Almost Done in GC

Since my photo trip downtown we have had pretty busy couple of weeks as our time down here winds down.  We went to an Eagles concert.  Well, not the actual Eagles, but a very good imitation.  We have one more concert which is a group playing Santana songs.  So far the groups they have had this year have been pretty good but the Eagles tribute was definitely top of the heap.   

We went out for lunch to Joe's Farm Grill which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and the food was pretty good.  I had the Garlic Fries and I would certainly pass on this on our next visit.  I like garlic but this was far too intense. 

We dropped Mark and Jan off at the Airport so they could catch their flight back home to Salt Lake for a visit with family and friends and then took a trip to the Goldfield Ghost Town.  It features some old looking buildings housing souvenir shops and is no different than many others of its kind in the American southwest.  Not overly impressed but can now say we've been there. 

We also went to the  Captain Marvel movie which was a good flick and I am sure we will see lots of sequels.  Dropped in on Kim and Lynn, neighbours from home, who just purchased a place in Apache Junction.  They have a nice place and have been busy doing renovations for most of the winter.  I'm sure they will be happy when they have it done to their liking.  

I attended my last Photography Post Processing group meeting at Boyce Thompson and look forward to joining them again next winter.  This group, as well as the photography group in the Park, has been a good learning experience for me.  We attended the St Patricks Day dinner and dance at the clubhouse but beforehand we had to visit the Party City store to pick up some appropriate accessories.  My outfit included a Leprechaun top hat and a huge green sequenced bow tie.  Meal was so-so but the company, we attended with Penny and Larry and met a few more new friends seated at our table, was top notch. 

This past week we went back to the Olive Mill in Queens Creek for lunch.  They have great Bruschetta and Lori picked up anther cutting board made out of the wood of an Olive tree.  This plus the other 3 or 4 cutting boards she has purchased this trip will never see the sharp edge of a knife.  They are strictly for decorations and apparently they need to be arranged in a grouping.  Who knew. 

After lunch we went across the  street for dessert to Schneph Peach Farm for, guess what, Peach Pie.  On Friday we went to Picket Post Mountain for a 9.4 mile hike.  Lori hasn't been hiking much this winter and I haven't been out for a month so by the time we were done, we were DONE.  We actually got off the trail a few times so real glad I had my All Trails app going on my phone to get us back on track.  As usual some beautiful scenery and no rattle snakes which others have seen on their hikes.

We are off to Old Town Scottsdale on Sunday for a little window shopping, lunch and perhaps a few photo ops.  Its supposed to get hot again next week so other than another photo outing to see the Wild Horses and the Heron nesting site, lunch at Uncle Bears with Penny and Larry and a final visit to Boyce Thompson to check out the flowers we may spend a lot of time sitting in the shade reading and drinking cold refreshments. 

We are so lucky, we know it and appreciate every minute of it. 

The church at Goldfield Ghost Town. 

An old firetruck parked out back.
Given the state of the tires this ones not getting anywhere fast. 

Old water tower

The Mercantile store loaded with touristy souvenirs.

I got up at 6:00 AM as the full moon was shining in my eyes.
Was a beautiful scene but by the time I got dressed and outside
it had set behind some clouds.
The picture below barely shows the moon between the 2 trees.
Then I turned around and spotted the beautiful sunrise above.
Perhaps I should get up earlier more often. 

The moon is gone but the sunrise is casting a nice warm glow to the west.  

Schnepf Farms had a little menagerie out behind the restaurant.
This guy was on full display. 

One of these old chassis is not like the other one. 

One pen contained about 6 pigs.
Mark found a few lettuce leaves on the ground outside the pen.
He decided to throw them into the pen.
Not a good idea.
It created a stampede  as they all raced to get there first.
Right through a mud puddle causing a shower of mud all over Mark.  

This guy wasn't moving too fast. 

Another pig.
Seems he fell asleep before he finished chewing all his lunch.  

Had to shoot through the cage to get this very colourful rooster.  

Out back they had some beautiful flowers.

This plant was just a buzzing. 

They also had a large U-pick garden

And one more old truck.

As the days have been getting into the 80's we started our hike to Picket Post early.
We were on the trail by 7:30 and the sun was just creeping over the mountain.
It was nice and cool till we got around to the south side.
Then the layers started coming off. 

A real contrast in geography.  Here a typical mountainous desert setting. 

A little further on we got to the creek bed and the scenery changed.
Large Cottonwoods, shrubs and grasses.

Lots of flowers blooming on the grassy sides of the creek bank. 

In some parts the water was flowing in others it
submerged below the creek bed only to make an appearance
further downstream.   

Twice a year around the spring and fall equinox this shadow
makes an appearance on the Superstition Mountains.
This was our second visit.
The first being unsuccessful as a cloud bank rolled in eliminating the shadow.
So what to you see.
The local lore says its a cougar.
I see a wolf.
Whatever it is it creates a lot of interest with lots of people parked
along the side of the road taking in the site.
Everybody is taking pictures with phones, iPads or DSLRs.   

Thats it.  I'll try to get one more post in before we break camp on April 1.  Then its up to Camp Verde for 4 days and on to Moab, UT for a week.  Our route after that will be dependent on the weather.  Will keep you posted if the anticipated spotty internet will allow.