It’s always good to get out in the desert. It clears our minds and refreshes the soul.
We gather our friends, in the early morning hours, and off we go.
There’s always a plan …on where we go. We all love to explore.
We have had more rain then usual so the desert has been more green then usual.
Grass in the desert is always a beautiful sight. But we love our rocks as well.
This road is called Castle Creek Road for a reason! We were in awe!
The Hoodoos greeted us with their vastness.
Around every corner we saw beauty on this ride.
Some beauty was in the eye of the beholder. This stopped us in our tracks!
Isn’t she beautiful?! She’s called an Arizona Blonde! Ha, ha, what a name! Yes, it’s a tarantula. They actually are not poisonous and if you are bit… the reaction is that the skin becomes mildly irritated. Our friend helped her get out of the road.
We actually saw 3 that day… all in different places. They hardly ever come out of their burrows unless it’s mating season. So… we think they were out lookin’ !
The petroglyphs are getting more modern…
Like I said, the desert is more green but we all had to stop when we saw an entire hillside covered in moss. We could not believe it!
This just doesn’t happen in the desert…
It was so beautiful to see!
I hope you enjoyed our Castle Ride… down Castle Creek Road. It wasn’t Ireland but we had our own Arizona version of castles and even some moss!
The wild burros enjoyed it very much!
The Arizona Back Country never disappoints. It’s why we love to explore!
There’s adventure around every bend.
Thanks for the visit!
That looks really nice. I’ll have to look it up.
It was an awesome ride! It intersects Castle Hot Springs Rd.
Thank you for the visit!
SO, so much to love about this post! 1) the composition of Castle Creek road where your eye takes in the hoodoos then is drawn down to the small red vehicle – perfect shot! 2) the creepy feeling at first gaze of the Arizona Blonde! Yikes! 3)That moss! Oh my goodness! Are you sure you’re not up in the Pacific North-
West?!? 4) Wild burros! How very fun! Thanks for sharing these photos of your adventure!
I am thrilled you saw the red truck in the photo! That was my intent! Yay!!
Thank you for enjoying the ride! Arizona never disappoints!
thanks for the road trip Nancy….so interesting and I felt I was right there with you…beautiful and can admire spiders and such from a distance, but not up close and personal. LOL
Oh Kari I am so glad you came along! It was a fun ride even with spiders lurking in the distance!
I’m AMAZED at how much smaller my image of the Arizona Blonde was until I saw the picture in the cap! Now that is a big spider! Beautiful pictures, as always!
Thank you so very much! Isn’t it amazing how big those tarantulas are!
Thanks for visiting!
Great photos, Nancy. What fun to find the tarantulas! Do not think I would have been brave enough to put it in my hat though. The moss is amazing, and spectacular!
Thanks for stopping by! Wasn’t that tarantula a big one! We saved her!
Yes! Very cool. 🙂
You take the most beautiful pics on your journeys.. it’s so hard to believe this is here in our country.. looks like some far away forbidden land… thank you for showing me this country is not just made of developments
It’s true! We live in a diverse country full of unbelievable sights.
This ride was truly one of our favorites!
Thanks for coming along! 🤗
Nancy, what beauty to behold. I always enjoy a nice road trip to explore. I don’t want to see a tarantula up close and personal even if it is a blonde (haha). The moss is amazing, and thank you for the scenery!
Pam… thanks for enjoying the ride. Even if the Blonde was a wee bit personal. Lol!
I know you have seen a lot of this country because I have seen your exquisite photography of many places. We are both blessed to be able to share it with others!
Thanks for the visit!
How beautiful, the moss is amazing!
It was truly amazing!
I am still thinking about your outdoor kitchen. How wonderful for you!
Seems like it was a couple of years ago, Arizona had a wet winter. I can remember one of our many trips over here to LA to see granddaughter and remarking on how green the desert was….lush and green especially for a desert. I was aware you guys were getting good rains but never realized it would be enough for moss….incredible! Beautiful pics Nancy….I’m sitting here writing this as it drizzles outside….two days of it….the hills here in So Cal are getting very green!!
Those hills in So.Cal are beautiful and when they are green …even better!
The moss was really just in this one area and we were amazed!
THANKS so much for visiting!
Thank your for taking us along, Nancy! The Arizona Back Country is beautiful. I love the rocks, the Arizona Blonde is so cool, these two burros are friendly, and the moss… I’m so surprised. 🙂
We were surprised as well.
And how about that tarantula!
Happy Week to you!
WOW oh WOW! These pictures are just amazing! That tarantula though… I don’t think I’d ever dare get that close!
Oh the Blonde! She was quite timid, believe it or not.
I am so glad you enjoyed my collection of photos from this ride.
Arizona is not too far away from you… it’s a great place for an adventure!
Thank you for visiting!
That moss is amazing Nancy. Out hiking this week I was thrilled to find a ‘patch’ of moss about the size of a twin size quilt near the back of Cathedral Rock. This is a simply a wonderful post you have put together Nancy and really shows the diversity of the area. All my best to you Girlfriend.
I am glad you can along for the ride! 🤗