City of Rocks

Since the weather had finally warmed up east of Arizona, I headed into New Mexico to visit my friend Bri.  On my way there, via the State Route back roads, I knew that I'd be passing by several National Forest Campgrounds in which I could spend the night.  But, as fate would have it, I saw a sign to turn right for the City of Rocks State Park.  I made the turn.

Friends Jerry and Nelda spoke highly of this park; and they were right!  It has an other-worldly feel about it.  The campsites are hidden among monolithic boulders.  It reminds me a lot of the rock formations at Joshua Tree National Park.



The road to the park, looking away from the rocks. 
Gently rolling hills, grassland with yucca and ocotillo.  2/18/14

This is from that same road, looking toward the City of Rocks.  2/18/14. 



Sign placed near where the two pictures above were taken.
It reads, in part, "Wind and water gradually sculpted the volcanic
 tuff  ... creating the rows of monolithic blocks ... sites are
tucked away among these Stonehenge-like formations ..."  2/18/14



My Prius in the campsite, dwarfed by the super large rocks.  2/16/14



My Prius and campsite to the left,
and my nearest neighbor hidden among the rocks to the right.  2/16/14

My first night at this campground I kept hearing a loud squeaking noise every now and again, echoing among the rocks.  The next morning I realized that it was a windmill creaking every time it began to turn.  It pumps water.  Somehow knowing that the noise came from a windmill made it less annoying.

 

What did become a bit annoying was the constant wind.  It was most windy in the afternoons.

 

When this windmill starts to turn in the wind, it creaks loudly.  2/16/14

Such a pleasant surprise to find this park.  I would return again, despite the wind and the squeaking windmill.


Sunny and the Superstitions

I knew that Sunny was going to be in Apache Junction in February.  But, I didn't think I would still be in Arizona at that time.   I have the cold spell in the southeast to thank for that, as it gave me a chance to spend some time with her.

A short hike with Sunny in Lost Dutchman State Park, at the base of Flat Iron Peak of
 Superstition Mountain.  Notice the non-traditional hiking footwear. 
We had just treated ourselves to pedicures!  2/14/14

 

Here are my 4-days-post-pedicure toes, still pretty in pink.
Sunny's were painted a nice darker turquoise.   2/18/14

We also went to the Superstition Mountain Museum.  The geological history of the area is fascinating. And there is the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.  "Jacob Waltz, the alleged owner of the Dutchman’s Lost Mine, claimed his mine was located where no other miner or prospector would search for gold." 

 

At the museum were some stone maps, purportedly to the lost gold. 
And one was a heart map, especially fitting for Valentine's Day. 2/14/14

 

All the pieces to the heart map.  2/14/14

 

Look on the alluvial fan leading to Flat Iron Peak; you can see part of a trail.
In years past, Sunny saw a Gila Monster there.  2/14/14

  

A jojoba bush in bloom under the Superstitions' Flat Iron Peak.  2/14/14

 

The photogenic Superstition Mountain.  2/14/14

 What a timely treat to meet up with Sunny while we were both in Arizona.

Patagonia

When I visited with John & Teresa in Tucson, they said that Patagonia Lake State Park was a winner.  And they were right!  It's like an oasis in the desert, thanks to a dam on Sonoita Creek.  This park and the adjacent Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, are a birders paradise!   It's located about 10 miles north of the US-Mexico border at Nogales. 

 

View at my campsite on Patagonia Lake where I was woken and then entertained by the
many birds who call this lake their home, permanently or via a migration path.  2/13/14 

 

The marina at Patagonia Lake with rentals, picnic area, and a
cool looking arched walking bridge.  2/13/14 

 

My first morning at Patagonia Lake I went on a ranger-led birding walk.
My little smart phone camera is unable to get a good picture of any of the
birds we saw.  But, here is my best effort of a Cooper's Hawk through a
spotting scope.  2/10/14 

 

This is an Elegant Trogon, as pictured at the Visitor's Center.
I've been told it's rarely sited in the US and a good find for
a birder's lifetime list.  Unfortunately I didn't see one,
but others on the birding walk did ...
so, I do believe that it's more than a myth :)  2/13/14 

 

But, I did see cattle on the birding walk.  Arizona is an Open Range State; so,
some of the cattle were there on a land lease, and others were interlopers.
This one is an interloper.  2/10/14 

 

My Vancouver WA traveling friends, Nelda & Jerry, joined me for
my last night at Patagonia State Park.  So good to visit with them.
And even they saw an Elegant Trogon!  2/13/14 

 

Horseless Carriage Club of America members drove down

from Sierra Vista to the town of Patagonia, AZ for lunch. 2/13/14 

 

I liked seeing all of the old cars. 
One even lost a wheel in the middle of SR-82!
For more pictures from the participants, click on this link.  2/13/14 

 

 I very much enjoyed my stay at Patagonia State Park.  Thanks for the lead John and Teresa!