A Hike Thru the Desert and up a Mountain… Almost.

My last full day in Arizona included a day hike in Lost Dutchman State Park. Inside this state park is the Superstition Mountains. One reason they might be called that is due to the tales of the Lost Dutchman Mine that may be up in those mountains.

For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. It is said to be the most famous lost mine of all time, and to this day it continues to draw prospectors to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in search of its rich gold.

Here is a link to some information on the mine http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/aug/stories/lost1.html. I wouldn’t mind getting a lil piece of this mine!

It was a beautiful day with a temp in the low 80s when I was hiking. After the long winter in MN and a very hectic season with the deicing, it was so nice to be out in the warmth and sunshine again!

Festival in Arizona

I took a much needed vacation to Arizona for 8 days. This weekend I got out to the Tempe Art Festival and the Arizona BBQ Festival. It was so nice to be able to be outside in warm sunshine!! I even got sun burnt on my arms a little.

 

I wanted to go to the Tempe Art Festival, mainly, to get a look at what the photographers down here were selling. I learned some things. As I was walking down one of the rows I heard harp and flute music. Very mellow laid back music and I liked it.

 

 

If you would like to check out their music you can go to their website: www.dulcevas.com or www.sherrifinzer.com.

 

 

 

 

On Saturday my brother, Mark, Mom and I went to the 2nd Annual Arizona BBQ Festival. It wasn’t quite what I thought it would be but it was fun anyway. They had BBQ teams from all over the country grilling up the best. We, of course, headed over to the Steel City BBQ for a taste of what they had. We waited in line and when we got to the front they looked at my Mom and said, “you get the last rib” and told the crowd behind us, “we will have brisket at 1pm”. It was about 12:30, people were not happy. But there was plenty more BBQ to get and I don’t like ribs anyway.

 

 

Some of the BBQ smokers and setups were pretty extreme, from shiny and fancy to flat black and all home made. I was more impressed with this large home made set up then this shiny burnt orange grill, but that shiny one sure is pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the BBQ was good some not so much. I think I could compete here! LOL All I need is a fancy smoker, grill and my BBQ team. Here are some more pics of what I saw at the BBQ Festival. I wanted to use the name “Big Rack BBQ” but I guess I can’t now!

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It's almost time...

I have 40 days left before I am laid off again. The beginning of the summer will take me to Arizona, and somewhere in the middle I will be in Iowa to photograph a Christian Music Festival. I am very excited about that! Hopefully along the way I will make it to Glacier National Park for some camping and sight seeing. The pacific northwest is the only part of the country I have not been to besides Alaska and Hawaii so that is a goal for this summer too.

It's been a long and snowy winter here in Minnesota causing many long hours and 60-70 hour weeks deicing aircraft. This layoff is much needed and I am so looking forward to it!

Over the winter the MSP airport had an art exhibit and one of my images won first place, so that was exciting!! I also started selling pictures on Etsy, the link is on the side bar if you are interested in checking out what I have.

I'm looking forward to the adventure about to take place and am busy making the tenative plans. Thinking any plans I make are set in stone would just be silly. LOL

I leave for Arizona today for 8 days, so maybe the adventure will start there.