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 :)

  

Wordless Wednesday--Snow

Pics of Ponies and Me

So today even though we had a nasty storm warning it was still nice this morning so we headed out to th barn so I could enter a pic of me in my chaps so I can hopefully win a headstall.  I was kinda excited about this cause I have hardly any pics of me riding and so this was gonna be fun.  We dressed up in jeans a show shirt and our boots and got the ponies ready and got some standing and some riding, these are my favorite Razz ones:

And these are my favorites of Jessie.  I did a little editing and found the cool way to do the edges but have no idea how to make the eyes so they don't glow.

Had a good ride afterwards then headed home and ended up getting stuck in the snow about 4 miles from home and Neil had to come and pull me out, was kinda a crazy cold day and so I spent the rest of the day inside doing laundry and making bread.