Wonderful narrated jeep tour about Congress, Yarnell, ghost towns and some stagecoach trails. Love the southwest.

Where are we today ?

Congress Arizona

        What another wonderful day. Not too cool last night, bright and sunny today.
Once the sun came up got out here for a lovely quiet walk around the block. A few roosters crowing and dogs barking but really not bad at all. Not much traffic, no loud music or kids screaming. Just the desert that we love. Down the first road found a small park, playground, baseball diamonds and Sheriff's outpost. 

love the desert views

      Back here just wandering about their beautiful landscaping and quiet places.

love the desert garden decorations

        Just hanging out on the rear patio, watch the birds at the feeder a Suzie can play with Pheebie, doggie fix ya know.

treat from Suzie

Al can do it better I think

lotsa birds coming to the feeder

        Now we have a planned tour of the area. And is a fun morning. Al really enjoys showing us the sights here. And I am telling you he gave us a first class tour.

frog rock

       Now he said we taking some back roads, stagecoach roads and yep he was right on. Sure could not do these in our car, nice to have the Liberty. The 4 of us plus Pheebie on the back. Mind you she wanted into her usual seat, next to Al.

yep a back road

       The first goal today was to see a very rare Crested Saguaro Cactus. Now this was amazing, have seen thousands of Saguaro Cactus but never a crested one in person.

Crested Saguaro Cactus

That's Al doing what he does,
too much fun

Suzie and Kelly waiting for us

Girl talk

Way up here a foundation
that was once used

       Across the small canyon one of many mines entrances in the area, we see them everywhere here in the desert.

mine shaft

wonder how they got this cement mixer up here ?

heading back to the Jeep

      Then off to Stanton ,a ghost town now used as an Rv park. Gold was discovered here in 1863 and a town flourished, now not much remains but the modern day prospectors now live here in RV's. Interesting information you can click HERE .

this old hotel has a colorful history

free range cattle

Suzie spotted a couple deer in the distance

she also spotted some Javelina,
click on the picture you can see them

        Now over the mountain on a very rough road heading to Yarnell.

        Now into Yarnell. Don't know if you remember but there was a wildfire near Yarnell that began June 30th 2013 and could have whiped out the entire town. It was finally contained July 10th 2013 but took the lives of 19 Prescott firefighters. You can read about some of it HERE .

        By now it was noon and we came across the Cornerstone Bakery In Yarnell. Fresh made  donuts so we just had to stop and she treated us to one amazing treat, Thanks Kelly!

Kellly heading in

Pheebie patiently waiting in the back

so fresh and tasty

   Then we took in the Shrine of St. Joseph what an very interesting stop. Some very Amazing sculptures here carved into the hillside.

        For more information on the Shrine of St. joseph of the mountain click HERE. 

look up here

     What an amazing place to visit, in a very hidden ,place too.

This tree was burned, but think maybe
 Al needs help? Whadda ya think?

heading back down the mountain to Congress

      Back home for a light lunch, read for a while, compute for a bit chat with our hosts and watch the birds. Love the desert.

Pheebie and the Tiger watching us

Kinda cloudy today, but still very warm 

      I had offered to whip us super tonight on our Weber. So a pork loin roast. 4 baked potatoes (Kelly had) some fresh carrots in foil with real maple syrup and a couple of cored apples with with some cinnamon and sugar dusted inside. I even made some pork gravy that I forgot to bring in until we were almost done, . hmmmm..... Loosing it ..

         But  I think it turned out pretty tasty and pretty easy all done on  the Weber Q. Then of course the conversation over the meal was endless. Mostly came from my mouth though.  If ya know Al he has Blabber fingers, me... blabber mouth. Takes Suzie  to kick me under the table to shut up for a couple minutes....

        Any who was a fun full day. 

       Thanks for stopping on by.

Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Fall and Winter..