Back in Phoenix
Technically, it's Phoenix (I think) but, really in Mesa, Arizona to the east side of Phoenix. Can't see Camelback or some of the noticeable landmarks but, the Supersitition mountains are not far off -- enjoyed viewing them on my way in from the east. Last time I came through (nearly two years ago), I limped in from the south on I-10 after passing through the Tucson area.
I left Las Cruces on Saturday morning, following a late evening cookout with my neighbor Mike Southward, his daughter Stephany, one of her friends and Mike (who works in the campground office) and his girlfriend Sam so, it was a little later start than originally planned (had to let my head clear some after overindulging in those 16 ounce Coors Lights and a glass of Sambucca and Mike's Apple Pie). Mike (from the office) brought some ground Elk for burgers and Mike S. cooked them on his grille -- Yummy! Yummy!
My neighbor Mike brought out a few more of his fancy rifles and firearms during the course of the evening as we waited for the Elk meat to arrive. Eventually, I ended up with a single barrel 20 ga. shotgun as a gift from Mike -- his thanks for me serving in the Navy. So, now I am "packing" and have it next to my bed in case some banditos come around -- mostly target and small game shells with a couple more lethal loads included. Ready to load and fire.
Got out of Las Cruces around 10:00 a.m. and had already decided that I would head to Lordsburg, New Mexico get fueled and take route 70 from there heading northwest through Duncan, Safford, Globe and Superior as I entered Mesa through Apache Junction -- 50 miles shorter than taking I-10. The trip probably took just as long though it was shorter because all the small towns had us slowing down to 35 miles per hour and getting back up to speed on some of the longer climbs was testy. My TomTom kept telling me to make u-turns and get back on I-10 but, finally took my hints and reprogrammed itself to the route I decided on.
Passing the first truck on the road had me holding my breath for fear that the awning or something else might fall off as I passed through the turbulence coming off the backend of the truck. Phew! Thank goodness nothing happened.
Routes 70 and 60 were mostly two lane roads with a couple construction zones but, the scenery was all new and some of it was way greener than expected and I even spotted some snow on some of the peaks to the southwest as I passed through the valley (or what seemed to be a valley). There was one heck of a gold and copper mine in the area near Superior -- Freeport MacMoran, I think. Massive mounds of tailings and ponds surrounded it.
After finally making it over Gonzales Pass, the Saguarro cactus dotted the ridges and the hills looking like sentinels among the blooming yellow wildflowers and some Red Bud trees as well. Pretty sight.
Got into the RV park here around 4:00 p.m. and spread our wings so that Tiger and Molly could come out of their respective hiding places. Only incident to speak of on the road happened about ten miles from my exit as that troublesome, left front leveller decided to drop about a quarter of an inch and set off the "beeping alarm" that I had been so happy not to hear on recent drives -- silicone lubricant worked too well maybe.
Now I am hoping to get together with my cousin Dave and possibly his daughter before I head out Wednesday for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
I left Las Cruces on Saturday morning, following a late evening cookout with my neighbor Mike Southward, his daughter Stephany, one of her friends and Mike (who works in the campground office) and his girlfriend Sam so, it was a little later start than originally planned (had to let my head clear some after overindulging in those 16 ounce Coors Lights and a glass of Sambucca and Mike's Apple Pie). Mike (from the office) brought some ground Elk for burgers and Mike S. cooked them on his grille -- Yummy! Yummy!
My neighbor Mike brought out a few more of his fancy rifles and firearms during the course of the evening as we waited for the Elk meat to arrive. Eventually, I ended up with a single barrel 20 ga. shotgun as a gift from Mike -- his thanks for me serving in the Navy. So, now I am "packing" and have it next to my bed in case some banditos come around -- mostly target and small game shells with a couple more lethal loads included. Ready to load and fire.
Got out of Las Cruces around 10:00 a.m. and had already decided that I would head to Lordsburg, New Mexico get fueled and take route 70 from there heading northwest through Duncan, Safford, Globe and Superior as I entered Mesa through Apache Junction -- 50 miles shorter than taking I-10. The trip probably took just as long though it was shorter because all the small towns had us slowing down to 35 miles per hour and getting back up to speed on some of the longer climbs was testy. My TomTom kept telling me to make u-turns and get back on I-10 but, finally took my hints and reprogrammed itself to the route I decided on.
Passing the first truck on the road had me holding my breath for fear that the awning or something else might fall off as I passed through the turbulence coming off the backend of the truck. Phew! Thank goodness nothing happened.
Routes 70 and 60 were mostly two lane roads with a couple construction zones but, the scenery was all new and some of it was way greener than expected and I even spotted some snow on some of the peaks to the southwest as I passed through the valley (or what seemed to be a valley). There was one heck of a gold and copper mine in the area near Superior -- Freeport MacMoran, I think. Massive mounds of tailings and ponds surrounded it.
After finally making it over Gonzales Pass, the Saguarro cactus dotted the ridges and the hills looking like sentinels among the blooming yellow wildflowers and some Red Bud trees as well. Pretty sight.
Got into the RV park here around 4:00 p.m. and spread our wings so that Tiger and Molly could come out of their respective hiding places. Only incident to speak of on the road happened about ten miles from my exit as that troublesome, left front leveller decided to drop about a quarter of an inch and set off the "beeping alarm" that I had been so happy not to hear on recent drives -- silicone lubricant worked too well maybe.
Now I am hoping to get together with my cousin Dave and possibly his daughter before I head out Wednesday for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
posted by Ray at
7:57 AM
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