Phoenix, AZ March 2012

Well, our time in Phoenix for our 2012 Getaway is about to end.  We pulled in here at Leaf Verde RV Resort on March 1, (actually Buckeye, about 20 miles west of Phoenix), and tomorrow, April 2, we pull out and head to Williams, AZ for about a week.  But more about Williams later.  Let me tell you about our month here first.  Our goal was to come to the warm climes of the area, relax, go to a few Res games, play a little golf, and do a little "Jeeping".  I'm happy to say that we accomplished all the above, and then some.  My old friend and former colleague at Northrop Grumman, Bill Cochran was able to join us for two weeks, March 3-17.  We got in about 10 rounds of golf, in 14 days.

The first round we played was my first round since early in December while still in Virginia Beach.  I thought I'd be pretty rusty, but managed to shoot most rounds in the low to mid 80's.  Except Quintero.  That absolutely magnificent venue just kicked my butt.  After Bille left, I managed to get in another three rounds, 36 in one day.  What great weather here this time of year.  And this area has about 100 courses in which to play.  From $25 (Sundance) to $250 (Boulder and TPC Scottsdale).  Bill had a great time and can't wait till next year when he can come and watch the Reds, and oh yes, get in a little golf. :))

And speaking of the Reds, we did manage to get in a few games, but not as many as last year.  Golf was the attraction this year.  Here are a few pics from those games.

 Bill, Nancy and yours truly...at Goodyear Park.  It was a little cool this day.

 Jay Bruce, the right fielder.  He has lost 15 pounds from the end of last season.  Looks lean & mean.

 Scott Rolen & Ryan Ludwick (a new acquisition from the Cards).

 And Zizzy, the mascot of the Reds when in Goodyear.

 Above, Billy Hatche, coach & manager, Dusty Baker talking baseball, or is where they are going for dinner?  Below, a souvenier about to land in a youngster's hands from a Red in the dugout.

 And Eric Davis, coach & former all star player for the Reds, having a little fun with the fans.

 Coach Hatcher & a couple of players, and pitching coach and Dusty talking about what pitchers are likely to make it, and those who need a little more work & experience.

It sure is a nice little venue here in Goodyear for my Reds, but not as nice as their home in Cincinnati, Great American Ball Park.  It's now April 1, and in just a few days, the regular season will kick off, but to cooler and not to friendly skies of the northern climes.  But it will warm up in a few weeks and the Reds hope to be in first place and go to the playoffs in September.

Well, I've probably rambled enough for now, but I have more to blog about our time here in Phoenix/Buckeye.  So, until then, RVing Beach Bums.



Yuma Proving Ground

 At the road from US95 into the road that goes to base gates, are these two large guns.  I assume that the proving ground tests a variety of artillery and tanks and other items that the Army employs in their arsenal of weapons and support mechanisms.  I have included a few of the items that are on display at a little park just outside the base.

I was in the Navy (Viet Nam vet) and very little knowledge of the Army stuff.  But I am posting these pics for my two Grandsons, Maxwell and Austin, as they might enjoy these machines and armaments.  And perhaps Austin's Father, Pete, who was a West Point grad and served in Kosovo and fairly certain he knows what most of these items were used for and where. 

 And the Sherman Tank, I have heard of before.  I believe this was the war horse of WW2 and later years as well.

Well, so ends our stay at the Yuma PG.  We really like it here.  There is plenty to see and keep us busy here as well as having warm days and cool nights.  Lord willing, we will be back here next year.  Today is move day.  It is Thursday, March 1, and we'll be in Phoenix later tady, and will be there for about 5 weeks or so.  Bill Cochran, my old friend and colleague at Northrop Grumman, and Nancy's old boss, will visiting for a couple weeks beginning this Saturday.  We'll get in a lot golf and see some Reds games at their spring training complex in Goodyear.  We'll be staying at the Leaf Verde RV Park in Buckeye, about 10 miles west of Goodyear.  So, till the next blog, RVing Beach Bums.



Palm Canyon/King Canyon, AZ

Our Jeep ride today takes us to Palm Canyon & King Canyon in the KOFA (King of Arizona) Wildlife Refuge.  The road into the refuge for Palm Canyon is located up US95 from the Yuma Proving Ground about 40 miles.  And the dirt/gravel road to the parking area for the trail head up to the palms is about 10 miles.  So, Miss Jeepy had a big smile on her face (even shining her teeth (sorry)) as she loves to get dirty & dusty.

 Nancy blazing the trail up to the palms, with her walking stick.

 There are a few additional palms scattered higher up in Palm Canyon. As you enter Palm Canyon, you will see some "palm like" plants that can be confusing. These plants, nolinas, grow out of cracks or on ledges, especially on the north wall of the canyon. The nolinas are much smaller than palms and do not develop a trunk.  There were many of these plants all along the canyon walls. 

 Most, if not all of the California Palms were on the north wall with more sun exposure.

 There were a few scattered palms in some of the crevices, but the biggest concentration were in the small canyon to the left (below).  It's so wierd to be in the middle of this canyon and see these large trees growing in the middle of what appears to be no soil to support their growth, and yet here they are standing tall.

 Looking back out of the canyon and the road into the trailhead. 

 The trail was not easy, as there were large boulders and loose large gravel in the trail.  But Nancy blazed the trail for me so I felt safe. :-)

 We spent a while here at this spot just taking in the cool mid day breeze and the awsome panorama of the Sonoran Desert vista and the canyon palms.

 Palo Verde trees, the AZ State tree.

 This little fella was warming up on a sun drenched boulder, enjoying the same view as us, only a little lower.

 Make my eyes and nose run plant below.

 Above & below, views while standing at the start of the trail into Palm Canyon.

 OK, above is the King of Arizona gold mine.  I just love going to old mines.  I don't know why, but they just intrigue.  Maybe I think I'm going to stumble on a large nugget one day.  :-)  Below, I am in the opening of one of the mine openings.  I think this one was used for storage, as I saw a large cache of unused dynamite sticks that had hardened into a solid state from their normal state.  I might be wrong about these sticks however.

 If someone knows what these "sticks" are, or has a better guess, let me know.  They were heavy and smelled like chemicals.  And, they were stored in a dry cool cave.

 From Wiki:  The Kofa Mountains are named for the rich King of Arizona gold mine, discovered in King Valley in 1896. The mine used to stamp its property "K of A" and is commonly known as the Kofa Mine. The old mine and its surroundings are private property. The Kofa, Arizona post office was established June 5, 1900 and was discontinued August 27, 1928.  Some of the old buildings are still in use as winter homes.

 Note the old air blower and old boot.  It is arid and dry here, it takes many years for things to decay or rot.

 Above & below is the main opening to the mine.  It has an upper & lower level that was used I assume to get to the wide vein of quartz/gold.

We walked past signs that indicated private property, but felt like if we didn't disturb anything we'd be ok.

 Below, our Jeep in the near-center of the pic, and beyond are the few buildings that remain, includeing a few old campers.

 Below, the water tanks used to flush/sluice material, and for consumption.

 Evening sun on the KofA mountains.

 Walking back to Jeep.

 An Ocotillo, large Saguaro and a small Cholla below.

 The Antares Mine Building, at 900 square feet the largest building on the refuge, was built in the early 1900's, following discovery of the King Of Arizona Mine.

So ends our trip to the KofA Mine.  The road back here to the mine, was approximately 25 miles of dirt/gravel, and very rough in some places, in the washes mainly.  So, we backtracked out to US95 and headed back to camp to watch the Daytona 500.  Till the next blog, RVing Beach Bums.