Camping in the desert

Bartlett Dam

Jason and I had a few weeks off for the Holidays so we decided to go camping in Arizona.  I had hiked down near the Cave Creek area and thought it would be nice to go back to that area, although, that was about 15 years ago. When we got down there, we wondered why we decided that area because it had boomed obviously. Well, we found a reservoir on the Tonto National Forest that was absolutely beautiful. We arrived at nightfall and didn't realize that we needed a pass on the Forest.  We found a campground called Riverside. It was right up against the Verde River, below the dam. There are two dams that flood the Verde River. The dam we we camped near was called Bartlett. 

The country was beautiful with the cholla, saguaro, and ocotillo cactus. There were also mesquite, palo verde trees, and other vascular plants in this basin.  They also had a hiking trail that hooked from one cove to the other but after hiking the dogs the first day, we realized that we needed to hike on a road instead of a trail. It is not a great place to take a dog because of all the vegetation. We were constantly pulling stickers out of their paws.

The reservoir was gorgeous but one could only imagine how busy it was in the summer months. I love the water but I have got to point in my life where I really enjoy being secluded as well. The dispersed camping was perfect for a great desert camping experience. I recommend winter camping. Jason put his wall tent up and it worked perfectly. The air mattress, lantern, dog beds, backpacks, and the cooler all fit in there nicely. No stove though so we had to layer up before crawling in your sleeping bag.

Since we didn't bring the boat or fishing rods, we spent most of the day hiking in the desert. We did find a trail along the SB cove that was really nice. The boaters were going up lake to fish and enjoy the daytime temps in the desert. The temps were hovering around 72 degrees and then dropping down into the 40's at night. It was a nice getaway since we didn't have any new snow.

Other areas that are great for hiking is the Spur Cross Recreation area. It has about 5 trails ranging from easy to difficult. We took the Tortuga trail, which was about 3.5 miles long. We got out right at sunset and it made for a nice day. Those recreation areas charged $3 though so be prepared to fork out some money to hike. I usually don't mind paying a little to get some exercise.

Fiber and Leather

A couple years ago I was trying to come up with a design where I could work with felted knits and leather. I started with the desert bag. I knitted up the bag and my good friend Marilyn stitched the leather flap on.

Desert Bag

Once I did that project, I thought I could expand on that so I made the Palisade bag. I had heard about this guy at work that was really good at leather work so I asked him if he would make me a leather flap on this felted bag. He agreed to try it out. The main body of the bag was made from Paton's wool with two strands of yarn. I started to make a backpack for my friend Barbara. I realized that the backpack would take more thinking so I started with a bag. I called it the Palisade bag.

Then the leather was worked by Albert Gonzales.  He is from Sante Fe, New Mexico. He does great leather work. tess

Favorite Raptor shots

Red Tail hawk staring at me-Arkansas Loop, NM

 I really have gotten into birding this past year. My favorite bird has to be the raptor. Here are a few are of my favorite snaps of raptors.

 

Bald Eagle-Summit Ridge-Colorado

Golden Eagle-Pump Canyon-NM

Golden Eagle with Snake in Albino, possible the same Golden Eagle as above. Albino Canyon,NM

 

Juvenile bald eagle. Iowa River-2010

Red Tail landing in snag on Mancos Hill-Colorado

Great Horned Owl-Arkansas Loop-NM

Osprey on Mcphee Reservoir-Beaver Canyon-Colorado

Osprey Nest coming near Chama New Mexico

Red tail in Flight-New Mexico 

 

Wild rice turkey soup

My Mom gave me a recipe book in about 1991 or so. The name of the book is Lake Superior's North Shore in Good Taste. There is a recipe in there for Wild Rice Soup. It is from the Lutsen Resort. I told Jason that he should bake some bread so we could eat the soup right out of the bowls. It was really good. 


Lutsen Resort Wild Rice Soup 

2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon minced onion
1/3 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups wild rice, cooked
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 minced ham
1/3 finely grated carrots
3 tablespoons slivered almonds
1 cup half and half
1/3 cup shredded cheddar or colby cheese





Melt butter and saute' onion. Blend in flour and broth. Cook and stir until thickened. Add rice and salt. Simmer 5 minutes. Add ham, carrots, and almonds. Add half and half and cheese. Heat thoroughly. It doesn't have to cook long.
We decided to serve up the soup in the bread bowl, which was good. If you want to eat the entire bowl, you may want to make the bread bowls smaller. It is a great winter meal.  Tess

Harvest Headband

My friend from Calgary told me that she is one of those people that hates to wear a hat. She is from Canada. What is she thinking right? Well, I decided that i was going to try and knit her some sort of head band that she could wear that would cover her ears.

 So, after searching for a cool head band pattern, I came up with the Irish hiking headband. It is basically the band for the Irish Hiking Hat that I knit a few years ago. Well, I found a yarn that really looks nice and feels good. It is called Berroco Sundae. It is 50% wool and 50% acrylic. Wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. This head band is basil in color.  tj

Smokin Good Time

Well, it 's been a dreary day today so Jason decided to make Smoked Pork Ribs.
Step 1- Apply the rub onto the ribs with the secret ingredients
Step 2-After dry rub, place in the frig overnight
Step 3-Placed them in smoker at 230 degrees for about 5 hours. 

Veterans Day

Well, I am a government employee so I am off today. I have been thinking about all the Veterans out there that have put it all out there for the security of the American people. I want to Thanks all of those who have served in all branches.
The Code Talkers from WWII did an outstanding job creating a secret code that the enemy could not decipher. This was really remarkable because the Navajo language, stemming from the Southern Athabaskan  people of Canada. I have been told that if you are not born with the Navajo Language, you will never fully learn it. It is fun listening to the glottal stops, high tones, and nasal tones.

I have a deep respect for these guys that got pulled from the reservations to serve in the military. I have a lot of knowledge of the Navajo Code Talkers but other tribes were used to do the same thing. Those tribes being: Cherokee, Choctaw, and Comanche.

Full moon rising

When I was driving home tonight, I got to see the full moon rising. I got out of the car and photographed some images. As i was out in the woods, I heard a Great Horned Owl. It was worth it. tj

Madshus skis for $100 Sure thing

I went to my neighbors yard sale and he told me he was ill and had to move to Tucson. He was quite the outdoorsman. He had climbed nearly all the 14ers in Colorado. He told me had had some skis that i might like to look at. There they were, leaning against the wall in the pop up garage. Madshus skis, poles, and boots. Score. My friend said that the boots may be to big and asked the size and he said 8 1/2 men. I just grinned. 

Cottonwood Hanging in there

Everything single morning, this cottonwood grabs my attention. Usually when i look up, there is a hawk sitting up there. Sometimes there are two sitting proudly on the weaken limb. This cottonwood is just hanging on by a thread. Obviously there was running water in the area irrigating the land. But, i always heard that this mesa was dry so perhaps it was a seep or a spring or it just grew in a optimal place. I see the decadent limbs now with the red tail perched. The new growth has lost its leaves already. I think it is one of those trees that has seen a lot in its days.

Two Turkeys

As I travel back and forth to work, I marvel at the beautiful scenery. I usually will see hawks, eagles, deer, bobcat, coyotes, and mountain lion. I drive by the Fort Lewis Bull testing station or what they called the "Old Fort" 

I saw a beautiful doe and fawn this spring and I usually see the flock of turkeys among the Gambel Oak. I have been seeing them quite a bit lately. Maybe it's easier because there is some snow so they stand out better. Tonight, as I was driving home, i got to see a whole line of turkey walking along the fence, following the leader. It was just getting dark but I could see them perfectly well. I stopped and heard them clucking away. I know that Thanksgiving is coming and it is always good to know where your turkey comes from.

Bread

Jason decided to make bread this morning so he dug up a Emeril lagasse's recipe for French bread. He followed the directions, step by step. About an hour an a half later he had two beautiful loafs of bread. I think they are the best I have tasted. I think he should change his line of work and open a restaurant called

Cowltastic

When i was about a junior in high school, cowl neck sweaters were the big thing. I liked how they looked but I was into flannel shirts, jeans, and boots at the time. Nothing to girlie for me. Who would have known that nearly 30 years later, i would be knitting cowl neck warmers and sweater. This recent cowl I knitted was made with Misti Alpaca. The color is called Faberge. TJ