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.