Limestone Cliffs of Steep Rock, MB Canada

Paddling the Limestone Cliffs

  Steep Rock, Manitoba

The pictures of this place make the cliffs looking bigger than they really are, but one of the best things about Lake Manitoba at Steep Rock is it makes the lake water look clear bluegreen and after Grand Beach and Lac Du Bonnet with all the green algae it was a pure joy to swim in this lake.

It's the September long weekend and Keith and I are away on the Thursday before, it's a sunny but windy day as we drive up north along Hwy 6.  We stop along the way to see the sites and decide to stop at Lundar Beach to have lunch that we brought along.  There is nobody on the beach, you can see the whitecaps on the lake, it was like wandering a whole beach by ourselves.  It made me think of how I would love to spend a week or two on a secluded beach like we were shipwrecked.  Playing in the sun, sand and surf all day and making love all night long.

Fantasies put away for another time, we head up and finally reach the motel in Ashern where we are staying the night.  We decided against camping in the campground at Steep Rock only because they stated there were only two camp spots left and decided we didn't want to take our chances on what two spots were left.  A nice dinner, a walk about town reveals there is a rodeo in town this weekend and the reason why we couldn't get the same motel for Thursday to Saturday night.

A good movie on the satellite, and lot of bedroom aerobics and a good night sleep ends our first day of our weekend adventure.

Up in the morning, showered and a good hearty breakfast, it's Friday and we are heading up the short distance to Steep Rock to rent a canoe/kayak and enjoy the serenity of the water.  There is something that we both love about water and sun, this morning the sun is out to greet us.

When we arrive at Steep Rock we find that the place that rents the canoe/kayaks does not open till one in the afternoon.  So we decide to head up the trail along the limestone cliffs.

Keith surveying the site turns and poses for my camera.  My sexy highlander makes my libido rise!!

Throughout the trail there are numerous park benches that one can stop to have a rest and look out on the beauty of Lake Manitoba.  There are also lots of garter snakes, I stopped to take a picture on one that had a frogs leg in its mouth but as Keith got closer it dropped the frogs leg and scurried off, they sure are fast. Along the shore we would see birds, Keith stated that could swim long distances under water, you never knew where they would pop up, as we watched one in particular, he was correct in that you watched it go under and then wondered where it where only to find it popped up just up or down shore.

 

Lake Manitoba is home to the famous Manipogo.

"Sightings of this serpent-like sea monster have been going on since roughly 1908. The creature was dubbed Manipogo in 1957, the name echoing British Columbia's Ogopogo. There is also a Lake Winnipegosis sea monster called Winnepogo, thought possibly to be the same creature as the lakes are connected. Some have speculated that the monster sightings may be attributed to sightings of an unusually large lake sturgeon, or a relict population of prehistoric plesiosaurs. Although many experts believe the correct name is Winnipego, as confirmed by local residents."

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipogo

We didn't see any sightings of this legendary creatures but we did site an island a short paddle away that we thought we would visit during our time on the lake.

Mystery Island as we dubbed it

We we wandered back after our visit to the cliffs we found the young guy who owns the rental shop was opening up for business. We decided on renting for half the day since it was already just after noon.  The rental includes paddles and life jackets and we chose a canoe which width was like a kayak, it was almost like a canoe/kayak crossover, with seat backs and of course the double paddle.  We both prefer the movement of the double paddle, I feel it balances my strokes on both arms and I don't get as tired as paddling on one side with one arm.

We set out at a fast pace pushing into the wind along the shoreline of cliffs.  Keith pointed to a distance marker and we made our way along the lake to that point.  He was in the British Navy Reserves and really knows his way around the water.  It is amazing how far out the snakes in the area go in the water as we passed a few of them slithering along the top of the water. I find being around water so peaceful, it truly is my stress reliever.

I was glad I was paddling with Keith he really knows what to do out there with the current and the wind, it made our paddling effortless.  When we reached our marker we turned around and started out to the island where we would have lunch.  The owner of the rental shop stated he had put a picnic table, firepit and left a goat out on the island to eat the poison ivy that is abundant. He said if we got a picture of the goat he would give us a five dollar discount.

As we came closer to the island my sailor remarking on the currents and ensuring our boat ended up where it was suppose to so we could go ashore.

 

The trail up to the center where the picnic table is

 with a view of the other side of the island, not a very wide island.

The island also had an old futon by the firepit and a chair to sit and watch the day go by

Jane

Tarzan

 We had a nice lunch then went for a swim on the other side of the island.

This side of the island was protected from the shore and I soon took my bikini top up to help bring my fast fading overall tan back to life.  The water was cool when you first got in but warmed up after you had been in for a long time.  It felt so good to be spirited and free my bikini bottoms soon followed and there we were frolicking in the water like two sea nymphs.  Back out of the water to dry off our thoughts soon turned to wild abandon and made love on the futon.  Satisfied we walked back into the water to cleanse the heated remnants of our union, that is when Keith sited the goat.  I ran back to the picnic table to grab my camera, and tried to get a distance shot from the water, but the goat must have seen us and a little spooked ran back to the end of the island.

Keith decided he was going to go around the other side of the island and force the goat to come past me while I hid between a tree.  Just like he planned me hidden the goat made his way past me, I was so excited that I didn't realize I had video on instead of picture, but nevertheless I did get a picture of the goat.

Our adventure out on the lake and Mystery Island was sadly coming to an end and soon we were back in the canoe paddling toward shore.

 View of the cliffs as we paddled back

We stopped and chatted with the young man and his mother about how he came into business.  He use to work at the Campsite and wanted to start renting canoes there but the owners didn't want him to do it so he quit and approached the tow of Steep Rock to allow him to rent the canoes from the boat launch in town.  He made a deal that he would keep the peaceful, serene and non-commercialized atmosphere of the area intact. This meant no power boats or seadoo's tainting the natural wonders of the lake.  He told us he was thinking of taking up sailing and I told him that renting sailboats would be in keeping with keeping the area free and natural.  We also found out a little too late that he also had two cabins that he rents out for $75 and $80 a night along with a free canoe.  That would have been perfect for us, but the rest of the weekend didn't cooperate weather wise.

It was time to check into our next motel in Moosehorn, shower, have dinner and relax for another adventure Saturday.  We had decided we would go to the rodeo, Keith had never been to one, while I have been once to the Calgary Stampede.

The weather Saturday was a little windy and cooler as we made our way to the Rodeo which was just a short drive out of town.  Admission paid we found a spot to park whereby we could just pull out and no one would be in our way.  The Rodeo was small and we found a spot on the grandstand where we could sit and wait for the day's events.

Lac Du Bonnet Fishing Weekend

Fishing the Lac Du Bonnet

The weekend of August 10, 2012 and we are invited out to my best friend forever, Tanis and Leo's place out at Poplar Bay.  My mission is to catch fish, drink and be merry not in that order.  My sweetie Keith is out on the road and its unlikely he will make it back Friday so we can leave Friday night.

I've already told my other best friend forever, Dawn that I'm dragging her kicking and screaming with me.  She calls me Friday late afternoon and it is at this point we decide to be spontaneous and drive out that night instead of Saturday.  After a quick stop at the grocery store and liqueur commission, fishing gear, and sleeping bags packed we set out.  I've recently given up my gas guzzler of a Jimmy for a Ford Focus and can't believe the miles I get to the gallon from my blue beauty.

It's only one and a half hours north west of the city and we arrive while there is still daylight.  Unpacked there wasn't much as we came light, grabbed a beer and sat out on their deck on a beautiful evening.  There were a few people sitting around the table and after introductions we continued to have a good time.  I noticed one guy who I thought might be good for my friend Dawn and apparently my best friend forever, Tanis thought so too.  So it was a matchmaking weekend that we were in for.

I had brought out the new Coors light in these large tin cans, 8 of them made up a 12 pack of beer.  We stayed up that Friday night chatting until around one am.  Both Dawn and the object of our matchmaking Ken seemed to be drinking a little too much, unusual for Dawn but it worked out for Tanis and my plans to get the two together.

New 16 oz aluminum cans

It's 8 am when we wake up and decide to get out and get some fishing in, most of us are feeling a little off from partaking of refreshments from the night before.  Ken we find out letter who doesn't drink too much is really hung over.

Soon we load up our fishing gear and head down to the dock where Leo's boat is docked.  It's a beautiful day out and we head out to a spot where they had caught fish earlier in the week.  The water is warm but also filled with green algae. As the morning wears on and no bites from that spot we move to another spot.  There Leo catches a small pickeral too small to keep and release it back so it will grow up.  After awhile we decide to put pickeral rigs on, I have a minnow on one hook and a leach on the other.  Not long and I have a bite that I start reeling in, and before my very eyes out of the water jumps the 24 inch Northern Pike.  I smile because it is giving me a little fight just what a true fisherman likes.  After taking a picture and measuring it we release it back into the water, Pike are boney things and the warm waters will not make for good eating.

 

24 inch Northern Pike returned back for someone else to catch

The next one to catch a fish is Tanis another Pike and it's let go, still not getting many bites we move on.  I have given Keith Leo's phone number because my plan Telus doesn't get reception out there.  While I have my fishing rod in Leo's phone pings and it's a text from Keith.  So Leo being Leo decides to answer for me, needless to say the text conversation back and forth between Leo and Keith who think its me has all of us laughing.  One texts has Keith asking if I've had too much to drink, we all laugh at that.Then he texts me that  he decided to drive up instead of me picking him up, so I text him the directions.  Since the fish were not biting we decide to head back in for lunch.

Brunch eaten soon I get a text from Keith he is just up the road, so I go up to the entrance to the camp and wait for him and finally I spot his vehicle, the weekend is here for both him and I.  Introductions done we set into another evening of sitting around the outside table on the deck chatting away with the many fellow campers who come to share a story or two.  Keith has his stories to share and have the place laughing with his wit.  It feels good to know he fits in so easy with my friends and I very pleased how easy he can banter with people, he certainly has a good rapport with people.

Dinner cooked, eaten we share a night of music and laughter, Tanis's uncle was a truck driver and he comes over and chats with Keith about trucking, as I listen to Keith and his travels throughout the middle east I'm smiling.  It is amazing how he survived three years trucking from England to the Middle East in one piece, I tell him he really needs to write a book about his life, he has led the most amazing and interesting life of ever listened to.

Up early Sunday morning we have a good hearty breakfast and head out on the lake to fish, the day starts off beautifully but no luck fishing and so it gets cloudy and it's time to head in, pack up and head back into the city.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend with good food, good times and good friends new and old and of course our matchmaking plans worked out perfectly.

Caddy Lake Weekend Canoe Trip

Canoe the Whiteshell

Just out of second tunnel into North Cross Lake

The weekend of June 15 to 17 found myself, my boyfriend and another couple on a canoe trip up to Caddy Lake Manitoba,  With all the rain Manitoba has experienced I wasn't sure we would be able to accomplish this trip but the rain let up on the Friday.

More to follow....

This one is going to be slowing put up, my right hand/arm is wrapped up like a mummy making it hard to type.  It's an old condition that I'm trying to set right so I must be a little more patient until I can let my thoughts and memories of this fun trip out....

We got up early Friday morning and headed out to Richer, Manitoba where our fellow canoe adventurers live, no stop just meeting up at the gas station and head out to Falcon Lake for breakfast.  Gayle has a ford focus and Will had his canoe on top of it.  We rented one in Winnipeg for the weekend, cheap only $45 from Thursday night to Sunday.

Falcon Lake is about two hours east of Winnipeg just before the Ontario border, it was a bright sunny day and breakfast of bacon, eggs, and hash browns would fuel us for the paddling to come.  Once breakfast is finished we continued on to the West Hawk Lake cut off and on to Caddy Lake.

Our canoe trip was going to take us though both of the tunnels, the first leading in to South Cross Lake and the Second into North Cross Lake.

 First Tunnel

Second Tunnel

The plan was to leave one vehicle at the end of our trip and one at the beginning after dropping the canoes off at the start point.  Since it was my vehicle we came in I followed Will first to pick up a map and then his park pass, I had already got my season one earlier on a hike through Birds Hill Park with my sweetie Keith.  I had asked Will how far was the place we had to leave one vehicle and he stated it was just up the road.  Well just up the road to him turned out to be about 1 hour up to Lone Island Lake boat ramp, through the winding road that is Hwy 44, 307 and 309.  I left my vehicle and we headed back to the canoes.  It was around 1:30 in the afternoon when we finally were loaded in our canoes and on our way.

Will and Gayle

The sun was shining the birds were singing, uh well my gondolier driver was singing....

Moi and my Sweetie

He actually has a good voice, but has never done karaoke, he states he would never do it, a shame because his voice is very good.

It pays to be the first to go through the tunnels because you can have a good look at what you look like coming out of the tunnel.

Moi and Sweetie again

After clearing the last tunnel and now in North Cross lake we stop on a rock for a little late lunch and to enjoy the fresh air and beauty around us.

Butterflies on the rocky campsite where we stopped for lunch

We are going to make it to the first portage into Sailing Lake and spend the night.  As we paddle towards the portage, my hun takes me in closer to one of the wildlife drinking at the edge of the lake where I can get a good close camera shot.

We near the end of the lake looking for the portage, we see the falls and know it has to be close by.  While Will and Gayle scout out the falls area for the portage, we scout out the cove area and don't see much that looks like a well traveled portage.  We are thinking that perhaps we need to go around the point when Will calls out he found it.  Our first portage takes us a short distance treading through tall grass, not much of a path but a path it is and of course its that time of the year for wood tics.  Will and Gayle are waiting for us to reload our boat, once done we follow them, Keith tells me he thinks we are going the wrong way, but decide to stop for the night on a rock, what they call a remote campsite that has fire pits. Thankfully, the rain lately lessen the threat of forest fires and there was no restrictions.

Unloaded, we watch as a canoe starts to go by, the guys are chatting with them and they tell us we are still in North Cross Lake, it seems we portaged right from one point into the other, we have a good chuckle at that.  They say the portage is north of where we are camping a little further up.  The guys jump into a canoe to look for themselves and sure enough a well marked portage points the way into Sailing Lake.

Keith decides to check the map

Tent set up, wood tics pulled off, I had two attached near my ass for which I promptly pulled down my pants and asked my hun to check to see if I had some on me.  He was quite obliging and pulled of the two for me.  The  fire is started, supper eaten, I take the pots down to the edge of the rock by the lake to clean them.  As I'm washing the pots I see this thing in the water poke it's head up.  It's little eye looking at me, dropping down into the water and then up and again, I'm laughing thinking it looks like a baby fish.  I yell to my compadres, there is a fish looking at me, they laugh and tell me to catch it.  After some thought over the last month, I figure it must have been an otter wondering what I was doing at the side of the lake.

Gayle and Will chilling at the campsite

I decide to try my luck at fishing so I put on my mosquito netting and pull out my fishing rod.  It's a beautiful evening but the pesky mosquito's are out and night has fallen, so without further ado, and no breakfast catch,  I make my way to the tent for some much needed sleep from a long day on the water.

Morning dawns with clouds, it looks like it will rain, we decide to make a hardy breakfast and then be on our way.  By the time we finish breakfast it starts raining, can't take the tents down now, so we sit under the tarp and wait it out.We watch Will and Gayle play crib, I know how to play but Keith doesn't, so I'm content to just let him watch and learn.  At one point, we decide to head into the tent to break in the tent and finish up with a new first in the wild outdoors.  With the Cougar sated the rain lets up, the sun comes out and we are able to pack up and be on our way.

Mallard lake is full of wild rice, they say when there are ripe, you can fill your canoe, but this early there seems to be miles of endless weeds as I call it making paddling a little rough.  But first we have to cross Sailing Lake which is not a big lake.

Sailing Lake and lots of reeds

That little white speck in the middle of our intended course is a Pelican, after another short portage we are on our way again.  The eta is to spend the night at Mallard Falls and then do the long portage to the Whiteshell River and into Lone Island Lake making our departure time around noon on Sunday.  Always expect the unexpected.  There were a few boats who must have packed up early before the rain started that morning getting a head start on us.

As we make our way through Sailing Lake and into Mallard Lake, we have the sun with us again.  This part of the trip is a little tougher because of the reeds and rice fields, I'm starting to feeling it on the arm.  I pull up the oars and bit and Keith takes over, it amazes me the strength in his paddles as the canoe flies through the water.  Keith has always been an avid outdoors person with water, from deep sea diving to sea kayaking to swimming he has done it all.  My kind of guy, one who has the same love of water as this Cougar.

When we finally make our way through the rice fields and find the portage, all of the camping spots are taken, so the only thing to do is portage and try our luck at the first rock outcrop.  This portage is uphill, over a campsite, the one where Will intended to setup for the night, but someone beat us to it, then downhill to the lake.  It had rained and it was like a mud slide.  Will decides he can walk his canoe down the falls, Keith thank good does not want to try, so we start hauling our stuff out of the water and over the long portage.  Keith tells me to put my hiking boots on and I was sure glad I did, as I'm bringing my first load I run into Gayle and help her down the mudslide by holding onto her life jacket.  The portage wasn't as bad as I thought, three loads and then the canoe, carried and dragged some of the way.  When we come to the lake, Will has everything out of his canoe, he has made it down, but not without water in the boat from almost tipped head first in the deep.  He has a nice cool breezer in his hand and I make my way over to drink a well earned refreshing beverage.  Keith continues to repack the canoe while I watch him, just the way this picture should look lol.

It's now 7:30 pm and we start out up the Whiteshell River looking for a place to camp for the night.  As the shadows get longer all we can see are reed lined river on both sides, no place that looks like you could pull into.  Now I'm constantly paddling but no relief in site as the sun starts to slowly set, we reach the end of the river and Lone Island Lake.  It might have been a leisurely ride up the river if for the unforeseen circumstances, still it will not detour me from going on a canoe trip again.  

 Who wouldn't want to spend time in such natural beauty?

The only thing left to do is paddle the lake to the most northern point where the car is parked at the boat launch.  The wind has picked up a little, and Keith who was in the Navy reserves tact's the boat crosswind, this to me doesn't seem to be doing much except make me paddle more.  But things can be deceiving as we are actually making our way across the lake at a much faster rate than our companions.

The sun has completely set by this time and finding the boat launch is like finding a needle in a haystack.  We finally come close the northern shore and I state, this can't be the boat launch, boats would not be coming out through this mess of reeds.  We continue to follow the shore and finally find the boat launch and pull shore.

I head up to my vehicle and open the door, water has filled my drivers side floor, a problem with my sunroof.  I quickly scoop out the water and head back to pick Will up to take him back the 1 hour to get his vehicle.  Gayle is freezing so she hops in leaving Keith to watch the stuff until we return, poor guy, left him with the mosquito's.  As I head out, I realize I have my vehicle the gas guzzler, I will only have gas to take them to their car, return and maybe make it up to one of the lake resorts like Bererton Lake.  I should have filled up at West Hawk Lake while waiting for Will to get his park pass, but thought things will be open on Sunday.  Well no sense crying about it, Will knows the guy at Bererton Lake, but lights are out there.

We make it back to Caddy Lake, and I immediately set out back, thinking poor Keith, cold, mosquito's I need to get back.  It's late night and the deer are out, thankful I make it back in one peace for all the speeding I did.  I park and get out of the car and call Keith, he had fallen asleep on the dock.  As I'm telling him the gas situation, he tells me about his time there thinking there are bears around, what do bears like fish, and he is stuck right next to a fish shack, good thing no bears decided to come around.

We get the stuff packed in the vehicle, put the canoe on the roof and head out, I will make it as far as I can.  Will and Gayle are following me a ways back, as I head around a bend I spot a deer in the middle of the road and slam on the breaks, it is spooked and runs back to the side of the road.  I continue on and wonder if Will and Gayle hit it as they seem to be lagging behind.  I make it to Bereton Lake and pull up by the restaurant.  We wave Will and Gayle on and set in for the night, it is 2:30 am and it will be light soon.

The restaurant opens at 10 am on Sunday, it' about 9:30 and we decide to get out and walk around the area, as I hop out of the vehicle, the owner comes out.  I tell him I need gas, he tells me he ran out the day before, my jaw drops.  I tell him I don't have enough gas to make it to another gas station.  He says just a minute and I follow him into his shed where he mixes some for me and fills a jerrycan.  At least it will take me to Rennie where I can fill up and be on our way home.  We go in for breakfast and while he's fixing it we help put the chairs back down and pour ourselves a couple cups of coffee.  Breakfast was very good and with a good tip and a big thanks to the owner we are on our way home.

I'm totally exhausted from the 11 hours of paddling the day before, once home, unpacked, things put away, kitchen cleaned up from daughters party the night before I finally have time to have a shower, sit down and relax.

All in all it was a beautiful trip, with good company and a man who I'm coming to respect and care for.....thank you Keith for a wonderful weekend...

This doe will not be fleeing.

"The doe has the capacity for infinite generosity. Their heart rhythms pulse in soft waves of kindness. Match that graciousness by offering your trust to her. She will reward you by leading you to the most powerful spiritual medicine you can fathom."

April Thoughts turn to Spring/Summer Adventures

April turns to thoughts of Spring Adventures

Well it's been a month since I've come back from my adventures down in Arizona.  This past month has been very busy at work, which left me with a surprise training trip to Cornwall Ontario so this past weekend was my down time and badly needed, some me time and time with my girlfriends.  My new diet started today will be a 42 day phase that hopefully will reset my metabolism as the last round last September (2011) did.

My sweet Scottish laddie (N10) has come back from Spain, we've met and things are going fantastic.  He is such a gentleman, likes to go out and do things.  In June we are penciled in for a canoe trip out at Caddy Lake with a couple I know for the weekend going through the tunnels out there.  He is experienced in kayaking, certified scuba diver and loves the outdoors, hiking, camping and fishing.  He has so much potential to offer this cougar in the way of outdoor experiences and general life experiences.

When he came back he went back trucking again, but it's not something that would consume him as my last lover, it is just a phase to get to where he wants to be.  He is a very enterprising man with a business savvy and would prefer to find a business in Canada to be home with his love rather than out on the road all the time.

Being in the trucking industry is hard on relationships, that is something I can understand.  Whereby, I don't want someone 24/7 consuming my time, I do want someone who can experience life with me more than a 36 hour reset leaving virtually no time for us.

We also seem to be thinking the same thoughts, finishing each others sentences, so the magic number for me seems to be Number 10!  I've had to go through 9 dates to find someone who seems genuinely interest in a relationship and not just sex with the cougar.  Although my last relationship was with a trucker and I did fall deeply in love with him but my old fears pushed him away, or not, I think I finally began to understand and  believe his first and only love was trucking, he just didn't want a serious relationship.  I am going into this new relationship my all, with my heart on my sleeve.  My fears, the things from the past that drove my demons to sabotage relationships are parked safely away in the dungeons of my mind and my arms are wide open.

He has already passed the inspection of my best-est friend and her significant other on a quiet evening together with BBQ and Sangria.  The highlander as I like to call him has a good rapport when meeting people, it was something that I observed when I first met him on a date to the Imax and on an outing at The Forks.  This gal is outgoing, and as one good male friend told me, I need someone as exciting as me, not boring, the highlander is definitely not boring.  His tales of his trucking through the middle east would make for a very interesting funny book.  The tales of scuba diving, sunken ships and surfing the fast running stream to collect scallops, the later reminding me of the movie Finding Nemo had my imagination running free.

One last thing, thanks to you my best friend, my confident, someone who keeps me grounded and puts my jumbled emotions into prospective, I don't know how I've ever managed all this years until you came back into my life, my poppy doll.

Arizona Trip

Vacation time Arizona

 
Sun, warmth and lots of hiking is what comes to my mind.  I left Winnipeg Tuesday February 28 with my girlfriend in tow.  We took the scenic route to Vancouver to pick up my older sister and then on to Phoenix.  I was ensuring that two people who didn't like flying made it down there.

Our first day my younger sister picks us up at the airport, my friends bag is last and she almost falls into the carousel but her bag finally comes out.  Once the last of our bags are intact I text my sister to let her know what terminal and door to pick us up at, but she surprises us by coming up behind us.  Our plane was late and she was worried we didn't get on the plane.

We get to the truck, and the tradition with her daughter is a can of beer on the way back, her aunty being like her, and not one to buck tradition says hell yeah and cracks the beer open.

The first evening we are treated to a home cooked meal of tacos with fabulous salsa, which reminds me of my trip to Mexico and along with taco's.  We spend the evening at her place watching the movie Burlesque with Cher and Christine Arugula.

Our  condo is quaint with a pool, hot tub, exercise room and pool table we will have to explore.  Our first day is spent grocery shopping and shopping, bringing three tired travelers back to their condo for a good night sleep.

Day 3, we head out to a mission south of a Tucson, Tumacácori National Historical Park, have a fresh cooked tortilla with beans for a snack.  The mission is old and dilapidated but they are bringing it back to life.

 

 Mission San José de Tumacácori was established in January 1691 by Jesuit Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. Located on 310 acres at the town of Tumacácori, Arizona, it is open to the public from the Tumacácori National Historical Park visitor center.

It's back out on the road to the mission at San Xavier, what a beautiful place with a grotto and church.  We have the native fry bread, which means lots of calories for this cougar, but the upcoming walk is worth the taste.

The White Dove of the Desert

A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.

The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.

The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.

We finish with San Xavier and head out to Saguaro National Park to do one of three hikes.  The first is a short .7 of a mile that I find peaceful.  I find such a feeling of peace on this trail, almost like it's a sacred place.  After this hike we head up to another of three trails that take us up to overlook the valley.  I feel so at one with the nature in this place.

Enormous cacti, silhouetted by the setting sun, the Giant Saguaro is the universal symbol of the American West. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, on the edge of the modern City of Tucson.

That ends the day and it's off to the condo for a light dinner and a hot tub.  

During this vacation the cougar is chatting with a charming highlander who is off in Spain right now.  This man definitely is stirring the sleeping passions within me, appealing to my romantic, sexual and adventurous side.  I can hardly wait until we are both back home in Canada to see if this is a path which both wish to pursue.

Day 4 is off to Tonto National Forest for a sightseeing drive through it and a lake that is set against a beautiful Arizona backdrop.

 Saguaro Lake

The Tonto National Forest, Arizona, embraces almost 3 million acres of rugged and spectacularly beautiful country, ranging from Saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. 

A short day with a stop off at the Mesa Flea Market where any number of things can be bought.  I select a pair of Arizona Desert Diamonds, pear shaped for my ears, my girlfriend has ones that look like diamond shaped ones.  I also pick up two t-shirts for the grandsons.  One could spend a day wandering through the flea market which has everything from clothes to jewelry to furniture.

Saturday is Day 5 and we are up early heading up north to Sedona to hike one of the vortex areas know as Bell Rock.  It's a almost 3 hours drive up from Casa Grande to Sedona but well worth the trip.

We have time to stop for a pee break and what better place to stop for a short little tour than Montezuma Castle National Monument.

Gaze through the windows of the past into one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a 1,000 year-old story of ingenuity and survival in an unforgiving desert landscape.

When we first embarked on the side trips we went in and bought a year pass which has paid for itself, and something my sister and her husband can continue to use until next March on sites around Arizona.  On ward through the beautiful desert high plain and red rock formations that make Sedona and surrounding area a spectacular place to visit.

Bell Rock

"Bell Rock is  one of the most prominent Sedona vortex sites. A vortex, if you’re given to this sort of perspective, is a swirling concentration of energy emanating from the earth that can have any number of attributes, depending on what kind of vortex it is and who you talk to. Some categorize vortexes (or vortices, whatever floats your boat) as male, female or balanced, and claim that their energy can affect the human consciousness and even one’s physical body."

As soon as we exit off to turn on Hwy 179 just before the Village of Oak Creek, I get an jolt of fuzzy warm feeling flow through my body, not just the hairs of the back of my neck.  This one seems to be a powerful surge of energy and I have a huge smile on my face. The cougar is not psychic by any huge means, but she does feel things from time to time and has a belief in such phenomena.

We only have 4 hours to explore this area as we are looking at a almost three hour drive home.  We have decided only to hike the Bell Rock trails it also is composed of all three masculine, feminine and balance categories.  We choose the shorter of the route the Big Park Loop to Courthouse Loop to Bell Rock Trail.

 

The day is sunny like almost every day in Arizona as we walk the loop we meet up with a couple from Winnipeg, it is the second time my girlfriend has run into someone she knew, but then lots of Canadians winter down in the sun and warmth of Arizona,

We also partake of some of the cute artwork along the trail lol

Finally at the end of the Bell Rock trail we start the climb up the rock, we could have gone higher but was not in the gear for climbing up the rock to the very top.

Still the view is spectacular as we gaze out on the area surrounding Bell Rock before we head back to the vehicle to stop somewhere for lunch.