Arizona 2004 Vacation

(Angel goes to Alpine!)

 

This year, Cathy and I decided to do an Arizona Vacation.  We did some poking around earlier in the year and found the Coronado Trail Cabins in Alpine, Arizona.  Alpine is around 8,050 feet, and on most days, about 50 degrees cooler than Phoenix this time of year.  We had the heater on the last few evenings/mornings we were there, oh yes!

We had originally booked for 4 nites, but after about 3 hours there, extended for 3 more.  Jobs, who needs um? 

We started out with Mom, Cathy and Angel in the mighty Mercury, and your bobJuan on his new motorcycle.  We met in Payson for our first stop in the cool country.

IMG_1261.JPG (540976 bytes)  We got the we're on vacation look going here!

 

IMG_1262.JPG (556867 bytes) well, not so much here.

 

We spent three nites in Pinetop, and then headed on up to Alpine.  Here are some cabin/area shots:

 

IMG_1270.JPG (576003 bytes)  IMG_1271.JPG (425982 bytes)  IMG_1272.JPG (373576 bytes)  IMG_1273.JPG (340809 bytes) that's right, she's COLD!

IMG_1274.JPG (493901 bytes)  looking into Alpine: IMG_1277.JPG (484442 bytes)   IMG_1278.JPG (413577 bytes)  IMG_1310.JPG (515740 bytes)  IMG_1311.JPG (472315 bytes)

she works hard for the money: IMG_1358.JPG (327630 bytes)  IMG_1314.JPG (277577 bytes)  IMG_1315.JPG (516315 bytes)

 

Elk

There was a herd of 75 elk around our cabin every evening and morning.  The morning show was wonderful, babies crying, carrying on, on their way back up to the trees after breakfast.  Here are some shots/vids:

 

IMG_1300.JPG (415610 bytes)  IMG_1301.JPG (387981 bytes) Elk1.vid  Elk2.vid

 

Hannagan Meadows

Cathy and I took a bike ride (20 miles) to Hannagan Meadow.  Nice!

IMG_1289.JPG (724569 bytes)On there way there, we found out we were in WOLF COUNTRY (Cathy was telling me that we were in God's Country, but this sign indicated otherwise.  As it turns out, the entire area up there is part of the effort to bring back the Mexican Grey Wolf.  Wish we could have seen one.

IMG_1290.JPG (598044 bytes)  IMG_1291.JPG (609933 bytes)  IMG_1292.JPG (444763 bytes)  IMG_1293.JPG (495319 bytes)

 

The Road To Big Lake

We took a day trip up to Big Lake.  The most beautiful drive on the planet!  This road is about 2 miles north of Alpine, and once we got there, we went back every day.

IMG_1302.JPG (323129 bytes)  Talk about a get-away.  This cabin is tucked away WAY up there on this lake, and Cathy wants to buy it! IMG_1303.JPG (389411 bytes)

Big Lake: IMG_1307.JPG (367102 bytes)  Back out on the road:  IMG_1308.JPG (512319 bytes)  IMG_1309.JPG (399860 bytes)  IMG_1316.JPG (397233 bytes)  IMG_1317.JPG (415765 bytes)

IMG_1318.JPG (433326 bytes)  As it turns out, Big Lake is just fine, but the trip up/down that road is absolutely divine.

 

Day Hike:

We enjoyed the area so much, we went back the next day and did a day-hike.  The happiest day of our lives.  This is a mountain-bike trail (probably an old jeep trail).  Easy hike, we did about 3 hours in/out.  This trail is about 8 miles from the cabin.  Check out this beauty:

IMG_1321.JPG (590718 bytes)  IMG_1322.JPG (493690 bytes)  IMG_1326.JPG (630725 bytes)  IMG_1332.JPG (682400 bytes)  IMG_1320.JPG (199434 bytes)  IMG_1323.JPG (210815 bytes)  IMG_1325.JPG (263050 bytes)

IMG_1331.JPG (302918 bytes)  IMG_1336.JPG (283304 bytes)

 

The Black River

And again, up the road to the Black River for a little cooling off.  The river is about 15 miles from the cabin.

IMG_1338.JPG (545415 bytes)  IMG_1340.JPG (568188 bytes)  IMG_1342.JPG (643305 bytes)  IMG_1346.JPG (620158 bytes)  IMG_1354.JPG (602768 bytes)  Vid1 Vid2

Nice graveSite: IMG_1355.JPG (356124 bytes)  Now, that's REST IN PEACE baby!

 

The Town of Alpine:

IMG_1360.JPG (348411 bytes)  IMG_1359.JPG (157266 bytes)  IMG_1361.JPG (384974 bytes) Janie, our favorite waitress at the Bear Wallow Cafe.  Great food every time:  IMG_1362.JPG (433274 bytes)  IMG_1363.JPG (355443 bytes)  IMG_1366.JPG (281526 bytes)

 

We hope we can meet you up there in Alpine one summer day.  It's about 260 miles from door-to-door for us to the cabins.  We highly recommend the cabins and the trip to Alpine.  The folks Sherrie and Paul run a first-class outfit there. 

 

Warmest,

bobJuan & Catalina.