The 4 hour trip

Mr H suggested we take a ride Out Wickenburg Way to go apple picking. Now, apple picking in New England is what we were used to, but Arizona! We got the directions. Head to Wickenburg on SR 60, then 22 miles onto SR 93 North. It is about 40 miles to Wickenburg so that put us going around 62 miles. I enjoy the ride in that direction. Mountains and nice scenery and the day was not too hot with some magnificent cloud formations. Well we almost missed the turn onto the property (the sign is faded and off the road side). The first thing you read as you enter is that the road is not maintained, travel at your own risk. Okay..... then you get the idea. Dirt road that is just about a 2 car width with drainage slops on the side and rock strewn along the path. Dirt flying as cars made their way past us and plenty of dirt kicking up behind us.  A sign says we need to drive 3 miles to the parking lot. So now we arrive at a parking lot and find a place to park.

We park next to this old jeep....and some farm equipment. I am still wondering what we are doing here....why are people sitting at tables in all this dust. Then we come across this guy...

Not really very big but nevertheless I was glad he was behind
metal railings. Across the lot were females...they sell grass fed beef here. Off to the tree orchard....

Hardly any apples, most of the trees looked like this and plenty on the ground and many rotted. They were only the size of a large golf ball. Okay. I did mention to Mr H that I did not believe this would be a real apple orchard. Of course he had to continue walking to look for the apples. Finally he does see what I see...not a real orchard at all. This was the first day of the "picking" which started at 7am and we arrived at 1pm. Spoke to a few people who said it always is this way! So back to car we head and I am dreading the 3 mile obstacle course out of here. I hear crowing...

 They have a hen house and a few roosters. We also saw a couple of herding dogs in a penned area.
Somewhere they also have bee hives and sell the honey which I thought was very over priced. A sign said apple pies for sale but there were none to be found. I must say that the barns were wonderful...


 Wonderful old wood

lots of hay......... 

 I would love to have this door in my yard....

 So that is was our day yesterday. No apples but some nice pictures which are already framed and on display. I thought I was going to stitch yesterday, silly me. Plans today are to remain home...I know this was a long post and lots of pictures but I am glad you stopped by to listen to my tale. Thank you for the kind words and I hope you have great day.

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A long day-----

-----but it was nice. Yesterday Mr H decided we should take a ride to Prescott. There was an Indian Festival and it had been quite some time since we journeyed there. It is a 95 mile trip and the weather was expected to be in the 80s there compared to our 100+ in the West Valley.

We found ourselves riding on the I-17 behind this guy...a big guy wearing a big gun on his right hip. Well, this is the Southwest and guns can be worn/carried and concealed. Anyway, the ride was pleasant and easy to little traffic. I must say that the Festival was not worth the $10.00 pp admission. While at the festival we heard a horrendous crash of vehicles....4 cars smashing into one another right in front of the entrance to the park. Serious damage...could not see if anyone was hurt.
 The walk around the town was pleasant and I managed to find

this sweet hat (I added the ring of flowers) that fits perfectly! I found it in Rendezvous on The Square. The gal in the shop was a fellow Rhode Islander...so of course we chatted. She was kind enough to give me a discount on this as well as Lady

isn't she the cutest! It is from a line made by Joe Spencer. Could not leave the shop without her. The ride home was much different than heading North. From 4:15pm to almost 5 PM were were lucky to drive more than 20mph instead of the 65-75 speed limit. Finally the cause became clear. A 3 car pile up.... second accident of the day. By the time we got into the garage we were both a bit tired. All in all we did have a good day. The temps today began at 95 at 5AM and the humidity was in the mid 30s...high for us. I think it will be an uncomfortable day out there. Well my dear friends....the laundry is ready for the line and my coffee is getting cold....okay for the coffee, I like iced coffee. Maybe I will add a few ice cubes. So glad we could spend time together. Thank you for the kind words and of course your treasured friendship. Have a wonderful day.

daytrip yesterday....

Mr H decided to ride to Superstition Mountains yesterday ... Apache Junction area.

It was a nice day and the ride is about 1 1/2 hours.....

This is where the Lost Dutchman mine is suppose to be.  No one has ever found it and a few have died trying or have need rescue because they got lost. I just love the history around and about Arizona.... I know all states have history. Mr H is reading Arizona Adventure written by state historian, Marshall Trimble. This is volume 1 and I will get volume 2 and 3 next. What a jump in reading for Mr H... last book was about the Roman
empire. 
I finally was able to snatch a couple of pictures of the Mr & Mrs Quail ......

at this very moment they are calling to one another to switch places. Mr H thinks one of the eggs has hatched. He was able to peek in briefly yesterday but we need to be careful not to spook the parents or they will abandon the eggs. Still trying to see the finches out front. I am sure any day I will hear these little quail and will try to capture a picture.
I have practicing with my shuttle.... I am so slow with the maneuvering of it! I actually know when it is not right so that is an improvement. I am so happy we could spend some time together.... but I must get the laundry into the dryer and then take my needlework basket out to the lanai...too nice to stay inside.... but, as it is 7 am and the temp is 74, the prediction is for the temp to be 100 today....now is the time to go out there...will be too warm later. I think I will wait until these birds get settled first or I will not be able to shuttle!  It seems to be taking longer today. Hope your day is just wonderful. Thank you for the kind words.....
16 days until The Brother arrives.