Yesterday was a blur, we left North Ranch at 4am, dropped Jill and Terry at the Mesa airport then killed four hours with breakfast and Wal Mart waiting for Costco to open at 10am. Back to North Ranch by noon, the cowboy helped Larry and Geri erect their new room tent—which by the way is awesome—and we spent the rest of the short afternoon dosing in our recliners!! Dinner was in Yarnell at the Diner with our friends—I was yawning before our dinner was even served! Bed time came really, really early!!
Sixty-three miles we rode today—that’s a lot of miles and a record for us!! But let me tell you, it was worth every mile and minute—probably one of the best ATV rides we’ve ever taken—thanks Tom for getting us out there!! Our destination was Hole In The Wall and a waterfall—we found both and a snake!
Our travels took us through a Joshua tree forest, many of which were blooming.
Past fields of yellow poppies and washes lined with massive, colorful rock walls.Miles and miles from anywhere Tom has a low tire. I’ve made fun of the cowboy for the paraphernalia he carries on the ATV but I won’t do that any longer after today!! The cowboy had an air pump powered from the ATV and he had a tire patch kit which got Tom and his ATV a long, long way back toward home!!
Emmi entertaining Larry!
Larry and Geri standing in Hole In The Wall and the waterfall—unfortunately the sun was in the absolute wrong position for getting very good photos. The water in the pool was a murky green, the vegetation a vivid green—an oasis in the desert!
And then there was the snake—he was big, ugly and had a “coon-tail” according to Fred—plus he was just a tad angry with Tom and Sandy for almost running over him!!
The snakes’ head appears from under his curled body and his tail is shown by the other red arrow. If you are brave, watch the short video—the sound alone is enough to make your toes curl!!
Our day was capped by having a delicious soup prepared by Geri served in their new tent—they laid concrete pavers on the ground and erected a large tent with windows—it was warm and cozy tonight while we had dinner!!
That is a LOT of miles in one day - but I bet water and a lush desert make them fly by. I'm sure Michael was as happy to have the necessary items for the repair as the receiver of the fix! That is one impressive rattle!! Those western diamondbacks have such distinct tails, and that one was certainly doing its best to warn you all away.
Sure sounds like the perfect day:) I'm surprised everyone doesn't carry a repair kit especially with the type area you ride in and how far you go away from civilization. Good thing Michael had what was needed...smart man! I would love to see a rattle snake just not on the trail, maybe off to the side about ten feet. We've only ever seen that one baby rattler.
Mike is a retired rancher/construction company owner. Janna is a retired registered nurse. We met almost 20 years ago and in spite of sounding corny, it was love at first sight. We have been truly blessed in our lives together.
We enjoy being outdoors with our little Schnauzer, Emmi.
Janna loves to quilt, cook, and read. Mike builds furniture, researches "stuff" on the computer and is a Sudoku pro. He is also the chief mechanic for all our older stuff such as the 1996 Country Coach motor home we now travel in! We love retirement!
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That was a great day in the desert. That snake was not happy. Nice short video to prove it.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a pic of the tent.....great atv ride but don't like snakes --lways enjoy your adventures
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of miles in one day - but I bet water and a lush desert make them fly by. I'm sure Michael was as happy to have the necessary items for the repair as the receiver of the fix!
ReplyDeleteThat is one impressive rattle!! Those western diamondbacks have such distinct tails, and that one was certainly doing its best to warn you all away.
Good thing nobody stepped on that snake.
ReplyDeleteGreat day yet again ..until the snake !!
ReplyDeleteSure sounds like the perfect day:) I'm surprised everyone doesn't carry a repair kit especially with the type area you ride in and how far you go away from civilization. Good thing Michael had what was needed...smart man! I would love to see a rattle snake just not on the trail, maybe off to the side about ten feet. We've only ever seen that one baby rattler.
ReplyDeleteA great time except for the snake! I suppose the snake was not that thrilled either:)
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