Goals...

We met a guy on the trail today...he was on his way down...we were going up.  He had completed the Flatiron Trail in 1 hour and 22 minutes (the top of the mountains in the picture below).  I was impressed and we chatted for a few minutes.  He lives around here and comes up once a week to hike this "hard" trail...6.2 miles with elevation gain of 2933 feet!  He was very happy with his time...had met his goal!   He told us of an 87 year old guy that does this hike 3-4 times a week...he didnt say if he timed his hikes!

Back to where we left off last blog...we left Tubac early afternoon and headed back to Lost Dutchman State Park (LDSP).  The new GPS took us a way that was 15 miles shorter...but stop and go traffic and then out in the desert toolies!  A perfect GPS would have let us know... so we would have fueled up BEFORE being out there!  Arghhhh!!  The good news...we made it on fumes to a station with diesel close to LDSP.  We also had the DEF alert come on while we were out in the toolie desert...with none on board!  Enough excitement for the day!We checked into our dry camping spot.  It was higher up than we had been before...with a beautiful view!  We both wanted to ride...and we did.  We also had little things with our bike/trike so Monday our plan was to go back to the bike shop in Apache Junction that Bryant liked so well.  We dropped them off in the morning and proceeded to go to the Resinance Festival.  Well, nooooo...they were closed on Monday!  Sure glad I didnt buy tickets online that are good for any day of the week!!  The good news...traffic in the area was super light AND it did save us over 50 dollars (admission fees)!  We moved the VIA to a full hook up site and then decided to go shopping and relax while we waited for the call that our bike/trike was completed!  They even called early enough for us to get a small ride in!

We found a hiking trail that looked fun...and was a small drive... in the opposite direction of all the traffic...Wind Cave!  A 2.6 mile hike with elevation gain of 770 feet.

Moxie loves our hikes...she gets left home on our bike rides so on this hike she led the way through the rocky switchbacks.

it was another beautiful day and hike!The only caveat...we wish we had brought a small garbage bag with us to pick up after those who had come before us...I mentioned that to another couple...turns out they live near the trail...and he motioned with his hand to the sprawling city below saying it is inevitable with all the people moving here.  I said "no, it is lack of respect...and that should not be inevitable".   They agreed...we chatted a bit more before we moved on.

To the top...

and back "home".  After some lunch and relaxing...we took a short evening bike ride.  Hope to get a short video clip of all of the bike trails we have been on (one of these days) as I mounted the GoPro to the top of my helmet!

Today we decided to stay here for our hike...Prospectors Trail...3.5 miles with elevation gain of 570.We started early for the most shade and with lots of water as Moxie does drink a lot along the trail!This too is a great hike!  We met a lot of people on the trail...one lady took this picture for us...

as I was going to try to take a selfie of us on the bench!  Of course there is...Moxie...the wonder hiking dog...who almost caught a bird this morning!  I wish they would not tempt fate and fly right in front of her!  And this is Green Rock from the mountain side...

So, back to the beginning of this blog and goals.

Both Bryant and I are thinking of hiking the Flatiron Trail...NEXT YEAR!!!