good-times-rollin

Monday, March 9, 2015

Chivo Falls

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 8, 2015

Sunday was the day, after almost 5 months, that we had a trail day in Pearl. There are a few trails we could choose from in the Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails guide.

Chivo, or Chiva as the locals call it, Falls was our destination. We chose this trail because we didn't have a jeeping buddy and figured this trail might be used on a Sunday.

airing down...

To get there, follow Tanque Verde Road which changes to a well maintained gravel road called Redington Road. About 1/2 mile past mile marker 7, you will see a large parking lot to air down. Trail 4417 is on the left...

Beautiful things to see on Redington Road...

Right from the get-go, the trail is fun...nice and rocky...just right for crawlin'. And taking in all the beauty this area has to offer.

When the Guide was published, this trail was rated difficult because of an obstacle named Three Feathers about 3/4 of a mile into the trail.

We got out and studied our choices...3 different ways down. We chose the middle route and chose to go tippy rather than over the boulder on driver side.

Team work for sure...Joe did a great job following the route as I spotted him down. For me, it was the first time I have spotted and taken pictures.

About half way we crossed an earthen dam at Chiva Tank.

And shortly after, we came to 3 Points...an intersection. We went right on 4426 in search of a short hike to pools. We obviously missed the trailhead so we back tracked 2.4 miles to 4405 in search of the falls.

The guide said to bear left on 4405A...we never saw 4405A! There were steep assents, descents, narrow ledges, and big boulders! But no 4405A and no falls.

We came to a rather good size stream and Pearl gurgled her way across...we were in hopes that 4405 led back to Redington, but after walking a good ways down stream, we didn't find a visible trail. You know what that means...

When we reached Three Feathers on the way out, there were locals who had just strapped out a buggy. We crawled right up the same way we had crawled down...WAHOO! I did ask them where the falls were and showed them our map... they said the trails change at least 3 times a year! That made me feel a little better!

This was Pearl's first trail with new 37" Nitto tires. Joe was very pleased!

We had a blast with smiles from ear to ear for about 5 hours!

Until next time...

enjoy the adventure and happy trails!

Friday, March 6, 2015

Catalina State Park

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 5, 2015

The past two weeks have been very busy, and we sure checked some things off the list. First and most important, Joe has had several tests/doctor visits and I am so excited to report that he is all clear and good to go until July. This is the second PET since December that shows no cancer...just two more to go this year in July and November. I'm not sure how often after that he will have to have them. We hope its yearly.

Another thing I am happy to have checked off the list is taxes...that's right...all done! And we even found time to complete our 2015-16 budget and have a 10 year forecast. Whew! The only thing left is Belle. We have a DIY project in mind, she needs her service and we hope a boo-boo (from Colorado Springs last summer) can be fixed. We are optimistic she will be good as new and we will be on the road by mid April.

Yesterday was a much needed fun day so it was off to Catalina State Park for a small hike.

Thanks Sheila of www.wolfsongblog.com for reminding me of this wonderful state park. It felt so good to be outside enjoying the sunshine, bright blue sky and the colorful desert. What a surprise to see water in the first wash...

How fun it was to step over...ummm in the water!

And I wasn't the only one having fun!

Catalina State Park is 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams...a haven for plants and wildlife...with miles and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.