I enjoy hiking in Aravaipa Canyon. Today was the fourth time. And one of these times, we really are going to organize a through hike. What we have done instead every time, is hike 2 hours in and 2 hours out.
I was a little nervous today. It was pretty cold this morning and I knew we were going to have to get our feet wet. I was hoping we wouldn't be miserable. It was pretty freezing the first few times we waded across the stream, but then the day warmed up a little and it was just pleasant. I had gotten a permit for 6 people. I wanted my niece, Keegan, to see it. It was myself, Cindy H. and her daughter, Melanie, Keegan, Cindy T. and Paul I.
On other hikes here, we have seen quite a bit of wild life. We didn't today. This frog was all we really saw and there was some debate about whether or not he was actually alive. Great, I took a picture of a dead frog!
There seemed to be a lot of moss in the creek, more than we remembered. every time we waded, we came out with strings of moss hanging off of us. This is Cindy T.'s feet, incuding a burr on her sock.
The trees were just starting to leaf out. The sun through the leaves was very pretty.
Hiking up the creek.
Moss and water.
A lone poppy.
This was the view from the rest stop in Superior early this morning. Wasn't it beautiful? See the moon?
The group at the start, minus me the photographer. Cindy somehow found her paint pants to where. But the bonus was she found 10$ in the pocket, plus later when she fell in the mud, it wasn't as big of a deal. Three of us fell. I fell in the first 20 ft, landing on a rock. Cindy slipped in the mud and ended up covered in mud. Keegan slipped crossing and got wet up to her waist.
More flowers along the way.
Beautiful blue sky and white tree.
Everyone enraptured with Cindy's story telling skills.
Proof that I really was there.
Sometimes the path was better defined than others.
The view.
So the first thing I do when my friend falls in the mud is take a picture. Good thing she didn't take a picture when I fell.
Trying to get some of the mud off after the fall.
Melanie impersonating the little mermaid. See the mud still on Cindy?
Melanie with a jazzy pose.
Lunch break.
My lunch.
Arizona is celebrating 100 years of being a state today! There have been several Centennial events going on. On Saturday, my neice Keegan, friend Penny and I all went to the Best of West Fest at the capitol. It was a little warm, but still a lot of fun there was a little of everything and a lot of somethings. They had a whole native american village and lots of booths for all the tribes. These were two young Hopi boys who were dancing.
There were a lot of motorcycles. They were giving away the Copper Chopper that was made especially for the centennial. They had a special ride from Mesa to the capitol with all the bikes. There were over 3000 of them! That looks like tons and tons of bikes and bikers. It was fun to watch them roll in.
There were cars on display including my favorites the low riders.
There was hispanic areas that included mariachi's and these beautiful folklorico dancers. Lots of good food if I hadn't been on a diet. Darn it.
Bikers everywhere.
There was a whole military section. My dad was a marine so included this photo.
Panning for gold in the frontier section.
The capitol dome had been refurbished for the occasion.
There were several stages with entertainment. This was the main stage in front of the capitol.
Rodeo queens and Centennial Cacti.
We even got to see the actual World Series trophy in the sports pavillion! Awesome!
The WBNA championship trophy.
My neice enjoyed a candy apple.
Flyovers of vintage aircraft.
Sport mascots.
Smokey the Beasr and friends.
I made some new friends along the way.
More bikers.
Penny and Keegan made friends too.
Happy Birthday Arizona! Proud to live here.
