And What Did You Do On Your Summer Vacation?

Summer is not the time to visit Arizona. That is a simple fact that I chose to ignore, twice. Let me tell you a few simple truths about Arizona in the summer. 1) you do not need a hot water heater 2) hot is hot, even if it is a dry heat 3) sometimes an air conditioner needs help by the use of an additional fan 4) people disappear in the afternoon 5) did I mention 118 degrees is hot no matter the humidity!? 6) It is fun to escape with good friends no matter the temperature.

My first summer trip was with my dear friend, Kathy. We drove down in July and enjoyed many sights going down and coming home. The second trip was in August with my favorite sister(I only have one sibling). We flew and missed all the road-trip adventures but we were in AZ in less than 3 hours. Each kind of travel has it advantages and disadvantages, I'll take either.

And both trips were enjoyed with my dear friend Carol who had to be our taxi driver, tour guide, navigator, and event planner. We would have been lost without her!

I have decided to make this blog a "photo blog" instead of me rambling on and on about our adventures. As they say, "A picture is worth a 1000 words."  I hope you enjoy looking at the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them and remembering the fun that I had with my sis and my good, good friends!

Kathy, Carol, and Pat's Adventure   July 21-29, 2018

This is the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile in Pawhuska, OK, our first sightseeing stop. This picture is meant to show the store not the people. I have no idea who they are and hope I didn't blow their witness protection identities.

I have started to take a selfie just to show that I really was where I said I was.

Upstairs of the mercantile is a wonderfully comfortable place to enjoy a treat from their bakery. I got a table and Kathy stood in line to order our yummy treats. The basket shows the book I put back and a set of measuring cups which I brought home.

Kathy's  Delightfully, Sinfully Delish Treat

Mine! and YES!!! it was as good to eat as it was to look at!!

Leaving the Mercantile with goodies in hand, cute little measuring cups and a reusable box for plastic wrap.

As we left Pawhuska in search of our route south we buzzed by the Drummond Ranch. We screeched to a stop, turned around, parked, and fought the urge to drive up the long lane in search of their home. We resisted and just took pictures of their gate.

Next stop, Cadillac Ranch, Armadillo, TX. We could see the cars from Interstate 40 but took time to walk into a dusty, windy field to see them up close. Notice the nice hairdo.

Kathy taking a selfie of both of us, I really don't know how I got this pic.

I was surprised to see cans of spray paint left on the ground for others to use and all the graffiti people had left on the cars and the ground.

After two full days on the road, we finally made it to Apache Junction. Our first day of resting, touring, and visiting brought us to  Superstition Mountain-Lost Dutchman Museum. It was closed but we were able to capture some amazing pictures as the sun was setting. It is a magical place that draws a person in.

One of the most hair-raising drives of the trip was up South Mountain Park and Preserve. Once we reached the top we could see for miles and miles. Phoenix looked like it never ends from this bird's eye view.

And we enjoyed a fun man-made site, Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa. So fun! A huge organ with many pipes and bellows fills the room with wonderful music. You not only can hear the tunes but you feel them in your bones. 

Our last morning in Apache Junction before closing up the park model for a couple of weeks. My sister and I will be the next guests.

We look happy in this picture because we were still running the air and were hopeful that the delay on Interstate 17 would only last a few more minutes. Wrong! Over 2 hours of waiting, turning the car on and off so it wouldn't overheat although we were, and trying to be patient soon took it's toll on us. We were pretty beat by the time we rolled slowly by a terrible accident. Hot and grumpy but very thankful that it wasn't us as we started out trek home.

Meteor Crater, Winslow, AZ right along Route 66. It was amazing to experience. Again, a windy day but that helped with the heat.

Standing on a corner in Winslow, AZ

Cattle lots in TX or maybe it was NM, I'm not sure anymore. All I know is it didn't smell very good and I'm glad I don't have to try to count noses.

We stopped in Shamrock, TX for some BB-que at Big Vern's and stumbled onto a cute renovated gas station and cafe where we got some Route 66 souvenirs. 

The next 3 pictures are out of sync but I can't seem to get them moved without messing up everything else on this page. We drove up to Red River just north of Apache Junction. Our goal was to see wild horses and we were not disappointed.

Saguaro Cactus are only found in the Sonoran Desert and they are amazing!  Each has it's own personality.

Pam, Carol, and Pat's Adventures      August 20-27, 2018

Night flight to Mesa. Pam isn't happy to be on an airplane and I don't even think she realized that I took her picture. She didn't scream at all. LOL

We tried to reproduce a picture that was taken when we traveled with our mom and dad on our way to California as kids. I wish we could find that picture to compare the cactus!

Goldfield Ghost Town/Mining Town

Fun place to stomp around.

Superstition Mountain in the background. Sister Selfie trying to squint out the sun.

One thing I love about the Phoenix area is how neat the overpasses, highway landscaping, and city signs are, so pretty. I love Apache Junction's markers.

On our way to Sedona, AZ. We have left the desert for awhile to enjoy rain and cooler temps.

The red rocks and mountains are beautiful.

Back in Apache Junction we ran to one of the many produce stores. The fresh fruit and veggies are wonderful and unusual, not to mention so much cheaper than they are here. I had never seen grapes that looked like this before, they tasted great but felt funny in my mouth.

The last day of sightseeing and being tourist took us to Tortilla Flats. This is the only bar/restaurant in town. Sitting on the saddles for breakfast sounded like a good idea for about 15 minutes. By the time we left we were regretting that decision. LOL

After a hair-raising drive, and I was driving this time, to the top of Tortilla Flats Mountain, I don't think that is the name of it but that is how I remember it, we stopped at the Superstition Mountain-Lost Dutchman Museum. It was finally open. Cute museum with interesting displays.

Day flight home. It was a great trip, glad Pam and I got to have this adventure together. Plus, she painted a wall for me so I got some work out of her.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, I have tons more if you ever want to see them. I am amazed at how many of the same shot I take. I must think mountains move.