Addressing "wants"!

With this blog I hope to address a few wants...I called my sister today who is showing the blog to our mom while Bryant and I are traveling and she said she wanted to see more pictures.  And, months ago when Bryant and I were planning our escape south in the VIA, I mentioned that I really don't care where we go as long as the toilet seats are warm! 

We have spent the last six days at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona...it is quite a popular place for a lot of snow-birds to go to as we have found out.  Two weeks is the longest stay...and can be booked a year in advance.  We got lucky and when I called the first part of January they had a cancellation so we were able to get in for 6 days!  We met Vance and Jane (Bryant's brother and sister-in-law) here as they were lucky enough to get in on a cancellation too!  There is a wonderful bike trail (for trail bikes) and lots of great hiking in the surrounding mountains!  We rode our bikes around the park roads the first day as I only had my road bike.  Bryant had to take his trike to the local bike shop the next day for a gearing issue.  Initially his blog was going to be on how wonderful the guy was at the bike shop as he was able to fix the gearing issue in a matter of minutes...then the computer started having it's frustrating way with him...and, well, hopefully that issue is solved and he can blog about where we are and what we are doing instead of his computer frustrations!  While his trike was getting tuned, I started eyeing a cross bike...not a full fledged trail bike...not a road bike...took it for a spin in the parking lot...and we ended up bringing it home!  So I've been able to ride the trail...

It is definately a different ride and a challenge...especially on the washes...but I believe with more practice I may like this trail bike thing! 

Vance and Jane knew of a hike close by (getting to the trailhead by vehicle).  Wave Cave is the name of the  trail...wonderful hike and the first picture (above) is of Bryant and I on top of the wave!  

The hike says it was 3 miles...(I'm hoping it was each way)...with an elevation of 840. 

The first part of the trail was fairly easy...although it is considered a moderate hike.

then came to the climbing on/over rocks.

To the Wave Cave...it was very cool!  And, literally by the way.  I neglected to mention, that I had three layers on for this hike and kept them all on the entire time!

We slept well and woke up to a freezing house (as the HVAC could not keep up) and had to turn the gas heater on...also the waste tank heater!  When I finally braved getting out of bed...the water didn't work!  Bryant then got out of bed and found..

That is a large icicle!  An unexpected FREEZE!  Bryant disconnected the filter and hose and put them in the sun to thaw.

Vance and Jane discovered another hike they were going to do in the afternoon with a waterfall...called Heiroglyphic Trail. Bryant and I were in!  Another moderate trail...

It was a fairly rocky trail...

And  this was the largest waterfall I could find...

 But then there were the heiroglyhics...

Another wonderful hike and Moxie was even better behaved on the leash!

And to Friday...our last full day at LDSP...a horseback ride into the desert! 

I had a horse named Big Red...he was a sweetie. 

Jane's horse was a sweetie as well.  Bryant had a horse named Betty.  He had a little more trouble with her...Vance had a pinto...don't remember the name but that horse had a bit of a strong will...Vance's will thankfully  was stronger!

A really fun afternoon with great views too!

So that wraps up our time at LDSP.  Addressing the wants from the beginning of this blog...Anne, hope you and Gma like all the pictures!  And, as for the cold toilet seats...they are still cold!!  Haven't found any warm toilet seats...even in our VIA!  So, I'm still wanting...searching for that warm place.  I also may have added a few more wants to the list though...stay tuned...