Leaving Arizona

Sadly on Thursday I had to leave the warmth and come back to winter here in Alberta that is supposed to be spring according to the calendar, but outside not so much.  But before we left, on the Wed  we all headed down to a local barrel racing jackpot.  We were there much early so they could get some practice in (LaTonne was helping another girl get started) and so me and Megan headed out to the wildlife park down the road.  The animal part was closed but the aquarium was open so we looked through there for a while.

After their runs we headed back and then I had to leave the next day cause I had entered in a clinic on the weekend.  My plane got in to Calgary at midnight and it sure is fast when travelling alone, I was out of the airport in less than 20 minutes, through customs and everything!  Then I stayed overnight at my sisters and stopped to ride Jessie on the way home.  We had a good ride but I was exhausted to just brushed Razz and went home.

Sure was a lot of snow at home, I remembered Neil had said there was a few blizzards, but never expected this much.  And then he said on Wed our grader man spent 5 hours on our driveway to clear it off!  I am sure glad he did since Neil got his tractor stuck trying to plow the road and he was stuck at home for a couple days, if he hadn't I wouldn't have been able to get home.  And a pleasant surpeise of my Christmas Cactus was blooming.  I have had it a year and a half and this is the first time I had seen blooms on it, wasnt even sure what color it was, but I like it :)

Hanging Out

After the ranch was a little less hectic, but I did get to go and tour the town of Wickenburg.  It is pretty neat. I stopped at the tourist office and he gave me a pamphlet of the walking tour of town and so I did that.  It was neat how they had all these bronze statues around town and some of them talked and told about life when the town was started.

I tried to go to the Hassyempa River Preserve but of course it was closed the day I was there.  I also found out Route 66 is in Arizona, I was pretty sad that I never had time to go up there but I hope to be back there soon.  Like next winter if I can talk my banker into it.  I spent time hanging out with LaTonne and Megan, what nice people, I sure enjoyed meeting them and hope to see them again one day.

All in all was a super time and I sure wish I would have stayed longer and it was spring when I got home, but I had to get back for a cutting clinic.

Tombstone

While we were down at the ranch we were not that far away from Tombstone so we thought we should take a day trip out there.  But first I have to share this cool cactus we saw at the ranch, it looked pink and almost plasticy (but I didn't touch it to find out, lol)

Oh and a couple more ranch pics, including the awesome sunset and the cow I thought was cool.

Anyways back to Tombstone, first we stopped at Boot Hill Graveyard and it was pretty amazing how many people were killed down there in a short period of time!  Some of the graves I had never heard of until we walked through town and saw some of their names around.

Then we drove and found a place to park so we could walk up and down Main Street.  We stopped at the Crystal Palace for lunch.  it was a Saloon way back, but now was an awesome burger place, we were recommended to go there by the ranch owners mom.  She was right it was good, but how could it not be with that name :)

There was lots of cools stuff going on and the shootout at the OK Corral, which we missed, but it was a hot day and so we headed back to the ranch after having ice cream.  I talked to Neil a couple days later and told him we were in tombstone and he sounded dissapointed.  I think he wanted to go so I may get to go back again one day.

Working at the Fourr Ranch

Last week I was lucky enough to go to get invited to the Fourr Ranch to help them roundup and brand thier calves, and seperate a bunch to sell.

Well before we even got there there was all kinds of drama going on and we were not sure we were even gonna go, but since they were kinda depending on us and the work had to get done, we headed down there anyways. I have to thank LaTonne for inviting me down there, it was a lot of fun and I felt a lot more at home there than driving around the cities.

 The ground was way rockier than we were told so we used thier horses, I got to ride the big grey horse, Half Moon for roundup, he was pretty cool such a good ranch horse, only trouble was he was 16 hands and I had a real hard time getting on him.

A bunch were in the trap so the next day we got to work.  We cut out cows from calves and just worked on the bigger calves.  It seemed to take forever and felt like we were not getting anything done.  But the next day when we got in there we went through the big calves and not very many were left.  I was on the ground and it was so awesome how the ranch owners were willing to teach roping and everything.

A lot of history behind the ranch and even a stone safe spot on the hill where Billy Fourr would send his wife and kids if the Indians came.  The house was also used as a cavalry house, kinda cool all the history behind the place. Would love to go back again one day, even if I have to work.

Still Loving It Here

Friday I got woken up by a thunderstorm.  Been a while since I have heard thunder and rain it was rather unexpected.  But since it was still raining I figured I might as well spend the day driving around.  So first over to San Tan.  It was a nice place, I really liked it, more a farming area, kinda reminded me of home.   It is a totally different atmosphere there, I kinda like how all the houses are not all attached together, but don't know where to ride out there.

Then on to Florence, it was kinda the same, with a prison in town, that was unexpected.  Not that there is a prison but I did not know where it was.  And then headed over to Casa Grande, I didn't mind it, but seems so far away from everything, as does Maricopa.  Kinda confuses me how Maricopa is not in Maricopa county though, lol.

On the way back north I drove around Queen Creek, I liked a lot of the houses there but they all seemed like they were in the city.  Although I did look up on the Realtor site a few more properties in Queen Creek that are in my price range and they don't seem to bad.  I have finally figured I need to look up all them on Google maps and see where they are cause no way I will find them otherwise and that way I can eliminate any that are right in the middle of the city.  I think I might have to actually talk to a Realtor and tell them what I am looking for rather than try to find something on my own.  I am just kinda hesitant to do so cause of not looking to buy right now and Neil thinking its crazy to buy a place.  But if I am gonna go ahead with it I will certainly talk to the Realtor after talking to my bank and seeing what kind of mortgage I can be approved for.  Then I ended up in Fountain Hills last night and it sure is a pretty place, but a little too fancy for me I think, but I am glad I went through it anyways.

Yesterday I headed up to Cave Creek.  I think I like it as much as or maybe more than Apache Junction.  Even in the rain.  I see the trails there are a little different, they are right through the neighborhoods.  And then I ended up on this road going to the Cross Spur Ranch Conservation area so I stopped there and walked on the trails for a couple hours.  Was kinda a nice place with lots of trails that can be ridden on as well.

Having trouble adding pics here, so I guess you will just have to imagine what it looks like :(

Opposite of Snow -- Arizona

This morning I flew down to Phoenix.  I was here by 10, sure doesn't seem possible to be in freezing cold o so warm in under 3 hours.  There sure are a lot of people in Phoenix!!!  Whew.  Got my car rented and left the city as fast as I could, lol.  Headed east through Mesa and to Apache Junction.  I love love love Apache Junction.  And Lisa, every time I say that town I think of your horse :)

 (the Grand Canyon from the airplane)

(lots of water around)

Drove around all day looking at property and found a place I really like.  But not buying this trip, but sure is nice to find where I like.  Sure like North of Apache Junction, east of it is a lot of places as well, but they look more expensive.  

 (Superstition Mountains, North up and West below)

 (ponies)

(the place I like, not a great pic but there were people outside so didn't want to stop)

Sure is funny how I imagined snowbirds to be, they exactly are!  Super dark and old and wrinkly, lol, like my Gramma was.  They don't seem very friendly here, but its hard to judge cause there is people from everywhere, I have seen lots of Alberta, Sask, and BC plates as well as lots from other states.  

 (rental pony place)

(this place was also for sale, but im sure it was outta my price range)

 (the park had picnic tables and BBQs)

 (the desert trail)

 (more mountains)

 (ways to get in the trail, I guess no motorized vehicles allowed, which is nice, )

 (lots of tie places at parking lot)

I seen lots of horses around, and even some old guy riding one in the trail area.  And on my way out of town, I stopped in a park and wandered around it, it is so nice here!  I may never want to leave, I walked part of the desert trail where horses go and it looks like lots of trails out there to try out.  I actually even saw a place where you can rent a horse, and almost did, but I refrained.

I now can understand more what all the Arizona people are talking about now, at home it is rare to see that many people on a few acres so close together.  And Nuzz Muzz I totally understand your blog so much more now that I have seen it for myself.  Oh it just makes me have more questions and more interest.  

Tomorrow I will head south to Queen Creek, Florence, San Tan Valley, and Casa Grande.  Maybe I will like them just as much, yikes.  This is so fun :)