Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Pain in the Neck

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
May 7, 2014

A pain in the neck might be someone that really annoys you...its been a long time since I had to deal with those folks.  Or something is a pain in the neck if you don't like doing it...ummm... can't think of anything we do that isn't fun. Seems like this retirement thing sure took care of all those "pains in the neck"! But, this past Sunday, I woke up with a REAL pain in the neck. Just about the worst crick I have ever had. Couldn't turn my head right or left, couldn't look up or down either. What a bother! My pain in the neck was a pain in the neck! Monday it was better, I could at least turn my head right, but a hike was out of the question. So it was off to PetSmart to stock up on doggie food and other doggie needs. Of course no trip to the pet store is complete without surprises.



 Dover knew just what to do with her rope bone...


Wrecks knew exactly what to do with his, but he did keep a watchful eye...sharing is not his thing!

Sally wasn't so sure...she smells everything! And she is very cautious. "Am I suppose to eat this?" 

Jack was by far the most excited! Joe and I always describe him as the "life of the party". He shook it, tossed it in the air, and then settled in for a good chew!


I am sporting a new look these days. Joe and I want to step up the difficulty level of our hikes...just a little...to include steeper inclines/declines and more rock scrambling. Joe has become a firm believer in trekking poles. He would like for me to use them as well. Taking pictures and using poles don't mesh! So, we have purchased a Cotton Carrier that my camera attaches to so I can walk, scramble, hold on to a tree for balance, crawl under or over obstacles, and yes, try the poles.  As soon as I feel comfortable with the harness, I have promised to give them a try.

 The first hike I used it on I didn't like it at all. I couldn't get the camera off the harness or back in the harness. It was very frustrating. I had been so used to pointing and snapping at everything without a second lost. There is a camera hub that screws in where the tripod goes. This hub slides into a slot on the vest. It also comes with a  tether so I can carry it and be camera ready.

The harness is adjustable. It feels great to have the weight of my camera in front of me. With the Black Rapid shoulder strap, which I love, the weight of the camera was dangling at my side and my hand was always holding it!

Now that I have used the carrier on 4 hikes, I like it better. It has gotten easier and faster to release and lock the camera.  And I am enjoying having my hands free.


If interested...check out their website at www.cottoncarrier.com. Its a great site with videos, accessories, and explanations of all the products. They even have a cotton carrier for binoculars.

We have had a couple of great mountain hikes...

...a 2.5 mile round trip which includes a .07 mile to mesa top with 410 feet elevation and a beautiful walk around the mesa. Our book said to aim for lizards. We were not disappointed.
 This is a picture of Doe Mountain I took from the Devil's Bridge 4X4 trail.

Bear Mountain - another mountain hike
 ...a hike we will definitely do again. Its also one of the hardest hikes we have ever done! This hike is 5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,803 feet.



A good example of what we scrambled up...and back down!



 The views were spectacular at every plateau. 

 Wandering aimlessly is not an option for this hike. It would be very easy to get lost! A huge excitement factor was not knowing where the trail was going...

I also enjoyed the changing terrain as we climbed higher and higher.



Doe Mountain in the foreground with Cathedral Rock behind... 
We have also enjoyed some canyon hiking...more on that later.
 
Until next time, take care and
 
 
happy trails!

26 comments:

  1. That camera carrier looks like a great idea for a large camera, and the trek poles I think are a must. Keep up the great hiking and pics.

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    1. Hi George. Actually the carrier works for all size cameras...a point and shoot to the biggest and longest of lens. I would say my favorite lens is in the middle size range...

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  2. Thanks for the link on the camera carrier. I'll have to check it out. That was quite a hike. Makes me tired just reading about it!

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    1. Your welcome Karen. It was steady climb up and we stopped a lot, but the view was awesome! Needless to say, when we got home, we took a nap!

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  3. Those rope bones look like they were a winner. I'm not sure what Duchess would do with it. Your hike sure was a beauty. There's lots of great scenery all around. The poles will eventually be something you won't want to be without. Enjoy!

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    1. That's exactly what Joe says Jeri....about the trek poles.
      Sally would rather have had something to eat or something that squeaks! They each have their own little doggie personalities!

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  4. Spectacular views! I can't imagine scrambling up those rocks with or without poles, looks like a good place to twist an ankle. I do hope your neck feels better soon.

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    1. Thanks Gayle...my neck is much better today!
      Actually the rocks make pretty nice "steps" if you are careful! Much easier to climb up that slick rock.

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  5. Emma has two of those rope bones, and never shows any interest in them. Not her thing, I guess.

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    1. That's funny....I don't think Sally cares for them either. Unless you have pups, you just don't realize how different they each are.

      I hope you have a great first day at Tamarac Judy!

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  6. Yikes, I hate those neck cricks - hope you're feeling better soon.

    You're a camera purist I can see. When I hike I just take my other "point and shoot." It's easier to carry and not so heavy.

    My dog Cali is "meh" about the rope bones. She's only interested in something with FLAVOR! ;-)

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    1. Thanks Desert Diva...much, much better today! They had "steak" flavored rope bones. Might have to try that next!

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  7. So glad you got to hike Bear Mountain! Wasn't that just so cool with all the climbing, Of course, Sedona was our first big hiking experience. It will be fun to go back after hiking for so many months after that and see what we think.

    I can't imagine hiking with a huge camera. I have to have it fit in my pocket. We don't have poles, yet. I would like one for water crossings, though. We've gone back and forth about poles.

    Sorry to read about your neck. A stiff neck makes the whole body hurt. But it looks like the dogs came out on the winning side because of your pain!!!

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    1. Bear Mountain was a blast...we did have to stop a lot though Pam. We are seriously thinking about stopping back here in October on our way south. So far there are 3 hikes we know we want to do again...I'm thinking fall leaves will be very pretty here!

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  8. What a fantastic photo of the lizard! Beautiful! I am going to check out your camera harness. Let me know how it is working for you as you use it more. Hoping your neck is getting better each day. What a pain!!

    Love the kids!!

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    1. He was a beauty! I photographed an orange polka dotted lizard the other day too in one of our canyon hikes.....photos will be posted soon.

      I will let you know about the harness Sheila...I am trying to have a positive attitude about it! It is safer!

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  9. That is some pain in the neck! that 's because you are hauling that camera!
    I m interested in your camera carrier. I have bought several camera bags and nothing satisfied me. When on a hike, I just bring my P&S, the bigger one is too cumbersome.

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    1. Hi MonaLiza.....cotton carrier has a great website! Check them out. I can already tell I will be using it a lot. So nice to use both my hands to scramble!

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  10. Sorry about your neck pain, but happy to hear it didn't linger.

    Rope bones--our dogs eat them and you know where the string ends up. . . .

    The camera carrier looks like a good idea. but my camera is small enough to carry with just a shoulder strap. We bought trekking poles, but have yet to use them. Hoping to have the opportunity to try them in Utah.

    Especially love the lizard photo.

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    1. Hi Pam.....can you believe the rope bones are all in the toy basket. I just never know about these pups!

      You will have lots of opportunities to use the trek poles in Utah.....what fun!

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  11. Hope by now your neck pain is gone. Sedona was our home for several years so your post brought back some lovely memories. There are so many fabulous hikes in the area.

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    1. Oh wow...you lucky girl! Sedona is certainly a place I would want to settle down in if the time ever comes! We love it here! And can't wait to see it in the fall. It has to be beautiful with all the colorful leaves! Hope we can stop by here on our way south.

      Have a great week-end LuAnn...

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  12. Thanks for the info on the harness I have been giving it a lot of thought as having to put the camera back in the case or dangling from my neck wasn't easy.

    Your pictures are so crisp and of course beautiful

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    1. Hi JO. You might want to check out the Black Rapid website also. They offer a variety of straps that go over your shoulder which take the weight off the back of your neck.

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  13. I've kept to a pocket camera and no hiking poles so I can easily use my camera while hiking. That is one very large camera you have! No wonder your photos are so wonderful! Glad to see you've found a helpful gadget to make your hikes easier.

    I just LOVE those collared lizards!

    Metamorphosis Lisa

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    1. Thanks Lisa...with compliments like that it makes lugging that big thing around!

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