# 16 Phoenix – Just add water and hike

Nothing beats a good referral as they say in business. Equally as important nothing beats a good suggestion of great places to go for vacation and fun. Well as much as I enjoy giving my older brother a hard way to go. Today I have to give him a “high 5 ” for always talking about “The Zona”.

Even though he knows we are boat people, beach people, and bums. He also knows we value anywhere that is top shelf in the great outdoors. That combined with a great social and recreational environment creates a landscape for  exploration.

Recalling seven or eight years ago while visiting he brought us a book on Arizona and said you two have to go check this out “so get it on the list”. When people reiterate things with passion more than once, twice or five times you had better listen up, because chances are there is something worth while to see… I say if you are gambling on sending water people to the desert you must be holding a hand full of Aces knowing you are right.

Thanks big brother for dialing us in on these Mile Marker Memories. You just forgot to tell me that once I turn left off I-40 west onto I-17 south that the Ambassador III would drop like a rock from 7000′ to 1400′ in short order. And that folks is the difference between the mountains and the desert.

 

Spring time bloom at Superscription Mountain at the chapel where Elvis filmed Charro

Lost Dutchman SP hiking trail Apache Junction, AZ.

The view from half way up the mountain

Superstition Mountain in black and white

View from Superstition Mountian

Pam on the trail

Pam waiting for Chris

Now Chris is tired and needs shade.

Sunset in Apache Junction. Shot taken from downtown AP.

Leaving Tortilla Flats. So many washes.

Not seeing any sailboats out here brother

When the sign says 44 miles to Roosevelt Lake you can’t just assume that means the road is paved and has two lanes. So it’s back to Tortilla Flats.

Canyon Lake, now I bet we can find boats here.

A great shot in Superior, AZ. A drive from Apache Junction through Superior to Globe is a fun drive. The brochure states the drive from Superior to Globe is not for the faint of heart.

Thanks Bruce Richardson from The Resolution Copper Mine in Superior . The Boyce Thompson Arboretum was a beautiful. Your kindness was much enjoyed.

How do you keep cool in Arizona. Build in the rock with shade. Boyce Thompson Arbetum.

A must do when in the area is the Boyce Thompson with over 100 plus types of cactus and hiking trails

Seriously it’s not that big of deal, if you have grandma with you just strap a jet pack on her back, that will make her fast. It’s just that easy.

I think they just put these signs all over the place just to scare you and keep you out. But anyway signs are like rules. They don’t mean anything they are just guidelines for your consideration.

Boyce Thompson creek

Notice the house on the mountain (higher than it appears since we are on the mountain too). The ground foundation was laid by hand.

The oldest standing courthouse in Arizona is located in the quaint town of Florence, AZ. At this location I re-sentenced Pam to life with me without the possibility of parole.

Casa Grande NP in Coolidge, AZ.

Casa Grande Ruins

I never understand signs. Tell people they can’t do something and what happens?

Go figure…Might not be wise to put a sign on your house that says. Don’t rob this house.

Chase Field site of the USA baseball All Star game. For you baseball fans spring training is made up of 15 teams called the Cactus League and games are going on all over the area daily.

Here is a funny one for you. Cardinal’s Stadium tour $9 each. RV show free. It’s the Cardinal’s for heaven sake… Glad I am a camper.

This was a cool find. This is a historic hotel where many of the old school star stayed. Grant, Cooper, Monroe, Bogart and tons more show on the star walk. The inside still has it’s charm and beauty.

The Wrigley Mansion in Scottsdale overlooking the city

See the folks here don’t have a lot of signs. So we decided to give ourselves a self guided tour. Here we are on the roof top. Kinda makes you feel like a pirate hey! I think I’l…………

Just call it a day… So pour me something tall and strong, Let me hear you sing.

Time to call it a night.