Scottsdale Library/Rock Shop, Wendy, SanCarlos Apache Tribe Wildlife & Rec Area, Roper Lake / Dankworth State Park, Essence of Tranquility !
On Monday a delicious lunch with my son-thanks, Hans! Then was led to call Lost Dutchman State Park which on two prior calls in the past two months had no availability; but today, I reserved for 2 days, Monday & Tuesday with electric, water and hot showers, but no campfires because of ban. Tonto National Forest covers a good portion of AZ and borders on this State Park. Rockhounding and use of a metal detector are permitted on Tonto lands. So, I bought a metal detector at Harbor Freight Tools, asking if I could use rechargeable batteries in it to find out on returning that rechargeable won’t work! So, I’m practicing using the metal detector.
Krumkake ! Thanks to Norwegian Bird and Katrina, a great visit at Essence of Tranquility, Safford AZ-so fun eating Krumkake and I got to eat them the next couple of days-yummy! Of course the water of the Hot Springs there warms and nourishes my soul-thanks to Owner Clarisse & son Mike for providing such a lovely place!
On Wednesday headed to Roosevelt Lake which is 24 beautiful miles long with swimming anywhere you want. I drove on the Apache Trail route to get there. En route past Superior, over mountains, there was an accident after the tunnel which backed up traffic for quite awhile. As I waited for traffic to get going, I pulled off, got out of the car, took pictures of the beauty, picked up roadside trash, and contemplated getting a van with California plates that was waiting as I was. I camped overnight at Roosevelt Lake which is beautiful and peaceful.
In the morning I stopped at Tonto National Forest Ranger Station / Visitor Center in Roosevelt, to check on email, for I had data access in their parking lot. Then I headed to Roosevelt Dam and Apache Lake. The road to Apache Lake was a forest, dirt road with mountain curves and stunning views. I camped at Burnt Corral campground, went for a swim in Apache Lake, enjoyed the birds, especially the male cardinal that landed in my tent, and the raptors flying above.
Friday morning it took me an hour to go the 6 miles from the campsite back to Roosevelt Dam. I learned that there is a group of people who yearly swim the lengths of the lakes in AZ; this morning they did Apache Lake. I pondered what it might be like to swim 24 miles of Roosevelt Lake! I saw two mice with mouths overflowing with long grasses-perhaps for new nests? I stopped at Tonto Visitor Center and got a map of Coconino Forest with a nice chat about weather. This day Roosevelt would probably reach 100 degrees but Payson would only be in 70s. I’m sold on cooler
temps, then decide to go to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park which preserves the longest natural travertine Bridge in the world. It was discovered by a man hiding out from Indians. I love driving through forests! Drove through portions of Tonto and Coconino Forest, getting to Lake Mary at pre Sunset when I stopped to eat overlooking the lake-fun! I take a side road to experience the oldest schoolhouse in Arizona. On to Lowell observatory in Flagstaff where I took my first telescope picture of the almost-full
moon. While I drive through forests, my mind pops up with interesting ideas-this time it was the Meteorite Crater that I want to see and tomorrow is the day for it.
Lowell Observatory is open until 10 pm and I arrived around 7. I was so excited to go, but I set my expectations too high. I still enjoyed, especially taking my moon through a fancy telescope picture. I also liked the 1888 telescope.
To be ready bright and early for the Meteorite Crater, I car camped at the rest area off I-40. I was not disappointed in any way with this adventure. A meteorite represents to me the collision of the Heavenly and earthly. There is work/ research for identifying threats to earth in this manner and ways to divert the threats-I am impressed. The man who purchased the property spent 26 years of his life looking for the iron meteorite not realizing that it consumed itself in the heat and pressure.
Saturday night to Sunday morning at Homolovi State Park where it was very windy. Homolovi are today’s Hopi with roots back to 600 AD in what is now part of AZ. Pottery was their special talent. The Little Colorado has destroyed much along with human destruction of the dwellings. I was moved to tears on the viewing of Homolovi II ruins. Sunday morning to Scottsdale to love on my new granddaughter
Now Is Heaven 
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