Juniper Flats loop

It has been almost ten years since I have done thus eight mile loop around Bisbee. It  turned out to be the one substantial hike I did over my spring break this year. I hiked with Bill and Mike F and took Hansel with me. We met at 8am in front of the mining museum.

Old Bisbee was recovering from a motorcycle really on Saturday, the annual Prowl. Beer cans and bottle were littered in the streets as we started, with early bird bikers already gathered in Brewery Gulch revving their bikes. Mike met Bill and I on OK Street as we walked by, hiking the loop counter clockwise.

It started out chilly in the upper 30s but two hours later my hands were no longer cold.

tbc

SPNCRA north of Hereford Bridge

It was a cold morning. I wanted to take four of the dogs on a challenging walk but waited for the morning temperatures to warm up. I spent the time planting another oleander shrub that will eventually be part of a natural barrier along my property. It us my fifth of what will be many more shrubs by the end of this year.

I took Hansel, Gretel, Fritz and Zana who were all beyond excited to get out. We started just past 1:30pm and walked north to the Big Wash 3.2 miles away. I wanted to see the water level there and be alone with the pack.

I briefly got off the main trail when I saw another dog walker come toward us, so I went to the river but was surprised to see it dry. The dogs found a mudhole on their own nearby. This didn't bode well. There was no fresh water after Friday's rain and mountain snow?

I enjoy watching the dogs run as fast as they can with each other and without bothering other dogs or people. And these dogs need daily runs of 2-4 miles. This is the incentive to get that fence put up.

Something spooked two of the dogs about halfway into the walk. Fritz and Zana never returned despite me calling them. At the 2.8 mile mark I came across a cattle coral that wasn't there the last time I walked this rather boring trail about two years ago. A javelina and its young were at this coral rooting around, but got startled and scurried off. Did javelin scare off the two dogs?  

The big wash was still a half mile away. I let Hansel and Gretel cool off in the water, but the level was low. While flowing, there is usually more water at this point.

We made it back to the Honda by 3:30pm. Fritz and Zana were already waiting. How long had they been by the car? Someone left a cooler top full of water for them. Both dogs were across the road but came right to me when I called. All dogs were now panting. 

I will stop this route going forward because the trailhead is right off Hereford road and having lose dogs running around is neither safe nor smart. I will explore this route maybe after the monsoon with no more than two dogs.

At least all dogs got a good workout and raw chicken for dinner

Sunday March 9

Tempe one last time

Spent the afternoon with Eric and Margaret. Tomorrow they begin their big move to Seattle. I will miss the closeness of having them nearby.

I took Hansel with me. He is such a good copilot! I even lucked out wirh the 76F weather and smooth-flowing traffic. I got into town by 1:50  pm and they were already waiting.

Eric wanted one last meal at Lou Malnati's pizza, a Chicago-style pizza chain that originated in Chicago. I don't like it as much as Gino's East as the crust doesn't have the cornbread beer batter, but it is still good pizza and this lunch was in their honor.

We had a large size Chicago classic with pepperoni and sausage. There were two slices for each of us. I took the rest home for lunch tomorrow.

We wanted a bit more time to talk.  Eric is proud to have landed himself a $130,000  annual salary working a trade he learned in the Air Force. And yet his aspirations of becoming a successful writer still eludes him.

I enjoy urban walking. We walked three miles to the Townlake from their apartment, a short walk from Papago Park and Curry Avenue.  The park was busy. The water in that lake stinks, with much dead fish along the banks. And Hansel whined a lot most likely because he was on leash and he wanted to jump into the cooling water.

I would have enjoyed chatting some more over craft beer, but both were tired and ready for their new chapter.  I have been in their shoes and understand the anxiety of moving and starting a new chapter.  By 5:30 pm we departed and I stopped at Goldwater Crossing, a brewery in south Tempe zi had always wanted to try.

The brewery is dog friendly. I sat at the bar, plugged in my phone, and for an hour plus had two pints of good beer before resuming my trip back home.

I will miss having Eric close by, but I am proud that both of my children are successful adults.