Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Virtual AZT: Passage 34 Down To Babbitt Ranch

 

From the snow fields and white-walking back down to near desert and 90 degrees...

 

This is the Arizona Trail.

Never a dull moment.

 

Woke on Tuesday to 5 inches of fluffy whiteness and 32 degrees...crunched for miles through snowfields then down...and down...and down...

Now here we are back in the flatness and heat.

...who thought that desert hiking was a good idea?


 Arriving at Babbitt Ranch...which begins Passage 35.

Babbitt is a real working ranch...complete with horses and cowboys.

Some stay on and volunteer, but we are just passing through...and that is okay.

 Miles to go before we sleep. 

Right now we are back to stark and scrubby...and hot!

...hot...did I mention hot...

And so we set off putting the ranch behind us.

 

More on Friday.

...maybe they would let me use one of those horses...

laughing,

"Beans"


 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

School is Back...John's Tests and Football!!!

 


Yes...we've reached that part of Summer where

"How can I miss you...if you NEVER leave!!!"

Every parent knows what I am talking about.

Above my grands lined up for this year's First Day of School.

The late husband-person and I used to always take this day off work...go out for a nice quiet breakfast together and marvel that we had survived another year !

Yesterday, was John's CT-Scans and MRIs that were taken to see the condition his condition is in.

We read the MyChart entries together...and they (overall) appeared pretty good...but we have questions.

The follow-up appointment is Thursday and we will know more then.

He is in good spirits and is tolerating the immuno-therapy well, this time!

 


 And football is back!!!

Well...pre-season, anyway...

Indianapolis at Baltimore on Thursday night!

They are starting Richardson...but going to make a decision as to who will get the position before the regular season begins.

Still...it is nice to see football back.

We've missed it.

 


The bears have been entertaining!

Since Stressed Bear was relocated and has not been back...

...I call him RAGE Bear...

there has been no further aggressive incidents at Brooks Falls...food is beyond plentiful...bears are playing and goofing off together...and life is good.

The new sow and her yearling have been dubbed

Apple and Pip.

#26 and her cubs

  


which people now call

Thing One and Thing Two.

...One is the Milk Chocolate and Two is the Darker...

Although 747 hasn't returned yet...#856 is taking up the slack and reprised his role of Sheriff at the falls.


 


 And #602 has taken Otis' spot in the office...and just wants to be left alone to catch and eat fish.

112 the other day!!!

Going to be a serious contender in The Fat Bear Contest this year.

More as it comes...

Love,

Carla & Tux 

 

Monday, August 4, 2025

Virtual AZT: Passage 34 San Francisco Peaks

 

Beans..back after a few days urban hiking...

 

It is amazing how comfortable the quiet aloneness gets after a couple days of people everywhere. 

Flagstaff was fun, but it feels good to be back into nature.

It is only suppose to be in the mid-seventies today and there is a breeze. Locals even speculate there may be rain by this evening.  Up on the mountains...where we will be...it will be snow.

This passage is 35.5 miles...so it will take until Wednesday.   

Maybe longer.

And so, we begin.

Before this is over...we will have climbed 9000+ feet.

The aspens are already golden...and beautiful. 

They also serve to remind me how late in the season it is...and how cold it will be up there tonight.

And upwards we head. 

Mostly a single rocky path through the Aspens and Firs...and then...well just rock.


 Until we finally hit the first (of many) snowfields.


 The air is crisp here..maybe 50's.  Tonight will be much colder.

I picked up a higher rated sleeping bag over the weekend...and a pad. I think both will be a good call.


 Hard to believe that by Friday we will be back to Arizona desert and heat.

I can see the rain/snow coming in...but it isn't here yet. 


 I've almost reached the half-way point and may just set up camp and hunker down before it arrives!

See Everyone on Wednesday,

 

"Beans"


 

 

 

Friday, August 1, 2025

Virtual AZT: Passage 33...Urban Route

 

The Urban Passage through Flagstaff

 

On the trail again!

 

This time the 15.5 mile urban hike through Flagstaff. 

Planning to do this slowly.  Have a couple of zero days in the city. Relax.Enjoy what Flagstaff has to offer!

 


 From dirt and gravel trails to concrete and asphalt...


 Past bars and bookshops...


 To sipping coffee at a sidewalk cafe!


 Passage 33 has a bit of everything.

Including a slice of Route 66...

The hotel we will be staying at for the weekend!

https://youtu.be/9BTJ3hQRP-I?si=qCh2YIKbuebI7T1R

 More of an upscale Air B&B.


 Can't wait for A/C...a good bath...some fine dining and a few days of civilization!

Catch Everyone on Monday.

Love,

"Beans"