Fun Fun Fun Under The Sun Sun Sun

Ocean is out of reach but lake is just around the corner. One warm day in Phoenix every time every summer always warm. But today we went to Lake Pleasant for some splashing'. Lake Pleasant is not really too bad and just pay $5 entrance, is just that some people bringing their dogs and just crapping around it's so frustrating. Good thing today water is not too high so we drove farther few more hills we've passed till we found the nice spot.It's a wide lake so you can have your own spot. It's a nice place for outings and only abouts 20 mins drive from the house. Pick up some snacking like delis and bakery in bashas and you are good to go. We have so much fun today and Richelle was enjoying too. There are few people over there for Tuesday, boating, skiing, fishing. The water is just right and it's cloudy around so not so much sun. We thought that it's gonna be hot so the plan is not to stay for a long time but when we got there the weather is just right so we stayed for a while.

Our Road Trip to the White Mountains Arizona and More

We took a 3 days road trip last August 4-6,2009 to the White Mountains in Arizona and around to Globe, Miami and Superior. We are not done on this place yet, this place is huge check this website http://www.aztravel411.com/. We are planning on visiting each of this town here in Arizona. It takes time you know and it needs expenses but this is our plan. From Phoenix to Alpine it took us approximately 5 hours drive with some few stops along the way. We been to Payson few times, we just couldn't get bored on this place cause it's cooler than Phoenix in summer. They have pine trees around, picnic parks, creeks and we've been to their fish hatchery one time. We stooped by at Showlow for lunch and took some few pictures. As we continue driving we just pass by at the Pinetop, Eagar and Springerville. We've been at Springerville before also i think our daughter probably just 2 or almost 2 years old. We stayed a night on one of their hotel. That place is very quiet and chilly at night even at summer.What i loved about the places we've passed is they have plenty of tress around. We stopped at
Lyman Lake before and is just minutes north of Springerville. It is one of the largest lakes in the White Mountains area and permits speed boats and water-skiing as well as fishing. Here you will find campgrounds with hookups, ramadas, paved boat ramps, restrooms and showers. There is usually a small herd of buffalo that hang out in the park. Cabins are also available for rent. We stopped at the Big Lake before also. The Big Lake Recreation Area is home to one of the largest newly developed recreation facilities, featuring improved campgrounds, hookups, and shower facilities. During the winter months, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is also home to one of the largest winter recreation areas in the southwest, where cross-country skiing trails, snowmobile rentals, and sledding areas are open to the public. From the stopped for snack at Springerville we continue our driving going to Alpine and still another half hour drive.We have some few picture of our very nice get away road trip.

The Beauty of Sedona AZ

Last July 22ND we went to Flagstaff, it's our fourth year anniversary and for a change we went exploring. A very nice drive we went a detour on highway 337 to see what Mormon lake looks like and the village. On the way, such a pretty pine village very pretty houses made of pine trees. We drove on a dirt road but even so it's very nice drive on such a beautiful day in the middle of those pine trees and we saw a lovely wide meadow. As we reached into the Mormon village it started to rain. Just a small village but it's great for camping, we are so surprise that there are a lot of people over their camping and it's Wednesday. There are a lot of RVs and tents around and that's gives us an idea that maybe next time we could do camping over there. A very nice place but i am so disappointed by the lake cause it looks like muddy and dried out, so not swimming just for camping.
We stayed at Flagstaff for the night and went thrift storing and exploring around town in the morning. I like Flagstaff it's every nice town, that was my 3rd time visiting that place. They have everything almost Phoenix as to offer and you got to love the nature and the pines and the weather of Flagstaff. On our way back to Phoenix we are planning on going to Sedona's way, i never been on that place but i heared nice things about that place. Again it's Wednesday and that place is full of people. Before that trip we are thinking about spending the night at Sedona and my husband is calling for a reservation but everything is full. Such a beautiful place no wonder it's very popular for rock climbing. They have a very nice red rock mountains. Just on our way alot of cars parking on the side of the road for some sightseeing, we saw students having some field trips. They have lakes too, so we saw ladies on their bikinis. If we could just left Flagstaff a little early we could stay a little longer around Sedona. It's like a tourist attraction place... As we reached into town again full of people, they have this booths of native jewelry's and stuffs like nost people selling in a tourist spots place. Just full of people and the set up is like in Care Free Arizona only fancier. Anyways, that was a lovely trip a very nice family bonding on our 4Th anniversary... I have this few pictures of Sedona...

A Glance of Globe AZ

Last Wednesday we drove to Globe AZ, it's unplanned drive and it's already afternoon 1pm. We always talked about it anyways and i don't know what gotten into our head. Might be boredom and heat. It's not too long of a drive maybe 1 1/2 hrs or 2 with some sightseeng and stopping we get there like 3. I liked Superior AZ, it's a very nice small town. A beautiful set up, a tiny town surrounded by mountains. Before Globe there is Miami,i don't really care. And Globe, not so much as i liked Superior but cooler weather than Phoenix and it went down as it gets late in the afternoon. We get to walk outside and do some sightseeing not to get hurry to go back in the car because of the heat and temperature gets down as it goes to the night. Very nice place and we sure do going back in there again and making sure i charge my camera battery. We've enjoyed our short outing and having fun sightseeing. I have some few pictures before the battery went dead.

House Prices

This morning we are just driving around from our neighborhood to like Northeast and check for some houses for sale around. As everybody knows Arizona is one of the state known for it's low, affordable or cheap cost of living. We are trying to sell our place one reason is tired to have some renters who is so behind and to be debt free. But we are not in a hurry just if ever it sold, so we are checking houses around just for fun. Gosh so surprise of the value of houses around. Most of what we've seen were either foreclosure or bank owned seems desperately needed to sell. Very low low prices, it seems that you can buy 3 houses if you have $100,000. This is just ordinary houses probably 2 to 3 bedrooms, which you know in a high prices season probably about 150,000 to 250,000 depends on the area. Gosh how much do you think the value now of those 2 story concrete fancy fancy houses which in high prices season cost 500,000 and up??? Those investors around, now probably is the great time to invest. I just wish i have money, i could probably invest some hehehh.

Revisiting Jerome AZ

Off to Jerome! Yesterday was my day-off and it's a beautiful day so we are taking a drive to Jerome. It was my second visit and the 1st was 2 years ago on my 29Th birthday. Just a family outing and we thought it might not so busy up there. We are thinking about riding a buggy too cause the last time we didn't tried. Well, parking space are packed as usual and people are touring around, visiting building after building and taking some pictures and reading some historical signs. The good thing is there is not much motorcycle people around cause there are plenty of them the last time. It's a nice exercise too walking around town, taking some pictures and our daughter likes to climb on the stairs cause Jerome is like a town in the hill. We walked around and visited the church an unfortunately there is no buggy. What i mean buggy is a carriage pulled by horses. There is nothing around that day, not sure if they stop it or just on the weekends. We ate on our favorite fudge place with some ice cream. We didn't ate launch on the haunted burger place though cause we got there past launch already and we had our launch at one of Cottonwood Mexican restaurant which is very good. We visited the Gold King Mine and the Ghost Town about 2 to 3 miles further. We never tried it too the last time and it's an interesting old place with some old preserved buildings like a dentist place, an old school, a shoe maker's place and few old houses and they said it's haunted. There are a lot of old stuffs and collections of cars and an old mining hole. That's interest me most cause you can find old old stuff in there from the 18s. There is an entrance and it cost us 3 for only 10.50. It's worth looking around and keeping memories on our visit. That was a nice trip and i'm still going back in there but i guess not for awhile and nextime i'm gonna visit that Ghost Town again. If you want to know Jerome AZ. Check on this website:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Deportation

http://www.travelsw.com/southwest-trips/southwest-trips-arizona/goldkingmine.htm

My 3 years of Stay

Today is my 3 years of stay in the US. I found a lot of differences from my native land and very different lifestyle but even so i remain to be the same and i don't think there's difference on my interest and my personality. I gain more confidence and still enjoying every new little things and making friends. I do miss my Philippines and my simple lifestyle as a sales working girl but i am married and have family now and stepped on another stage of life. I am just thankful for my amazing journey and cherish one by one forever even the saddest and happiest experience they're all amazing and wonderful like the saying says.... "The greatest things in life are the people we love, the places we've been and memories we've make along the way..."

Beating the Heat

We are in AZ baby! Most of the time during summer is 110 degrees and up so we are trying to beat the heat as much as we can without using too much electricity. We are only using AC on the living room most of the time cause our daughter always in there playing and the rest part is off and on if needed and fan if not really needed and if we are in that room. I hate surprises when it comes to our electric bill so we conserve as much as we can. Yesterday probably is so hot(I'm not checking weather all the time cause i get tired of it) cause every summer i am only using cold water all the way in the shower and that was the 1st time this summer that my cold water shower is warm. So frustrating cause i am so looking forward for my cool refreshing shower. Maybe one of this day went to a cool refreshing lake or pool for a dip and drink as much as cold water and bring some whenever were going out. From the house to the car your make-up is already melting and your body get sweaty already before the car AC starts cooling that's how hot it is in here.

Rain in May

After the warm 110 degrees last week of Tuesday it rains on Thursday and Friday. They said that it barely happens that it rains in Arizona in May cause it usually rains in July and August. From that day it's nice beautiful days till today. Hope stays that way, it's nice walking to the park and play outside with my daughter and my husband's working on his project outside. Still not looking forward for the warm summer but were almost there.

Cooling Down in Lake Pleasant

We have a very nice family day today. We went to lake pleasant to cool down and take a dip in the water. We are not really prepared cause we did not plan in going there it's just popped up that it's nice to go swimming on this hot day. Forgot the camera and towels as i was grabbing the bag and i though i dump everything in there. Too late that i found out and we are there already. We have a nice picnic along the beach and there are few people in there swimming, sun bathing, water skiing and sailing. It's a super wide lake and you can have a space on your own and ours is on a little island across the water. The water is so coooold but the heat of the sun is so warm and great combination when you want to go swimming. That was fun and our daughter is enjoying too. We're gonna go back again next time and next time we gonna be prepared.

Weather Weather

Phoenix weather today is a record breaker. Not summer yet but we reach a high of 110 degrees and tomorrow is gonna be 111 degrees. Is this the sign of global warming??? I don't really wanna comment or debate about global warming cause i have no idea if we are already there. A lot of people have different concepts about the excessive heat that we've experience and the connections of a different calamities happened in the different part of the world and a lot of people have different interpretations about it. Lets just help our planet, plant trees, as what they said "if there is tree there is life" it helps cleansing our environment from pollutions. Conserve energy... i know our generation is spoiled with a lot of new invented technology and just one click everything is done and we can't do anymore as what old people did before when there is no cars yet, no high tech appliances, no computers, no cellphones and etc. How about clean and green, plant more plants, trees, flowers... Keep the planet clean and recycle. How about if we are almost there in the global warming as what the bible says about the excessive heat?Lets just help save our planet and think about the next generation, for your kids, your grand kids, greatgrand kids, greatgrandgrand kids, greatgrandgrandgrand kids to live.

Wildlife Zoo Adventure

This morning we went to the zoo, honestly this is my 1st time visiting a zoo. We have so much fun even our daughter likes it. She fascinates with the birds anything that's feathery and she's chasing the ducks around. Me i just want to see the giraffe and the zebra cause they fascinates me, even though i only seen those on TV and movies. Arizona is getting warm so it's kinda warm in there, we are thinking about this last winter but just didn't get a chance.

We went for a ride on like a ski ride and i didn't know that my husband is afraid of heights but still fun for me. You can see all of the animals from above and it's only like probably as high as a two story house or less and our Richelle is so behave setting between us. I just loved natures and animals even some of them were wild and harmful but still their part of the world and they have their own kind of life. Just like in the poem, remember?

All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset, and the morning,

That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

Tour on the Kartchner Cavern

Kartchner cavern is a stunning limestone wet cave in southern AZ boasting with many world class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. That is why no pictures allowed on the cave cause on the last years the flashing of cameras ruining the caves surface.Inside the cave we walked along a 1.2 miles on the trail viewing multi-hued stalactites and stalagmites. As we enter on the cave i felt costophobia cause of it's high humidity and i'm afraid i'm gonna pass out cause we enter door by door with limited air and high humidity. You know it's been awhile feeling the high humidity in the Philippines. Our tour begins on an electric tram that runs from the Discovery Center to the entrance of the cave not far from the sinkhole were the discoverer entered the cave in 1974. We entered through a 420 long man made tunnel sealed by series of airtight doors designed to preserved the interior climate, temperatures in high 60's and relative humidity from 97.5% to 100%. The cave is extremely fragile cause exposure to outside air can dry out the cave and terminate it's growth.It's very nice inside and a little cooler than in the entrance area. Everytime we reach a certain place they turn on some lights, they planted electric lights around for the people to see it clearly the beauty inside the cave and they turn it off after we've passed that place cause heat from the light might ruin the original temperature inside the cave. Very nice dainty white helectites, translucent orange they call it a bacon drapes, spectacular soda straw formation, there's a "fried egg" stalagmites and the amazing column they call it Kubla Khan that stands over 58 feet tall.Aside from the amazing discoveries of the cave, they found some evidence of prehistoric life been in the cave including the skeleton of an 80,000 years old Shasta ground Sloth and the cave is also home of about 1,000 female bats.That was a very nice experience and as we went out from the cave i felt some condensation on my body from the humidity that i felt inside to a nice and dry on the outside of the cave.
Well, that was a nice, fun and fascinating weekend get away from a very interesting historical town of Tombstone, our staying a night camping in Benzon KOA camp ground and our amazing tour of the Kartchner Cavern.

The Birdcage Theater

As we walked around the town we stopped by in the Birdcage Theater as my husband knew this on the movie. This is the famous Birdcage Theater and it's over 100yrs. old and the theater is still standing and intact.

In 1880's it was not only a theater, but also served as a saloon, gambling hall and brothel. The New York Times called it "the wildest, roughest, wickedness honky tonk between Basin Street and Barbary Coast", since the Birdcage was the scene for twenty-six deaths during eight years of business.

Today the Birdcage has been converted into a museum, There are alot of bullet holes around that building as the guy attended in there shows it to us. Most of the furniture's, pictures and the things inside the theater were original and it's over 100yrs. old. It's very interesting theater were ladies of the night sold pleasures to cowboys and miners on the old days.

Check the link if you want to know more about the Birdcage Theater.

Birdcage location, description and history.

Birdcage pictures.

Camping and Exploring Benzon and Tombstone AZ

We got back from our camping and exploring last night, decided not to stay for another night in the camper cause i have to work today and i don't wanna get too tired at work. That was fun and fascinating weekend get away. We're camping at Benzon at KOA camp ground stay one night at Aunt Shirley and Uncle Bob RV camper. Explore to Tombstone on the next day as we wait for our tour schedule at Kartchner cavern at 2 o'clock.

Tombstone is one of Arizona's ghost town and they said that it's the town too tough to die. Gangster are leading the town before, if you've watched the movie Tombstone by Kurt Russel the story was based on the town of Tombstone. I've never seen it yet but my husband is relating the movie to me and he said that he's gonna rent it for me. Gosh! if you just knew that those people buried in Boothill Graveyard, most of those people were slaughtered, hanged and killed. It's a rough and tough days on the western time at Tombstone.

In the 1880's Tombstone was a blooming running town, gold and silver was the lure that also became a magnet to thieves, card-sharks,murderers, rustlers, and an abundance of unsavory bad guys. The streets came alive with hundreds of saloons, gambling halls and bawdy houses. Boothill overflowed with those shot during poker games, killed on drunken-endured gunfights and even hung for simply becoming a public nuisance. It's interesting town those old building most marking that we saw were from 1881 and seems most of those building somebody died in there as they put marking info on every old building and just based on what i read. Check this link if wanna more about the town:

TOMBSTONE

Tombstone,AZ- History and discovery.

Headed to Tombstone

Reminiscing Arizona's bygone days of the Old West. Today we are headed to Tombstone, one of Arizona's ghost town and it's one of the old west most famous town when silver was the king. I am so excited cause i heard about fascinating stories for all the people buried in Tombstone. This is the 3rd ghost town that i visited... the 1st one is Jerome, AZ 2nd is Oatman,AZ, even the town has not much to offer than just the old houses, saloons, stores but the place fascinates you with stories from the past. I will tell you the story of Tombstone when i get back.

London Bridge is Falling Down

Are you familiar of this song? When i was a kid we always played and sung this song and i thought that it's just a made up song. Well, it is really true that the bridge is falling down and one guy in America bought it from London and shipped it here and now here it is the famous London Bridge the second biggest tourist attraction in Arizona right after Grand Canyon. Check-out the history of the bridge and the 1st construction about 2,000 years ago, the collapsing, the sinking and the tearing of the bridge and how it got here in Lake Havasu City in the Wikipedia. What's interesting is my husband's Aunt and Uncle walked on this bridge when it's still in London and visited there on the late 1950's and still they were still like to visit Havasu and walked on this bridge alot of times.

Lake Havasu city is a very nice place alot of people visited this place not only for the famous bridge but also for being the city along the river and alot of people do boating and fishing. We followed the Colorado river from Laughlin Nevada, Havasu Lake and on our way going back to Phoenix we are still seeing alot of nice interesting places and attractions along the river. seems alot of people like to lived and settle down along the river banks. Well, i won't blame them cause there are alot of fun to lived near in the water and i am so jealous and miss Philippines while watching their blue green water looks like the color of the ocean.

An Old Mining Town

Friday, before we left Laughlin we spend our mornings to have a nice refreshing breakfast at the hotel casino buffet first and stopped at Harrah's casino for an hour after. Planning on headed Havasu Lake City and spend one night in there, but in route to Havasu we stopped by in an old mining town. Oatman is one of the ghost town here in Arizona. Ghost town because in early 1900 there are alot of people living in this place but on this present time only a 100 or less people maintaining the town. On the year 1915 the town is popular because of the gold mining business and one of the largest produces gold in Arizona. It's been said that Oatman produced 1.8 million ounces of gold. It's very interesting and historical town, there are alot of wild donkeys around waiting for people to feed them with carrots. It's been said that this burros were used on the gold mining before for hauling rocks and ore, they were released when the gold mines were closed. Burros were still all over the town when you go and visit Oatman, they were the descendants of the domestic work animals at old times. There is an old hotel in Oatman they call it now the Oatman Hotel and it was built in 1902. If you are familiar of the guy in the movie "Gone with the Wind" it's a classic love story, a guy there named Clark Gable. He is the King of Hollywood at that time and his wife Carol Lombard is the Queen of Hollywood. Well, they married in Kingman, AZ and honeymooned in this hotel at Oatman. They still have their room at this time well preserved and i took a picture of it. It's a very interesting town surrounded by a rocky mountains and they said that some people just found gold nuggets on the mountains at those times. As we enter the town on our way i said to my husband what kind of mountains are these no trees it's just rock popping on the ground, you know i never seen Mars but this place is like a Mars on the movie. He's just laughing at me and after i knew a little about the place and on my thought i bet under those mountains there are alot of gold on it.