Mittry Lake, Arizona

 This morning  slept in till almost 9 o'clock before getting out of bed.  I could see it was going to be a partly cloudy day and they called for a high of 62 degrees.  Wouldn't have been bad, but the wind was making a noise like it wanted to keep us inside.

We went through our morning routine and I tried watching a little TV, but couldn't stand the noise.   The wind went from about 7 mph to 14 mph by noon.  Decided this should be a drive day, so Yuma and I got in the Jeep and headed towards Mittry Lake to have a looksee.

About six mile east on I-8 we took the turn-off to Winterhaven, California.  This is where Yuma was born.  

Stopped at Jimmies Market hoping to find some canned dog food for Yuma, but nothing.  I had forgotten to get his food when I was at Walmart yesterday. :(

Then we were off on California S24 heading towards Bard and the lake.

Drove by the Cloud Museum.  Lots of old farm implements and cars inside.  Didn't go in this time.

Stopped here to get a shake but as soon as I stepped out somewhere a shotgun went off and Yuma would not budge.  We left.

Old bar and grill has been closed for many years.

Stopped along S24 to get a picture of this old farm house and as I was leaving, someone fired off a shotgun.  Guess they didn't want their picture taken!

Passed the pretty Laguna Dam.

After 30 miles, we arrived at Mittry Lake, Arizona.

Small protected area with lots of duck.

This area on the east side of the lake is the most beautiful with the walkways into the lake with palm trees everywhere.

After a long afternoon, we headed home along the road up to highway 95 where I filled with gas.

Stopped at a Fry's and picked up the dogfood and headed home.  It was nearly 4 o'clock by now.  Yuma had been so scared all day, he wouldn't do his business till we got home.  Now, he's a happy camper racing for the White Lion to call it a long day.

Another fun day.  The wind has died and it will be a lovely evening for cooking hotdogs and watching Monday Night Football.

See you later.

Finishing my Hike of Pilot Knob Mountain

 Woke up at 6:30 this morning feeling pretty good and even caught the sun coming up over Pilot Knob Mountain.

As planned I didn't do much.  Went through my routine and around 1 o'clock, Yuma started bugging me to go somewhere.   I was watching Kansas City win in football so he had to wait.  I knew I needed to make a Walmart run soon, so that's what we did.

First, I drove North on Sidewinder Road, the road I take to get to I-8 but I went further.  I knew there was BLM land up this road and sure enough there is and not crowded at all.  Maybe next year I'll stay there.

Then it was off to Walmart with Yuma for some shopping.  The clouds have come up so it is mostly cloudy but warm with no wind.  We were done and home by 3 o'clock.  

Watched more football and now I'm ready to watch Green Bay for the evening.  The sunset tonight with the clouds is beautiful.

Now I'll take us down the mountain.  Since I was at the top looking down, I could tell that the trail I had taken was the hardest I could have picked.  I selected a new trail to go back down but I knew when I got to the bottom I would have a long walk to the Jeep.  But at least it would be flat.

One last look to the west over the Imperial Sand Dunes.

Then it was time to head back down.  It is 2:30 and the sun was moving quickly to the west.

Yuma had already run down part way and came back to make sure I was following.

Last look back up at the cross.

This trail is a switchback thankfully.  Going down is always harder than going up.  Too easy to slip on loose gravel and fall.

Another look back towards the peak.

Yuma is too close to that edge for me.  Called him back away from it.

 As I got close to the bottom there is a gravel pit.  The trail made it along the crest of gravel.  Not much room for error.  Soon, I was walking the road the big gravel trucks made up the side of the mountain and I was coasting from there.

Had a long walk back to the Jeep, but a short trip home of a few miles.  When I looked back at the mountain I was surprised.  Did I leave a fire going at the top?  I'll never tell.😚

  There was no wind and as I rested on my lounger, I could hear an engine noise and looked up to to see a paraglider scooting along enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Time for dinner and some football.  Life is good.  See you later.

Climb to the top of Pilot Knob Mountain

This morning I woke up at 6:30 and opened window shades so the sun could come in and decided to lay down till 7.  Next thing I knew it was 8:30 and time to get up and start my day.

The morning was just gorgeous.  Sunny with just a slight breeze to keep it from feeling too hot.  I fixed breakfast and Yuma and I just laid outside and relaxed.

I thought about just doing nothing all day but relax but I just couldn't waste such a beautiful day.  About noon when all my breakfast courses were finished, Yuma and I hopped in the Jeep and headed over to Pilot Knob Mountain.  I had seen on my AllTrails app there were foot paths to the top of the mountain.  

I wasn't sure if I was still young enough to take on such an endeavor, but I was going to find out.  The app said it was around a mile and half to the top depending on which trail you took.  The app didn't tell anything about trails.  I was on my own to figure out how to get to the top.   The top is 827 feet above sea level.  High off the desert floor.

When we arrived, there was an elderly gentleman coming down the hillside with a big German Shepard named Rex.  Rex was a little pushy and Yuma didn't like that but they got along for the most part.

Asked him if he made it to the top and said it got too steep so he turned around.  Didn't let that deter me, so we walked on towards the mountain looking for a trail.

There is my goal ahead.  I hope I make it.

Feeling pretty good and the walking pole is a big help.

Looking ahead.

Still got a long way to go.

Jeep's still there.

Yuma runs up ahead but always checks to make sure I'm still coming.

Slipping and falling is not an option.

Jeep's still there.

Top is looking closer.

Yuma is an angel.  He is still checking.  I think he wonders why I'm so slow.

Getting up there now.  That is the Pilot Knob RV Park in the distance.

Zoomed in on the church in Felicity.

Give you an idea of how the trail looks.  Got to look down all the time while walking to keep from turning an ankle.

I'm starting to feel like I'll make it!

Cargo Muchacho Mountains north of here.

Getting very close now.

I can see forever.

There's the White Lion off in the distance via zoom.

I have arrived.

Mexico

Yuma in the distance.

Goal accomplished!

I have to stop here.  I have got to fix dinner because it is already 8 o'clock.  I'll document the hike down tomorrow.  Walked over 9000 steps today and I know I'm going to be sore tomorrow and will stay close to camp.

I had the best time on this hike for some reason.  It was just so beautiful and the views were forever.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

See you later.