Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve and Visiting New Neighbors

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Map of the Preserveimage

This morning I gave up on yesterday’s blog ever getting published.  So I drove 7 miles down to Essex Road and then toward I-40 for a couple of miles till I got Verizon 4G.   Stopped by the side of the road and pushed the Publish button.  Took all of three minutes to publish the blog.  I had spent 17 hours trying at the camp.

I was already on Essex road, so I turned around and went west about 4 miles toward the Providence Mountains.  At the end of the road is the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area and Mitchell Caverns

This is the eastern side of the mountains that I had taken photos of the other day from the western side when I visited the Kelso Depot Visitor Center and went on to get gas at Baker.

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It is a pretty drive up to the entrance, but unfortunately the Recreation Area and the caverns are closed.  There is a big gate at the entrance with about four padlocks and a big sign saying “Closed, Trespassers will be Prosecuted”.  That was enough to keep me out.  Took photos of the mountains and headed back toward camp.imageimage

The road up to the state recreation area is in disrepair.  I don’t think the park will open any time soon. 

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Just before getting to camp on Black Canyon Road, I could see a bunch of small caves in the hillside on the left side of the road.  Yuma wanted to check it out, so went for a short hike.

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The rocks were so light and sharp, they must be a lava formation.

After that short side trip, I decided to check the Internet for Travel With The Bayfield Bunch blog.   When I left camp this morning, I could see I had a new neighbor about a mile north of my camp.  For some reason, the Class A motorhome looked slightly familiar and I knew Kelly, Al and Pheebs were coming this way sometime soon.

Saw the heading to their blog and knew they were in the reserve someplace. So jumped in the jeep and headed over to see if it was them.  Sure enough, as soon as I saw the Commander Triple E I knew it was them.image

As I got out of the jeep, there was Al coming around the corner with Pheebs not far behind.

We sat out in the beautiful weather and chatted awhile. 

Had a great time visiting with both Al and Kelly.  Really nice people and made me feel right at home.  Every time I meet up with Al, I learn something new.  He has a wealth of knowledge of cameras and the southwest and more than willing to share. imageimageimage

Al gave me a few more pointers on how to use my DSLR Sony camera.

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I let Yuma off his leash so he and Pheebs could get to know each other.  I was worried with the initial rough housing, but Al said to just let them be and they would be playing in no time.  Sure enough, it wasn’t long before they were great friends.  Yuma even shook hands with Pheebs and just like a woman, Pheebs had to give Yuma an ear full.  Finally, Yuma stole the Pheeber’s play bear and sneaked under the Big Triple E to chew on it.

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Hopefully, we can get together for a jeep excursion before we part.  There is a lot of beautiful jeep country in this reserve.

See you later.

11 comments:

  1. It looks like Yuma and Pheebs hit it off, not withstanding the bear incident. I woNader if the caverns in the off limits area were as good as the ones you found later. Good to see Al and Kelly, if only in pictures.

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    1. I'm sure the caverns would be much better than the holes in the rocks I found later. But will never find out. Doubt if I'm ever this way again.

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  2. I'd say the doggy guys had a pretty good time today.

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    1. They sure did! Glad Yuma's first friend is Pheebs. Yuma enjoyed being off his leash and able to run and play.

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  3. I'm glad to know that the area is closed...I'll scratch the area off my map!

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    1. Hazel, lots of other things to see & do on the Preserve. Mabe shouldn't scratch off list :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Thank you Florence. ever had 1X Verizon Internet before. Slow, but I guess I should be happy to have something. Takes awhile to publish, but worth it to me and hopefully to my family and friends.

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  5. Quick question for you. Have you considered the snake bite vaccine for Yuma? Just in case?
    Don in Okla.

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    1. I haven't given that a thought really, Don. I believe the snakes are still hibernating and even if one was out, he would be lethargic. If Yuma was not on a leash and running everywhere, I would do it for sure.

      If I'm still around the southwest in early April, I will definitely get it done.

      Thanks for planting the thought, Don.

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  6. The 2 doggies sure are cute together!

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