Not So Insane Camping
Jon and I went camping last December. That was an insane trip. A couple of weeks ago we decided to attempt another trip. This time we planned on going to Mt. Graham, but had a backup if the weather was bad. The weather forecast for Mt. Graham sounded like our last trip so we decided to go to Haigler Creek. We camped at the developed campground at Haigler Canyon. You can camp free most anywhere, but at the developed campground you have a bathroom, bear proof trash can, and a nice prepared tent location with a picnic table and a fire pit/grill.
I really prefer this type of camping. Especially when the trip involves a little fishing as well. We chose Haigler Creek based on an account that the forest service stocks prize fish into the creek as an attempt to lure fisherman away from the crowded creeks into the less occupied areas. My first attempt to catch one of these prize fish didn’t turn out too well.
After not catching anything I set about looking for a better place to fish. I didn’t find a good fishing hole, but I did encounter some wild blackberries. I ate a few and then picked a couple handfuls to have with breakfast. They tasted very good on the pancakes.
After breakfast we packed up our stuff and headed out to fish for a few hours before leaving. We were more dedicated this time and found a few good spots to fish. I got a couple of bites and then landed a small rainbow trout.
We found an even better place to fish. I caught a fish and just as it’s mouth touched the air it wiggled free. Jon caught what we believe to be the same fish. The fish freed itself in the same way it did for me. It must have a skill for getting loose.
One of the best parts about going camping is the opportunity to see the wildlife. The butterfly below was a fun find. Even more fun was discussing the creature causing the footprint just to the upper right of the butterfly. A skunk was the final consensus, but perhaps we were wrong. Any ideas?
What in the world is the plant in the two last photos? It looks like a cross between a squash, okra, and cotton.
Electrical Storm
Tonight a big electrical and wind storm moved in. Right now the wind is gusting to about 50 mph and it’s pouring cats and dogs. This must be a microburst. I haven’t seen rain like this since I was in a tropical storm in Chile. The intercloud lightening about an hour ago was awesome.
[MEDIA=1]
8/29/08 – Weather service reported that the temperature during the storm was 64 F. We got 2 inches of rain. Wind speed 54 mph with gusts to 75 mph. No wonder all the branches on the mulberry tree were pointed in the same direction!
Funny Signs
You might have to right click the image and select ‘view image’ or equivalent.
“Ice Cold Ice”
I saw this marquis in St. George a few weeks ago. I wonder if there is ice that isn’t ice cold.
Hiking with Kids
Last week while we were in Enterprise Tyler, Mainie and I took the girls hiking. It was an “easy” hike. No hiking is truly easy, at least not around here. But we had quite a good time. Here are the kids hiking in the only spot where they don’t have to hold someone’s hand.
Hannah climbing big rocks with a little help.
This is why you don’t look down. It looks like Hannah is standing on the edge of a cliff.
Victoria didn’t really like the rocks, they were taller than her, so I carried her up all the way. She wouldn’t even get out of my arms without a fight. It was all I could do to get her to stand still for the picture.
Here they are posing under the big tree at the top.
The Reward.
Funny Kids
On July 4th we went to Laurie’s family reunion early in the morning. After we got back the kids decided they wanted to take a nap…on the kitchen floor.
The next day Victoria went into her room wearing normal clothes. This is how she came out. She must have had some help from her sister.
