New Riders

It is always a delight to go out into the desert with first time riders. I never get tired of hearing them yell "WOW" and/or "OH S**T".

And for Dick and Dona here's a Photoshop picture of big horn sheep taken at the south end of Box Canyon...

Flight Path

I enjoyed Sunday's Miners Revenge ride so much that I joined the same group for Flight Path which is part of the Sycamore Creek area west of highway 87 north of Apache Junction. This trail is rated 4 out of 5 because of a couple of "pucker points" involving some tricky rock crawling. Most of the trail is very doable with the side-by-sides.

Click on photos to enlarge

In as much as I had a lite lunch, I decided to go to the De La Cruz Mexican Grille for dinner. On the way in I met Louise and her friends in front of the Gold Canyon Cafe and then inside the restaurant ran into Terry, Gail, and Terry's brother. Life is good!

Miners Revenge

Today, I joined Bob and that rowdy jeep crowd to explore Miners Revenge off Battleaxe road south of Superior. I think I have found the perfect trail for my wild and crazy side-by-side friends. On a scale of 1 to 5, this is a 5 (definitely, not for the faint-of-heart).

Unfortunately, on the day that my friends take this ride, I have a prior commitment and will be unable to join them. Note to the wives: this would be a good time to double up on the life insurance.

The good...

The bad...

The ugly...

Jack Handle Part Deux

It's always a pleasure watching professionals at work...

Ron

Gary and Dick

Boys & Their Toys

As I am looking out the window of my RV, I see a helicopter being towed by a side-by-side down the street within the park. In as much as I had not yet partaken of the American Honey Bourbon, I am pretty sure it is not an illusion so I grab a camera, jump in the RZR and take this photo...

Click on images to enlarge

Here's the rig that hauled it...

Must be Michigan farmer money

RZR Repair

Coke Ovens Via Martinez

Fun ride to the Coke Ovens with a group of hard core riders...

Unfortunately on the way back, we came across a rescue operation where an ATV had run off the side of the mountain and the injured couple were being airlifted to the nearest trauma center.

Tortilla Flat

If you are ever in the Phoenix area, one of the "must do" items is a trip to Tortilla Flat (The Town Too Tough To Die) for lunch or dinner. The drive alone makes it worthwhile as you wind your way up through a series of multi-colored rock mountains and canyons. Then you are in for a unique dining experience at the restaurant & saloon. Of course, it helps to go with professional travelers...

Dona tasting the "Snake Venom" beer while Dick looks on

The first thing you will probably notice when you walk in is almost every square inch of wall space is covered in real paper money. Dick had heard that it may total as much as a quarter of a million dollars...

Expensive wallpaper

The second thing you might notice is that the bar stools are horse saddles...

Fun way to "belly up to the bar"

Lastly, after your meal you will want to meander next door to the gift shop for some ice cream. I highly recommend the dark chocolate gelato.