New Year's Eve Trails

We started the year with new friends on a trail, it seemed fitting to end the year with the same amazing people.

The end of year crew was smaller: Pete and Mandy in the FJ, Liz and dogs in the Tundra, Jeremy in SeanRubiconnery, and Dave and Charlie in the TRD 4Runner.  We met up at their campsite off Table Mesa Road and caught up after our extended disappearance from off roading.

Then onto trails!  SeanRubiconnery lead us around for the day.  While the start of the year was wet and cold, today proved to be sunny and dusty.  Couldn't have asked for better weather.

We made our way to an old fort and explored before lunch.  Hope wasn't much of a fan of climbing rocks.  Elly needs to teach her the ropes.  (We left Elly and Rommel at the house.  Old age sucks)

After a fort-side lunch, we made our way along a ravine towards an old mine site.  We explored and chatted for a while before turning back.

After meeting up one last time, we all said our goodbyes.  Half the crew was camping again, while our teardrop is trapped behind car parts.  On our way out, we met up with Brett who had to work today, but was on his way in for an afternoon of trails and camping.

This was an amazing way to end the year.  I very much needed a day on the trail.  The fresh air, great scenery and good friends is just the reset button my brain needed.

Happy New Year!!! May your 2018 be filled with adventures great and small!

Full photo gallery found on SmugMug

Homestead Adventure

Wayward and distant adventures have been far and few between.  Life, work and responsibility has certainly gotten in the way.  And this winter has been much colder than those past, so our adventures consist of our daily walks. 

This winter has boasted more frequent rain storms than those past, so at least our daily jaunts down the road have yielded some incredible sunsets.

And we were greeted with a light rainbow one morning.  (It is to the left of the saguaro)

Once the nights are consistently above freezing in our camping spots, I'm hoping to drag the Adventure Husband away from his project car to get out - get away and most importantly get some forest time in. 

Until then, this will do.

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!

Jupiter, Venus and the Moon

This weekend, the night sky gave us a treat: a half moon hanging out with Jupiter, Venus and the star Regulus.

I snapped a few photos, and finally got a decent shot of the four of them from behind our old man Saguaro in the back yard.

From left to right: the Moon, Regulus, Jupiter and Venus.

No matter the weather, heat or cold, get outside.  If only for a few minutes.  

Take a deep breath and watch the stars.