The Road Stops Here

 

Our road started here, in the North Ranch (Escapees) RV Park in Congress, AZ.  In the park we met our latest biker buddies, Doug and Jan. 

From the park we went on one of our favorite rides up the Weaver Mountains, or “Yarnell Hill” as it is known locally.

Those two white scars on the mountain are the roads up (lower) and down (upper).

AZ 89 continues through the grasslands of Peoples Valley,

to the town of Kirkland Junction, and continues north east to Prescott.  Today, however, we turned north west on AZ 96. 

It is a beautiful ride past weathered rocks,

ocotillo (okoteo), saguaro, prickly pear, creosote bush, and 

smoke trees (cousins of the palo verde, but never all at the same time.

96 winds its way through foothills and mountains until it ends in the town of Bagdad, then it stops.

We were all out for a ride, but this diner in Bagdad makes an excellent place to stretch our legs and fuel up.

Of course, the place has a Happy Days/Arnolds theme.

Our waitress was very upbeat and made us laugh.

After a couple hours of good food and good conversation, we wound our way back the way we came.

The Santa Maria River

Some of this area is privately owned, but much is multipurpose BLM and as such, leased as open range.

There used to be several painted rocks in this area, but we only saw the chicken.

Back on AZ89 we passed the beautiful Hidden Springs Ranch, back through Yarnell,

and down “The Hill” to home.

Just for fun:

I’m not drinking, but holding up the camera.

The neighbors (headlight) and part of the winding road behind us.

Helmet ‘selfie’

All four of us had fun on our ride and loved the beautiful scenery.  We will be making more rides soon.

Louise and Duane