Big Horn Sheep, birds and lizards

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

While talking with our Canadian neighbors at a small neighborhood gathering last night we were directed to go in search of Martinez Lake and the surrounding Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.
With hats and sun block on hand, out we went in search of nature. Mike is and has been in search for a Big Horn Sheep or Mountain Goat sightings since we arrived in the desert.

To get there, one has to cross the US Army property and today we were privileged to see the US Army SkyKNIGHTS Team jump from a C130 over the desert.



C130



US Army Skyknights


<< C130 just after take off






 Parachuter nearing landing target >>

A series of vista points overlook the Colorado River that runs through the INWR bordering the BLM and Yuma Proving Grounds about 20 miles north of Yuma, AZ.  We started out at the visitor's center and a short video about the refuge and what we might expect to see. Just outside the front door is a small enclosed area for their "Digger Tortoise" that lives near the foundation - he wasn't receiving visitors today, but we did see birds and lizards nearby.




Humming bird feeder and rogue bird










@ crossroad to
Red Cloud Mine Road and the viewing points.

One of the many lizards we did see today. 

The short video provides you with the view we had at Mesquite Point where we got out to view the marshes, birds and enjoy our lunch. (30 sec)

After a jaw jarring ride to our next stop - Painted Desert Foot Trail...a 1.3 mile loop through the Painted Desert - breathtaking!

Photos of our walk on the trail.

 

 Burro droppings mark the

        

                                                                                                                   beginnings or end of a trail...

We didn't see a Big Horn sheep today, however we have not given up on that search nor should you. Visit http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/Imperial/index.html to learn more about the refuge and desert and what it has to offer.
 
Hope to see you here soon.

Entrepreneurs...got to love them! Supporting local businesses on the road.

We have been out exploring Yuma and the surrounding area now for the past 6 weeks. Getting off the main interstate is one of our primary objectives, therefore we tend to find treasures which I will share with you today. (We are in favor of small  locally owned businesses and will support them by spreading the word. Don't get me started with the large box stores and the downfall of Main Street America.)

My finished piece


Creative?

Have a creative side and want to explore something new and fun?  While looking at the racks of brochures and pamplets at the Yuma Visitors center I absentmindedly plucked up a handful of information sheets, pamplets and brochures to read at another time. About a week later I ran across the yellow tri-fold sheet (I was using it as a bookmark) describing a ceranmics studio in Old Town Yuma. Kathy, the owner, has monthly specials, is eager to help you select and finish your ceramics piece. Has space for children's parties too.

http://wildimaginationpotterystudio.com/ - visit her website for more information

Hungry?

On the edges of Yuma's northside is US Hwy 95 that crosses I-8, and

will take you north to Quartzsite, Parker and Lake Haversu. It is dotted with industrial businesses, the occasional fruit stand and acres of agriculture farm land. Driving by you can smell the broccoli, see the cabbage, cauiflower and lettuce growing and watch the farmworkers hand hoeing the rows as they prepare them for a new planting of some vegetable. The land is farmed year round here, the weather is that good. But I digress.

We drove by this restaurant several times before seeing it because it sits a bit off the road and is hidden from view should you be driving on the same side of the street. 

More of a "we're in the 'hood, so should we try it" thought we decided to have lunch there yesterday. At 1:15pm it was jammed with locals, including the 5 sheriff/police officers dining at a nearby table. Three adult Asian males worked the counter and approximately 12 tables... and the food was delicious! Our order was hot, generous portions, and reasonable priced. When I asked the departing officers what they recommended,  "everything", but the combo rice bowls were the true favorites.

Specialty Foods

While driving south in search of a purported 'flea' market we saw a roadside sign for "The Peanut Patch" and went in search of it. We were pleasantly surprised to find this lovely store catering mostly to the 'peanut' with a large variety of them (salted, unsalted, Spanish, etc) and other nuts in the form of brittle, clusters and butters. They also had fudge/homemade candy, but I veered off to the dried fruit aisles. Gift baskets/mail orders were also featured and you can discover more from their website: http://www.thepeanutpatch.com/.

Donna George, owner, was very helpful and even gave us free tastings of her peanut butters.

Quartzsite, AZ

As you are about to enter Quartzsite from the south you will see on either side of Hwy 95 flags and banners used for advertising everything from solar panels to rocks n gems. You will also see motor homes, RV's and trailers galore, as the owners park beside their businesses that line Kuehn Street to your right in 'Rice Ranch' and in 'Tyson Wells' on your left.

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign...

We purchased a small wood sign with our last name on it ($10) from JD's Custom Wood Signs. Dennis originally had purchased a ice cream (customized) truck, but converted it to making woods signs as a way to stay busy while his wife made and sold jewelry at fairs around ID, their home state. Dennis had our sign done in 30 minutes as promised and regaled both of us with the story of how he learned a new trade in the last 2 years. He is in Tyson Wells, Space 20.

He also had signs with 'quotes' on them, something for everyone, as seen in the photo.


DESSERT anyone?

Last, but for sure not least ...APPLE PIE with - wait for it....HOT CARMEL Sauce, oh my! An ample portion of homemade apple pie and the choice of having the carmel is yours. (Although a bit sweet for me, I did have a splash on the side and it was delicious!) In speaking with the owner I discovered that she had been 'downsized' from a So CA university after 22 years of employment and had been out of work for 18 months when she decided to buy Gran'ma's pie truck from Jeannie the original owner. She's the owner/baker, 6 days a week, Nov - Feb. and makes all the pies, daily, right in this truck. She even takes orders for whole pies! She's at Rice Ranch - slot # A-23...but you can't miss the big YELLOW sign over her truck, and she even has a small tent with tables and chairs to sit and eat your slice right there. Go to http://granmasapplepie.com/ for a map.

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of any of these businesses I hope you will decide to support them, either by making a purchase or recommending them to others.

Adios amigos!

Hiking to Palm Canyon

 Goal for today: Hike into Palm Canyon - approx. 1/2mi from Ten Ewe Mountain

Out on Hwy 95 at milepost 85 one can turn off the smooth, hard asphalt onto the graded, graveled and slightly rutted road, just wide enough for two cars to pass without touching while driving East toward the KOFA mountain range in the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge (established 1939 to protect the desert Big Horn Sheep - which we are in constant search of finding - to date we are still in search mode) along 7 miles to the parking lot at the trailhead. It is a beautiful day, deceiting as the Sun is out, but the wind is blowing at a good clip making for a chilly but sunny trek.



Palm Canyon lies within them there hills




the Sherpa prepares



Timing is everything - much later and the Palms would have been in the shadows





Looking West from the trail.




A lone palm tree in another crevice.

The trees are also known as California Palms - These palm trees are probably remnants from when this area was wetter and cooler than it is now. Though numbering less than 100, this handful of trees is among the only native palms in Arizona. http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=22570.

We went in around noon time, good thing too - much later and the shadows would have swallowed up the trees into darkness. As it was we caught sight of them just about the time we saw the following sign:

probably the result of too many late afternoon hikers missing the viewing period when the Sun shines directly into the crevices where they reside.

The 1/2 mi loop trail is a well marked-easy hike. There is no rest area or restroom facility...the nearest ones being approximately  22 miles to Quartzsite, and that's from the main highway. Plan accordingly and have a great time. We did.

Ciao!

Cactus, cactus everywhere - another Nat'l Park bucket-list item checked off!

We have become vagabonds in a sense, exploring the areas where we land far from the traffic jammed city centers via back roads and the stack of books, maps and pamplets that we have collected in our travels.

From Yuma we headed east on I-8, through not one, not 2 but 3 US Border Patrol checkpoints. Via Gila Bend, Ajo and the rural community of Why, 10 mi south. Yes, that's right, WHY-all .5 mile of it and it's gas station.

Ajo (Spanish for garlic), location of the first copper mine in Arizona. Across from a lovely main square sits the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church which was bulit in 1924. It really is spectualar  

Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge sits along boundaries of the city and staff at the visitor center provides information on both the Refuge and helpful information about the Organ Pipe Cactus Monument Park that is 25 south of town.

Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Reug

              For Mike the Eagle has landed.

 

A 21 mile loop provides you with every opportunity to see a variety of cacti within the boundaries of the park. There is also a large camping site 1.4mi south of the visitor center with ample RV spaces (dry camp) for $12/night.



Ocotillo buds



Prickly Pear








Chain Fruit Cactus



Teddy Bear Cholla


                      

                                                

Barrel Cactus





Suguaro w/Organ Pipe

  Organ Pipe (left) with mutation

 Cacti all the way up the mountains

Sunset on the drive back to Yuma