Usery Mountain Park Flora, Fauna, and Fun

Just finished enjoying two weeks in Usery Mountain Park located in NE Mesa.

We were a bit later getting to the park this year and were amazed (dismayed) at how crowded the campground was when we arrived. We were number 18 in overflow awaiting a campsite when we first arrived but managed to get a campsite the next day.There has been higher than average rainfall here this winter and the desert is really green. So many years we have visited here and everything has been dusty, brown and dry.

Lots of activities to participate in and trails to tackle including our obligatory hike up to the wind cave.

A friend pointed out "Gumby" saguaro.

We also enjoyed the "art imitates life"

cell phone antenna tower saguaro

(it's the one on the left).

We spent a lot of time watching curve-billed thrashers, quail, doves, cactus wrens, hummingbirds, and gila woodpeckers come to our feeders.

Had to keep from tripping over the petrified crocodile head AKA "Croc Rock".

After a few days, we had the little squirrels coming by for peanuts. In the heat of the day, they'd get so lazy they'd grab a nut and then scurry into the shade under the picnic table and lay themselves out flat on the cooler concrete. They know what it takes to survive desert temps.

And the itty-bittiest little cottontail would scamper through every morning.

One morning his mom came along.

Bunnies, birds, and squirrels all learn to share the water in a desert.

Our last week there the temps were in the mid to hi-80's and we saw lots of lizards skittering thru the camp. This is a picture of one of Dean's favorites: "Slim". Unfortunately for us and fortunately for Slim, he adapts so well to the color he's on that he disappeared on camera and thanks to Google we can show you him here.

Hasta la vista, Usery!

Pebble Beach

What a surprise as we moved north out of Tucson. Our next stop was to be at the Elks in Florence. They aren't there anymore. Oh! Well, good for us, we always plan short days so we can absorb any change in plans. So we continued north. Figured out why the Elks may be gone: the Phoenix sprawl has moved south another 20 miles and the Elks location will make a great place for a mall. We thought that we'd been on this road in the last couple years but maybe not. We counted 10 new housing developments where there used to be field crops. New schools; new malls. And lots of people.

Sunday afternoon is a bit late to be trying to get a campsite in Usery Mountain Park (our ultimate destination) and we were right. There was a long line just getting into the park and the campground was full. We pulled a "U"ie and headed north just 6 more miles into Tonto National Forest.

We arrived at Pebble Beach to camp by 2:30. This left us plenty of time to hike around the area, wade in the river, and even sit and enjoy the gorgeous mountains and warm sun.

Pebble Beach is on the Salt River. Their definition of pebbles as in Pebble Beach is different than ours as these pebbles are about 8" in diameter.

This 10 mile section of the river is used by tubers during the summer. We've never been here then but surely there would be more water to float in. During the summer there are buses transporting tubers up river from 6 different stops.

During the winter and low water when there is no tubing being done, some of the stops are used for overnight camping. Nice paved lots, picnic tables, bbqs, and ramadas. All for only $3/night (for Golden Agers).

It must be a big party time in that hot summer weather. We found lots of jetsam in the river bed. Many plastic water bottles, aluminum cans, 2 radios, 3 shoes, an umbrella, 2 glass frames, and keys to a Toyota - all within 150 feet.

Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump

After 39 days in Texas, we headed northwest, bucking the wind. After the 45 to 60mph crosswinds, we learned to head out early (for us that means about 9am :o)) before the spring winds came up.

With 19% humidity and these winds, it's no wonder Texas is worried about wildfires. Us: we are worried about shriveling up - our skin was developing scales!

As we crossed into New Mexico we stopped in Las Cruces then headed to Rockhound State Park near Deming. We like this state park, because it differs from almost any other park anywhere, which always have rules that say DON'T TAKE ANYTHING!!! This park actually encourages everybody to take rocks.

Onward westward ho! We arrived in Willcox Arizona(birthplace of Rex Allen!) in time for the Elk's monthly BBQ brisket dinner. Yum! Listened to the honks of the sandhill cranes each evening and the tooot tooot toot tooooot of the trains going by -- about five every hour, day and night.

We had considered both Deming and Willcox as sort of wide spots in the road, and shells of their former selves. We were therefore surprised to find new homes and developments in both towns. And more than surprised to find brand new, southwestern style homes of reasonable size and set up nicely, for under $200,000.

Another hop and a week stop at Catalina State Park, just above Tucson. Visited friends in town. Stopped in briefly at the Freightliner Chassis Owners RV get-together. Sat around watching the birds feeding, and soaking up some actual sunshine. Shopped Trader Joe's. Sat around watching the birds feeding, and soaking up some actual sunshine. Did laundry and caught up on some e-mail writing. Sat around watching the birds feeding, and soaking up some actual sunshine. (Think we are figuring out this R&R stuff!)

Texas may be dry. But there was standing water in the dry lakes as we crossed NM, and the desert floor in this park is so green that somebody had to find a mower! to mow the tall grasses (weeds) that usually wouldn't be here.