Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson, AZ. Dec. 2012

If you visit Tucson take some time for this grand mountain. The rugged Santa Catalinas that dominate the northern Tucson skyline are an inviting place to hike in the winter.

We stayed 2 nights at the Catalina State Park where there are several trails into the mountains. There was a dusting of snow on the peaks and it rained a little during our first night.

Shifting clouds spotlighted the lower peaks as we prepared for a day of hiking on the Romero Canyon Trail. It's 6 miles from the trail head to Romero Pass, an elevation gain of 3,300 ft.

Light & shadow, desert & snow. The sun light edged its way under the clouds that veil the summit.

 Old Man Saguaro.

A fine 1-mile, multi-use trail goes from the campground to the trail head for Romero Canyon where the ascent begins. This is the boundary for the Coronado National Forest where the trail becomes steep, rocky and for foot travel only. Dogs are not allowed as it is home to Desert Bighorn.

A walk among giants. These minor peaks are spectacular in their own right. The Catalinas are a giant granite dome with Mount Lemmon as its summit of 9,157 ft.

The previous day we saw the Hobbit in 3-D. The rock giants would be doing battle in this place.

 A miracle in the desert. Recent rains channel into boisterous waterfalls that fill the deserts silent cathedral.

2.2 miles up the trail a high desert valley opens to a chain of pools and falls. Beautiful. Would be delightful on a hot summer day but no one will take a plunge today.

 Double waterfalls into an over-your-head plunge pool.

 Near noon in the upper canyon and the higher peaks begin to shed their veil.

By afternoon the snowy peaks are revealed. What a grand place to be at this moment.

Our camp site at Catalina State Park and another great adventure in the Sprinter.

'Till next time.
Jackie

How our Sprinter got its name

Traveling down the road listening to an old favorite CD, "Isle of View", by Jimmie Spheeris. . . this song came on, "I am the Mercury". It became the name of our Sprinter. Just like the song and album cover, our Mercury always takes us some place else.

Jimmie Spheeris isn't as well known as he probably should be but he's being rediscovered. He died tragically on July 4th, 1983, hit on his motorcycle by a drunk driver. His music lives on; great voice, songwriter & musician.

If you have never heard him, google Jimmie Spheeris and listen to some of the selections: "I am the Mercury", "The Nest", and "Come Back". "Isle of View" will be a great addition to your collection. He has several other albums that you can sample and there are videos and a memorial gallery.

The record album cover for "Isle of View" is a surreal etching of a knight riding a griffin hovering above a forest floor next to a fast-flowing river.  On the CD they couldn't put the entire image so you only get the figure and not the environment he rides in, which is a shame. I managed to scan about 2/3rds of the album cover which is a bit worn.
May all your travels take you "some place else".
Jackie

Cochise Stronghold, Arizona, November 2012

 

 

Fall is a perfect time to visit Cochise Stronghold in southeast Arizona. Temps were in the 70's and perfect for hiking. Summer temps will be over 100.

This mountain range fortress was home and protection for the great Apache leader and his people.

  Our Sprinter fit nicely into the small sites. Each site had a paved picnic area, charcoal grill & fire pit. There is a vault toilet but no water or other services. The Coronado National Forest has done a fine job creating this primitive campground.

.The shade trees are all oaks with resident flocks of Acorn Woodpeckers, a very chatty group and well dressed in their formal attire.

This monument is a dedication to Cochise and the 5 mile trail named for him that goes up and over the range. It's a 10 mile round trip hike. There is also a history walk with kiosks of information about the Apache and early settlers and a nature walk with plant descriptions.

 Here we are at the divide at the top of the range. This is the 3-mile point from the campground. It's 2 miles down the west side so the trail is steeper. It's a wonderful day hike with incredible views of the ragged peaks.

The mountain range of Cochise Stronghold is called the Dragoons after the mounted Calvary.

The rocks take many shapes. Here are the Apaches on migration, men, women & children.

Here is the old man of the mountain. He always looks west waiting for the sun to set.

Here is Rockfeller Dome, like a great whale breaching the waves, it rises above the range. Can't see it? Then you'll have to go and see for yourself how powerful this place is. 

On our 2nd day hike we climbed the steep trail that rock climbers use to get to the base of Rockfeller Dome. The trail is rocky and takes some route finding. 

More rocks on the way to the big one.

 Rockfeller Dome eclipses the sun.

 Here we are at the base of Rockfeller. This is the end of the trail for us. From this point it is straight up. We could see the protection the rock climbers put in the rock that marks the climbing routes.

On the hike down 3 spiny lizards come out to sun. They are the guardians of sacred places.

Thanks for checking in with us. 'till next time.
Jackie, the hiking woman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Design is featured on Sportsmobile.com!

Back when I was designing the Mercury, I studied every page and every photo on Sportsmobile.com.  Reading descriptions of other people's designs and "reading between the lines" by referring to actual photo's of their build gave me a lot of ideas.  The photos helped me visualize my design.
We received word recently that our build was featured on Sportsmobile.com.

so...
Enter www.sportsmobile.com
          Hover over the "SPRINTER" pull down menu,
                   Hover over "DYO Examples and Beds,
                            Click on "DYO 7 Bunks and Platform Beds
                                   Scroll down to the bottom of the page
                                           Click on "Examples EB Sprinter  Platform Bed

And there we are!

Or if your not interested in anything else on the site just click on this link:



http://www.sportsmobile.com/2_sr_exp_bunks7.html

When we took delivery of our van they pulled it out into the street and took several pictures.  We are pleased that they will be used to allow other prospective owners to learn from our efforts.  I can't say enough good things about Sportsmobile and the Design Your Own process.

See you down the road...JIM

Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area - November 2012

 The Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area protects this desert jewel for wildlife and migatory birds while offering recreation activities like camping, hunting, mountain biking, hiking, river rafting and wildlife viewing. Large mammals include mountain lion and desert bighorn.

Late fall is the perfect time to visit. The temps were in the 70's with nights in the 40's. Summer temps will be in the 100's.
The road into the Gila Box from Safford is graded gravel.

A shady day-use picnic area was along the river. The Watchable Wildlife Area had a nice paved universal trail to a viewing deck.

The Sprinter finds a berth at Riverview Campground. Each campsite had a covered picnic table, fire pit, charcoal grill and view of the river. No services. There was a men & womens vault toilet at the registration kiosk.

 A river. A desert. Two opposite ecological systems. There is an easy 3-mile scenic hiking trail that circles the campground with contrasting views of the lush Gila River and rugged desert mountains.
We also went mountain biking. The roads are really rocky with some steep hill climbs. My eyeballs were vibrating.

The desert hills take on a blush in the western sun.  Soon the coyotes will begin to sing and we say good night to a good day. This area is worth a visit. We stayed 2 days.

'Till our next adventure. Jackie 

 

 

Luna, New Mexico, October 2012

Camping at it's finest!

Another good reason to go camping: two great days of cycling on Hwy 180 near Luna and Alpine. This part of Hwy 180 has long mountain climbs and long fast decents. We found a remote camp in the pines along a dirt forest road. It was fairly smooth and the Sprinter handled it well. The nights got into the 20's but we were warm and comfy.

Taking a break at the overlook on the Frisco Divide.

I like way Jim designed my kitchen area. He had my cooking in mind. I have a lot of counter space to prepare meals. Yet there is also open space as you step in. Lots of room to change clothes and waltz around each other. Since he didn't use floor to ceiling cabinets the interior is bright with lots of views and we still have plenty of storage.

Thanks for viewing. Till next time.
Jackie

Black Range, Gila National Forest, Hwy 59, October 2012

And the sign says No Gas Food or Lodging Next 121 Miles

So this is our excuse for going camping on a beautiful fall weekend in October: to ride this gorgeous streatch of lonesome highway through the forested mountains at the northern end of the Black Range. And what a fine ride! A 60-mile round-trip of steep, roller-coaster climbs and fast decents. A cyclists idea of a good time. Would have kept going too but we ran out of pavement.


The bikes are out and ready to go.

There are no campgrounds in this area so camping is at large in pull-offs along forest roads. Mostly these places are used by hunters since this remote part of the forest isn't a destination for many people. Just us, the coyotes & deer.







The gentle part of the road leading to the mountains.

Wish I'd have taken more pictures of the great scenery. Maybe I'll remember the camera bag next time I get on the bike.

Thanks for viewing. Till next time.
Jackie

The General Store at Winston.