On the road to Flagstaff

I did washed the window later, honestly
I left the house just after 10am, but then stopped to say goodbye to Mike’s parents and finally left town about 11am. After a fuel stop in Peeples Valley I detoured Prescott and hit Highway 89 North just before noon. It was warm when I left Yarnell and continued to feel perfectly comfortable with my window down as the miles disappeared under the tires.
But the bugs were thick, sorry about the blotches
Yet there’s still snow on the San Francisco Peaks and even a few patches along the passes.
In fact the person that checked me in at KOA said it might freeze tonight so I didn’t bother to hook up the water hose.

Unfortunately, one of the fellow Rangers I’m suppose to hike to Havasu Falls with is having car troubles in New Mexico. Doesn’t look like he’s going to make the hike. Still planning to connect with another Ranger and go for it. Photos soon.

Back to Work

Entering the Tunnel of Love in Cango Cave, Little Karoo, Western Cape South Africa
So my winter vacation is almost over, boo hoo. Time to face the reality of work.
Yet I have the best job in the world as a Park Ranger at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Borrowed this from the Web. Hey, I haven’t been there yet.
And on the way to the canyon I’m meeting two fellow Rangers to hike to Havasu Falls.
Today I get the 5th-wheel ready to roll. Tomorrow I head north to Flagstaff. Then if the road is clear of snow, up to the North Rim on the 22nd.
Canyon view from North Rim Grand Canyon National Park
But don’t come to visit yet as the North Rim doesn’t open until May 15th.

Posting could be a bit erratic for a while, or not. I still have so much to share from South Africa.

SWF - Kruger National Park Sunset

After two days of cruising Kruger and seeing so much wildlife Joan and I took a night ride through the park. We hoped to see the nocturnal animals. Yet the best sighting of the evening was the glorious sunset.

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Late night visitor

Sunset view south across False Bay Cape Peninsula South Africa

I’ve been up nights labeling the over 5000 photos taken in South Africa.

Something scurried across the desk from the left towards the keyboard. Yikes, a 2 inch (5 cm) scorpion. I think a Bark Scorpion, Arizona’s most dangerous of 56 species.

I quickly grabbed a Kleenex in one hand and my almost empty water glass in the other and swooped it into the glass.

Don’t think it liked going for a swim while I took pictures.

Now Joan has certainly influenced me when it comes to bugs, which this is not (it’s an arthropod) but close enough for government work. Know what I mean?

Birds at Kruger National Park

Saddle-billed Stork, 5 ft tall with a 9 ft wingspan

Most people visit Kruger National Park in South Africa for the “Big 5” however birders can add to their life lists. And the vehicles with a “birders on board” sticker drive even slower than the rest.  Read more about the birds here.

MWT – Red-eared Sliders

Animals just seem to come to Mike. It isn’t like he’s out there searching for pets. At least I don’t think so. Last week he came home from work with a large plastic tub containing seven turtles.  

Read more here.

Having a Yard Sale

The only problem with being a yard sale junkie and buying all kinds of stuff that really isn’t needed means also having to have a yard sale to recycle and make room for more.

Yet I didn’t have as much stuff to get rid of as I thought. But Berta did.

We finally opened on Friday at 10am after we went to a neighborhood yard sale. In fact we worked off their signs. But then we didn’t stay open home all afternoon as we heard about another yard sale.

Saturday we were pretty busy and both got rid of a lot of stuff. I’m sure there was something there with your name on it and you missed out on a great deal.