Saturday, February 17, 2018

Move to Saddle Mountain

Saturday, February 17, 2018 – Location:  Saddle Mountain near Tonopah, Arizona

It’s definite now.  I am slowly heading east towards home.  It was only 80 miles today but I always feel melancholy for a few days as I start heading toward Illinois.   We left Dome Rock around noon and arrived at our site around 2 o’clock.

I know it will be awhile before I get there.  Dolly texted me telling me they were having a wet snow and it was damp and windy.  Nothing like the low seventies here.  However, there is a high wispy cloud cover and it is hazy today, so not good for pictures.

You can see why this is called Saddle Mountain.

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As I came in from the west on Salome Road, there was an old building.  Looked like it had once been a service station many years ago before I-10 and this was the main road around here.  Time and local kids have done their damage.

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Saw this large hawk fly by and land on the telephone pole ahead of me.

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I drove into one of the roads leading into the BLM on the north side of Saddle Mountain.  Never been on this one before and assumed it would connect to other roads.  When I say road, it is more like a jeep trail.  Very narrow, twisting and rocky. 

It was crowded.  More crowded than the previous two times I’ve been here.  I hope it is just a weekend crowd.  We’ll see.  Anyway, I kept creeping along going up towards the base of the mountain and every pull off was occupied.  Kept creeping and no other roads came along.  I couldn’t turn around and you know me.  I’m not going to stop and unhook the Jeep unless it is the last alternative.

I finally got to within 200 feet of the base of the mountain.  Only pick-ups and light trailers left.  After I passed them I ran out of road.  Luckily, I was a few hundred feet from the last site, so I stopped and got out.  Walked around a little and found a place to pull off the road.  Had to throw a bunch of rocks and boulders out of the way to do this, but got it done. 

I’m now the closest RV to the mountains.  Didn’t plan it!  It just happened.  Don’t know how I’ll get turned around to go back down, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes.  You can see the road I was driving on.

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After lunch, Yuma and I took a little hike up the mountainside for a little exercise.  Wasn’t long before we were up pretty high.

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Looking to the north towards I-10.

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I’m almost level with that helicopter flying through the valley.  You can see I-10 off in the distance to the north.

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As it got later, the skies cleared. 

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Yuma took a selfie of the two of us with the Saddle Mountain in the near distance.  You can tell it is not far to the base of the mountain from where we are.

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Nice sunset off to the west.

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Looking forward to a little jeepin’ and hikin’ in this beautiful mountain.  Nice enjoyable day and now time for a relaxing evening.

See you later.

13 comments:

  1. What an amazing sunset! You reallycouldnt have planned for a better spot. It's a beautiful.place with the mountain so close. It looks like Yuma's made himself at home, already. The picture of the helicopter was really cool! I'm sure you'll have a super time at Saddle Mountain! Have a good night. ❤

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Very rough drive up here. People I passed couldn't believe a 30 foot MH pulling a Jeep was going up that small bad road. Hope I make it back down.

      Hope Yuma enjoys it here. He's been spooked a lot around people so we need a good boondocking spot for a change.

      Helicopter was almost eye level, but far off.

      Night😘.

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  2. Hey Doug, I've noticed you've been doin' a little "bend me, shape me - anyway you want me" with some rather obscure country lyrics in your posts lately ! A few days ago your doggies were running thru the brambles to the tune of Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" and yesterday you looked for your Wilson booster while singing Johnny Cash "I've been Everywhere". So now as you slowly start towards Home - remember "the nearer your destination - the more you keep slip slidin' away !" 😳😎😉😁

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    1. Cute Moonfly. If anyone would notice my little efforts at lyrics, it would be you. Thanks for noticing.

      I wonder if you've noticed I shaved my beard off? I got tired of scaring the old ladies with my down and out appearance.🤔🙄

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    2. Yep, I sure noticed ! 😳 thought maybe you did it for Shaena ? You look 10 years younger - plus, now you can get a more even suntan. PS - great photos there at Saddle Mountain - we are going to 72* but of course, sun is not gonna shine. The worst of winter (and it was BRUTAL) is over and Spring will be here in another month. You & Yuma hike safe 🌵🌷🐢🐕😎

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  3. Welcome to Saddle Mountain. We're close to the base of the mountain on the west side. Not quite all the way to the back. Perhaps we'll get another chance to visit before we all head off, we'd like that.

    Looks like you've got a great spot. Some of the roads are more like goat paths than anything else. Beautiful sunset, sorry I missed it.

    Enjoy your time here.

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    1. Thanks Deb. I stayed over there last year and liked that area. Thought I was heading there again this year but missed the turn off and took next road thinking it would circle around. It doesn't.

      Be interested to see how your Parker trip went.

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  4. What a great spot. Yuma did a really good job taking the selfie. Wonderful pictures I really like the picture you captured of the helicopter. Enjoy your time there!

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    1. Thank you. Yuma forgot to face the camera, but he's learning.

      Hoping we have a good time here. Beautiful area for taking photos.

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  5. Looks like a very nice spot to hang out I know you enjoy it there a figure out how to get outta there when the time comes.
    Wonderful views and nice sunset as well.

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    1. Nice views but a horrible ride to get here. Might as well enjoy my site since I'm here.

      Hoping the weather cooperates and I get to do some hiking.

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  6. Looks to me that you got the perfect spot! Beautiful area and great pics! Yuma is good with that camera! The sunset is gorgeous!

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  7. Thanks Shirley. It is beautiful here. Should be lots to see around this area.

    Bet you're getting excited to head out to Tennessee.

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