Tuesday morning, April 15th, we left Las Cruces, NM for our final day of driving to Scottsdale, AZ. As expected, the landscape is now full-on desert. The dog walk area at the rest stop was just red gravel with a sign to look out for rattle snakes, which we for sure did!
While the drive was our longest (399 miles), the views of the mountains along the way were a spectacular treat. No photos since Fred hasn’t mastered the camera yet!
Arizona rest stop
Arizona rest stop
it was a long-awaited treat to arrive at Steve & Lisa’s home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Camelback can be seen from where I write this post and it’s been fun showing everyone at work my location on Zoom. Steve and Lisa have a lovely place and I plan to put my feet up and relax here for a few weeks while they’ll still have me, and of course I’ll be working while I’m here as well.
Lisa and I took Fred and Ziggy hiking on Lost Dog Wash Trail on Friday morning. It was a very gravelly trail but it afforded us beautiful views overlooking Scottsdale and Phoenix.
More adventures to come while I’m here locally. Next weekend I’ll be off to Sedona for a few days and I’m very much looking forward to that.
Lost Dog Wash Trail – McDowell Mountains
View from Lost Dog Wash overlook
View from the Overloook
Desert vegetation
McDowell Mountains
Cholla
Fred and Tigger
Palo Verde in full bloom
The adventure on its first legs 😁
I know you’re staying as long as they’ll have you 😁
What’s your next destination?
I’m very proud of you
I’m not brave enough anymore
Any major lessons learned?
We miss you ❤️
Great images! Thanks for sharing!
Hi to Lisa Steve and the pups.
Let them know they can always fly me out when the dogs need massages😉
Welcome to The Valley of the Sun!! I am about 20 miles due west of Scottsdale see you(off the 101) Hope to see you soon….. JK
Hi Debbie and Fred!
Thanks for sharing your journey, I’m really enjoying the pictures.
I’m so excited for you to go to Sedona! Ron and I took Madison there after Nationals one year and loved it. Lots of great hiking.
Karen
Enjoying your pictures and your journey some beautiful sites in very different ways.
It looks like such a fabulous adventure.
Forgive my suggested correction: that is a cholla (choi-ya) variety cactus. Prickly Pear has thick, flat sections shaped like rounded tear drops. The Teddy Bear Cholla avoid especially as even a light brush will fill a sleeve or pet fur with painful thorns. The desert is amazing but cactus doesn’t fool around.
Haha I’ve already been corrected but haven’t gone back in to fix it yet !
Fred has already met a cactus or 2 that he doesn’t like and I’ve had to pull it all out of his foot!