FALL COLORS

 

 

  

Our maple and aspen from the loft window.

We had two fall color experiences this year.  The first was to the White Mountains, a three-hour drive east of Flagstaff.  For some unknown reason we have never explored this part of Arizona much at all.  What were we thinking?  I know what I'm thinking now:  I'll never need to go to Colorado or Utah or upstate New York for fall colors again.  Our timing was just right, and we saw some of the best fall colors ever. 

 

 

There's a footbridge at the bottom of this picture.  We didn't hike it. This year.

 

Much of the area still shows the effects of the 2011 Wallow Fire, the largest wildfire in AZ history. 

 

 

Fall color.

 

The aspen are young, but so colorful.

When we started this trip, I had it on my mind to continue the Finding Water theme.  It started well, but  soon became such an embarrassment of riches I gave up.  There was so much water in every form: large lakes, small lakes, streams, and we crossed the Little Colorado River countless times. 

 

Lyman Lake, a large lake.

 

 

A beautiful creek.

 

A small lake.

 

Another creek.

Our second trip was a drive near the San Francisco Peaks on Hart Prairie Road.  No complaints about color close to home.  Here's a selection.

And that, friends, is the end of the Summer Blog.  Thanks for sharing Summer with me!

 

My Winter season started November 1, and our Fall-> Winter transition was short.  Temps have been in the Winter range for awhile, and we've had a couple of minor snows.  I've not decided whether to a Winter Blog.  If I do, you'll be the first to know! 

SEEKING WATER #4: ON OUR SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIND LOST LAKE TANK.....

 Wood We Find Wood Too?

 

On our first attempt to find Lost Lake Tank, not only did we get a full load of wood, but Ron made note of the location of some more in case we made our way back out there. We did so, but we chose to come in a different way.  Turned out, there was wood all along the way!  Stop, cut, load.  Repeat. Repeat.  Repeat. Ron wanted to get the wood cut first, so we went past the road to Lost Lake Tank to get what he originally came for.  

Then Lost Lake Tank.  The walk was shorter than we anticipated and very enjoyable, as was the tank.

Lost Lake Tank

We had only come to find Lost Lake Tank on this trip.  But were we done cutting wood?  Was the truck full?  Then we weren't.  One more stop topped it off.  By this time Ron was so maxed out he asked me to drive home-unheard of in our stereotypical man drives-woman doesn't relationship! 

                                                                            "Wood feeds the fire which burns it."

                                                                                                   ---Leonardo da Vinci

SEEKING WATER #3: ON THE WAY TO LOST LAKE TANK.....

 

 

We Found Tanks!

We Found Wood!

 

I found a map on-line that showed the way to Lost Lake Tank.  Wait, Lost Lake Tank?  Whoever names these bodies of water, please, please make up your mind!  We packed our lunches and got on our way in good time.  

Ron is very familiar with the area, and knew of one tank we could stop at on the way:

 

Horse Park Tank

 

We continued, and a mile or so up the road Ron's head turned so hard I heard his neck snap.  What could it be?  Oak, of course!  He keeps his wood cutting equipment in the back of the truck and we had no time constraints, so:

Ron forgot his hat (unheard of!) so a kerchief made do.

Additional map study revealed there were two more tanks on our way:

Cowboy Jr. Tank

and

Cowboy Tank

After lunch, we again continued and found the road to Lost Lake Tank. The road was closed to vehicles, and was something of a walk.  With the wood cutting and loading already under our belts, we decided we'd find it another day.  Now we had a choice of how to work our way home.  Boring: not too far on a FS road, then paved Lake Mary Road. Not Boring: stay on FS roads and wend our way back through Munds Park.  Who needs boring???  Not only was the drive beautiful, but the tanks kept coming:

Antelope Park Tank

 

Weimer Tank

 

Mud Spring Tank

Rock Dike Tank

  

Lee Tank

Bert Tank

Estelle Tank

We never imagined there would be quite this many tanks. 10 in all, and every one with water.  This water seeking adventure is causing me to revise my mental picture of Arizona being such a dry state.  In fact, I have in mind "Land of 10,000 Tanks".  Oh wait, have I plagiarized another state's nickname?

 

                                                                        
                                                                    "Water is the driving force of all nature."

                                                                                        ---Leonardo da Vinci