Alamo Lake: May 2009

Sometimes parents need a break too. Our friend sets up camp every spring on Alamo Lake to do some fishing for about 6 weeks or so. He invited Jacki and I to come out and join him, and we took this as an opportunity to get away with out our daughter. After work on Friday we headed out to Alamo Lake to join him with some relaxation. We chose not to fish, as we both find it one of the most boring things a person can do (no offense to all those that love to fish). Instead, we decided to take the back roads to the ghost town of Swansea on Saturday. We got off to an early start and really enjoyed the drive; it was a pretty well graded, though very soft dirt, road until we decided to take the back way out of the town site. We stopped at the town of Bouse and the general store to pick up a few provisions and then off to Swansea. We made it back in time for the fish fry that night, and breaded and fried fresh trout is absolutely delicious. Many thanks to our friend for sharing his catch with us.


Sunsets and water, is there anything more spectacular? Perhaps if my photography skills were better.


On the way to Swansea, it seems that there is nothing around for many miles.



There are many structures still standing in the town, and it even looks like an attempt at renovation occured not too many years ago.


The back way out of the town presents a slightly more challenging route.


Joshua Trees abound on the back way back to Wickenburg.

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Mingus Mountain: April, 2009

We went to Prescott for the Overland Expo in April of 2009. After checking out all the cool rigs and gear available, we met up with some frinds for a night of camping, camaraderie, and a trail run the next morning. The trail chosen was Smiley Rock off of Mingus Mountain. We knew the trail would be a challenge for us as the Montero was still stock aside from tires, but we decided to give it a try anyway. We did have to turn around as the rock section of the trail proved too much for the low hanging parts on Montero. But it was a good time anyway. We need to give it another try now that the Montero has a bit more stuff on it to help with its off-road capabilities.


Why the trail is called Smiley Rock.


Jacki getting a little too frindly with the rock. What is the saying? "You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose."


The desert is still in bloom.



This is as far as we made it. The rocks got just a bit too big for the stock truck. Better luck next time.

Remember, tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron

Bradshaw Mountains, AZ 4/2009

We had just purchased the Montero as our next adventure rig after getting rid of the aging Trooper. We thought a nice easy shake down run was appropriate. So our friend Bryan and his girlfriend Kasey joined us for a day run to the ghost town of Tip Top. I had to say, the Montero impressed me and I decided that it was a good platform to build off of. Spring in the desert is always a great time to get out and do some exploring and hiking.




The views are always amazing.


Always fans of the desert in bloom, the flowers are colorful and add a beauty to the desert like no other place in the world.



Even a little water running across the trail.


A reminder of times gone by.


The desert slowly taking back the land where the town sits. The town was once home to 1200 people

Remember to tread lightly and leave no trace.

Aaron