|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
|
Posted: 7/9/2010, 6:49 pm Post subject: Summer time, and the living is . . . . |
|
|
|
|
. . . not exactly easy but very rewarding.
I'm doing a stint as guest host at TNC's Hart Prairie Preserve. Started Monday afternoon and haven't let up yet. Plenty to do, and a beautiful place to do it.
Heard there was a huge bull elk in the meadow yesterday so got up early to check for him today. Didn't see him but did see about 45 others out on the prairie south of the aspen grove. At first glance I noticed 6 or 8, then put the binoculars on them which brought up the herd. Pretty amazing, just wish they'd been closer. One project underway is some trimming of the Bebb Willows (removal of dead branches to prevent a grass fire from "crowning" into the willows), so we are out there almost every day. These willows are the elk bedding ground, as evidenced by lots of grazed areas and droppings.
Monsoons started in earnest today, the sky opened up around 1:30 and it rained hard for an hour. Now the air is clean and the sun is streaming in under a cloud layer to light up the aspen grove and the lower half of the mountain.
Life is good. _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Deborah
Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 297 Location: Tucson
|
Posted: 7/9/2010, 6:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
sounds great ! How's the shultz fire?
I want to camp in Lockett's meadow sometime. _________________ Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. - Rachel Carson |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
|
Posted: 7/9/2010, 7:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Shultz fire is out, don't know about Lockett Meadow but I'm sure the forest service has availability posted somewhere. _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
gpsjoe
Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ
|
Posted: 7/9/2010, 8:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
The Coconino website last update was July 7. Looks like fire is contained but roads and trails off route 89 remain closed but there is a phone number to call for more info which I would do if I was serious about going in there.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/ _________________ Become a skilled GPS user and it will set you free! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
paintninaz
Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515
|
Posted: 7/9/2010, 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Summer time, and the living is . . . . |
|
|
|
|
Shawn wrote: |
. . . not exactly easy but very rewarding.
I'm doing a stint as guest host at TNC's Hart Prairie Preserve. Started Monday afternoon and haven't let up yet. Plenty to do, and a beautiful place to do it.
Heard there was a huge bull elk in the medow yesterday so got up early to check for him today. Didn't see him but did see about 45 others out on the prairie south of the aspen grove. At first glance I noticed 6 or 8, then put the binoculars on them which brought up the herd. Pretty amazing, just wish they'd been closer. One project underway is some trimming of the Bebb Willows (removal of dead branches to prevent a grass fire from "crowning" into the willows). So we are out there almost every day. These willows are the elk bedding ground, as evidenced by lots of grazed areas and droppings.
Monsoons started in earnest today, the sky opened up around 1:30 and rained hard for an hour. Now the air is clean and the sun is streaming in under a cloud layer to light up the aspen grove and the lower half of the mountain.
Life is good. |
AWESOME stint for you Shawn!! _________________ ~Tracy
“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
azbackpackr Hi Tech Wizardess
Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 3639 Location: Needles CA
|
Posted: 7/10/2010, 6:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Sounds fun! All these volunteer jobs sound so interesting and fun! Mikehikes is doing a stint at Lees Ferry as a volunteer rafting check-in ranger. I had thought about volunteering for the FS this summer but am having too much fun doing whatever I want to do... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sirena
Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 93
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
oliverr99
Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale
|
Posted: 7/15/2010, 10:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
I am jealous! I love Hart Prairie. Have a great time!! And thanks for all your hard work. _________________ Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tibber
Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix
|
Posted: 7/26/2010, 9:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
What a great way to spend some of your retirement. So incredible... your hard work will be appreciated by many for years to come. Thank you. _________________ Angela from N Phoenix |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
|
Posted: 7/27/2010, 9:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
For a couple hours tonight we watched a thunderstorm beat up Mt Humphreys. Lightening bolts, flashes, thunder crackling overhead, rain in the distance, the aspens shaking in the breeze, four elk running across the prairie all alarmed about something, coyotes howling . . . Words fail me to describe how incredible it was. Now (9 PM) its just a gentle rain.
Check out Neil's photos on facebook. _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Hikngrl Canyoneering is my 'Happy Place'
Joined: 27 May 2003 Posts: 5578 Location: Peoria, AZ
|
Posted: 7/29/2010, 6:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Neil has some beautiful shots up!
I am told we are on the calendar for some time in Oct this year. Is this so? I am gonna have to know pretty soon so I can make sure I am not on call for that time. _________________ ~~~Diane~~~
I want to shine! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
desertgirl
Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ
|
Posted: 7/29/2010, 12:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
What dates for October -- Can we make a sign up ? _________________ Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Shawn I'll sell you map to Lost Dutchman mine!
Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 2592 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ
|
Posted: 7/31/2010, 6:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Rain, rain, and more rain. Hard to get a full day's work in but it's still beautiful up here. The clouds against the mountains are spectacular.
I see something on the calendar that looks like us for Oct 22-24. _________________ The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
paintninaz
Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515
|
Posted: 7/31/2010, 9:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Shawn wrote: |
I see something on the calendar that looks like us for Oct 22-24. |
I will mark it on my calendar! _________________ ~Tracy
“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.” |
|
Back to top |
|
|
desertgirl
Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ
|
Posted: 8/2/2010, 2:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Penciled in... Its a full moon night on Saturday 23rd! _________________ Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Back to top
|
|