We left Cottonwood with eyes set on the Phoenix area. We settled in Apache Junction with two main objectives: (1) see family; and (2) wait out a storm with predicted sustained winds of 30 mph. Mission accomplished, and then some.
We enjoyed hooking up with M’s Arizona-based cousins and their families.
We visited Rawhide in Chandler, AZ, and soaked up the western atmosphere. Things were even more enjoyable after the kids agreed to be incarcerated.
We sprung the kids and headed for Roadhouse to grab some grub and enjoy conversation in between the consumption of yeast rolls.
Great to see you guys!
The next day, we managed to squeeze in a trip to Canyon Lake before the bad weather rolled in. Boy are we glad we did that! The Dolly Steamboat tour came recommended and previous passengers reported seeing big horn sheep on the trip. Somewhat jaded after our long, fruitless, search for big horn, we remained skeptical and resolved to enjoy the big-horn-free scenery.
Suddenly, high on a cliff, M spots a white butt! A dear, perhaps? Then another! Binoculars and long-zoom camera are thrust into action. Yes, BIG HORN! Lots of BIG HORN!
Checkout the leap of the dude towards the left in this picture…
On the opposing cliff behind us, more BIG HORN, including a lamb!
What a tremendous sight for us. The big horn and on-board popcorn even made the required life jackets (for the kids) bearable.
Tucked in for the night with slides pulled in and visions of big horn dancing in our heads, we survived the storm. We lost only the storage bags for our leveling blocks after an unsecured cargo door blew open. An outing to Raising Cain’s helped us get over our loss. Sorry, Guthrie’s, but RC has you beat.
Thankful for our time in Phoenix, we packed up and headed to Tucson…
Getting arrested during your cross country trip. Check.