February 8, 2012

We took a slow tour to Box Canyon today.  It is a unique and scenic jeep drive through a narrow, steep-walled canyon.

As the trail winds through box canyon, the view is just amazing and ever changing.  The rocks are covered with a chartreuse moss that is unique.  Although we looked for big horn sheep, we did not spot any today.

February 6, 2012

On a perfect day for a hike, we took the Treasure Loop trail to the shadow of the Superstitions in the Lost Dutchman State Park.  The trail is a gem at 2.4 miles of 360 degree landscape beauty.

the trail head:

January 23, 2012

Our jeep group took a trail ride on BLM land on a trail called Elvis .  I call it the rock ‘n roll trail.  The pics are of the Squeeze and the Waterfall.

an obstacle on Elvis for extra credit.

The waterfall on Elvis.

Here is a view of the lower part of the Roller Coaster trail that we explored after lunch.

Looking south from the top of Roller Coaster.

January 18, 2012

Our group did some hard core rock crawling up the lower ajax trail.  The rating was difficult  with large boulders and narrow passages.

Florence Junction, AZ

We explored two difficult trails southeast of Florence Junction, AZ and northeast of Florence.  The “Jack Handle” trail was highlighted by the squeeze through the obstacle nicknamed Jack’s Crack.  It appeared to be solid rock and is barely wide enough to squeeze through. It was a short, narrow canyon with little room to maneuver with many rock obstacles.

Our second trail on Ajax had a tough obstacle as Jayne demonstrated how it is done.  The trail followed a rocky creek bottom with large boulders and narrow passages.

While both trails took us through some rocky washes and stream beds we also rode the high ridges.  This is  a shot of the group as we brought up the rear descending the high ridge after a restful lunch with a panoramic view

December 14, 2011

A tour of the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory was out of this world.  The Conservatory was a gem of tropical plants and flowers with hundreds of rare butterflies.

The Malay Lacewing is from Malaysia (Cethosia hypsea).

This one is a Idea leuconoe or rice paper from Malaysia.

This beauty is a  heliconius ismenius or Longwing from Costa Rico.

December 2, 2011

We have found paradise in the Keys.  Come and check out our rv site.

complete with tiki hut, dock and lots of privacy..

this is the view from our dock

November 29,2011

Life has been wonderful on Sanibel Island.  Perfect beach weather every day.  Sanibel is a barrier island sanctuary located just west of Ft. Myers, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.  The beaches are famous for shelling and the curve of the island seem to act as a natural catcher for the wide variety of shells.

Most of the board sailors where enjoying the stiff breezes but this guy was just showing off every time he saw the camera.

November 16, 2011

Seagulls enjoy a day at the beach.  We shared the beach with the birds on our stroll to the North Jetty on Casey Key.  a perfect day at the beach.

November 2, 2011

Having followed the fall foliage from New England, we have reached St. Augustine.  It is a joy to get our feet in the warm sandy beaches here.

A visit to the Alligator Farm,  captured the roseate spoonbills returning to roost in the tall live oak trees.  When feeding, they rhythmically swing their spatulate bills from side to side.

My new friend at the Alligator Farm is a rare square nose crocodile.