For Better or Worse at Lost Dutchman SP

The better part is now!  We are at the Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction, AZ.  The worse part started one week ago tonight when a severe sore throat and fever awakened me from a sound sleep.  I could tell that whatever crud had hit me,  it had hit hard.

We were finishing a 5 day stretch of visiting with David’s family, celebrating his grand daughter’s marriage and slightly drowning in the hordes of friends and relatives that were coming through his daughter’s home in Scottsdale.  But it was time to go and I should be well!

Somehow we managed, mostly David managed, to get us out of there and relocate an hour to the east at the state park.  The plan was to spend time hiking in the majestic Superstition Mountains, do a little biking, then tend to the domestic chores of washing clothes and grocery buying.

Superstition Mountains.

All the tasks were completed, but slowly, with lots of naps in between.  Tuesday was wash day and sleep.  Wednesday was groceries and sleep. By Thursday I was on the phone to the doc at home pleading for something, anything and…bless his heart… he prescribed some magic antibiotic that started working within 24 hours.  I’ll skip the illness details…but it was not a normal sinus infection!

Our plans of staying here for 4 days changed to 7 days.  We moved to the overflow loop as our site had other campers arriving.

I was able to catch a few sunsets.

 

 

There’s a few more…..but thought this is enough!

One day we drove east on Highway 88, into the Tonto National Forest where we camped for almost 3 weeks several years ago.  Sadly, our favorite campground in the forest, Tortilla, has been closed for several years.  We hear that budget cuts are responsible.  The drive to Tortilla Flat is breathtaking with the road snaking up and down through the mountains.

Canyon Lake is two miles before one finds Tortilla Flat.

 

This monstrous rock hangs over the town? (4 stores) of Tortilla Flat.  It has a name but can’t remember it…something about a shoe heel.  What I do remember is climbing it!  Not from the side pictured but from a gentler angle.

 

While hubby weaved our way back through the mountains, I hung out the window trying to capture the essence of Tonto.

By yesterday I was able to join a ranger led hike from the campground.  Loved hearing about the flora and a little of the area’s history. 

The native Americans told a tale of a great flood where bad people drowned and good people followed their wise men’s advice and climbed to the top of Superstition Mtn. Some bad people got turned to stone as they tried escape the flood.  They are said to be statues on the way to the top.  The early settlers heard this story and named the range, Superstition Mountains.

Mistletoe in a Palo Verde.

We have loved our time here and plan to come back before we head east.  I still need to hike at least part of the Siphon Draw Trail!

Tomorrow we head west, back to Quartzsite and the rally at Dome Rock.  Hope everyone comes along! 

 

the rally at Dome Rock. siphon draw flat iron basin