Life on the High Plains

Although California is known for its Joshua trees, there is a scenic highway in Arizona that meanders through a Joshua tree forest. It was quite an unexpected treat! You'll find this small stretch of Joshua trees along highway 93 between Wickenburg, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada. Now I want to go to the Joshua Tree National Park in California! Happy Skywatch Friday and Happy New Year!

After spending a week in sunny Arizona we loaded up in the car and headed to Las Vegas. We were given an unexpected treat along the way--Joshua Trees.  These trees are amazing, we had to stop and get some pictures. We had dinner reservations at Tao, an Asian bistro at the Venetian.  This is a special treat for us when we visit Vegas.  We don't gamble so this is how we enjoy the city.  We started with some steamed edamame.  Yum! The main entree--Peking duck!  I am not kidding when I say this is delicious! This is what a Peking duck looks like when you're finished with it. Next on the agenda was a walk over to The Mirage to see the Beatle's Love Cirque du Soleil.  This show is usually on hiatus when we're in Vegas so it was nice to finally be able to see it.  The music was fantastic! After the show we made the long walk back down the strip to the Monte Carlo where we were staying.  There's Trump To...

It's almost here...Christmas Day! This year Christmas has been tough.  It's the first one without my dad and there are so many memories that come flooding back at the strangest times.  From going into the forest to cut our own Christmas tree, to finding the Christmas gift I purchased for my dad earlier this year, to staying home for Christmas instead of flying to the frozen tundra of Idaho.  I know my dad is in a good place drinking martinis and hot toddys with my mom, his mom, and all their loved ones....but that doesn't mean I don't miss him. This is from last Christmas.  My dad was always up for a beer.  He loved spending time with his family. Last year almost the whole crew was in Idaho.  My favorite Christmas Eve tradition is the stroll around the greenbelt in the freezing cold.  It was always a good time even though I'm sure the residents of Idaho Falls thought we were crazy.  Not being able to go on this stroll tonight is brea...

We recently stopped in Sedona, Arizona for a quick one day visit.  The red rocks were amazing! Phoenix Zoo We'll definitely be back to spend more time and do some hiking. Happy Skywatch Friday  and Merry Christmas from the Arizona desert!

Last week during our visit to Arizona I got to mark something off my bucket list. On June 30, 2013 nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed while combating a fire near Yarnell, Arizona.  In 2016 the state of Arizona opened a memorial park in their honor.  I knew at that time that someday I would make the journey to pay tribute to these fallen heroes.  This desire was only deepened by this summer's movie "Only the Brave".  Being a Forest Service brat I have great respect for these wild land firefighters.  The journey to the memorial is not for the weak of heart.  The parking lot is located on highway 89 a couple miles from Yarnell.  The lot only has 13 parking spots so get there early.  Up until October or so the city of Yarnell runs a shuttle bus out to the trail head.  Luckily for us, it's a slow time of year and we had no trouble getting a spot. The trail head starts at 4,300 feet and has an elevation climb to 5,5...