After the caves look for the above turn. This is all state trust land so a pass is needed to use the area. We did not pull our truck into the area, so we did not need a pass. At least for the day, this logic worked for us. Border Patrol units patrol the area all of the time, so this luck may not hold true for you. Butch definitely did not like the cattle guard and we had to convince him to cross through the fence.

This mountain and the view that must present itself from the top is beyond inviting. But for the time being, it is still another spot on my ever growing check list of places to Explore.

As in much of Arizona -mountains circle the whole area.

These jet streams mark the spot for a great hike.

Several dirt roads go through the area.

On the way back down, I decided it was easier to jog back to the truck.

If not tiring.

Since our oldest could not get out of this picture

he embraced the moment.

Although he learned that even with his eyes closed tight we could still see him.

Mr Butch points out the way!

Some off trail action.

Because of the early very warm weather

I warn all readers to keep an extra eye out for snakes already.

Many have been spotted in the Tucson area with the snakes and hikers thinking it is already spring. The one thing that scares me the most is snakes of any kind,

so this is not welcome news to me.

Even from a distance this mountain makes for a good picture.

After we ran into a few fences we decided it was time to journey into the river run off.

The travailing was easier and much of it was shaded.

We used to find such rock sightings all of the time in Bellingham, Washington

and it is nice to see them here in Arizona also.

If nothing else it is a small reminder that others have also been were you are standing.

Many a place we Explore, we never actually see other hikers.

Although temperatures only reached about 80 on this day, by the time we were

returning to the truck -we were rather warm.

Above is my last shot for the day

and for this post.

For more Exploring and random randomness please check out my first blog series

at:

www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

Also if you find the need to comment on anything I post Please check out MY Facebook page

it really does have some of everything.

And is were I post my pictures and such first

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head

As Always

**HAPPY TRAILS!!**

Some Tucson Exploring

**Another post first published in my newest blog page All about Exploring wonderful Arizona http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/ **

Welcome back readers! This post comes from Northern California were I am busy Exploring and getting new pictures for future posts to this very page. MANY new posts, Exploring, and pictures in the works. Please check out MY first page for lots more Exploring and mayhem at : www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

The California posts will appear soon--under a little further down the road headings, today we again roam around beautiful Arizona. Last week I enjoyed some of the sights in Tucson and of course the full on sunshine. On Tuesday my wife and I dropped the kids of at school, and than snuck off for Tucson for some shopping and casino time. We ended up at the Desert Diamond Casino. If you get a member card there, Tuesday is the day to do so. Not only do they give you free money to gamble on, but you can enjoy the large buffet for free. And it only takes one coupon on Tuesdays, because it is "buy" one get one free day. So on Friday I returned to Tucson to take a hike and use my free food coupon at the casino.

My first stop was at the large Flying J truck stop right across from the even larger Triple T truck stop, both on the outskirts of Tucson. Both offer lots of food and shopping choices including great coffee and more importantly they offer a restroom. I was trying out a new camera on this trip, and needed to stretch my legs, so ventured around the area to snap a few shots.

This was still in the parking lot

and it is much harder than it looks to capture a bee in mid flight.

It amazes me how these magnificent plants are so varied.

These are rare in Tucson, simply because they are not spray painted by vandals and taggers.

Before finding a large lunch I decided it was time to Explore.

A local park was my stopping place.

Just across this great bridge was a paved wonderland of trails to Explore.

But trails are boring

Mostly because someone has already been were they go

and because they can easily become very crowded.

So I soon was roaming around the open desert.

I came across a set of rail road tracks.

And have found that many of the best sights involve walking on tracks.

Plus there is not much better than walking on rail road tracks

accented by a bright and sunny day.

The only thing that can make it better, is to do all this with a buddy.

I soon found I was behind the air museum.

Very close to the huge plane bone yard, but slightly less secure.

Many a time I have jumped a fence or three, even on this trip to California.

But not on this day in Tucson.

The warnings backed by the air force and the army keep me on the correct side of the fence.

So does the massive razor wire.

Some day I wish to Explore the museum more, but thought it would be a much better trip when I had the kiddos with me.

I was soon much closer to the fence line.

So much history in one small space.

Butch asks "Were are you Exploring today ??"

Next post Explores this area just past the caves on the way to Sierra Vista.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Warning--This Material Is Not Safe For Anyone!

Everything now has 15 Warning labels

so it is just a matter of time before you see this on your pants.

The sad thing is enough people have to have this very problem, before

the company finds a need to post such a label.

**"I got a new job this afternoon while leaving the book store--

as I made the mistake of holding the door open for one customer.

Soon I was stationed diligently being a gentleman and door holder for a good hour!"**

**"The crack addict stopped me and said she would do anything for $10 dollars, My car has never looked cleaner!"**----On that cheery note, as my buddy and I attempted to check into our motel room this afternoon, a tweeker was sitting on there bike in the way of parking. We tried to wait for her to leave, but she mistook our actions for wanting to talk. She came up to our truck and between face scratching, asked if we had any spare change or an extra cheeseburger in our truck. Random if not a conversation starter for sure!

She eyed the grocers in the back of the truck, but my buddy informed her that all of our cheeseburger cash went into buying this food, and if we did not eat all of the food, we would die.

She considered this, and than saw something shiny in the bushes.

By the time my buddy attempted to leave the motel, she appeared out of no were and asked him the same question with no realization that they had chatted before.

Greeting tonight from Northern California! Were I am enjoying a nice surprise, yes really-- were it is dumping rain outside. Has been all day. I realize while I lived in Washington state I might have complained about the rain and the dark and stormy nights and sky's as Snoopy might have written about. BUT after living in the desert since June the pitter patter of the rain hitting the ground and more importantly the cooler temperatures it brings is a very welcome feeling. I am once again in a Motel 6 tonight typing this. Because of there rates and, compatibility with pets, and such I have spent many a night in such a motel. And with there nation wide remodels, the rooms usually look the same were ever I may be. This one is actually not like the norm, and actually very snazzy. I have also takin' many a selfie in a Motel 6 mirror. In fact I have almost as many such pictures as of myself by a vehicle of mine with the hood up, on the side of the road-not running. My wife and I have had many a bad trip in random vehicles we have had and have now determined that by the time we can afford a quality vehicle, the kids will be out of our house, and we will not be taking road trips! If you do not know what a selfie is, congratulations! I have heard that the dumb as$ word has made it into the new dictionary in a continuing effort to effectively prove that we as Americans are getting dumberer and further prove why other countries really hate us. No matter the case, more pictures on all of this to come--and only one or tow of those will be selfies.