Merry December!
The holiday season is officially here! Can you believe it’s already December? I hope all of you in the United States enjoyed a terrific Thanksgiving filled with good food and great company!
Have you started decorating for Christmas? We are keeping it simple this year, which is fine. We have enough Christmas red and twinkling lights to keep our spirits bright.
The Holiday season brings the fun of watching our amaryllis bulb grow!
Next week, I hope to share my She Shed, all decorated for Christmas. I spent two whole days cleaning it from 6 months of desert dust. Everything had to be taken apart, washed, cleaned, dusted, and then put back together again. I survived!
The Apache Trail
Even though I have been busy with Holiday meals, decorating, unpacking and cleaning, we did get out into the desert!
We went on the legendary Arizona Apache Trail with another couple. We drove through the breathtaking Superstition Mountains. It was an unforgettable and scenic ride.
The Apache Trail of the Tonto National Monument stretches for about 40 miles and takes you on an incredible journey through stunning rugged mountains, beautiful reservoir lakes, and thrilling steep cliffsides. Some of the trail is paved, but most of it is not. (The unpaved portions may be bumpy for a passenger car.) It’s a fantastic way to take in all the natural beauty Arizona is known for. President Theodore Roosevelt said it best, “the Apache Trail is one of the most spectacular and best-worth-seeing sights in the world.” He also described it as “awe-inspiring and sublimely beautiful.”
When riding on the Apache Trail, one must always stop at Tortilla Flat. It is one of the oldest Stage Coach stops in Arizona. In 1904, it was a bustling town, and it still can boast the same. Now, it is a tourist stop with a restaurant, saloon, general store, and a great place for gelato. They are famous for their Prickly Pear Gelato.
The breathtaking ride is worth it if you ever visit Arizona!
At this time of year the trees were turning golden.
I enjoyed catching glimpses of the Salt River along the trail. It feeds Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Roosevelt Lake which we were happy to see while driving along the trail.
When nearing the end of the ride, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam comes into view. This dam was built between 1905 – 1911. It helps with flooding and provides water for the Valley.
At the end of the trail we were delighted to see Roosevelt Lake and to view The Theodore Roosevelt Lake Bridge. What a gorgeous view!
Thank You
Thanks so much for riding along with us. What a fabulous ride we had! Like I said before, if you are ever in Arizona, try to put The Apache Trail on your itinerary.
I am working on catching up with all of you. Thank you for your patience.
As I always try to convey… we sure do appreciate all of you. Thank you for joining us for another Tuesday Tidbits.
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Amazing landscape shots here, and your decorations are lovely. Happy Holidays!
Thank you Judy. It was a beautiful ride!
Happy Holidays to you as well.
What a fun time you are having, rediscovering the beautiful sites and places near your winter home. That gelato looks festive (though the lemon is calling me!). And yes, it’s looking festive at your house!
Thank you, Jeanne. It was a beautiful ride. The gelato was delicious.
Merry Tuesday to you!
LOVE this week’s roundup, Nancy! Can’t wait to hear about — and see pics of — your She Shed. Sounds like you’ve been busy. Thank you, as always, for taking us along. xo! 🥰
Thank you Victoria. Busy seems to be my middle name. 😄
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Merry Tuesday, Nancy. Your mantel looks beautiful. I will be looking forward to seeing your she shed decked out for Christmas. Wow the Apache Trail looks amazing. Hubby would love that drive. I would enjoy it also, but I am not a fan of hairpin turns.
As always I love visiting with you!
As always, I love your visits!
Thank you always for your sweet comments.
Butch and you would love this trail.
Merry Tuesday!
Wow! The scenery is amazing!
It sure is!
Thank you for the beautiful ride on the Apache Trail Nancy, the views are indeed breathtaking! Now, if only I had a taste of the Prickly Pear gelato! Your home looks very Merry, I love poinsettias. Happy December!
Jenna
Thank you dear Friend. I am so happy you came with us. The ride is incredible!
Merry Tuesday!
I salute the segueros, Nance! And your Christmas simple is very pretty indeed!
Thank you Mr. Mark!
Thank you so much for the interesting adventure on the Apache Trail. It must be amazing to see in person.
I am so glad you came along! It is an incredible ride!
Merry Tuesday, Karen!
What a lovely collection of images Nancy!
Thank you for reminding me I’ve got to get my amaryllis potted up!
They are so fun to watch!
Thanks for enjoying!
Merry Tuesday!
And now, happy Wednesday!
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We drove the Apache Trail ten years ago and loved it. Yes, it was bumpy, but the scenery was so worth it. I’m glad to hear it’s finally reopened after that landslide. Tortilla Flats is one of our favorite touristy places around the valley to take out of town guests or even just ourselves. Thanks for the reminder. The Superstitions never disappoint, and your photos prove that point… lovely!
Thank you Ingrid. I thought of you when we were at Tortilla Flat. I remember you telling me you take your guests there. This is our second time doing the ride. It was great at this time of year with the Cottonwoods turning colors.
Merry Tuesday my friend!
I live here in Phoenix and haven’t been able to see this part of Arizona in awhile. I really enjoyed this blog and the photos. Great memories. Thank you for sharing.
I am so happy you came along for the ride. This Trail is incredible. A must see.
Thank you so much for letting me know that you were here for a visit. I so appreciate it!
Merry Tuesday!
What a wonderful adventure. Beautiful photos. That prickly pear gelato looks good. I’ve have prickly pear jelly.
I have had Prickly Pear jelly and prickly pear margaritas. The gelato is the best!
Thank you for your sweet words. Merry Tuesday my friend!
Stunning photographs as usual, Miss Nancy. I feel as though I will recognise this gorgeous scenery if ever I am able to visit in person. In the meantime, I cannot wait to see your She Shed all decorated. Welcome to the best ‘Ber’ month of the all.
You are so right Clare! This is the best “ber” month!
I am so glad you enjoyed the ride. Thank you for all you sweet comments!
Merry December!
Right back at you 💜🤍💜
I haven’t been on the Apache Trail. It sounds like a beautiful and fun adventure!
It really is! We enjoyed the incredible views.
Merry Tuesday, my friend!
What a gorgeous landscape and trip, Nancy! Love those saguaros too! Christmas looks lovely at your home too!
It is an incredible ride!
This is our second time and we loved it all over again!
Thanks for all the love.
Merry Tuesday!
That was a beautiful ride through the Apache Trail Nancy. I always enjoy your desert pictures! As usually, your holiday decorations are amazing! Looking forward to seeing your she shed after all that work cleaning!
It was a job cleaning the She Shed!
Thanks for enjoying.
Merry December!
Wow, what a gorgeous journey, Nancy! It sounds like you are having a wonderful time in AZ already! We should be back in mid-February. I hope you will still be there and we can catch up with each other. 🙂 xxx
Weveill be here! Thanks for enjoying the ride.
Merry December my friend. It’s always good to hear from you!
Your story is an inspiration to see that area next time we are down there. 🙂 xxxx
It’s fabulous!
I can see that from your beautiful pictures! 🙂 xxx
Awe, thank you! 🥰🥰🥰
As always, stunning pictures!! I’ve never been to Arizona but now I want to go. How beautiful!! Happy December to you my friend! I can’t wait to see your SheShed all decorated! : )
Oh so good to hear from you. Glad you are feeling better!
Arizona is a gorgeous state. I hope you get to visit her one day.
Thanks for stopping in.
Merry December!
The prickly pear gelato looks intriguing!
It was refreshing and tasty.
Merry December to you!
Looks great!
Thank you!
Your welcome 😊 Have a great weekend 🌺
I have long dreamed and keep dreaming of driving the Apache Trail, but from what I read it’s not suitable all the way for 2-wheel-drive cars.
A two-wheel can do it. A lot of it has been paved. And they grade it continuously.
I saw a Mustang on it.
It most likely was bumpy for them but I have been on worse dirt roads in Pennsylvania and Arizona.