Dust Off Those Walking Sticks!

Yeah! We are on the trail again.

We went to Madera Canyon and selected 

Old Baldy Trail in the Santa Rita Mountains.

It is located just southeast from our house. 

Initially our plan was to go for an hour 

and turn around since we haven't 

hiked in several weeks. 

Bear warning! Maybe not the best choice. 

Another hiker said they haven't seen the bear 

since Memorial Day and we should be fine.

A rocky path but a beautiful sunny day!

 Great views!

Mt. Wrightson

 We live somewhere down there.

This lizard has a look that says,
 "Really, just what do you think you are doing up here?"

 He stopped to pose for us and show off his beautiful colors.

 A few wildflowers are still in bloom. 

Another lizard trying to hide.

 Interesting plant.

 We just kept hiking and hiking and hiking.

 There are always obstacles in life.

 We were not expecting to see this memorial.

I heard the author of  "Death Clouds on Mount Baldy"

earlier this year. She is the sister to one of the boys who

lost his life. You will have to read the book. 

 We made it all the way to Josephine Saddle!

 It took us three hours to climb and one hour 

and forty-five minutes to descend.

We are not fast because we like to stop, 

enjoy the views and take pictures. Okay, we are old too.

 We kept whistling and making noises

 just in case the bear was around. 

 What a hike! We did it! No bears, thankfully.

 The hot tub felt really good when we got home.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
 It will never fail you."
Frank Lloyd Wright