Virtual AZT: Passage 29 Mormon Lake

 

An outstanding week at Moqui Campground.

Even bought a couple of Moqui Marbles.

These are known as Shaman's Balls...are male or female...denoted by the ridging...are said to have mystical properties...and are basically iron ferrite that has encapsulated sandstone balls.

So..off we went...to Mormon Lake.

 

This passage was only about 15 miles.

Hiking was comfortable and easy.

Pine strewn trails...flat and even terrain.

 And the Mormon Lake Lodge...which is beautiful...but we have miles to go.

 

And so onward...

Passage 30...to Anderson Mesa.

The trail here is flat and easy. 

It has stayed about 75 degrees today!

The pine trees provide shade...gentle breezes and the scent of Christmases past.

This is a perfect spot to camp...and tomorrow we'll head to Walnut Canyon.

Catch Everyone on Wednesday!

                         "Beans" 

 

Trump Update

 ...yeah...it's a lot like this...

 

SIGH!

 

For those of you keeping track...today marks exactly 6 months.

It feels like 6 years.

Well...not me...but some of you.

So much has happened in the last month it is hard to know where to begin.

 

...the BBB passed...after a lot of late nights and wheeling and dealing...but Billionaires got their tax breaks...so that was important...the stock market has been up and down like a roller-coaster at Coney Island...and people with retirement accounts are looking a bit green around the gills...he was going to release the Epstein files...then he wasn't...then he was...then they released the jail tape...but it was missing a minute...or two...or three...and the meta data showed it had been spliced...edited...then Levitt took off her cross...and suddenly the files on Bondi's desk disappeared...then Trump berated his supporters...and some Republicans and blamed Comey...Biden and Obama...and called people weak...and said it was a witch-hunt and a HOAX...and than we should all just SHUT UP  ABOUT EPSTEIN!!!!! ...and...well...it is all anyone has discussed since then...

 

 Yeah...we know.

 And that doesn't even begin to encompass the gulag he built for migrants down in the Florida swamp...

 

Anyway...ONLY 42 months left to go.

Hang in there. 

 

 

 

Virtual AZT: Passage 26 Highline to Passage 28 Happy Jack

 So...here we are...the end of the week...we've surpassed the 500 mile marker...hiked through some beautiful pine forests...not had to constantly worry about water...

It has been a great week!

 

 Through Blue Ridge Passage 27...

with the sounds of rushing water and waterfalls!

And now at Happy Jack (Passage 28)

 Instead of weekending in town, we will be taking our zero days at the Moqui Campground...

 

 

Spacious campsites with showers and running water available!

 

Flat ground...other campers to share with/talk to...

 

And we will head on up to Mormon Lake on Monday!

 

 

Later,

"Beans" 

 

 

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"