Day 3: Hurricane Pass, where are you?

After breakfast, we loaded up and set off in search of Hurricane Pass.  We thought we found it last year, but after looking at the map again, realized we were wrong.

On 550, this crew was headed northbound.  What a way to travel the Million Dollar Highway.

We made our way up towards Corkscrew Pass.

We pit stopped a bit up to let the pups out to stretch their legs.  It allowed the ladies and kids time to play in the creek too.

We pushed our way up to the top.  The trails were a bit busier this year than in years past.  Perhaps Colorado advertised more?

We hit a rather busy switchback and all stopped for a group of dual sport bikes.  One poor sap dropped his bike (it was slow and he was fine).  Mike, Pete and an unknown Jeeper hopped out and asked: "need help?
Greenhorn: "no I have friends with me"
Passing rider: "no let them help!"

We found out that a few expert riders invited some greenhorn friends along.  And tortured them on Corkscrew.  Those poor guys looked sapped and were in a race against an approaching monsoon.

We pushed on and stopped at the pass for lunch.

This lake was nearly frozen over last year.  Huge difference from one year to another.

As we were descending, the rain began.  Slow at first.

We all headed towards an abandoned mine, crossed a small waterfall before tucking tail and heading back for camp.

The rain was coming down very hard and grumbling stomachs were begging for dinner.

A quick stop for Mike to see the steam train then we headed back to Lime Creek Camp, only to find a mess waiting...

The roof vent was left open and the monsoon left a puddle in our bed.  Everything was taken out and we put the campfire near the sheets to dry them out before bed. Elly was a bit perturbed that her bed was damp.

Thankfully, the sheets dried quickly and I packed extra blankets.  The down comforter was a loss for the rest of the trip.

We had dinner, found out that one of our new camp friends has a severe fear of heights (whoops, sorry!), laughed about our day and turned in.

Tomorrow we'd find the real Hurricane Pass.

Monsoon Season, I'm sorry. Please come back

It's been a horrible monsoon season.  When you live in the desert, rain is good.  Rain is GOD.  This time last year, we were inundated with storms.  We haven't been blessed with heavy rain in months.  We've been side swiped by storms or have seen them in the distance.  But no glorious rain.

Last night was a side swipe. We got an excellent show to the east of us though.  I set the camera and the automatic timer up and watered my front yard.

Until a rattlesnake raised the alarm and tried to give me a coronary.  Blessedly, he didn't strike at me, nor did Elly try to go to at it.  She seems to have learned her lesson.  Unfortunately for the snake, trespassing is strictly enforced. 

After dispatching the snake, I set up again, and caught a few more shots.  The storm broke east and the strikes were so close, they washed out the frames.  I tucked my tail and went inside when the sand blew in and it was apparently the lightening was minutes away from me.

Monsoon of the Year

The last few monsoon seasons have been mediocre.  Last night topped every storm I have ever experienced.  60+ MPH winds tore through the area.  I wasn't sure that our American flag would survive the storm, but good ol' American craftsmanship prevailed.  It rained side ways and instantly filled every wash. We were land locked by our terrain.  Washes on both sides of the house over flowed, trapping us.

Our shared drive flows during an active rain storm.  Apparently so does our actual driveway, as seen on the left.  And a small lightning tail peeking through on the right side.

 Once the storm pushed north, it was safe and dry enough for me to step outside and try to capture the amazing light show that was going on.  I took hundreds of pictures and wound up with 3 usable ones.  I really need to invest in the timer/remote I've been eyeing for my camera.  It would've made the process easier.

Photographing lightning is tough without proper equipment.  This storm made me realize how badly I need some camera additions.  I LOVE STORMS!

My favorite shot of the evening:

The storm pushed north and slammed Phoenix.  Within an hour, the washes went down, but my road was full of storm debris.  Friends lost trees and had damaged cars, so I think we fared well.

Bring it on Arizona, I want more storms like this!

Adventures at Home

Between work and the heat, we haven't explored nearly as much as we would have liked this summer.  We haven't had any fun.  But due to late season rains, the fun came to us.  The kids had a good swim tonight, right in the neighborhood.

Remember to explore.  

You can find adventure anywhere. 

Unfortunately Home Again

July 27, 2013

We were all reluctant to head home.  We lazed around camp much longer than we should have.  Everyone of us took a shower to help deplete the water supply and make for an easier trip south.  Mandy and I prepped lunch for later, since we knew we had about 500 miles to cover today.

Its funny how recognizable Arizona is.  Of course, you are greeted with a sign at the state border, but the Arizona landscape is so distinct.  We cruised through several Reservations towards 89.

Storm clouds lingered around the peripheral all day.  There was no way we would avoid the rain all day.  Near Cameron, we hit it.  Or it hit us.  At one point, we could only see about 50 feet in front of the Jeep.  It was coming down hard.  We were smack in the middle of a monsoon.  The lightning show was incredible.  One strike landed less than a mile from us; the crack was deafening.  I tried and tried to get a shot through the windshield. But the only photo that came out was an accident.  We were driving next to an unused suspension bridge. Mike mentioned that he liked it so I took a picture....

Awesome! I love a good storm.  Driving through them doesn't faze me.  I would have preferred to sit under a porch and enjoy it, but it was invigorating to be in the thick of it.

Once we hit I-17, it became more difficult to find easy National Forest access.  We pulled into a small neighborhood and had a quick lunch in between storms.  The approaching clouds hurried us back onto the road.

Once we hit Flagstaff, the storms were long behind us.  We joined the hoards of weekenders heading back to Phoenix after escaping the heat for the weekend.  The temperature gauge slowly climbed the further south we went.  Our last fuel stop in Anthem was a stark reminder of what we left behind...104 at 7PM.

Once home, Mike and I stripped the trailer long into the darkness.  Better done now than in the heat of the day tomorrow.  Dogs were bathed and fed, and heaps of laundry and other miscellaneous items were strewn about the house. I was depressed.  Every time we go on vacation, it gets harder and harder to come back.

The four of us have begun discussion on where we will venture to next year.  Colorado again? Utah maybe?  We shall see.  Until then, we will venture out on weekend trips.  Can't wait for our new trailer! Stay tuned for that!!

Life a bit slower

Things have slowed down considerably. The last few weeks Mike and I spent the time prepping for him to leave. He is off in El Paso at K9 school until Christmas. So I'm a single, working "mom" to my four legged kids. Just working and entertaining them.

The weather has improved by leaps and bounds and it kills me that my adventure partner is off in another state. Fall has finally hit. It has rained several times. I have promised the dogs a hike in the mountains once a week. But that is the limit of my adventures for the meantime.

So until our next foray into the great outdoors, I leave you with a double rainbow...