Welcome!

                      Good morning to everyone!   I am sitting on our back deck today writing this action void blog post.  It is still not to warm --but it is July and that will change.  By afternoon even if you take a shower--you get out of the shower and are instantly covered in water again.  The shower water being replaced by sweat.  Luckily the intense heat only lasts about two months out of the year.   And much of July we rejoice with the monsoons!   A magical time of the year, when even God decides it is to hot here--and the heavens open up -giving us a huge down pour of cooling rain.  Often much more rain than the dry desert can deal with.  Causing even more problems.  But at least everyone is much cooler and a little happier.  Even if there car is now surrounded by water and could be considered an island.  At least now it can be considered a dry but moist heat.  All of the old timers in this state like to explain why residents do not spontaneously conbust from the sure heat---most of the time--because it is a dry heat here.  If that was not true---watch out mister!  Because than, boy, it would be hot!   I have many times before mentioned how mind numbling stupid this is--- once it's over 100 outside and in many cases inside--it is just Flippin' hot- no matter what kind of heat you are dealing with.   So I will not go into this thought line any deeper now.  I may very well continue to make fun of the concept though.  

 

   
Blog rundown:
My first page full of posts, Exploring, random rambling and coffee love!  This very page!   Nearing 32000 views.   So thank you all for that!!  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com
Some of my better pictures and Exploring of Washington state mostly around Bellingham. http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/ MY newest page all about Exploring amazing Arizona. Check them all out!!

 

So many trails   So little time!!

 

 

                    We have now lived in the Benson, Arizona area for just over a year.  I have a whole blog post coming filled with pictures and thoughts on the great little town.  It is still hard to believe we have been here a year now.   Time flies even when you are not having fun! 

     **"News flash to all the people that have been calling and texting my wife so early in the morning---mostly with wrong numbers and such---- I work grave yards and have no issues calling you back even earlier in the AM. ----Just sayin'"**


    Last post I added some links I found interesting and hope you also enjoyed them.  Here is one for this morning to wake you up a little bit.    This person has lost it   and really wants some Dam Mc Nuggets!     Mmmm Mc Grease!    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=749511365093587

     The other night at work ---I work in a restaurant in a casino---we got extra busy at 3 AM after a concert had let out -the bars were all closed--and everyone suddenly realized they were very hungry.  And needed to attempt to sober up before gambling more or attempting to drive home.   At any rate the grave yard shift is full of interesting people.  And that is just the workers.  Two nights back because of the rush--we had tickets all the way across the cook line of food waiting to go out.  The cooks were killing themselves off trying to keep up with the rush.  And food was coming out of the kitchen --but not fast enough for starving drunks.  Anyways several gentlemen from a table of mine decided they had waited more than enough---drunkin' waiting time is different than sober waiting time, by far.  And came up to the cook line and started to harass our lead chief---who handled things much better than most people would or maybe should.   The last time they came up -- they canceled there food orders-- $60.00 worth of food and than went into a rant about how some day our tribe would get everything figured out and would be able to actually get food out of there kitchen to hungry customers.  This was extra entertaining because the chief and I are beyond white boys as well as are most of the cooks.  If anything we are from the not so famous Chip-A-Hoy tribe.   The casino does own all of the food outlets and such, but serving food is not really a tribe thing.   Most casino food outlets actually loose money because the eaters are  not gambling. 
     These customers were trying to get a rise out of someone.  And trying to offend.  I have let a few things slip--while working at a casino in Washington that co-workers did not exactly like--but really was not trying to offend anyone.  There I always called myself the token whit boy--this was why I supposedly made the big tips.  But I think it was more because I kept my knee pads extra polished.  One day I was talking about being new---and very low on the totem pole in the scheme of things.   That did not go over to well.  

 

 

I really miss Wood coffee   from the Bellingham, WA area  anyone wish to send me some??

My birthday is coming up.....   ;)

 

 

 

I seriously used to own this very shirt. 

But I can say I have never worn mine in a mug shot.

 

 

I have posted this before--but it still amuses me greatly.

 

 

 

 

Sounds like a plan for tonight  or for on my up coming birthday.

To bad no one else can see any of my friends.

 

 

I do believe it might be a great night off to fire up our fire pit!

I will be jumping in our pool at least once today before the monsoon rains hit.

I do have one complaint about our new pool---the sales people at Wally World never once told us we would have to clean the Dam thing!

 

 

 

 

 

    Directly above is our new bed headboard.  I share this to brag and to show what amazing things it is possible to obtain for free.  Mostly because people have to Dam much stuff.   We also got an amazing grand father clock a few months ago for free.   But in warning--it many times is not worth the hidden costs of being free---because people are people and often greedy.   But these particular items are amazing and well worth every penny we spend--and more. 
 

Two Local Mini Hikes & Search For Water Part I

   **Another post first published in MY newest Exploring page     http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/   Check it out!!**

           Good morning to everyone!  As always I hope that you enjoy this Exploring page even half as much as I enjoy posting and taking the pictures for this page.  This is my third such page, and I would like to hope that with my newest page things are getting close to perfect.  For the most part this blog is about amazing Arizona and will soon take us across the entire state and back.  I hope that you share the link with anyone that lives in the sun filled state, has a special place in there heart for Arizona, or to your family and friends that are not seeing as much sunshine!  Although I try to keep this page very local -sometimes I venture further down the road.  Next week I will be in Palm Springs, so of course several picture filled posts will follow.  Our new home is Benson, Arizona so many of the adventures focus around this part of Arizona at the moment.  For tons of more adventures  and maybe some random rambling please check out my first blog page  at: www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

I just read an amazing article about how important it is to take your kids on hikes.

From teaching them new skills, to just getting them away from it all.

And most of the time I take one or all of our kids along with me.

On this day though it was just Butch and I.

Sometimes we just need to be alone with our thoughts

sweating out the negatives and enjoying the quiet the desert has to offer.

Like these plants I have been searching for areas of water in the last week of Exploring.

Not an easy task when in the desert in February.

But the next few posts will show I have found some areas in and around Benson!

Most of the places we seem to roam will be filled with gushing water during the mighty monsoon season.

Down by the runoff I found this small rock stack.

I used to find them all of the time while roaming around the bay in Bellingham, Washington.

An area so pretty I also have a picture filled blog page just from the area!

Maybe after coming from an area with so much water--to living here

is the main reason I am looking for an desert oasis.

Maybe I am just bored.

Rock stacking-Expert level.

Clouds kept rolling in and than on by on this day.

This downed barbed wire fence is not protecting much anymore.

 Although we saw many signs that water was lurking just below the sandy surface, we found no standing water once again.  These pictures are once again from the area in Benson just down from the motels, Jack In The Box, and on the way to the city dump.  I have reported on this area several times before and had found no water so we moved on. 

What path will you choose?

In your hikes and in every day life. 

The easy path that is well traveled

or the path that few have ventured. 

Before we venture to the next Exploring location--I must vent a little bit. 

Every time I take a hike through the desert, I find piles of garbage every time I venture out.  Many times when still basically in city limits.  

I realize the above picture is of abandoned palm trees and not really garbage, but it was dumped in the middle of the desert.  

This is the desert NOT your personal/free dump sight.  

My kids are instantly drawn to the garbage to look for something neat or to break. 

And of course our dogs are equally as drawn. 

This takes away from any great adventure -every time. 

If you pack it in--pack it out. 

Please stop!

 OK  I will jump off of my soap box now and continue on with the Exploring.

We jumped in the pickup and headed further down the road.
Still searching for water. 

This time we headed towards St David.

Parking just before the rail road tracks and quickly headed across the highway- down beside the bridge. 

Butch and I had found water. 

Nor much and not the cleanest

but Butch was instantly running back and forth threw the liquid. 

Since we were again greeted by a very sunny day, we ventured on.

This mostly hidden tree fort looks strong still, but also appears to not have been used for a very long time.  

Soon we found a solar powered electric fence.  After stopping Butch from marking the fence- we decided it was time to head back.  

But first I must share this quick story about my buddy I am going to visit next week.

Years ago he and some friends decided to tube a mighty river in the heart of Washington state. 

My buddy got separated from his group and at some point decided to leave the cooling water and walk.  He came to this huge field and noticed many cows just standing in the middle of the field with what appeared to be a string supported by fence posts all around the cows. 

The pasture was in the way of getting to his truck -so he proceeded forward. 

As he again started walking, he pondered why the stupid cows would stay in an area only protected by a thin string. 

He was still processing this, as he approached the string and grabbed it with both hands.

This completed the circuit and shocked the crap out of my buddy.

It seems he really is a city slicker, and was not simply grabbing a cow restraing string, but the wire for an electric fence!

This was just on the other side of the electric fence.   

I am not sure what it is, but it really seemed to need to be protected. 

And I was not about to get shocked to attempt to learn what this was for.  

One last shot of the actual flowing water, before heading back to the truck.

This was Butch as soon as we returned home.  

Take A Picture

     **Another blog post first published in MY newest Exploring page.   Please check it out and share the links!    http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com     **

 

               Last week we all ventured to the Dragoon area once again, for some rock climbing fun.  Although we left the dogs behind this time around.  On this day we stopped at the rest area, just past the Dragoon exit and just before the exit to The Thing!  Both areas I have posted about before.  As I have mentioned before, this picture filled blog is all about Exploring Arizona and all it has to offer in fun and sights.  But our funding is very minimal at the moment, so many of the hikes focus around our new home town of Benson, Arizona.  This will change.  In the mean time I hope you enjoy each post.   This is a very new page, so please share the word and the links -so we can gain readers and comments from across this amazing state, and beyond.   Each comment -good, bad, or ugly, helps me make this a better sight for all!  

    

              
        

 

This area is about 12 miles from us but offers some great Exploring and lots of rock jumping fun

to quickly wear out the kiddos. 

The rest area also offers lots of benches, bathrooms, and even vending machines if you do not wish to

join in on the fun.

Plus there is always lots of people watching here to enjoy. 

Rocks like the above line the parking area.

 

 

 

And are just begging to be climbed!

 

 

A very rare picture of both of our boys together-AND looking happy.

The oldest was trying to hide behind his brother.

After I looked at this picture more-- I believe they both look more "evil" than happy.

As if happily plotting to push the other one off the rocks first.
But maybe that is just the parent in my thinking to much.

 

 

 

    Just  down from many of the rocks is the rest areas workers residence.  And a few heavily fenced ponds.  This is also a water treatment area.   And yes the water above is green.  A very slime mutant sludge green.  Although it is still kind of pretty.  The entire area is fenced off, around both rest areas and you have to walk a bit to get around the fences to the cooler rock formations and the open desert. 

 

Staying hydrated and ready to Explore!

 

 

 

 

Like here!!

 

 

 

The larger formations form almost cave like areas.

That are full of fun echoes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The writing on the wall says "love!"   As in most places we Explore---vandals have come and gone.  Some of the art work is actually pretty neat.   If this was painted darker it might make for a nifty post card.  Although in this area de-facing the rocks is illegal.   I am not sure how one enforces this, but with all of the art work, I would say the enforcer is not to strict or crafty.

 

As in every hike  in this area--- magnificent mountains surround us in the distant horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each formation in this whole area is completely different and breath taking in it's own way.

 

 

 

 

Just across the way was a much taller set of hills that was calling to us. 

On this portion also very rocky   but the further to the right you look, the

easier the climb appears.  Although it still spends a lot of time going up.

 

 

 

Reaching the top--is far easier said than done.

For one thing from our stop-- four lanes of I-10 highway and several fences stand in the way!

I was not into playing Frogger with big rigs on this day--so we quickly loaded into our truck

and set off for the very next exit, crossed over the highway, and

turned back toward Benson.  Pulling back off at the rest area on the other side.

 

 

 

I have a long list of places to Explore next

But were do you think we should Explore??

 

Were have you been on a hike lately?

Please share your thoughts and pictures. 

The best will make it in future blog posts---giving you credit of course.

 

Please share on this pages comment section or at the links just below!

 

All new picture filled -all local blog post in the works!

 

Please tell your friends.  :)

 

 

Until next time

 

As always

 

**HAPPY TRAILS!!**

 

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http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/


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Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head