Walk & Drive About Arizona Part II

    Finally a long  awaited update from my Exploring Arizona blog page!!

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    A HUGE thank you to all the readers and supporters of this page!  I am working on getting the word out on this very page and MANY new posts.  But life keeps getting in the way.  My family and work definitely come first before Exploring or posting.  I have been busy getting new pictures and Exploring in  so please stay patient with me in the posting area.  And share the links if you enjoy what you see here!   I have trouble sometimes because I have been all across this amazing state in my travels  ----but this was years ago, and I strive to keep these posts and pictures as current as possible so do not want to post the old trips.  Although I might bring up some of the great experiences and maybe pictures in my new posts.  Plus this just gives me more reasons to take trips to places like Sedona and Flagstaff and beyond.   Several of these great places I or we have lived in in the past also.  This surfaces some in tonight's blog post.   

   First I want to mention an activity that is getting a lot of push through several sights on Facebook.   I have talked to the page administrators and they do not wish me to mention the pages names---so be it.   They also do not wish me to mention this Exploring blog page on there sights, but that I can not guarantee I will not do.  Because the pages so well go together at least in my eyes.     Anyways in this area and beyond it seems painting rocks, and than hiding them locally on trails, in towns, and such for others to find joy in is turning into a huge thing.  And I must say some of the rocks pictures are amazing!  Especially when you consider they are being painted on such rough, usually oddly shaped pieces.  People locally are going crazy for this.  Even taking the painted finds out of the state to re hide.   And having rock painting parties with there families and others.  This gets them outside to look for and hide the rocks.  And off there computers and screens.  Except of course to post what rocks they have found, painted, hidden and of course clues to were they hid them.  And there is easily 50 such posts a day on this sight.   I found it interesting but not to interesting at first.  And than my beautiful wife and kiddos found some painted rocks.   And they were instantly hooked.  They re hid a few.  Than started painting there own.  Than every time I got in our vehicles I will find perfect rocks to be painted and than hidden.   My wife even had a horoscope that said to return to child like activities from your past, to find joy.   Instantly reasoning that rock painting should be on her weekly to do list.  
     I than got a little disgruntled because I Explore a lot, had even started to take several rambling trips across Benson and had not found a single painted rock.   I mean they were being found on trails, in town, in front of the dentist office, even in Wal Mart-until inside store rock hiding became very discouraged.   And I could not find a single rock.   Well today---as I was in Benson paying the electric bill, I finally found my own rock!   Propped up on the ground by a no parking sign.  I saw it on the way in the building but wanted to pay and get out of there, with out holding rocks,---so when I saw several people in line, I instantly regretted not picking up the darn rock.  As I watched people leave, I instantly knew one of them was going to pick up the rock and cherish it forever, no matter what was painted on it.  Happily no one else grabbed it, and than I did.  A very nice Hello Kitty design, extra dirty from all the current rain.   It was the first thing I showed my wife when I returned home, before the payment for the electric bill even.   Am I hooked---no  But I do like the idea, and the Exploring for kool rocks while you are out Exploring.   I like that a lot.   Now that I typed all this--- I thought it was just going to be a short rock story at the start of my blog, I wish I had some pictures.   

      Today's post has nothing to do with rocks.   Painted or other wise.   Although rocks of every shape and size can be found across the state.  For sure.  A few weeks and months back when I posted about visiting the local air base, before I got kicked off the property, I thought I had the whole day to Explore.  I was going to roam --with no real plan and than spend the night in some cheap motel in a little place like Eloy --so that I could continue Exploring the next day.    This did not pan out, at least not the over night part  but I did manage to Explore more that day.   Because of my stop at the base I got to the near by peak around ten AM and it was much to hot to do much of a hike for me.   I have been here several times in the past and have several blog posts from here.  Just past the base ---heading towards Phoenix.  I again stopped at the huge Shell gas station/tourist trap and purchased several large bottles of water.  In case I forgot to mention this time, this station also sells fireworks!  ;)   

       I toured the very small ranger station, and got my day pass for  the park.  The building is super small but air conditioned, so a quick cool off before my mini hike.  The rangers were also very knowledgeable.   One even happened to come down the trail later on, supposedly taking pictures for online, but it really seemed like he was just checking up on me.   I didn't pass any hikers no the trails or see any vehicles in the turn outs.   If you keep following the main road, this park has a huge area for camping.   With many many sights.  Each has bathrooms nearby and an amazing view.    Some day ---with a much earlier start I am going to hike to the top of the main peak.   But don't hold your breath for that post to be published.  

  

  Nice easy well maintained trail----with lots of photo opps.   

In case groomed trails confuse you.

This trail now goes to the left!

I have hiked in all kinds of areas and states, 

Arizona has it's own beauty for sure.  

Some day    to the top of this I will venture!

What a view!

It is amazingly calming to watch the vehicles speed past on I-10

from such a height.  

About here I took a misstep and fell hard on my arm.  

It scraped it up a little bit but nothing was bleeding.

It really did not even hurt

although it hurt my hikers pride a good deal. 

I was suddenly very glad no one was with me on the hike.  

It was getting near noon now, and the sun was to hot to deal with full on. 

So it was time to drive.  

We had just bought an inexpensive car for our sons 17th birthday  *Cringe* and part of this trip was seeing how it handled on the open road.  

I had no plan on this day  but was now hungry. 

At that point I did plan on ending up in Eloy for the night so kind of headed that direction.  

But decided it was to early to get a motel room. 

I soon ended up on some back farm roads.   

Lost in the beauty and lost in general.  

Not necessarily a bad thing. 

The next thing I knew I was very near Casa Grande.

We used to live in Florence and Queen Creek and several surrounding areas and had traveled to Casa Grande and Coolidge and such many times.  But I had never been to the ruins.  After a stop at the Wal Mart litarly just down the road, to cool off and find more fluids for myself and for the car, just in case  I went to the national park to look around. 

Even though I had never been here and probably was never coming back

I did not wish to pay to go on the actual grounds.  

So I took advantage of the zoom feature on my camera. 

Even the visitor center here charged to see the good stuff inside.  

In the parking lot.

Than back to Wal Mart to cool off again, find lunch, and supplies for the motel room.

I wound up never needing. 

Back in the car to see what I could see.

Coolidge was my next stop. 

Most of the town is closed down   with empty buildings  

but there are still lots of things to take pictures of.

At least in my eyes.  

I thought this was entertaining

especially since it was right beside a large bar.

I always enjoy a great sign.

Although this bar had been long closed by the looks of it. 

This bar was alive and kicking. 

Each of the sings out front were classic  and the large chalk boards were covered with dislike for the local government and city officials.  

Just outside city hall.

In front of a residence.

Everyone needs a little help and support sometimes!

In front of the very nice visitors center/ Chamber of Comerence.  

Salute!

Just beside the visitors center and surrounded by a huge park. 

Very Kool!!

Right about here I had some issues of were to go next.  We had lived in many of these areas -that were now very close by.   Queen Creek was mainly there because of the Wal Mart my wife and I both worked at when we lived there and now I have heard it's a huge town.   I wanted to revisit a lot of these areas   but I was getting hot and I kind of want to visit with my wife because she is the people person and still likes people that live in these towns.  

What a view!

As always     

Happy Trails!

And happy rock hunting!!  

August 1st!?

   
                             **"I don't care what religion anyone is as long as you use your turn signal!"**

                        **"It takes honey to catch flys but you gotta be extra fly to catch more honey's."**
                
                                    **"The phones makin' funny noises again!"**--CoCo Rockstar----Every time the work phone would ring or his personal cell phone    ;)

                        Morning all!! **"Suckin at something is the first step to being sort of good at it."**



                            **"Whether you think you can or think you can't--your probably right"**---Family Guy

   I like to try and add some motivational and inspirational void quotes and thoughts to each and every one of my blog posts.   In hopes you will enjoy at least one of them.  Feel free to use them any way you see fit, or borrow them for your pages.  That's how I get my quotes for the most part.   Just like Pokemon, collect all the quotes, by going back through my old blog posts.  You know you want too!    Than check out my self proclaimed Amazing Exploring Arizona blog page.    Full of Exploring across Arizona and my personal pictures.   

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    And now I must ask   how it is already August?  This  news is a mixture of shock, disappointment, and thrill   because June and July flew by, but they were also extra crummy months for me at least.  I guess this really is not news, it is just looking at the date on the calender.   Today is again cloudy outside, which I fully do enjoy.  Although no wet stuff has hit us yet today beyond a few rain drops.  At any rate Happy August 1st I guess!    Its still the date no matter how you feel about that.  

 So the other day I rambled on about the local back to school fair---and getting free stuff like backpacks and such for the kiddos.  I think the best part of all this, is that on the 27th of last month the kids all went back to school.   Woooo!   This also means that the hottest part of year for us desert dwellers is about over.   Thankfully for at least the students and teachers, the kids don't have to suffer to many 100 plus temperature daze at school.   They suffer them at home    melting into the carpets as there parents attempt to step over them to get to the fridge and place a fresh Popsicle in there mouths.  I have never done this event with the kids any were else we have lived, so am very happy that this state offers it.   And so is our pocketbooks and wallets.   But the lines and heat in general make people crazy here---big time  and I really thought there was going to be a throw down fight on this morning.  And kind of was wishing my wife was along to keep me calmer----I tend to say less of what I am thinking about people, when she is around, although she is deff not above a good fight if one is warnted.  Plus if nothing else, she would have been as amused as myself.    Because in the long run everyone there got free stuff   no matter were they were in line,    and the real winners were the kiddos.   Or maybe the parents who now had to buy less school supplies    either way----chill out Benson!   People in Benson are like no others we have meet in all our travels.  And we have traveled A TON!   And although interactions with the residents and workers and police give me constant material for here, it really is sad.   In this case mostly for the kids of the offending "parents" who have this as role models.    

    Anyways, the event started at 8 AM  and I knew it was going to be hot that day and that I had to work that night   so wanted to get in and out of there.   So we arrived in the basically empty school parking lot at about 5:30 AM   yes AM----there still is a 5 AM   although only God knows why.    There was exactly 4 people there ahead of us and maybe three cars in the entire parking lot.   The kids found a spot in line and I left our car in the lot, and walked to the local Safeway to find more coffee.   Across town, but this is Benson so still close.   I kind of took my time----because standing in the sun is not a highlight of mine and because the less interaction I have with Benson people the better for all.   I returned to the school --with my big cup of coffee about 7:20 ish.   Now the line was crazy long----twisting through the parking lot.   So I went and sat near the front of the line and our kiddos.  Now granted, we have three kids, and the neighbor kids dad was far from being awake yet, so for every ones knowledge 7 kids there were mine.  Maybe I am starting my own baseball team, shut up!   At any rate ---our kids should have been basically at the front of the line.   And they were near the front, but several adults had moved in on the front of the line.    And even more adults were complaing about there spot in the line.  Trying to involve there friends that worked for the school.   Each time they bitched, the time they showed up -got earlier in there stories and rants.  At this point --88 adults were there at 5 in the morning.  I continued to sip my coffee and stay out of the way---but stayed listening in case I needed to chime in OR show my picture of the empty parking lot and line when we did indeed show up.  
    Camera phones sure are useful in many ways!   The bitching got louder and the glares at my kids and others in the front of the line got more shifty, but nothing to mind blowlingly stupid was said.   I had the picture ready---and a whole speech about actually getting up early to be early and how everyone was in fact still getting free stuff, but did not have to use any of it.  ;)  Just before eight, I left the shade and stood by my kids, near the front of the line.  Verifying that all 7 of them were mine--and than loudly asked my daughter to sign us all in, because "in an attempt to fit in with Benson residents I dropped out of school in 5th grade and had not yet done leaned my letters!"    As always Benson parents----keep it classy!   

   Speaking of classy--------a few posts ago I shared about the new wine in cans our casino is now offering.   And I laughed and laughed when I first saw the product.   I have not yet tasted one, but it is made in Washington and I have heard is really good.  Anyways, I now like to serve it at the table, with the can---opened of course, and a actual wine glass   just to keep it classy as hell!    I am sure I find this way more entertaining then the guests and certainly the mangers   but I work in a casino/resort  with A high Forbes and Diamond rankings from happy customers, and this just makes me laugh and laugh.   I guess it's the little things like bringing a real wine glass out with ones caned can of wine that put us over the top.    ;)   Now please don't fire me.    


     Last thoughts for today on keeping it classy----
I recently had a young couple ask for my section at work---I have meet them once before through my wife---- they had a voucher for free food, which usually means  no tips---they did recall my name, which had them beat over me.  When I got to the table, the man played fake nice asking if I remembered meeting them.   He than went right into how they had lost $100 in the casino  gambling and could not afford to buy gas to get home.   All the time I was wondering why this was my problem.  I did listen though, somewhat, because if nothing else this couple had some balls.   They lived in Benson, and I pass by there house on the way home, and had several hundred dollars stashed away at home, if I could just lend them gas money till I got off work, than stop there and get payed back.     Still wondering why this was my problem---
but almost feeling bad because the gal is preggo   and this is the kind of parents the kid was going to have.   But I could not give the cash to the kiddo because it is not born yet.    Anyways all of this was a sure sign I was not going to make a tip at this table.   Something most servers strive for.   As a reply I had someone else take over the table and got my tables caught up and happy enough I could hang out in the back office until the couple left.   I'm sorry   but this is not my problem.   Kudos for having the balls to even bring it up to me though.   I have had my share of problems--and hardships  usually involving the kiddos, but the issue never started because I ---I   it can't be more put in capital letter as the main issue here, decided to gamble all the money on me and I was than stuck.    Just sayin'

            OK  my last thoughts for today------    With school started or starting all across this great country   I keep seeing a post online about how bullying is not OK, no matter how old you are-----I will never post this, because I do not agree.    In fact I fully do not agree.   This post just says it's not right---and it's not   It has no help in helping your kids through bullying.    Bullying happens in all stages of life----not just at school.   From work  to your ignorant neighbor.   From the Circle K worker that thinks hes to good and schooled to serve you as a customer to your small town police officer of judge that is on a power trip.  We, or at least I deal with these things all the time.  Have since middle school.   I mean come on, my last name is Adams from the Adams family.   Many of you have much easier names to make fun of or heritages to bash.   I have learned to take it in stride, keep the joke going, bully back, or constructively use my words to "fight back"  either turning it into a joke and turning things more light hearted, or quickly making things worse.   My kids all know --when push comes to shove--that if there is a fight at school or else where----to let the other throw the first punch, and than game on,   and than both of us as parents will show up to support them fully in there decision to fight back, and with our kiddos probably more than not, kick some major butt.   Does this make them bullies?    Bullying IS wrong    but just forever posting how wrong it is, and not teaching what to do about it   when it does happen----and it will happen, is more wrong.     If your kids don't know how to handle bullying in school, than they will have a full break down when it happens at work or in the real world when they get older.   Think back to your school days---were you bullied?   I sure a heck was.   To top everything off, in High School I weighed a 110 pounds  soaking wet, prime bullying material    right?  BUT I survived it all   and would like to think I am a well functioning adult now.   You are too!       So don't post this stupid message about bullying     in fact if I see it much more, I am going to be a bully in reply to your posts about bullying.    Teach your kiddos first off that bullying is not OK---than teach them your family's take on bullying and how to handle it.   Make sure they report it   each time   and than report it to you  because the school is probably not going to handle it the right way.   And than if needed---you as the adult   can become the bully, to make the actions stop.     But again   what do I know?  
Thoughts my friends??