Mount Picketpost, east of Apache Junction, AZ. our front door view.
Winter Solstice has past, Christmas has pasted, days grow longer.
I was visiting with the camp host here at Picketpost trail head, part of the Tonto National Forest. She is from New York (upstate). I said,”Its funny, winter seems as if it doesn’t even exist down here, the snow the cold whipping winds and freezing rain. I mean I find it funny that I don’t even think about the winter I might be missing in Montana. But I sure remember wishing and longing for a winter in the south.”
It feels like “vacation time” here in Arizona. Most people I meet are for the most part “snowbirds,” with a more relaxed, casual out look on life. The harshness of weather and stress of work has been removed. More time for leisure. Yesterday I spoke with a lovely retired couple, as cute as could be, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – spending 4 months in the Mesa, Az. area. They wore shorts, had backpacks on and were out hiking the Arizona Trail. But square dancing was their thing. If I am correct the fit looking older gentleman and his lithe wife of many, many years told me there were 100’s of square dances happening this winter in the Mesa/Apache Junction area. By the looks of it dancing was most certainly keeping this couple youthful with sparks in their eyes and a quickness in their steps.
A quick photo over view of the past couple of weeks as I continue my, “Travels with Rosie.”
After leaving the Sonotia area we traveled west to Tubac where we overnighted at “Freedom on the Go” horse motel. We visited the exhibit at the Presido State Park in Tubac.
Rosie looking on with interest.
Then we drove to the near my National Park of Tumacacori. Fascinating!
Then we headed north for the Catalina State Park where we rode and overnighted two nights. One thing I am noticing more is that volunteers are picking up the slack where funding has been cut. This park as are many are being maintained with the sincere help of many volunteers and they are doing a not worthy job of it all.
Horses wanting their morning Source Micronutrients.
Rosie’s guard dog and pal, Bella.
From Catalina we went further north where Melissa Deaver-Rivera hosted a talk at her stable with friends from her riding club in Apache Junction… Had a lovely evening. Melissa is a member of the BackCountry Horseman and knows my sister MaryAnn from the Pecos Chapter in Albuquerque, NM.
Now here we are..Rosie on Spirit with the Superstition Mountains in the background riding the Arizona Trail.
I am an advocate for public lands, a self proclaimed spokeswoman for our National Forest Service and Parks and the people who work in the service of these government departments.
Recently Rosie and I discovered the Las Cienegas National Conservation and Historic Empire Ranch, 5 miles north of Sonoita, Arizona. An expansive landscape of desert grasslands, rolling hills dotted with mesquite trees, dry auroras lined with giant cottonwood trees, antelope, deer, raptors, land that gives you the feel of freedom. When we arrived a couple of weeks ago, I stepped out of Rosie’s truck and said, “ I feel like I’m on the African Savanna.” I have never been on the African Savanna but I have seen photos…this is what the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area felt like to me, exotic, breathtaking vistas, wind, sky and grass.
When I see the volumes of people striking out for a weekend camping expedition, when I read about the record breaking attendance Glacier Park, Yellowstone Park and Yosemite support each year and when I see the struggle between differing land use managements ie: motorized 4-wheeler, non motorized – horseback riders, hikers, bicyclist, hunters, the logging and mineral interest, all grabbing, all vying for a peace of open space, natural beauty, a place to “get away from it all… I think, “ We need more public lands.”
It is impressive what a group of strong minded determined people did in saving this ranch land and the ,ambience it embraces. www.empireranchfoundation.org. From the website……
The Empire Ranch Foundation (ERF) was established as a private non-profit organization in 1997 to work with the BLM to develop private support to preserve the ranch buildings and enhance the educational and recreational opportunities it offers to the general public. In the time since, ERF and BLM have completed significant emergency repairs to the main ranch house and to major outbuildings at the headquarters. Major long term permanent repairs to the Ranch House and Adobe Haybarn are being specified and undertaken as funding permits, while interpretation and education programs and a Discovery Trail and other visitor enhancements…
Between BLM and the Empire Ranch foundation the Las Cienegas has managed to blend a working ranch, 4-wheelers, hikers, horseback riders and hunters on to this 42,000 acre conservation area. It is clean, does not have roads everywhere and retains a sense of being alone with the land. Rosie felt it deserved a generous donation. In a time when our public lands are being threatened we must all pitch in and help and not rely so heavily on the government to save these national treasures.
My hat is off to the BLM and the Empire Ranch Foundation…and its a big hat!
The Mustang Mountains. These Mountains have been in many western movies such as Red River and EL Dorado the Shootist, Oklahoma, 3:10nto Yuma and Ride the High Country.
Rosie on Liska and Jeanetta Sturgeon (who led us here in the first place) riding her grey gelding Phoenix.
My Black Mountain Saddle from Tucker taking in the view.
Inside the Historic Empire Ranch corrals.
Rosie riding off into the sunset with her mount Liska Pearl.
Patagonia
Is a quaint, charming artist’s town. The streets are open and lovely and the people friendly. As Rosie, Bella and I strolled the town on a sunny afternoon I noticed this sign. I never did meet any of the women from the group but Rhonda the woman on the ladder said they were very influential in the community. One-hundred years ladies!!! goodness by the looks of your town you are doing something right.
It hardly seems like winter when the temperature is in the 70’s, nice. We are part of the winter migration called “snowbirds.” How remarkably easy travel becomes with a truck and trailer!
Recapping the past two weeks:
From Pie Town we dropped due south into the Gila National Forest. Jeanetta Sturgeon knew Annie George and Susan Dent (horse-gals) who own property just outside the forest boundary. Anne makes saddles, Susan’s a vet in Alaska. Annie provided us with water other wise it would have been impossible to have stayed where we did. We enjoyed one full week of lively conversation, sunshine, shared meals and trail rides with two new friends.
Doug Dexter, president of Gila Back Country Horseman, Rosie and Pat Wolph who invited us in the first place. The setting was by far the most interesting place for a BCH gathering I have been to.
Rosie, her dog Bella and I toured the unique historical Silver City, joined the Gila Back-Country Horseman’s Christmas party at the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House in Pin’os Altos (north of Silver City) and watched the Super Moon rise and brilliantly illuminate the sky.
Silver City entrepreneur
As the weather turns cooler we head further south for Arizona looking for more canyons to explore, more sun and perhaps more new friends to warm us.
Historic downtown Silver City
Rosie and Bella at the O’Keefe Gallery in Silver City
Susan Dent and Rosie out side the Buckhorn Saloon
We drove past this in Pin’os Altos just up from the Buckhorn Saloon.
Spirit with the morning Super Moon slowly settling down behind her
