Agua Fria with The Mingus Misfits

Agua Fria National Monument / January 12, 2023

Memories

21 years ago ……today, I was on my way “over the pond” to England. It was an early morning flight and the anticipation had kept me up most of the night. As a relatively new owner of a plant nursery/garden center, I was encouraged by my salesman of organic soil products to partake in a tour of premier garden centers that he had put together in England. The trip itinerary was filled with garden tours, Windsor Castle, Hidcote Manor, and other landmarks, special events, Shakespeares’ grave, pubs, and great food! What an adventure, how could I resist?

Talking a dearest friend into going with me, we planned and saved for months to make it happen. Arriving at the airport that early morning on the day of departure, we met up with others that were on tour, if I remember correctly they were 16 of us originally going. Our tour leader was to meet us in San Francisco as he was there visiting with family that week.

As we sat on extremely hard plastic chairs in the Reno airport waiting for our flight to be called, we chatted a little bit about our businesses, trying to break the ice and get a feel of who we would be spending the next two weeks with. My buddy that was with me had nothing to do with the nursery business, although she was an extremely proficient farmer of hundreds of acres, and she certainly had a knowledge of what it takes to grow something, much more than I did.

We carried our beverages…… and booze…. because who doesn’t start a trip with a Bloody Mary, through check-in. Onboard we settled in for an extremely quick flight from Reno to San Francisco. Having done it many times to try and catch any Off-Broadway play that was in season at the Orpheum Theatre, it’s a straight up …and straight down super quick flight, but they do always serve a beverage. On this particular flight it was not only “no beverage” offered, (coffee coffee coffee ..PLEASE ….COFFEE….it’s 6 am) but everyone was told to stay in their seats and keep their seatbelt tightly fastened. We all kind of looked at each other like “this is different”, but no worries ……who cares about caffeine, we’re on our way to England!!!! To get our passports stamped! To tour gardens filled with blossoms, Castles lined with topiary sculptures, tour the Queen’s residence and hopefully fill ourselves with fish and chips, a Spotted Dick (really… it’s a Sticky pudding), and a Woodpecker or three.

Well, after twenty-one years of history - you know how this day unfolded. What was a devastating day for our country, one positive was unfolded. Friendships that were molded on those little hard plastic seats in Reno still remain.

We did not get to England that trip, but rather came home a week later when the train routes opened up and we could get over Donner Pass. Our lives were forever changed. We did make it to England a month later, and now there were only five of us, instead of 16. Situations changed, work schedules changed, and families feared, but off we went, to get our passports stamped.

May we always remember.

West Clear Creek Trail / Bullpen Swimming Hole

Misfits ride again, this time to the Bullpen Swimming hole on West Clear Creek. Beautiful scenic drive through acres of ocotillo and other cacti, blue skies and puffy white clouds surrounded us, but you could see the monsoon building off in the distance. After arriving at the trailhead we set out with backpacks filled with snacks and a brew or two, coolers and chairs. A short hike up the trail took us to the swimming hole where we spent the next few hours chillaxing and swimming in the cold water of the creek. On a hot day in August, it felt wonderful.

The storm arrived just as were leaving, raindrops falling on us as we took the trail back to the Jeep. A little muddy coming out as the monsoon descended in force. A stop at the Verde Brewery on the way home and the sun was once again shining. Another great adventure complete.

West Clear Creek Trail No. 17

Grand Falls (aka Chocolate Falls)

We’ve had some pretty amazing days during our life here in Arizona, and one recent one was the adventure to “Grand Falls” outside Leupp in the Navajo Nation. The drive north from the Verde Valley took us through Flagstaff with gorgeous cloud-filled monsoon skies. The road once we left the pavement was easy to navigate and only one spot needed a detour because of a small washout from the heavy recent rains. We watched the lightning off in the distance as we made our way down the 10 or so miles of rough gravel road.

Bob has been wanting to see the Falls for as long as we have lived here. On every trip up to the Second Mesa that we have made over the last two years to take supplies to the Hopi, we pass the sign “Grand Falls”, but there was never enough daylight to do both. He had been monitoring the flow of the falls for weeks waiting for just the right time to go up there with our Mingus Misfit group of explorers. It was definitely a highlight of our journeys with them so far. USG Flow Site

The falls are fed by the Little Colorado River with water coming from Mount Baldy, located 140 miles southeast, and the White Mountains. At 185’+, the falls are higher than Niagra Falls. When you first drive up and get out of your vehicle you can hear the roar down below. A very careful walk to the edge, and the view engulfs you with wonder. The falls are stepped, and I think that is why it doesn’t seem as high as Niagra. With limited memory of going there back in 1974, the magnitude of the one major drop seems larger. But the steps are one more thing that makes this Chocolate Falls so Grand. The flow picked up over the hours that we were there, and we watched as different rocks became covered and smaller falls joined together to become one.

It was easy to spend the entire day here, with a hike to the bottom to feel the mud on your face, a picnic with friends, and a beautiful drive. What more can you ask for? When Bob asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year I told him, I just want to be out in the wild making more memories with you. Seems he’s a good listener.

Directions: From I-40, 15 miles east of Flagstaff, take exit 211 at Winona. Drive 2.3 miles north to Leupp Rd. Turn right and drive 20.3 miles to unpaved and unsigned Indian Road 6910 (between mileposts 5 and 6). There is a brown sign that says “Grand Falls” at the turnoff. Turn left and drive along this rough road 9.4 miles to the turnoff on the left, which leads to the falls overlook (do not cross the Little Colorado River). The gravel road is heavy washboard and rough. 4x4 vehicles are not necessary but will make the drive easier.

Navajo Nation/ Grand Falls

All Trails / Grand Falls

Starry Nights, Red Dirt Days

When we were camped in Bluff we all realized that we weren't quite ready to head home yet. Even though the nights were getting colder it was still warm and sunny during the days. We decided that Valley of The Gods would be the perfect place to park ourselves for a few more days before we headed for Monument Valley, the last stop on this years Fall in Utah journey. This 17-mile scenic road outside Mexican Hat offers numerous places to pull off and set up camp, for any size rig. The hard-packed red dirt road is however quite bumpy and rutted, so we choose a spot just a couple miles in. We set up camp nestled close to Setting Hen and Rooster Buttes with plenty of room for both our rigs. This area reminds us of a smaller-scale version of Monument Valley. The same tall, red, isolated sandstone mesas and cliffs surround you, but since this is BLM land, all areas are open to hiking and exploring.

Beautifully amazing night skies!

Fall In Utah

The world is a different place for most of us than it was a year and a half ago. Last May I posted all about our home renovation progress, and how we were so….close to being done. Well, we did finish 95% of those plans, and of course, as any homeowner will tell you, there is always something more to do. Through it all, we have enjoyed the process and the Arizona lifestyle. If we had to have chosen a time to purchase, renovate, and get acquainted with a new house, the Spring and Summer of 2020 was a good time to do it. Most travels were curtailed, plans were postponed and then canceled. But through it all, we had our health, and a comfortable place to call our own.

This year opened up travel for us again, and we spent Spring in New Orleans with the kids and the entire Summer on the Oregon coast. Having the boys with us for over a month of that time, and Sara for a week when she flew out to bring them home, we made the best of every moment traveling up and down the coast and exploring the small towns and eclectic finds in each area.

The wonders of the outdoors still call to us on a daily basis, and we are fortunate to be back in Utah for Fall. This is the sixth October we have spent in Southern Utah and it seems no matter how much exploring we do in this area, every week we find new treasures. Our very dear friends Kathy and Ron are traveling with us again this Fall to see some of our old favorite haunts, and through their eyes, it opens it up to us anew.

A look at this week’s journey. Pictographs, Petroglyphs, Arches, Bridges, and VIEWS!

Robidoux Inscription

Of interest to all four of us is the Rock Art of the ancient people that lived and worked in this area. Ron had been to one location north of I70 a couple of times, the first visit over 35 years ago. The long journey was down a dusty road, but so worth it. Along with the ancient artwork was also the historical marker of a traveler through the area back in the 1800’s. The inscription was made by a French trader named Antoine Robidoux. The Robidoux family left their mark in the early history of the westward expansion of the United States by establishing trading posts and forts in several key places. Unfortunately, the panel has broken over time, but all the pieces still remain. All on private land, we were lucky to run into a lifetime resident of the valley that showed us where it was.

Along the valley was an assortment of other ancient artwork, most all on private land so a big lens comes in handy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_Robidoux
https://historytogo.utah.gov/antoine-robidoux/

Next stop, Thompson Springs

Thompson Springs/ panel in Sago Canyon

The second of our side trips for the day, a little north of I70, off the Thompson Springs exit, follow the main road through town about 3 ½ miles on Sego Canyon Road. We dry camped here and explored the area for a week or so back in 2016, so wanted to show it to Ron and Kathy. (*The petroglyphs and pictographs are left by several different cultures. Fremont thrived in this area from A.D. 600 to 1250 and was contemporary with the Anasazi culture of the Four Corners area. There is also rock art from the Archaic period dating from 7000 B.C., the Barrier Canyon period from around 2000 B.C., and the Ute tribe dating from A.D. 1300. Barrier Style rock art is estimated to date back to about 2000 B.C. It is distinctive in life-size mummy-like human shapes without arms or legs.) c Legends of America

It is so very unfortunate and disheartening to see the graffiti and damage to the art.

(All pictures are mine, but grateful to the following sources for this information) https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ut-segocanyon/
https://www.desertusa.com/desert-activity/ancient-rock-art.html

Best Travel Partner EVER - wandering through the sage forest

Climb to Tower Arch

It’s always best to have a Jeep partner. Sometimes we have explored to some pretty remote areas by ourselves, and Bob often says “We really should have someone with us in case of a breakdown or if we need a winch.” Lucky for us our friends Ron and Kathy are once again along for the ride to Utah. Not only do we really enjoy their company, but their having a Rubicon allows us to take some roads we might not otherwise.

View from inside Tower Arch looking west

A recent trip took us to Tower Arch and Eye of the Whale. Located inside Arches National Park, we bypassed all the crowds and took the back way in through the 4 x 4 road, Willow Springs. The road takes you by the Dinosaur Tracks also.

A beautiful day - we didn’t see a soul at the Eye, and only a couple of people at Tower Arch. Hard to get here if you don’t have a good 4x4 vehicle and a very experienced driver. Lots of steps and steep drops. On the way out we had an amazing view of the Marching Men formation and we hit Balancing Rock right when the moon was rising.

Another Bloom Season

End in sight

Coffee on the back deck each morning for the last few months has been spent with Bob going over his seemingly never ending massive “to do” list for the day. This week is the first I have seen a steady calm overtake him. The end is in sight, and all the hard work that he has done has turned this once very dated house into a home we will love living in for the rest of our days.

The flooring came out amazing!!! The decision to take up all the tile in the entire house instead of just the bathrooms was a great choice and money well spent. Removing the carpet, even though it was brand new, was also an easy decision as we have never been big on wall to wall. The hickory hardwood in the main rooms and the plank oak laminate in the kitchen, bedrooms and hall is beautiful, earthy, and exactly what we were hoping it would be. It kicked Bob’s ass for quite a few days, and it was so hard for me to know he was on his own. But he got it done and it is exactly what we had envisioned when we first looked at the house. The painting is done, walls were ripped out, walls were put up, all new doors in every room and hardware, baseboard and trim, bedroom closets built-ins made, new lighting fixtures, the kitchen is finished and we pretty much have a brand new home. And we love it.

We went to a stone quarry a couple of hours away last week and picked out the flagstone and quartzite that will surround the hearth of the fireplace. Bob has a visual in his mind of how he wants the wall and mantle to look. He will dry stack it, the colors flowing from grays to tan, browns, and reds just as we see in the mountains of Sedona off in the distance. The mantle will be made from a large old piece of juniper. I just step back and smile as I watch his creative juices flowing.

Today is three months since we parked the motor-home here and started the process. Three months that have seen our country go through so much. The various cactus’s out front are still putting on their show, the peach tree is loaded with fruit, George the Cat isn’t catching as many snakes, the gardens in the back are going like gangbusters and we even had our first tomatoes fresh off the vine a few nights ago.

Arizona, it is home.