SNOW IN PEEPLES VALLEY & AN ENJOYABLY MEANINGFUL CHAT WITH A CHARMING LIKE MINDED BLOG READER:))

SEEN IN YARNELL ARIZONA THIS MORNING

Despite a brisk icy cold north wind a-blowin I was happy to see a sharply clear sky full of twinkling stars early this morning.  Not a cloud in sight.  Had ourselves a big bright sunny day headed our way & the long range forecast is predicting temperatures to be in the mid 70’s a week from now.  Yes indeed a welcome sun filled warming trend headed our way:))

With our birdbath water froze I figured there might be some higher altitude snow up in the Weaver Mountains so without further ado I loaded up the little Spoogers & off we went up the big hill into the Weavers looking for some photos.  And some snowy photos we did find.

Cruised through Yarnell & around a few back streets looking for any photo opportunities.  I’d say there was maybe an inch or two on the ground which spread out across the valley floor & up the surrounding mountain sides.

A BUSY YARNELL SIDEWALK

Heading north on highway 89 from Yarnell up through the Peeples Valley we found us a couple nice Jeep roads heading off to the west.  Ruger Ranch Road led us in about 3 miles before ending at a locked electronic gate.  Could see maybe 3 ranches spread out in the hills ahead.  Noticed a lot of Manzanitta shrubs & trees dotting the landscape & could see the far off Sierra Prieta Mountains way over around Prescott with a light dusting of snow on them as well.

PRESCOTT ARIZONA LIES OVER THERE IN THOSE MOUNTAINS

SPOTTED THIS HAWK SITTING IN A NEARBY SNOW COVERED FIELD

Sorrells Road another well maintained dirt road in the Peeples Valley led about 5 miles in off the highway before it also dead ended at a ranch.  But no matter it was scenic drive all the way in & all the way back out again with the snow along the way adding a nice Christmasy touch to the sweeping landscape.  Although icy cold winds ripped at us everytime we stopped for a leg stretch or a couple photos it was always toasty warm in the Jeep with the sun beaming in the windows.  Poking along slow with the heater on as well we were also able to have both front windows down.  Pheebs likes to get her snout out & for me taking photos as we drive along it saves me putting the windows down & up all the time.

NICE MORNING FOR A SLEIGH RIDE THROUGH THE SNOWY COLD SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE….. SLEIGH RIDE ….. (Remember to Skip the Ad)

PHEEBER TRACKS IN THE SNOW AROUND AN OLD CAMPFIRE RING

PRESCOTT ARIZONA IS OVER THERE IN WHAT I THINK ARE THE SIERRA PRIETA MOUNTAINS

Think it was somewhere around 11 this morning when we finally pointed Libby’s nose South & set a course for home.  Back through Yarnell we went & down the big hill again onto the desert floor about 2,000 feet below.  I’d like to snap a GoPro cam onto the hood of the Jeep sometime coming down that Yarnell Hill with all it’s twists & curves.  I’m thinking it might make an exciting 5 minute video:))

A BIG TRACTOR-TRAILER LOST PART OF IT’S HEAVY LOAD LAST WEEK WHEN IT’S TRAILER DIDN’T MAKE IT AROUND THIS HAIR PIN TURN

DRIVER WAS UNINJURED AS THE CAB & FRONT END OF THE TRAILER REMAINED ON THE ROAD

Below are a few more photos of our Peeples Valley drive this morning

POINTED LIBBY’S NOSE FOR HOME

LOOKS LIKE ONLY 1 OTHER VEHICLE HAS PASSED THIS WAY SINCE IT SNOWED

THE LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW ADDED A NICE TOUCH TO OUR DRIVE

LUCKILY THE MORNING’S SUN WAS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING THIS OVERNIGHT ICY STRETCH INTO MUD

Of course by the time we got home the Jeep was in a bit of a muddy mess from the icy back roads which were in the process of thawing as we drove them this morning.  Too cold to wash the Jeep of course but maybe in a couple days when temperatures come up I’ll get myself at that.  I’ll maybe have a go with some rubbing compound to buff out some of that desert pinstriping Libby has picked up over the past few months as well.

GOT ANOTHER WINDMILL FOR YA MIKE & THIS ONE LOOKS TO BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE:))

After a few emails back & forth a Bayfield Bunch blog reader dropped in this afternoon to say Hello & I must say it was a pleasure to meet Rhonda.  Here’s a retired teacher in our age bracket driving a 35’ diesel Class A Motorhome towing a Honda CRV.  Rhonda & her husband of 25 years RV’ed for awhile until his unfortunate passing.  After a couple years she has now decided to continue the RV lifestyle & has just spent a couple weeks boon-docking with the Escapee Club BOOMERS in Quartzsite.  Here’s a Gal with determination & resolve who is also planning to blog about her new & upcoming travels as well.  Rhonda has some of the same Nikon camera equipment I have & how nice to talk a bit of photography with a fellow photog.  But it was our discussion about blogging that really struck a chord with me.  Not so much the physical side of blogging as much as the psycological side of blogging.  The nitty-gritty if you will, the thoughts & feelings side of it.  That honest stuff that comes from the heart.  Not often I meet a like minded person such as Rhonda who shares many of the the same feelings I do.  Today I felt comfortable enough to open up a bit & enjoy a meaningful conversation about the emotional & theraputic side of writing & what leads a person to write & feel the way they do.  Both Kelly & I thank you for dropping by today Rhonda & by golly I just may have learned a few things for a change.  Take care & when you get your blog up & running be sure to let us know:))

GROANER’S CORNER:(( A woman walked up to a little wizened old man rocking in a chair on his porch. "I couldn't help noticing how content you look,"she said. "What's your secret for a long happy life?"  "I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise." "That's amazing,"the woman said. "How old are you?'  "Twenty-six," he said.