Big Rocks, Crested Saguaro, And ATV’s

Several years ago we were introduced to Larry and Geri—we had stayed in their Custer, SD campground which they’ve since sold—they joined us in the Bouse desert and they’ve been to see us in Montana.  We had planned to do some riding with them around Pahrump, NV but our trip back to Montana ended those plans.  They are staying in the campground here at North Ranch and volunteered to take us out today—what a spectacular day!!  Their friends Mike and Cathy also joined us.

Did you know it is possible to ride an ATV from North Ranch to Congress without getting on the highway—yep, out across the desert.  And did you know there is a trail out there in the desert called the Dairy Queen Trail??—yep, it takes you to the Dairy Queen over near Wickenburg.  That trail may get some use from our ATV’s???

Our first destination was Indian Rock—one huge, massive rock balanced on smaller rocks.  Amazing!!  There were lots of morteros (holes) on the surfaces of rocks surrounding the massive one—the Indians used a pestle made of wood or stone and these holes to grind seeds and other plants for food and medicines. There were even some petroglyphs on the surface of the giant Indian Rock—some of which have been defaced.

With Larry and Geri leading the way, we were off to find the crested saguaro and have lunch.  Another amazing sight—Michael has seen a crested saguaro, I had not—another WOW!!!

There was another one way up on the mountain but my little Canon couldn’t zoom in enough.  Larry had binoculars and we could see the other one clearly using those.  Lunches came out and the laughter and conversation flowed.  Emmi found a new friend in Mike who was game for throwing sticks and more sticks.

 

After lunch we just took a slow meander back to North Ranch with several stops along the way.  I chickened out at one point, the rest of the gang rode their ATV’s down this really steep hill but I just couldn’t manage to point mine in that direction—I told everybody it was Emmi who didn’t really want to go down that steep hill.

Geri, Cathy and Mike

Back at North Ranch we scurried around and headed to Mike and Pat’s for happy hour and were introduced to their friends from Florida—Roger and Susan who arrived today.  Geri and Larry also joined us.  After happy hour I was just too beat to cook and instead went into Congress getting pizza—one of the best pizzas we’ve ever eaten—delicious!!!

Thank you so much Geri and Larry for including us today—it was just the best of days!