Just in Time - Rick Quinn’s Arizona & New Mexico book

[Pmount]

Rick’s book gives good information about Chiricahua NM on pgs. 78-80, as part of SST #5.
Before the kids arrived by van from Tucson we enjoyed a quiet morning in camp.


Apache Plume


Desert Penstemon


Red-shafted Flicker

Things picked up by noon with a visit to the Visitor Center, group photo at the entrance sign, lunch and setting up camp. They also had plenty of time to be kids, exploring the creek bed and campsites. A lot of these kids have never been camping or spent much time in nature, so the photography angle is as much about taking pictures, as getting outside.


Kids hanging out

Late afternoon we, 13 kids and 5 other adults, drove up the 8 mile road for a sunset hike to Sugarloaf Lookout. The hike is 1.9 miles round trip with about a 500 foot elevation gain. All made it to the top with plenty of time to set their cameras for sunset lighting. My photos -


Sugarloaf Lookout


Evening light


Sunset

An added treat was a full moon to guide us back down in the dark. As a volunteer I took the option of excusing myself from dinner preparation and evening activities and took it easy at my campsite, with my husband.

On Sunday morning, after helping the kids pack up the camping gear, we headed back up the road for a hike in the Echo Canyon Grottos. The hike is not long, a little over 1 mile round trip, with lots of rock scrambling opportunities. It was fun to watch the kids explore while snapping lots of photos.


Kids exploring


View


Scarlet Hedgehog


Legs!
Echo Canyon Grottos

By 1PM we were back at the parking lot and the kids were on their way back to Tucson. We took advantage of a quiet afternoon and evening, with perfect weather and plenty of birds to enjoy the area.


Acorn Woodpecker


Western Tanager

Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Bat

Yellow-eyed Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Bridled Titmouse
Common Poorwill, heard
Hutton’s Vireo
Lucy’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Wild Turkey
Bewick’s Wren
Scott’s Oriole
Yellow Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Western Bluebird
Common Raven

[Pmount]

Rick’s book gives good information about Chiricahua NM on pgs. 78-80, as part of SST #5.
Before the kids arrived by van from Tucson we enjoyed a quiet morning in camp.


Apache Plume


Desert Penstemon


Red-shafted Flicker

Things picked up by noon with a visit to the Visitor Center, group photo at the entrance sign, lunch and setting up camp. They also had plenty of time to be kids, exploring the creek bed and campsites. A lot of these kids have never been camping or spent much time in nature, so the photography angle is as much about taking pictures, as getting outside.


Kids hanging out

Late afternoon we, 13 kids and 5 other adults, drove up the 8 mile road for a sunset hike to Sugarloaf Lookout. The hike is 1.9 miles round trip with about a 500 foot elevation gain. All made it to the top with plenty of time to set their cameras for sunset lighting. My photos -


Sugarloaf Lookout


Evening light


Sunset

An added treat was a full moon to guide us back down in the dark. As a volunteer I took the option of excusing myself from dinner preparation and evening activities and took it easy at my campsite, with my husband.

On Sunday morning, after helping the kids pack up the camping gear, we headed back up the road for a hike in the Echo Canyon Grottos. The hike is not long, a little over 1 mile round trip, with lots of rock scrambling opportunities. It was fun to watch the kids explore while snapping lots of photos.


Kids exploring


View


Scarlet Hedgehog


Legs!
Echo Canyon Grottos

By 1PM we were back at the parking lot and the kids were on their way back to Tucson. We took advantage of a quiet afternoon and evening, with perfect weather and plenty of birds to enjoy the area.


Acorn Woodpecker


Western Tanager

Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Bat

Yellow-eyed Junco
Chipping Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting
Bridled Titmouse
Common Poorwill, heard
Hutton’s Vireo
Lucy’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Wild Turkey
Bewick’s Wren
Scott’s Oriole
Yellow Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Western Bluebird
Common Raven

[DonnaR57]

It's good to see children using "real" cameras, as opposed to their phones or iPads. While both of those can take remarkable photos, and I certainly have done that, learning to use settings and so forth is very good for their brain training. Photography as an art form is also something that can and should be taught to children (IMHO).

That sunset photo of yours is gorgeous.


Donna

[Pmount]

It's good to see children using "real" cameras
Donna

The kids use a Canon Point & Shoot digital camera. I love it when they stop and reset the camera to match the environment. And when, in a 24 hr period, I did not see a phone or IPad in use. Of course it helps that there is ‘no service’ in most of the park;)
Pat

[Pmount]

We enjoyed another quiet morning, with the birds, in camp.


Hermit Thrush


Yellow-rumped Warbler

Next stop - Fort Bowie National Historic Site, which Rick writes about in his book, pps. 77-78. I love this place and today was no different. As I started the walk, 1-1/2 miles into the site, I was amazed with the variety of wildflowers along the way. I think I saw at least 20 different species, the most wildflowers I have seen in SE Arizona during this very dry spring!
https://www.nps.gov/fobo/index.htm


Shaggy Dwarf Morning Glory


Fleabane


Ft. Bowie cemetery

Once at the visitor center, I met up with my husband who had driven into the back way, and the shorter walk to the visitor center. It is promoted as the handicap entrance, however anyone can park in the area. It is a shorter walk, but not paved and not wheelchair accessible. There is a number to call from the parking area for assistance, if needed.

The back road out, meeting up with Apache Pass Road, we saw this Buddhist retreat center. When I got home I looked up the website and found it is open to the public. The cabins look great, and the location certainly is.
http://diamondmountain.org


Desert Mountain Retreat Center

Before you reach Bowie and I-10 is a road we have noticed in the past, but bypassed-Happy Camp Canyon Rd. Recently we learned that there is a picnic and dispersed campground at the end of the road. We drove up and explored the area and will return in the future.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/indian-bre...ks-picnic-area


Indian Bread Rocks Recreation Area


Indian Bread Rocks sign


Thurber’s Penstemon

We continued into Bowie and enjoyed lunch at Rafter G’s Cafe. Our plan was to stay out another night, up on Mt Graham, off Rick’s SST #3. It is off US 191, between Safford and Willcox. There is no specific tourist site, just forest. We checked out the campground at 7600 ft, explored a bit higher up the road and determined it was too windy and too cold for another night out. And, we were only 2 hours from home! This storm front brought snow to Central and Northern Arizona.

Another great trip exploring New Mexico and Arizona. Even though many of the places along the way were repeat visits, Rick’s book added some helpful tips and information. No matter your timeline or travel method his book will enhance your trip immensely! Now, plan your trip!


Wildlife Sightings
Rock Squirrel

Greater Roadrunner
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
White-breasted Nuthatch
Acorn Woodpecker
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Hermit Thrush
Hummingbird, unknown

[Mark Sedenquist]

Another great trip exploring New Mexico and Arizona. Even though many of the places along the way were repeat visits, Rick’s book added some helpful tips and information. No matter your timeline or travel method his book will enhance your trip immensely! Now, plan your trip!

Well said.

Here are some fuzzy photos from Rick's book event in Las Vegas last night.

Thanks for the report!

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Another great trip exploring New Mexico and Arizona. Even though many of the places along the way were repeat visits, Rick’s book added some helpful tips and information. No matter your timeline or travel method his book will enhance your trip immensely! Now, plan your trip!

Well said.

Here are some fuzzy photos from Rick's book event in Las Vegas last night.

Thanks for the report!

Mark