Trekking Around Up North

Last week, my husband and I were in Payson, visiting my son, enjoying cooler temps and beautiful scenery.  While driving to Pine for lunch, we passed the entrance to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.  We heard that the State was closing this Park due to lack of funds, so when we passed by and saw that the park appeared to be open, we decided that after lunch, we would drive in and spend a couple of hours.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is situated in a small canyon, surrounded by steep forrested walls.  At first glance, you will notice that you are in a small valley in the middle of a Pine forrest.  There is a beautiful building, green grass, picnic areas and parking lots.  The canyon opens to the South and offers a wonderful view beyond. 

In the following shots, you can see how errosion as shaped the walls leading to the bridge.

So where is the bridge? Hit the trails and you will eventually find what is believed to be the worlds largest natural travertine bridge.  These shots are directly under the bridge.
 

Further up stream, there is a waterfall that I would have loved to hike down into, not to mention hiking down to where I could get under the bridge, but sadly I did not have the proper foot attire on this trip.  So instead, I contented myself with taking pictures from up top. 

In addition to learning the hard way that I need throw my hiking shoes into the car for those "just in case" moments, I also learned the hard way that I need to make sure my camera battery is fully charged or bring along a spare.  Unfortunately, the battery was drained after I snapped these photos and I lost the opportunity to get some spectacular views of the bridge. 



Thankfully, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is funded to remain open until July 2011.  We are planning another trip soon and you can be sure that I will bring the right gear so I can hike down this trail and get those amazing shots of this gorgeous place.

While on vacation this past week, my sister, her husband and I enjoyed a trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. 

Each time they travel to Arizona, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a must see. There is something so special about this place. It offers a never ending variety of things to see and gorgeous scenery.

I highly recommend this park for a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city and for the outstanding opportunity to commune with nature.

Check out my hiking page for more pictures.

Another Beautiful BTA Day

We enjoyed a thoroughly gorgeous day in the Arizona desert.  While almost everything at Boyce Thompson Arboretum is still dormant, we found a few pockets of color. 

My hiking page has been updated with more pictures of our trip.

Another Fall at BTA

Sometimes you just have to spend some time doing whatever it takes to restore vitality, perspective, inspiration, enthusiasm...to one's life.  When I am feeling the need for restoration, that means it is time for a trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. 

We found many leaves turning into their fall colors.  We also found a few critters out and about.

Conn and I ended our walk with a nice long sit in the Demonstration Garden where the view overlooks Picketpost Mountain.  Afterwards we enjoyed a yummy picnic lunch before heading home.  For more pictures, see my Hiking page.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."  John Muir

Boyce Thompson in September

A month and a half is just getting to be too long between visits to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  The first thing we noticed when we drove into the parking lot were all the butterflies and dragonflies.  It was incredible how many there were buzzing here, there and everywhere.

On the way to Ayers Lake, we found cactus in bloom.

The colors and sheen in the bloom above, reminded us of Christmas candy.

So shiny, they look like they are made from satin.

 

Ayers Lake

We saw some critters.

While standing near this bush at the lake, I was able to get some cool pictures of dragonflies.

It was another spectacular day at BTA.  So glad we were able to get out of the house and go.

Until next time....

Recharging my batteries

With the recent storms this week all due to the Monsoon season, our temps have been much lower and mornings have been down right cool.  With that in mind, we were inspired to take a trip out to Boyce Thompson Arboretum this morning.  We packed a picnic, grabbed the camera and headed out. 

Below are some ominous looking clouds hovering over Superstition Mountain. Please click on the pictures to enlarge. 

The temps were around 75 on the way to BTA.  We enjoyed having all the windows and the sunroof open.

While driving along, we spotted a vapor trail which seemed odd since the clouds were so thick.  As we pondered whether it really was a vapor trail, Conn spotted a plane coming out of the clouds and as we watched some more we saw the plane doing loop-d-loops.  I just had to pull over and get a few shots.

What a total surprise it was to watch this guy flying around.  We must have sat by the side of the road for about 15 minutes watching him have fun and it was a blast for us too.  I could just imagine this being some guy and his son or grandson, both having the time of their lives doing loop-d-loops on a Saturday morning. 

I updated my Hiking page with more pictures of BTA.  Take a look, we found a few surprises there today too.

As days go, this one ranked right up there as a completely awesome day.  August, here we come...

Cheers!!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Independence Day, July 4th, 2010, has been such a nice day. Conn and I got up early this morning and arrived at BTA at 8 a.m., hiking around and taking pictures for the morning. We had the park nearly to ourselves. Those who we did come across seemed to have the same mindset, enjoying our great luck that the park was empty and lots of photo opportunities.

I must say that I had no expectations of finding much to photograph given we are in the middle of summer but I was totally surprised by all the activity we did see, like tons and tons of butterflies, jack rabbits, lizards, a snake, buzzards, a crane, turtles and dragonflies. There were plenty of flowering plants to snap and of course the scenery. The scenery is amazing at any time of the year.

There is something very magical that happens every time we go to BTA. It is one of the most special places I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Like Arizona with it’s many geographical differences, BTA seems to mirror that characteristic in it’s own way.

I updated my Hiking page if you would like to see more pictures from our trip.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all the mother's in my life a wonderful Mother's Day.

More hiking fun

This past weekend, I had more hiking fun with trips to Usery Mountain Regional Park's Wind Cave and to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.  My friend Cathy and I hiked up to the Wind Cave on Saturday.  She was wonderfully patient with me as it took me a while to make it to our destination.  Many thanks Cathy!! 

On Sunday, my husband and I headed for Boyce Thompson Arboretum to have more outdoor fun.  We checked out all the latest spring blooms and enjoyed a nice picnic.  The weather was simply perfect and my husband got to ride his bike too. 

Spending the weekend on trails is my version of a perfect weekend.  To view all my pictures, click on my Hiking page.