Quails to Trails

Quails to trails pretty much sums up my day in Arizona. We started out north of Phoenix in the Tonto National Forest (funny forest- no trees, all cactus!) at the Lost Dutchman's Trail.

Arizona has a user fee for its parks and forest, in the form of a $5.00 parking fee. While visiting with the ranger issuing our permit, I heard some unfamiliar bird calls.

He states, "Oh, them's Gambel's Quail. They're real common round here." In short order, I had some great looks at several pairs of Gambel's Quail. (Too bad Dave Lewis wasn't with me, and we would have some better shots from behind!)

Needless to say, in my book, Gambel's Quail, Cactus Wren, Black-throated Sparrow add up to a real bargain for $5.00!

Some white-knuckled excitement came in the form of our afternoon drive through the Superstition Mountains. Route 88, otherwise known as the Apache Trail is about 41 miles of hair pin turns and sheer cliffs, once again proving guard-rails are for sissies! Not far out of Tortilla Flats (population 6) the road turns into sand. Average speed- 20 miles an hour; cars crashed at the bottom of the canyon- 2; experience: priceless.

The Apaches finally got their revenge.