Corral Canyon / Mowry Trail - Arizona Jeep Adventures

We had an amazing time exploring some trails in the Sonoita/Patagonia area of southern Arizona this weekend.  Monsoon season was in full effect and really came down on us a few times... as you can see from the sheer darkness of the clouds - it was the real deal.  We were bombarded with hail and heavy rains through much of the rough areas in the Corral Canyon - unfortunately I was a little afraid of being struck by lightening and didn't want to drown my expensive camera so I wasn't able to get out and shoot the Jeeps climbing the rocks and navigating the mine pits... maybe next time - because it really is one of my favorite trails here in southern AZ.  I took most of the pictures out the window from the safety of the passenger seat.

As Military Man says: now, on the the next!

xo - Jess

Passing through Box Canyon - Arizona Jeep Adventures

Had another fabulous Jeep adventure this weekend through Sonoita/Patagonia area and back up through Box Canyon.  Most of the pictures I shot from the passenger window as we were driving by... much of the road was rough and we were bombarded by hail and heavy rains.

...more to come!
- Jess

Old Glory Mill and Mines - Arizona Jeep Adventures {mobile monday}

Ok so after our first botched attempt to find these Old Glory Mill ruins, we set out again early last Saturday morning more determined than ever to find them.  We embarrassingly discovered that it was not five minutes from the place we were last time when we couldn't find them - we simply didn't turn up the right path the first time we were out there.  It did not disappoint - nice easy trail, cool mountain air, sunshine, plenty to explore... mission accomplished!

I was reluctant to take my 5D with us on this trail because the first time we went out that way it was terribly dusty and I don't want to risk ruining my gear... but I was able to take these with my mobile phone.

Grandpa Dan and Military Man brought along their metal detectors and found a few junk pieces while Grandma and I made a make-shift picnic under a grove of mixed mesquite and sycamore trees.  We watched some mating dragonflies and talked about geodes.

It was a lovely day - except for the blazing sunburn Sam and I got on our shoulders after I had convinced him to take the top off the Jeep... the road back through Arivaca was long, and straight sun the entire way home.

Happy Trails!
xo - Jess

California Gulch + a bit of Monsoon Season

Summer has been very low key around our place the last three weeks. Freckle Face started her first job working with the city through the art program at the district to create a mural for part of the underground crossing between north and south Sahuarita Road. She has enjoyed working on the project, although I suspect she is relieved to know that it doesn't go on all summer - she's realizing it's just as much work as getting up for school, if not more being up and ready super early in the morning and staying on your feet working all day measuring and cutting tiles, drawing and laying out plans, painting, etc. it really is WORK, lol!

We make a Jeep trip with the Bishops out past Arivaca to the California Gulch area near Ruby, AZ and Pena Blanca Lake. It was HOT and dusty... like really really dusty. We missed the area we were shooting for but found it on our way back from the trail. Well at least we know how to find it, so we
can go back and have a look around another time - maybe after it has rained sometime so we don't
have to breathe hot, dry desert clay-dust. It was still nice to finally get out and enjoy a little Jeep adventure, even if we couldn't find the right trail and landmarks.

Other than that, things have been fairly quiet around here. Buggy has decided she would like to follow her big sister's footsteps and join the NJROTC this coming school year... which had lead to her deciding she better start practicing her physical training NOW so that she's a little more prepared for the end of summer Hell Week that hits everyone like a ton of bricks if they're enjoying the lazy summer a little too much. She and I have started a walk-to-run program, running at 5am three days a week. It has been rough some mornings, but it feels good to get back into a routine that resembles some more of our family normalcy after the crazy year that we've already had.

Monsoon season has officially begun... temps have already reached 110 *F and we've had a few short bursts of rain. I love this time of year, even though it's insanely hot - the storms are phenomenal and there's really no words for the brilliant sunsets monsoon season brings... I can't wait to capture some this summer.

Hope you're all enjoying your summer too!
XO - Jess

Sunrises, Student of the Month, Jeeping & Football Season {mobile monday}

Here's a recap of the last week - in mobile phone shots....
* Buggy was awarded Student of the Week AND Student of the Month for outstanding character recognition
* Football season has officially kicked-off... not with such a great start for our Packers, but we are still hopeful for some awesome games in the future this fall
* I got some new frames, everyone seems to like the different style, but I'm still debating... they're a little nerdy
* Monkey Boy and his best friend enjoyed some playful rivalry via Madden on Xbox
* We enjoyed several incredible sunrises and sunsets this past week and some great family adventures in the Jeep - wearing the kids right out!

Have a great week folks!
xo - Jess

Pena Blanca Canyon Trail

Chiva Falls

Finally made it all the way to Chiva Falls.  We stopped 3/4 mile from the end of the trail because it got a little too serious and we were alone and on a tight time frame.  Worried we wouldn't be able to maneuver the Jeep the rest of the way we decided to hike in on foot.

The "falls" weren't too impressive as it hadn't rained in about two weeks, but it still had beautiful and serene scenery.  We even saw a cougar footprint in the wet dirt next to the pools along the hike up... a little unnerving considering we were hiking into a secluded area surrounded by tall rocky walls with plenty of cave-like niches for a predator to lay in wait.  About an hour after we decided to head home the monsoon rains hit and caused a lot of flooding.  Happy we got out out of there when we did, although a flash-flood triggered waterfall would have been an incredible sight!

xo - Jess

Jeep Adventure Through San Rafael Valley

Swimming In The Pond

Military Man and I took a short day trip southeast of here through Corral Canyon.  The trail was awesome - very different from what we're used to.  The road was manageable but tight, sometimes barely enough room for the Jeep.  It was green as far as the eye could see, but don't let the heavy clouds and vibrant foliage fool you - it was still HOT! - humid and we caught the wrath of several mosquitoes when we hopped out to let the dogs run around and take a dip in the pond.  Copper was in dog heaven - he swam across that thing and back several times.  He also attempted to herd Daisy into the deep end to join him in the joy of swimming, but she was not liking the deep.  She mostly stuck to the shallow end and spent a good portion of her time dragging her chin along the edge of the water... weird girl!

It was nice to get out and explore a place that wasn't steep rock climbing and desert scape for a change.

- Jess

Our Summer Activities, part 2

Here's a brief look at the second half of our fabulous summer break... it went by far too quickly, that's for sure! 
* Monsoon season was a bit of a bust again this year, only a couple of good storms brought any actual, measurable rain to the desert.
* The kids enjoyed some Circus, Circus! in Las Vegas as we met Grandma for a two-week trade off.
* Cousin Jacob came down for a two-week visit we went camping and swimming and played video games.
* Grandma Brunette taught us how to make homemade candy - lollipops.
* Copper and Daisy made a new friend while camping, Tank.
* Copper and Daisy also got a little down when the kids were both gone to Utah and when they were packing backpacks in preparation for going back to school.