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| Car Camping | 13.50 Miles |
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| | Car Camping | 13.50 Miles | 3 Days | | |
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| partners | | So, I got an invitation from Hank to join him at Camp Grasshopper this week. Of course, I wasn't going to turn him down, but I knew I was going to have to go on a diet beforehand, just so I could absorb all those yummy extra calories, especially only Hiking one day out of the three.... 
Day 1: Met up with Hank Wednesday morning and followed him up to the Rim. I was actually familiar with our Camping Spot since we had parked right across from it when we did our West Bear Canyon Hike earlier this summer. Nice Campsite, but it hadn't been used in quite awhile, so while Hank started working on his elaborate set-up, I got the Fire Ring cleaned out and rebuilt. Finished with that, helped Hank with a few things and then got my Camp set up. After that was over, I made some Homemade Guacamole and we snacked for a bit. It was my night for making dinner and I brought Ribeyes. I made the entire dinner on the Campfire Grill that I had, and it wasn't too shabby. We were both stuffed when it was all said and done. Beautiful night with a bright Moon shining overhead. Went to sleep to the sound of several Coyotes singing to each other.... 
Day 2: Hank ended up having to wake me up, as apparently my Cell Phone got confused with my setting the Alarm in "Airplane Mode". Not too sure what was up with that, but it must have been really confused, because I set it for 7:00 A.M. and the Alarm went off at 1:00 A.M. Friday morning??? Really??? Whatever!!! Arose to the sound of Elk bugling in the Canyons below...Pretty cool. I think the Canyons really emphasized the sound, as it had an Echo effect to it. Can't think of a better way to wake up, that's for sure. Got going and did an awesome Hike...(Separate Triplog). Returned back to Camp late afternoon and had some yummy hors d'oeuvres and then Hank prepared his Masterpiece Spaghetti. It was really good and was just the ticket after our Hike.... Relaxed around the Fire afterwards and finally hit the sack. The Coyotes weren't singing tonight, but the Moon was very bright again, it may as well have been full, as it lit up everything....
Day 3: I had to return back to town today, but Hank and I had arranged to have a big Cowboy Breakfast first. Before we started firing up the Stoves, I went for a short walk down Forest Road 398, where we were camped. I was curious as to whether you could see into either of the Canyons that flanked us, further down the road. It seemed to be where the Elk Bugling was coming from, and they were bellowing again today. About 1/4 mile down the road, I flushed a herd of Elk about 50 feet to my left. A Spike Bull was with them, but I didn't see him right away, as he was actually laying down when I spotted the others that were with him. He jumped up and hauled a**, so there was no getting any pictures of them. Saw a variety of Birds that were active this morning, a couple of scoldy Squirrels and then I saw "Color". It was on the downslope of West Bear Canyon. Red Maples!!! Very cool and I knew Hank would be pleased as he was planning on Hiking West Bear on Saturday. Turned around and headed back.
Hank and I made quite the Breakfast when I got back. Holy Cow! I can't remember the last time I had a Breakfast like that, even at home or in a Restaurant, much less Camping!!!  I think Hank was trying to put me into a serious Food Coma for the drive home.... Wild Turkey was not on the Menu this morning, but they must have smelled the food, because we could hear them vocalizing in the Woods. I think they were thanking us for not munching on any Birds during this meal....
Finished packing up and headed out. One dicey spot on this road, but the Escape did good, earning some AZ Pinstriping on the way out. Just before FR300, I saw the Rafter of Turkeys crossing the road, so that was cool. I had somewhere I had to be, in the Valley, but that didn't stop me from some serious Photo Ops on the way out. Man, the Wildflowers along the Rim Edge of FR 300 were amAZing!!! And not just one variety, but several, including some that were Blooming for the second time this year, including Lupines and Thistles. Stopped for a brief, but satisfying Photo Op of those....
I hit Highway 87 and then took 260 towards Camp Verde since I needed to be towards the West part of the Valley on my arrival. I thought my Photo taking was over, but boy, was I wrong!!! Just below the Rim, in the Juniper Grasslands, it was quite the sight to see....There was no Grass, it had been replaced by solid, golden Yellow Blooms that went as far as the eye could see in places. Wow!!! There were a few shots missed, but I ended up stopping twice just to get a couple of shots, it was too good!!!
Finally made it into town, exhausted, still full, and very happy with this Camping Trip. Camp Grasshopper definitely lived up to it's reputation. Hank, your culinary skills are superb!!! It takes talent to do that in a real kitchen, much less, in a Camp Kitchen...  Thanks for the invite and the wonderful hospitality. It was truly an event not to be missed!!! |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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| Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!" |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
in prime Autumn "Big Tooth Maple" colors.. 
Pam and Larry for joining me this trip for both camping and hiking.
