QUIET BEAUTY….THE DESERT

Wednesday, April 11 – We took a hike out in the desert this morning, wondering around for a couple hours. This is BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) and dry camping (free) for up to 14-days is permitted here. Paul follows several blogs of people that have camped out here. The road are very rough and one would have to be careful driving into this area. I sure couldn't get our diesel pusher in here!

There are tons of trails through the desert in back of North Ranch.

View of the WEAVER Mountains.

This is actually called the "Lone Saguaro." It is the only one in this area of the desert.

Didn't see much wildlife, just enjoyed a leisurely walk among the scrub brush.

This is also cattle grazing country. You come across many head of cattle and an abundance of “cow patties.” Better be careful where you're stepping.

Paul rides his bike out here each morning and really enjoys riding on these trails. It's a little more challenging than riding of normal bike paths or on the street, especially when crossing sandy washes or traveling through areas that 4-wheelers have dug up.

It's surprising when you come around an area of scrub brush and into a herd of grazing cattle. Don't know who's more surprised, Paul or the cattle!

The desert in this area isn't all scrub brush, there are some beautiful flowering vegetation.

All alone in this great big world.

We thought we would frame the WEAVER Mts. with a WEAVER on each side.

Marsha presented Louise with a basket. This is the first basket Marsha made with the tiles she had painted in Mexico. Louise was so surprised and so thankful.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

ONCE THE CAPITAL OF THE ARIZONA TERRITORY

Tuesday, April 11 – We took a ride with Duane & Louise up to Prescott, AZ,  this morning.

Prescott is up and over the Weaver Mountains and into the Granite Mountains at 5347 feet. It has a very, interesting historical background based mainly on the mining industry – especially gold! It was once the territorial capital of Arizona.

Today it is a prosperous city of over 30,000 and relies heavily on tourism. Whiskey Row is the main tourist street. Located around the Court House, which is under renovation, Whiskey Row, in its heyday, was lined with saloons that welcomed many well-known cowboys and outlaws on a regular basis.

Courthouse.

Now here is something we haven't seen in at least two years. We almost forgot what they look like.

In 1900, the entire block – along with three-quarters of the town – was destroyed by fire. But within days, new structures were being built. Many of these buildings are still standing are are ideal places for unique shopping, dining and plenty of entertainment.

Whiskey Row.

We stopped at The Palace for lunch. Opened in 1868, the Palace was a fancy “watering-hole” and is still the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and one of the most well-known and historic restaurant and saloons in the United States. In the 1870's, Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holiday were patrons of The Palace.

Louise, Duane, Marsha and Paul.

After a leisure walk around downtown and a stroll through several of the shops, we jumped back in the car to enjoy the scenery on the ride back down the mountain.

Just a gorgeous drive.

Yes, that is snow in them there mountains.

It was a beautiful ride and a fun day with friends.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH OF THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, April 9 - Once settled into our campsite, we loaded into the car with Duane & Louise and headed up into The WEAVER Mountains. How neat is that to be in our “namesake” mountains.

Our first stop was Frog Rock. This one weighs probably 60 tons and stands (or squats) more than 16 feet tall. This rook was painted green like a frog. I guess one shouldn't be painting the mountain boulders, but it was pretty neat!

Our next stop was at the top of the mountain in Yarnell, AZ. The Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains. This was a very moving experience, especially having just completed the Easter weekend. It is the fourteen stages of the cross situated in a shaded grotto of oak trees and huge granite boulders.

A visit to the Shrine starts at the foot of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Happy Homes.

A beautiful rustic path beckons you to walk with Jesus through His last days on earth.

Beautiful white stone statues depict Christ at the Last Supper, His footsteps along the Way of the Cross, and his condemnation to death to His placement in the tomb. At each station, you gain a better understanding of the great sacrifice He made for all mankind.

The pilgrimage begins at the table of His Last Supper, where He spent His last joyful moments.

A plaque on each of the crosses describes the event that occurred.

The setting for each cross in a beautiful setting. At each of the crosses, there is a seat among the stones for prayer.

Our first glimpse into what was ahead.

His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Crucifixion. The rock appears to have blood on it.

What a beautiful, break-taking setting.

Jesus taken from the cross.

He is Risen…He is Risen indeed!

The bronze sculpture above is the risen Christ. Background…the tomb.

View from the top.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

The Shrine is free (donations are encouraged). It is located in Yarnell, AZ, just a half mile off Highway 89 and is open during daylight hours. The Shrine has never been financially supported by any Christian Denomination and relies on the generosity of its visitors and volunteer for maintenance and growth.

This is one of the emotional-draining sites we have visited. We went from sadness of the arrest to rejoicing at the Risen Savior, a beautiful reminder that our Lord did, indeed, rise from the dead and lives on in each of us forever. DO NOT miss this aspiring experience.

After stopping at the pull-outs going down the mountain for pictures, we returned to the North Ranch, our park for the week.

Paul, Louise, Duane.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!