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!

The Right Sock...

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
May 3, 2014

Remember these? The SUPERfeet  insoles that Joe and I purchased at the recommendation of the REI sales girl...we both feel they have really helped to solve the problem of tired feet.

At the time we purchased the insoles, I also bought new socks...the Wrightsock. I chose the CoolMesh II which feature a mesh panel for enhanced air flow and cooler feet, the Dri-Wright II performance fibers so your socks don't get sweaty wet, a stabilizer zone in the arch which locks the sock in place, and no blisters...guaranteed! They come in all colors, short or long, and the best part is they are soooo soft! Can you tell I really like them? Downside is that they cost a little more. I have yet to convince Joe to try them. So the next time we go to REI, I will just get him a couple of pairs. His feet will thank me!

 Spring has sprung in Sedona. One of the things that makes this a very special place is the trees. Fat, skinny, tall, short, old, young...wonderful trees! 

West Fork Trail



 Joe and I have never been "outdoorsy" folks. Every summer for vacations, we headed straight for the Gulf of Mexico which was only a 41/2 hour trip from our home. For many years we rented condos, then in 2001 we bought our first RV a tow-behind. It changed our lives! Yes, we still went to the beach. But now our puppy went and we slept on our own sheets.

Sometimes, we come across obstacles. I am just under 5' tall so I usually go under while Joe, at 6'1", goes over. As we approached this tree, I found the most beautiful designs...

The wonders of nature...imagine the many insects crawling this way and that way.

One might think these were intricately carved...

Vultee Arch Trail

So now, after working  73 years between the two of us, we find ourselves traveling and enjoying the great outdoors! Just like the very first RV we bought 13 years ago opened up new adventures, hiking has opened our eyes to so much beauty! On occasion, I do wonder what we would be doing if we had never bought our Terry Lite Tow-Behind. Our other option at the time was to purchase a condo on the beach. Imagine what we would have missed!

Spotted Towhee...often found scratching in the leaves for food. Lucky for me he was perched on a dead tree limb!

There are so many birds with yellow bellies, I couldn't decide for sure what this beauty is...

I don't think anyone had been on the Vultee Arch Trail in awhile. Joe found himself clearing the path more than once...


I almost let myself get spooked. Figured we might be a bear's lunch and no one would ever know! We had the trail all to ourselves going to the arch.

On our way down from the arch, we met Luci and her people parents, Annie and Paul. After a visit with great folks, we moved on. When I looked back, I snapped their photo.

There was a fire here in 2006. But the land seems to be recovering. It was very green!

Happy Sunday! Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!