Virtual AZT: Red Rock Passage...

 

But first, a word about Jerome...and Room 32...

 

.

A town that time forgot.

Less than 1000 people...and kitsch abounds.

A relaxing...uneventful...weekend with no specters...flashing lights...running faucets...or paranormal happenings.

...the propriator insists these are a thing...

The lighting in 32 and throughout the Inn is low...creepy...as is the antique elevator, which moans like the damned and clatters...but I wouldn't go so far as to say haunted.

That stairway is bleak looking and creepy...but falls short of demonic.

The whole hotel is an old hospital which has been turned into an Inn with few modifications...old...creepy...but certainly not The Shining Overlook.

...in short...a hot bath...good meals...a comfortable bed...no ghosts...

 

Now we are back on the trail.

The first 10.8 miles will be through Red Hills.

 At an elevation a bit less than 2000 feet we gradually slope downward until we reach the lush Ponderosa pines and greenness of the East Verde River Valley. 

.

 

It is like stepping into an oasis after the dry, aridness of the Arizona desert. All around there are signs of life.

A section hiker, stopped to refill his water, says he has already seen a black bear out this morning!

And we begin Passage 25 (Whiterock Mesa)

The Passage is a little over 20 miles.

 

The trail here rapidly climbs and it rocky and more difficult.

 

 Many scrub junipers and thorny cacti border its sides.

I bought a new pair of hiking boots in Jerome...and am glad I did.

 

A sign along the way indicates that I am now 457 miles from Mexico...and after breaking the half-way point I really think I am going to make it!

But not tonight.

Tonight we camp on Whiterock Mesa...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch Everyone further up the trail!

Love,

 "Beans" 

Bears...Bears...Bears...

Miss Biggie...

Busy week with the bears!

Lot of salmon showing up.

Followed closely by bears...lots of bears!
 

and seagulls, of course.

Some of the usual suspects are back.

Grazer and Biggie (last year's cub) #128 & 128jr.

Chunk #32

Walker #151

 

Backpack #89

 Gully #903

 

Two sets of new twins!

 

#26 and babies.

#171 and babies

And some new-to me bears...

"L"

and this huge unit

 called (for now) "Stressed Bear"

 

Very little posturing or fighting.

Enough food for everyone and more.

Even the subadults (2-4 year olds) playing like kids together.

And life is good at Brooks Falls!
 

 

Virtual AZT: Passage 23- Mazatzel Divide- 400 Miles

 

The elevation, availability of water and coolness have made the last two days wonderful...

Crossed the 400 mile marker today.

Halfway done!

It has been green and feels so much better than the beginning of this adventure.

Heading off the trail at Red Rocks and spending a couple of zero days in the town of Jerome.

Jerome has the honor of being called The Largest Ghost Town in America.

There is even a Haunted Hotel.

...yeah...I know where I'll be staying...

How cool is this???

Complete with a haunted elevator...a man pinned beneath it in 1930 and died...now he supposedly haunts it.

Another area that is reportedly haunted.

The most haunted room in the hotel.

 

Several deaths occurred in the room over the years, and now a lot of unexplained paranormal activity is said to happen here.

...needless to say we will be staying in 32 this weekend...

And Room 32.

Looking forward to a hot bath and a steak dinner in town.

Catch up with Everyone on Monday in Red Rocks!

Love,

              "Beans"
 

 

Virtual AZT: Saddle Mountain-Passage 22

 

Beans, here...

 

We've almost reached the half-way point!  Should make it by Friday!

From Pine we've managed to make it to Saddle Mountain...or Passage 22 as it is called.

Sadly, the heat has been pretty horrible. 

112 degrees yesterday and not a lot of miles. No time to really appreciate the Tonto National Park.  More of a forced march. 

Last night it rained, and today was cooler and more pleasant. 

The mountain is covered with Ponderosa pine trees and the ground is carpeted with needles. The air has a vague Christmas smell.

By the half-way mark I'm going to have to find the nearest trail town and pick up more hiking boots.  I am sure the outfitters in the area are aware of how the rocky trail chews up boots.

This passage leads to #23 The Mazatzel Wilderness...which we will begin tomorrow.

Exhausted tonight.

Saddle Mountain

https://youtu.be/kaNDnraHZxI?si=aJrrQnSydv5ELUSt 

Will catch up with everyone on Friday.

Love,

"Beans" 

 (...the slow roasted...)

 

Virtual AZT: Roosevelt to Pine and 300 Miles

 Up early and fresh off three zero days...

 

We had some rain last night and it has lowered the temperatures, for now. They call this part passage 20 and it encompasses the four peaks.

As we climb we will be surrounded by vegetation and pine forests.

Unlike the last miles of dry, arid desert.

I don't have to worry about water supply.

From the trail we can overlook Superstition Wilderness.
 

The name derived from a Phoenix newspaper man who was a bit of a hermit and moved to this area in 1891...building a home and staying out here until his death leaving the land to the federal government.

We also traverse the Four Peaks.

Not quite as green, but very scenic.

Leveling off at the end to Apache Lake!
 

About ten miles before Pine crossing the 300 mile marker.

...only 500 miles to go... 

And finally the dirt path that leads us into Pine and the 21st Passage.

 Pine Mountains

 The beginning of Passage 21.

 

 Camping here and starting the Tonto National Forest tomorrow!

Catch Everyone further up the trail on Wednesday!

Love,

"Beans" 

 (...who somehow missed the 200 mile marker back at Oracle...go figure...)

 

4th of July...Busy Week...Lachlan...And Bears

 It has been very people-y for the past week and a half.  

John and I shared briskets, jalapeno poppers and the newest orange cream (...think Dreamcicle...) shake from Arby's...played in the plants and spoiled Tux.

Tina and I, had our Sisters Day with political talk and Pulled Pork BBQ fixed in the crock pot Lennon sent me...Baked Beans...Potato Salad...Sweet Tea, and Peach Pie Ala Mode for afters!

Tina and Chris and Lachan were here last Sunday and we chatted and spoiled the baby...who is up and walking and not really a baby, anymore. Six teeth, loves to eat everything, and has made buddies with Tux, now. 

Don and Chris and Lachlan came yesterday with Chinese Food...and it was wonderful to have an afternoon to catch up on each others lives....and be Grandma and Grandpa...for our Summer Visit. 

 

 Sometimes...when the world is in such disarray and politics seem insane...and there is just so much to process...we tend to forget how very blessed we really are.

Today...we rest.

Plenty of leftovers...no need to cook.

Play on the computer.

Play with the cat.

Take a deep bubble bath...and a good nap.

It will all still be there tomorrow!

Life is Good.

Checked in with coffee on the bear-folk this morning.

So many out of hibernation and active.

So many salmon...already!

Still waiting for some.

Missing Otis severely.

Watching the hierarchy re--group...and #856 is definitely SHERIFF in town...but #164 (Bucky-Dent) has been coming into his own...pirating a fish right out of #856's mouth and dashing away...living to tell the tale.

We were all shocked...but none so much as #856, himself.

And #212 has the dubious honor of being Grazer's first grazering this year.

I don't know her very well, but apparently she strayed too close. 

Apart from the three cubs that 909 lost before the season even started...and Grazer's remaining yearling (Biggie) we haven't seen any new cubs, yet.

Grazer and Biggie

 

Haven't found out for sure if Biggie is a male or female...but he is definitely Backpack's cub! Already has the stripe (Holly's stripe...Backpack's mom) down his back.

 

Have A Great Rest of The Weekend!

Love,

Carla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Rest...did somebody say rest??? I'm on it!"

                                                                                                                   -Gadget 

 MINI-UPDATE:

 

#27  Scuba Steve is back and goofy as ever.

 

#32 Chunk came back to the river-side today. His right side is healing nicely...he is maintaining his weight. His r foreleg limp is lessening and although most of his front teeth except one canine are gone and his broken jaw won't close completely (...and he drools..a lot) he has figured out how to eat using his back jaw teeth and was busily snorking up the plentiful scraps on the banks and avoiding everyone.

 

#128jr Biggie revealed she is a SHE...and caught her first ever salmon today!!!

 

and was very happy with herself!

 

 

 Goodnight!