Out and about in the "Outback" around North Ranch--and It IS a Small World!

View just west of House Rock--looking east towards Congress

Okay, here we are near the end of March 2014....and it has been 26 days since any updates have been posted here....! The weather has been glorious! Sunny days and cool nights. We have even felt a little guilty (REALLY!) watching the weather across the US, while we have been enjoying such beautiful weather just

House Rock

north of the Valley of the Sun, here at North Ranch.  We have been busy  planning our spring and summer travels, as well as entertaining "guests" and taking trips into new areas  of our Arizona "Outback" with our 4 seater side-by-side we call the Blue Buggy.

Late February a friend took us out to "House Rock," north west of Congress. We found ourselves in terrain similar to that of the Superstition Mountains, an area we fell in love with during our first

Paws and Friends "under" House Rock

winter season in Apache Junction, AZ before full timing. Following this trip, we have made a few trips back to
this area, and will definitely return next fall! Thanks, Pat!

We found original wind mills, then a few

Is this called a "Solar Mill?....

with a "modern" twist--still using mother nature, but with the blades removed and a solar panel installed. Somehow, not quite the same in my humble opinion.... But the scenery was fabulous! Lots of rocks, HUGE ones.

"Navajo Weaver"

We drove further north and west another day, finding more wind mills:  solar and wind operated. Lindy found these rocks, where she insisted a Navajo weaver was prominent. Do you see the
weaver?

Pat, our Guide, on her ATV

Saguaros "Marching" Up the Hillside

The giant Saguaros ruled the landscape. Marching up and down the hills, often a couple visible at the very tops of the hills, against the horizon. On one of these trips. Bob and Jo of How to Love Where You Are and Eat Where the Locals Eat! drove out from Goodyear for a ride in the Buggy. Of course we had to take them out this area and they loved it! We drove up to the view area, where we discovered that we do indeed live in a Small World! We met a fellow in a 2-seater RZR. When chatting with him, he was from Washington state, from North Bend, WA, went to Mt. Si High School, and lived next door to

Jo and Bob of
How to Love Where You Are and Eat Where the Locals Eat!

Mike's family in Cedar Falls, WA!  Currently, he is in the campground at North Ranch, and we have spent time chatting with him in our bike rides around North Ranch and yesterday we rode with him up to Yarnell and out to a great crested Saguaro behind North Ranch.

Bob and Jo:  you have GOT to come back to see this beautiful crested Saguaro!!

Crested Saguaro

Mike's sister and her husband, their son, his wife, and their 8-year old son came out from Goodyear for an

afternoon. Time was spent, in between eating, taking rides in the buggy out in the "outback" behind North Ranch where Cole became the official "driver!" He loved it, and did very well!

We have been having a great time, exploring this part of the Sonoran Desert! Next Tuesday we shall say goodbye and farewell, heading for the North West then points east!

Stay "tuned", and please share your comments with us! We love to hear from you!

Roving Riders, soon to be SWIRVIN on down the road!