Category: travel

5 Shots: Camping at the Rim

Blue Valley. Below are the small towns of Strawberry-Pine.

We wanted to get away for 24 hours. Off we went yesterday to our new favorite spot of the escarpment that is the 200 mile Mogollon Rim. For my blogging-buddy Fraggle, whose photographs I admire because she has people in them, I created this post. Normally, I focus on the landscape. Rarely do I humanize my outings. This time, Jim and I brought along our granddaughter Milly and our new puppy, Ruby. Which one do you like best?

Crags. Sandstone and limestone

Milly and Ruby
Purple Wild Flower
Red and White Roots
Milly on the Edge
Grandpa, Milly & Ruby
Strawberry and Pine Below
Steak, potatoes & beans
Steak, potatoes & beans for dinner.
Milly chooses to watch Mary Poppins
Camp Fire
Ruby.

 

40

5 Shots: A Pleasant Surprise

A colleague suggested a camping spot ninety-minutes away tucked under Ponderosa Pines and surrounded by Mountain Laurel. She promised valley views, and Jim and I felt an escapade was needed. 260 to 87S. Mile Marker 277. Drive through the gate a mile and veer left. Okay, we’ll try it!

Alligator Juniper

We headed up to the high country for glamping and campfire dinner. As we relaxed, we put on George Harrison’s tribute concert from 2002 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. We felt like we were at an outdoor concert. The crisp air combined with a slight breeze whistling through the pines lulled us to sleep. This morning, we hiked along the precipice. This is the Mogollon Rim from the west side. How many times have we driven by this spot thinking we needed to travel 3.5 hours to get there? We halved our time and fell in love with the view and privacy. Not a soul to be found.  Which shot do you like best?

“The Mogollon Rim is a topographical and geological feature cutting across the U.S. state of Arizona. It extends approximately 200 miles, starting in northern Yavapai County and running eastward, ending near the border with New Mexico. It forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona.” Wikipedia
Glamping. We pull around a king-sized bed. Hey, it works for us!
The Rim
Mountain Laurel
Natural Paint

Three cheers to my friend at work. What a spot-on suggestion!

48

5 Shots: Shenandoah Valley, VA

When visiting a brother-in-law last week, he procured blueberry moonshine for us to sample. It was a sunny day and the drive to his place tucked in the Shenandoah Mountains lifted my mood. I was intoxicated as though I had drunk half the bottle of his moonshine. No, it was just the sunshine and the air filled with the scent of hardwoods. Which shot do you like best?

Lake Laura at Basye, Virginia.
It was a quiet afternoon hiking around Lake Laura.
Moss.

 

Down the road from Basye, there’s a hamlet called Orkney Springs. Shrine Mont is an Episcopalian worship and retreat center. I worked in the kitchen many summers with some authentic country ladies who taught me a lot about cooking. The summer music festivals they have on the lawn is a popular venue.
Fall colors are coming.
Meet our new puppy! Jim and I had no desire to get a new dog after the passing of Bear. But the buyer for this little gem bailed. Our son and daughter-in-law asked if we wanted her. Who could refuse a face like this? I returned to AZ to work, and lucky Jim gets to bring her home on the plane this weekend.
Related image
For my friend Pete who is a Civil War buff. This is one county. If you like U.S. History, Virginia is a living museum. More military events and key people from the Colonial period lived here than any other state.

 

 

42

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑