Living, riding, and rafting in the great state of Arizona
My husband and I have been trying to plan our first equine boondocking adventure, and we finally made it happen. We just returned from three nights and four glorious days in Coronado National Forest in St. David, Arizona. We sold the beloved LQ that I brought to the marriage and purchased a new-to-us Class A […]
Beautiful Coronado National Forest… Boondocking With Horses Read More »
I grew up in Indiana and attended Purdue University for my veterinary degree. We learned about diseases that affected animals all across the country, including fungal diseases. Histoplasmosis was more of a concern in the Midwest than Valley Fever. In fact, a staff member at my first job was tested for histoplasmosis when she gave
Planning to Visit the Southwest? Do You Know About Valley Fever? Read More »
Because we travel with horses, we were nearly two months late departing snowy Colorado for sunny Arizona. I wrote about my gelding’s fractured splint bone surgery and the edict that he was unable to be trailered for 6-8 weeks. We love living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains… in the summer. We were so very anxious
Cameras, Keys and Collisions… Travel With Horses Read More »
This will be my last post about our incredible 6-day rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. Last week, I ended with our Toga Party and steak dinner. Next week, I’ll return to more horse-related content. But first, let me describe our last day, including our final “10” rapid, Lava Falls. We spent our last night
Lava Falls and a Helicopter Ride, Day 6 Read More »
By the morning of Day Five, the 34 passengers on this trip were not moving very fast! The feature photo shows our guides patiently waiting for us to get with the program. I took that photo at 6:45 AM. When I said something to Stephen about us being late to leave that morning, he said
Upset Rapids and Havasu Creek, Day Five Read More »
The primary difference between a 5-night and 6-night trip with Western River Expeditions is how many Grand Canyon day hikes are included. You cover the same number of miles on the river, but you have an additional day to explore the canyon hiking trails. I say “trails” somewhat loosely. Those of us used to riding
Beautiful Grand Canyon Day Hikes, Day Four Read More »
At the end of our second day on the river, we stayed at Nevills Camp at the 76 mile marker. Day Three began, as usual, with a wonderful breakfast. We needed food in our bellies to be able to withstand the multiple rapids we were going to encounter on that day. It was also on
Phenomenal Rapids and Phantom Ranch Mules Read More »
There was so much to see and so much to learn as we rafted down the Grand Canyon. It will be very difficult for me to write about everything I want to share! But Redwall Cavern deserves special mention. Lees Ferry, where our rafting adventure began, is the “zero mile marker.” Our first night camping
Captivating Redwall Cavern in the Grand Canyon, Day Two Read More »
Rafting down the Grand Canyon was Alan’s suggestion, but I am always up for an adventure. What an adventure it was! We opted for the 5-night, 6-day tour… and that was plenty! We covered the same distance as the 7-day tour, although I believe more side hikes are available for the longer one. One of
An Epic Adventure Rafting Down the Grand Canyon, Day One Read More »
The San Pedro River The San Pedro River is a northward flowing stream that has its origins in Mexico, not too far south of where we rode the river trail. Alan and I only live in Arizona in the winter, not during the summer monsoons. Therefore, our perspective is that it is merely a dusty,
San Pedro River Trail South Read More »
The west Dragoons are as rocky and beautiful as the east side of the Dragoons, but they are a little harder to reach. There are many options for horseback riding.
Mystery Ride in the West Dragoons… and WILDFIRE! Read More »
For the past couple of months, Alan and I have been doing quite a bit of traveling. Our trips have been fun, but they have definitely cut into our riding time! We jumpstarted our new resolution to make more time for riding by hitting two beautiful trails last week. The first day, we rode 8.5
Turkey Creek Take Two! Read More »
Our Arizona home is located about 6 miles from trailheads into the Dragoons. Because the roads are so primitive in our area, it takes 15-20 minutes to get there! Other than a brief trip into the desert riding directly from our home, we hadn’t been on the horses since I contracted Covid at horse camp.
Back to the Beautiful Dragoons Read More »
Horseback riders and hikers can access the Middlemarch Canyon Trail #277 from the Cochise Stronghold Campground. I wrote about the Cochise Stronghold Trail in February of this year. A little less than a mile in (for hikers) or a couple of miles in (for riders) on the Cochise Stronghold trail, a well-marked sign directs you
The Middlemarch Trail at Cochise Stronghold (& Other Trails) Read More »
One word describes our ride in the Chiricahua Mountains… ROCKS. There are rocks, rocks, and more rocks! You will ride ON rocks, THROUGH rocks, AROUND rocks… You will clamor over them and hope your shod horse gets a good perch… There are narrow sections with loose rocks, so you hope your horse is relaxed but
The Chiracahua Mountains: Rocks, Rocks, & MORE Rocks! Read More »
It is a walk back in time to visit the ruins of Fort Bowie. History is best learned in the moment. It is so much easier to imagine what life was like when you are physically standing in front of the ruins from over a hundred years ago. But as amazing as the ruins themselves
Fort Bowie, The Ride Home Read More »
In three previous posts about Fort Bowie, I have described an incident involving the Indian chief Cochise, the fort cemetery, and some of the fort buildings. In this post, I will tell you a little more about life in the fort. Next week, don’t miss my description of the beautiful ride back to your starting
Fort Bowie, Life at the Fort Read More »
The best description I could possibly provide as an introduction to the actual ruins of Fort Bowie comes from a National Park Service information brochure. Fort Bowie is the story of Tom Jeffords and one-armed Gen. O. O. Howard riding into Cochise’s stronghold to negotiate a lasting peace. It is the story of Lt. John
Fort Bowie, The Fort Itself Read More »
The US Army established Fort Bowie in 1862. In 1870, census data recorded it as “Apache Pass” with 400 white residents. At that time, it was located in Pima County. In 1880, census data shows it as “Camp Bowie”. The army declared 184 residents. However, no demographic information was provided. A year later, Camp Bowie
Fort Bowie, The Post Cemetery Read More »
Our last ride of 2020 was to the incredible ruins of Fort Bowie, located in Southeastern Arizona. There is so much history here, even if you are not a history buff! It is nearly impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of exploring an area that Apaches, soldiers, and settlers once roamed. Additionally,
Fort Bowie, Cut The Tent Read More »
Imagine having the opportunity to ride right past the grave of the famous Apache, Cochise? No one actually knows where his grave is, but somewhere in the Dragoon Mountains, his bones rest in secrecy. During his 12 years of frustrating the Army’s attempt to rein him in, he and a small band of Apaches hid
The Cochise Stronghold Trail Read More »
It topped out at 57 degrees but felt much warmer on a mid-December day when we rode to Council Rocks. It took us a little over an hour to get to the trailhead from our location in Pearce, Arizona. Council Rocks is located on the western end of the Dragoon Mountains. (Complete directions can be
Council Rocks in Saint David, Arizona Read More »
Normally, Turkey Creek has water flowing in the creek bed. When our camp buddy and friend, Jim, took us there in mid-December, there wasn’t a drop of water to be seen. He commented that he had never been there when there was no water. Our almost-6 mile round trip ride wound through a pine forest.
Turkey Creek in Cochise County Read More »
Shortly after Thanksgiving Day, our camp hostess took us to the historic town of Fairbank for a day ride. Our party included my husband and myself, another couple who was camping at Lazy Horse Ranch, a friend of our hostess, and our hostess Ann. Two of our four dogs accompanied us, a factor which created
Fairbank Historic Townsite in AZ Read More »
Our first trailer ride off the property was to the Dragoon Mountains. It was only a 25-minute drive. We used the stock trailer here at Lazy Horse Ranch. Our guide was Ann, the owner of the place. Three of our dogs joined Ann, Alan, and me on this adventure. Prior to this trip, we had
The Dragoon Mountains, Cochise County, AZ Read More »
When Alan and I tried to figure out where we wanted to spend the winter, Arizona was high on the list. Nevertheless, we weren’t totally sure the desert would be our cup of tea. However, the vast numbers of horse folks who flock to Arizona every winter must know something we didn’t know? We arrived
