Winter in Apache Junction, Arizona: Dale & Debbie #68

Dale surprised me with a flight back East to celebrate my 65th birthday with my sisters! What a great start to the new year! They made me feel special, and our time together was fun and memorable, as always! I’m so thankful for my three sisters!

I was truly surprised to see more of my family when I thought we were going to meet two of my aunts for lunch! I had two birthday celebrations!

My sisters and cousins…the guys beside me are also turning 65 this year.

It’s always somewhat sad to leave my sisters, but I was happy to get back to Phoenix, as far as the weather goes! It was way tooooo cold in MD & VA while I was there; I even returned a day early to beat a big snow storm.

We had a good winter in Apache Junction, AZ, other than some major sinus issues for me (more on that in my next travel update). The weather was very nice with very little rain! The only issue with that is there are no wildflowers come spring. :(

Whenever hiking in the outskirts of Phoenix, I was always on the lookout for a bobcat or mountain lion. One day, I popped over a hill and saw this deer; she surprised me as she was the first one we had seen.  

You never know what you may come across while hiking!

Poor cactus - I hope he had a good life! I’m always saddened to come across a dead one, so I remind myself it’s part of their life cycle.

North of Phoenix, there’s a master-planned community called Tatum Ranch. It contains a golf club, subdivision, condos, villas, barber shop, plaza, etc. Most every place begins with Tatum Ranch; it was neat seeing all the signs with our last name as we drove around.

The cougar shadow is a natural phenomenon that occurs twice a year around the spring and fall equinoxes (March and Sept.). The setting sun casts a shadow resembling a leaping, open-mouthed cougar jumping after its prey on the Superstition Mountains. It can be seen about 30 minutes before sunset from a few days up to a week, if all conditions are just right.

It’s a big deal in Phoenix, especially if you live in Apache Junction where it can be seen. We went four evenings, and this is one of our better photos, but it’s still not as good as pictures we’ve seen on websites.  If interested, there are good photos on this site:  https://danielleoutdoors.com/superstition-mountains-cougar-shadow/

I liked the “heart” in this shadow on another part of the mountain better than the cougar. ;)

Our friends, Scott and Teresa, worked on a NOMAD project that was about 1.5 hours from us. They are very dedicated in giving their time and service for this organization as they work on several projects a year while traveling full-time.    

To learn more, take a look at this website: https://www.umc.org/en/content/nomads-traveling-with-purpose-for-service  

One day, they met us at a botanical garden. Then we had a delicious lunch and toured Queen Creek Olive Mill.  

Don’t eat unripe olives, per Dale! I took his word, especially since I don’t care for them ripe! But, I do like to use olive oil; it was interesting to learn how it’s made.

Due to the dust from the wind, the mountains couldn’t be seen on this day!

We didn’t hike or bike as much as we had hoped to due to all my sinus headaches, so Dale spent a lot of time in the woodshop at the RV park. These are a couple of the many items he made!

I’m going to end with some of my favorite sunsets!

Saguaros are my favorite cactus!  

Until next time,

Debbie and Dale