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| Hiking | 3.00 Miles |
100 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.00 Miles | | | |
| 100 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Started out the day with a round of disc golf at Cottonwood's Riverfront Park. The park is a gem! They have really nice baseball fields, batting cages, soccer fields, a hockey/roller derby rink, dog park, skate park, and the disc golf course ... bravo, Cottonwood!
I like disc golf so much for a couple different reasons - first, it is a fun outdoor activity by myself or with friends - and second, it is basically a nice long nature walk with a little something extra to do along the way ... the nature aspect is especially highlighted on this course due to it's location running through the riparian zone between the park and the river.
The disc golf course is well layed out and super fun to play. There are a few wide open, let'er rip type holes, but most of the holes involve threading your disc between plenty of trees - or in my case, bouncing my disc off the trees.  I played all 18 holes, but I threw two discs at each, so my arm played 36 holes - probably be sore tomorrow.
Hole number 8 passes closest to the river, and the sweet sound of running water lured me away from my game for a while. I walked along the water and got to watch a cormorant dive for, catch, and swallow a fish that seemed absurdly large for him. He seemed justifiably proud of his catch ... then went and sat on a tree stump to rest and digest. Also saw a red-tailed hawk in one of the large trees on the course, as well as hummingbirds, doves, woodpeckers, and a lizard.
Next I went next door to Dead Horse State Park and strolled along the river from there. I came upon an area where beavers have been busy. I hear that there are otters in the area too - can't wait to see them! 10 minutes later I noticed that my sunglasses were missing, and began to retrace my steps without much hope of actually finding them - but I did!
When I got back to my car, I noticed a very large bird in a very tall tree - thought "turkey vulture" - but when I got out the binoculars ... lo and behold, bald eagle baby! 
Pretty fine day off. I like this area a lot, and once I get my housing situation worked out and get a decent place of my own, I think I will be very happy here! The way I anticipate things going is, I will be working and living in Camp Verde, but spending a lot of time playing in Cottonwood. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
We had to go find the Ranger residence to get out.
. Nice morning hike with a cool breeze 
