Bookends

Our days here in the South West have settled into a certain rhythm.

Each day activities...  my work.... our leisure pursuits...  

various tasks we need to attend to...

they might change a bit from day to day

but the one thing that seems to be a constant are the bookends.

The Sunrise & The Sunsets.

Each day is different.  Some are merely beautiful,

While some are spectacular!

This morning was one of the Spectacular

I was sitting in the living room in the dark working on the computer

as I do each morning.  Although I usually keep glancing out the

windows to watch the days light develop - this morning I was engrossed

in my work till Kate called to me from bed remarking how beautiful the light was.

Of course I had to take a break for a few minutes to savor

 the first of the days bookends.

Later, we packed up camp and moved about 30 miles to our home for

the next 5 days - Cave Creek Park in the Northeast Phoenix Metro.

A bit of weather is coming thru tonight and the temps are supposed to drop into

the 20's at night with some rain and snow so I've prepared for cold weather operations

by leaving our water lines and filters stored and we'll be running off of our

water tank till it warms up again.

We were here at Cave Creek May 18 & 19 of this year and enjoyed it

although the heat of summer was upon us so I promised that we would

return in the winter to see what it was like then.

So here we are....

Our new backyard.

As the light of day dwindles, the sun and clouds have been fighting

for dominance and the result has been constantly changing light and colors.

Finally the day surrendered and the day gave way to night.

Our other bookend for the day.

Tomorrow and this weekend I've planned 

the following on the agenda:

Trips to 2 Farmers Markets

A visit to the Pie Mecca of the Southwest for pie.

(google the Rock Springs Cafe & browse the Pie Selection)

A trip to Prescott and Snow Country.

A visit to Bryans Black Mountain Barbecue for.....  Yup Barbecue.

A return to El Encanto for Mexican...  we were there last May.

Should be a delicious couple of days!

Sunday in the Park

After our beautiful sunrise and delicious

Pancake Breakfast prepared by yours truly,

we hit the trail again and went into Fountain Hills to

do a little more exploring.

I found a trail that leaves fountain park (this time I had the small camera)

and climbs a small 300' hill providing a nice view of the park and 

surrounding town.

At the top I stood on the trail, snapping photos as I turned 360 degrees,

and before I started this blog I stitched them all together into one

panaroma.  Below is the result.

Along the way I was taunted by dozens of Road Runners...

I kid you not - the Doodles were flushing them out like the awesome

bird dogs that they are...

As quick as I would lift that little camera and try to see the image in

the lcd viewfinder, the little buggers would disappear into the brush.

This went on and on....

The end result was a ton of blurry pictures of branches but sadly....

No Birds.

We did see this red crested cactus eater along the way however.

Further down the trail I was able to spot our campground - about 7 miles distant.

After I got back I was able to enlarge the photo and pick out our home

so I've marked it on the photo.

Eventually we made the full circuit and arrived back down in the park.

Here is the fountain blowing its top.

Our daily self portrait.

(we should have picked up the doodles and included them...  bad parents!)

Here are some of the homes overlooking the park.

Condos (on left w/orange trim) 

and Homes (on right further up the hill)

After a few circuits of the lake we had a good 5 miles on the Doodle Paws

and it was time to take them home.

The past several days they have put on about 15 miles or so...

They are sleeping like logs as I write.