Limestone Ranch

limestonecoralPSi

We like to frequent the Mogollon Rim as it is close to us, and bountiful with it’s awesome nature and scenery.  We always feel so fortunate to live so close to something so stunning, and are always finding something new and interesting.

fencgate_Ssi

On a recent trip we ran across this old cabin.  There was no signage to get there, but this old cabin was well kept and maintained.  We wandered around it and were mesmerized by how well built it was.. and how lasting.  We estimated it was built in the 1930’s, and still standing.  We could imagine that some old rancher set up home here… cutting down local timbers, perhaps even mixing his own concrete to chink the lumber walls.  Corrals still stood from apparent horses, and old farm implements strewn about allowing the tenants to live off the land.

fernPSi

fencecorralPSi

All that’s left is the evidence of a past life, an era gone-by, and the new tenants that stand guard.

hawk_Ssi

chipflwrPSi

chipltPSi

Grand Tetons

butterttreePSi

There is something truly majestic and spectacular about the awesome mountain range that makes up Grand Tetons.  It’s towering jagged terrain is awe inspiring.  It sets up the backdrop for the thick forests, willowy birch trees, and vast meadows.  With the Snake River winding through it, it’s no wonder so many well-off people call this place home.

deadtrezPSi

After leaving Yellowstone, we were happy to be in place that seemed more relaxed and friendly.  We loved the rugged environment, the more skittish animals, and the out going people.

elkhill looksPS2i

deersniffPSi

We saw some great animals… elk, deer, and finally our coveted moose.  The scenery was truly magnificent.

moosebabesPSi

lakelodgvuPSi

For more photos, check out my photo blog, kritterspix.com

Yellowstone National Park

buffboy halfPSiWe just got back from our big trip to Yellowstone National Park.

For more photos check out my photo blog, kritterspix.com.

We were less impressed by the scenery than by the animals.  We got up close and personal with over a dozen animals, from the big three (bison, elk, and bear) to fox, marmot, pika, deer, antelope, moose, and numerous birds (eagle, osprey, and white pelican).  It was a lesson in humanity to see how people stop on the road, and get right up in the animals faces taking selfies… and the animals tolerance of this stupidkind.   We witnessed one couple charged by a bull elk when people got too close.. they tend to forget that they are wild animals.

fogvalleyrokPSi

For our part, we are trained in our environment (living in the woods), to be respectful of animals and keep our distance.  No doubt we could have gotten closer… or a better angle.. but we didn’t want to interfere with the animals.

elktreePSi

It was just cool to see them… and the variety we were fortunate enough to witness.

LakelodgevuPSi

Yellowstone is broken into a circle-8 scenic byway.  People warned us how crowded it would be.. but it was less crowded than we anticipated.  Maybe it was just the build up from all the ney-sayers.  The upper northern loop (on the west side) was far more crowded.  This section one can find Old Faithful, and  is ‘hot’ with geyser activity… and people.  The geyser sections were much more full of people.steamtreesPSi

gpyPSiAdmittedly the geysers were fascinating to observe. But we were happy to stay on the south eastern loop, in the Lake Village where there were less people, and more animals.  Which by the way, was also where there was a deadly bear attack the day we arrived, making everyone, locals and tourists alike, bear aware.

treeturnPSi

elkroadPSi

Next stop, Grand Tetons.  We hope to see moose.

pantfarPSi

mtwashburn2treePSi

 

Best view in Flagstaff

chairlift pano_Ssi

When my husband told me he was taking me someplace special for lunch in Flagstaff, and we had never been there, I was baffled.

It seemed a contradiction in terms.  There are a lot of good places in Flagstaff for a good meal.  Probably the best of which are only open for dinner.  We’ve visited most of the best lunch places in Flagstaff, or at least I thought.  One we hadn’t been to??  I was intrigued.

Well he hit a home run when we surprised me with Snowbowl.  Not being a skier, we had never been.  Snowbowl is a ski resort, open during the summer strictly for the views.  You can purchase a ticket for the chair lift to the top… enjoy the view and / or a hike… and head back down.  The ride takes around 30 minutes each way… and must be the best view in Flagstaff.  It takes you from 9500 ft to 11,500 ft.  It was a chilly 53F at the top.

vu_Ssi

It forced us to sit down and relax for a change… and literally take in the scenery.

The restaurant at the bottom of the hill was less than spectacular… but the view made up for it.  Next time (and there will be a next time), we’ll bring friends… and our own lunch.  This kind of experience should be shared!

liftvu2_Ssi

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

train engine_Ssi

We took the Verde Vally Train with some friends the other day.

It reminded me that it’s fun to do activities you have done before with someone who hasn’t.  It’s like Christmas, seeing it through a child’s new eyes… it brings joy seeing others expressions and delight in the new experience.

jk train_Ssi

We’ve done the Verde Valley train, and honestly for someone who lives in the outdoors and is constantly exploring, picnicking, and day camping throughout AZ, the train was less than spectacular.  But for our friends, who don’t have that same opportunity, it was a delight.

train_Ssi

We were thrilled they had a great time, and from their perspective got to see AZ from the inside out… through the mountains, hills and trees, as we whooshed through the outdoor wild of a gone by era.  We got to see the old train stop in Perkinsville; and heard stories of farmers delivering produce all the way to Jerome.  The train in it’s heyday moved tons of copper ore from the Jerome mines.

johnwiz_Ssi

train engr_Ssi

Ceramic Shortbread

My husband, John, and I have been married 28 years this week.  I love him more today than the day I married him.  How cool is that?!  I am a lucky gal.

He bought me this special ceramic shortbread pan made by Brown Bag Designs for our anniversary.  Not sure where he got it… but it’s special… and makes very special and delicious shortbread cookies.

IMG_0713_Ssi

Ingredients:

1/2 c butter (room temp)

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 t. vanilla

1/4 c. ground nuts

1 c. (less 2 T) flour

1 T. cornstarch

Cream butter together with other ingredients.

Bake at 325F for 30 – 35minutes.

Wonderful!

I did one as above with 1/2 c. nuts… and one without nuts, and 1 t. lemon peel.

Both were delicious, fancy, and share worthy.

Thank you, John.  I’m shooting for 50 years!

Blue Ridge Reservoir

Blue Ridge Reservoir is in my opinion the most picturesque lake in Northern Arizona.  Many of the lakes in Northern AZ are small, and while fishable, not the most attractive.  Lake Mary is popular upon the ‘walk in’s’ who climb down the hill to cast their lines.

Knoll Lake, Bear Lake, Kinnickinick, Ashurst, Woods Canyon are all part of the Northern AZ lake options.  But my heart belongs to Blue Ridge.  It’s windy green waters traverse through thickly forested high canyon walls.  bluridgresv_ssilog reflectn_ssi

tree rfl vert_Ssi Tall dense trees reflect on the waterways like a mirror.  Wildlife abounds.  On this particular trip we saw bald eagle, a blue heron fishing for dinner (www.kritterspix.com), and wood ducks and their little ones.

WD lkPSi

It’s a peaceful respite commonly enjoyed by an abundance of rude camp canoe organizations and kayakers.  The Forest Service is now syphoning off water to Payson, compromising our tax payer recreational resource.  The water continues to drop at a rapid pace.  Yet, with it’s many flaws, and frustrating politics, it is a beautiful lake that should be enjoyed and shared by all, as long as we are ‘allowed’ by the US Forest Service to do so.

journey tent turnPSi

stars vertPSi

Milky Way over Mogollon Rim

moss ledge2PSi

The Mogollon Rim in Northern Arizona is very near to our home, for which I feel very fortunate.  The views are stunning, and varied.  Every overlook uncovers another view, with great ledges, moss, rocks and trees… truly a photographers haven.

rockburstPSi

June is one of the best months of the year to see the Milky Way.  It is low on the horizon and bright in the sky.  With a new moon, it’s the perfect time to get great Milky Way photographs.  So with such a great opportunity we took full advantage of it, and got out to see if we could photograph the Milky Way over the Mogollon Rim.

milkyway treertPSi

The challenge is to get decent foreground, but far enough away to be able to see it against the starry sky background.  The rocks in the front just don’t show up.

milkyway treePSi

So I selected 2 trees… one on each side of the Milky Way and did a 7 photo panorama to show the whole galaxy.

rim milky way panoi

Cool!

Then, I did a star trails photo.  This shot is 75 individual shots, each taken for 30 sec, over an hour… then stitched together to show the movement of the stars over time.

tree staxPSi

Sedona Workshop – Scott Stulberg

I just got back from an amazing workshop in Sedona with Scott Stulberg.  Have you seen Scott’s work?  Simply put, it’s stunning.  I was looking forward to the opportunity to learn from Scott and further my knowledge particularly in sunsets, night, and star scenes.  I was not disappointed.  While it rained during our 4 day workshop, Scott was very accommodating and worked hard to make sure we got good shots and had a great time.  The workshop was intense and informative.  In short, outstanding!

cathwavePSisplittree viewPSi

Sedona made for an awesome setting and backdrop for magnificent clouds, sunsets, and magical lighting.  Check out my other Sedona pix at http://kritterspix.com/pix and http://kritterspix.com/photo musings.sunset skyPSi

yuccaPSi

airport cityltsPSi