The neighborhood is full of characters. From the demure tall model-like misses to the bulked up cranky bulls, they have all made their way past my RV.
This family came by including the babies ...
Today I decided to hit Maricopa Point up on the Hermits Rest Drive. It sits way out on a very narrow walkway, this one with a railing. Just walking out there made me dizzy, but pictures were in order, so I braved the queasy feeling and hung out over the edge.
At the bottom is an old mine named the Orphan. Although not much gold was found, they did discover uranium ... a rather dangerous substance!! Most of the area at the top where they hauled the ore for transport to another location, has been fenced off. The original entrance, covered by the small shed, and the bracing used to haul the ore up the shaft, can still be seen here.
Since all the flowers are in bloom from the recent rains, the bees and critters are out in force. This huge black bee spent quite some time lunching on this small bush. As did the no-see-um that took a hunk out of my neck!! (scratch scratch scratch)
The clouds were awesome, they come and go on a daily basis and never look the same twice!!
Patty wanted to show me the fossils found on the Hermits Rest Trail ... an unmaintained trail that ends up at the bottom of the canyon. About a mile down, we spent over an hour scouring the hillside. We checked out the fossils and old trails to the very edge. You never saw two girls more excited about rocks!!!!! Here's a clam foot, about 4 inches across!!! Yes, there was once a huge sea here.
On the way down the trail, we spied these initials carved into a rock ... LBH.
One of the original settlers here was Louis Boucher, Hermit (he loved being called a hermit). We assume he put the initials here. He built the original trail and lived a hermits life halfway down the canyon. Later, Hermits Rest, Hermits Rest Trail, Boucher Trail and many other areas were named for him. Here he is with his white mule Calamity Jane!!!
This little trail ended at the cliff. A slight misstep and you would fall to the bottom!!!!
Also in bloom are the prickly pear cactus. When I was a little kid, we would pick these and make jelly. Patty and I tasted one ... not bad except they are FULL of seeds!!!!
On the ride home, we saw this brute thrashing his horns at the edge of the road. Not willing to drive by that close and get whacked, we paused to watch him lay down.
These guys are just amazing creatures to watch. He is sniffing the air for his females. There were several close by and he was making sure no one else entered his territory.
Another great day in Gods country ..... tomorrow we are off to Flagstaff!!!
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