Goldwing trip 9/24/09; Ladybug trail hike 9/25/09

On Thur. 9/24 we left for a day trip on the Goldwing. This pix was taken approaching a valley after we left Lordsburg. We went to Duncan/Lordsburg and down hwy 80 intending to see the Paramore crater which is on our atlas but there was no sign stating where it was. You'd think if it was a point of interest on a map there would be mention of it on the highway! After we left Douglas we headed back north on hwy 191 and had time for a quick hike at one of our favorite places - Chiricahua mts! Not long after we left Safford Don stopped on the side of the road to take a call and I watched a beetle push the biggest load I have ever seen. I thought this is sure something you don't see traveling in a car! There is just nothing like heading out on the bike for some getaway time! I had worked 2 - 15 and 16 hr days this week and I was in need of this very thing.

We stopped outside Rodeo, NM (did you know there was such a place?) at a very neglected playground for our lunch (avocado sandwich) picnic. I love eating in places like this with quite the panaramic views. Look up Rodeo, NM and read about it and you may want to go there!

We were so excited while driving in the Chiricahua's to spot coatimundi's! They are a mammal in the racoon family and I had never seen them before. We spotted about 8, some quite small, off the road. It is hard to spot here but look to the right of the base of the tree and you will see one. Funny thing is the next day when we went hiking on Mt. Graham and stopped at the apple orchard we saw more! I didn't know we had any on our mt.

We hiked the sugarloaf mt. trail and I thought this was a cool place right on the trail.

Oh, the views from being up high! There is just nothing like it. You feel you can see forever.

I thought this was a unique shot but then Don suggested the next 2 views!

This was a rock cavity that sure would have come in handy in our downpour hike the week previous when we got drenched! We left the Chiricahua's right after sunset and saw so many deer! It was fun to watch them get through a bobbed wire fence. One just seemed to fly right through it, another went up and down searching for a place to fit underneath. It was fun riding home watching a gorgeous sunset turn the sky a magnificent orange.

The following pictures are taken on our Lady Bug trail hike on Fri. on Mt. Graham. We first arrived at the trailhead when I noticed I forgot my hiking boots! Who goes hiking and doesn't remember their hiking shoes???? So down the mt. we went and ended up starting the hike at 11:10 and finished at 3:30. It was a hard hike but quite fun.

Trailhead found on left side of road approaching Turkey Flat cabin area. This is a fun hard hike and quite steep. There are a few good vistas along the way. Part of the trail is quite rocky. We questioned only 1.5 mi to the saddle but when it is quite steep it always seems further!

Don't you want to step right into this picture and start hiking??? I texted Kamala while we were hiking telling her we were doing the trail we (Kam, Krista Barney and myself) did in 1997 when she was 11 and I had to bribe her to finish it with a DQ blizzard. She said I would have to bribe her to do it again!

We saw lots of signs of bear but no bear :(

Lookout from above Lady bug saddle. We found a geocache up there without even looking. We left a blue bird feather. So if you want a lovely blue feather . . .

I just love the view of a great trail! What a handsome man is on this one!

It is always so nice after a long hike to arrive back at the car. Don was sure someone would drive by and steal this gem of a car but thankfully, it was still there! He is very proud of his unique red bumper! 2 days very well spent!