McNeil River Bears

CEC_0720.jpg, originally uploaded by Carl Chapman.

McNeil River is one of the best places to see Brown Bears. Its only a couple of hours flight from Homer Alaska. In the summer, sometimes its best to head north.

Carl

Waiting For A Bus

CEC 9791, originally uploaded by Carl Chapman.

You have to leave the city to really find the desert. Yes, its a 4 hour hike from the trail head, but worth every step.

Carl

Where Eagles Fly

DSC_4882.jpg, originally uploaded by Carl Chapman.

This shot is the same, but not cropped. The flight path was very close to the lens.

Fly-by

Fly-by, originally uploaded by Carl Chapman.

I was just walking along a trail when this guy flow by me.

Carl

New 5 Bedroom Home, Only $249,999

Carter Rd Phoenix, AZ 85041

Brand New 5 bedroom, 3 baths home. This home has never been lived in! Home is situated on a Premium corner lot, right on the beautifully landscaped greenbelt, with no neighbors directly in front or on East side of home! Living Room w/vaulted ceilings; Family Room; Large Kitchen with Granite Counters, Island, Pantry, Upgraded Cabinets, hardware, Appliances; GE Softwatering Water System; Breakfast area; Upgraded lighting fixtures throughout; Large Loft; Computer niche upstairs; 1BD/1BA downstairs; Spacious indoor Laundry Room; 2 Car Garage and Covered patio. Community offers Children's play area & Pool! Cesar Chavez Park & Aguila Golf Course are also only mere minutes away! offered at $249,999 MLS Number: 2844128 MLS Source: ARMLS Property Type: Single Family Community: Trails at Amber Ridge County: Maricopa INTERIOR FEATURES Features: Dishwasher, Range/Oven, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, Kitchen Island, Pantry, Granite Counters, Upgraded Cabinets, hardware & Appliances, Eat-in Kitchen, Breakfast Room, & lots more to offer!

Scottsdale Home For Sale, Only $355,000

Cambridge Ave Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Professionally Remodeled home with permits! Beautiful! Everything redone from walls to wiring to plumbing! Two master bedrooms. Large master bathroom: gorgeous shower with duel showerheads, large bathtub with jets and double sinks. Travertine from floor to ceiling in all bathrooms. Granite counter tops in kitchen and beautiful cabinets throughout home. All brand new Stainless Steel appliances. Travertine floors throughout home. Real Bamboo floors in Living room. Backyard has gas fire pit and built-in BBQ with outside fridge. This is your dream home! Home is also close to ASU! offered at $355,000 Price Reduced MLS Number: 2782357 MLS Source: ARMLS Property Type: Single Family Community: Cavalier Vista County: Maricopa INTERIOR FEATURES Features: Dishwasher, Range/Oven, Garbage Disposal, Refrigerator, Inside Laundry, Vaulted Ceiling(s), Wet Bar, Formal Dining Room, Breakfast Bar, Eat-in Kitchen, 3+ Existing Telephone Lines, Pre-Wire for Surround Sound, Cable TV and High Speed Internet Available, Family Room

Mountain Park Ranch Community $320,000

Badger Way Phoenix, AZ 85044

Location is great! Gorgeous home with cozy fireplace and separate eat-in kitchen! Fourth bedroom can also be used as a den. Nice large backyard with grass and trees. Desirable Mountain Park Ranch Community! Featuring community pools, spas, tennis courts, lighted volleyball, basketball, walking and exercise trails! Lots of parks and greenbelts! Close to all businesses. Very nice and private neighborhood! Great home to call home! Come see, you'll fall in love with it! offered at $320,000 Price Reduced MLS Number: 2797397 MLS Source: ARMLS Property Type: Single Family Community: Mountain Park Ranch County: Maricopa INTERIOR FEATURES Features: Dishwasher, Range/Oven, Garbage Disposal, Breakfast Room, Breakfast Bar, Family Room, Inside Laundry, Skylights, Vaulted Ceilings, Cable TV and High Speed Internet Available, Den/Office The source of the information is based on information from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of 09/14/2007

2 baths on 1.12 acres Only $220,000

Cocopah St Buckeye, AZ 85326

Nice home, three bedrooms, 2 baths on 1.12 acres. No houses behind. Beautiful mountain views. Great location! Must see! Near Buckeye Airport and the I-10. Home needs some TLC. Sales price reflects "as-is" purchase. Needs minor work, completely livable. Come see and call this home! Great business opportunity for anyone that owns their own business and needs space for equipment and vehicles, and maybe a new shop! Come check it out! Horse property also ok, shared well $25.00 a month. offered at $220,000 MLS Number: 2766631 MLS Source: ARMLS Property Type: Single Family Community: Hopeville County: Maricopa INTERIOR FEATURES Features: Dishwasher, Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Inside Laundry The source of the information is based on information from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of 09/14/2007

3 bedroom home with a den, only $210,000

Greenway Rd Phoenix, AZ 85023

Three bedrooms with a den, or a fourth bedroom option. Neutral tile floors and Berber carpet upstairs. Home has no common walls and a huge backyard with large storage shed. Beautiful, Professionally Managed quite community with pool, spa and tennis courts. Two car garage and large kitchen. Great home for this price! offered at $210,000 MLS Number: 2813172 MLS Source: ARMLS Property Type: Single Family Community: Canyon Creek County: Maricopa INTERIOR FEATURES Features: Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Range/Oven, Refrigerator, Microwave, Pantry, Washer, Dryer, Vaulted Ceilings, 3+ Existing Telephone Lines, Cable TV and High Speed Internet Available, Security System-Owned The source of the information is based on information from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed as of 09/14/2007

Buckeye Arizona

On the southwestern edge of Maricopa County with a majestic view of the White Tank Mountains from almost every vantage point, sits the town of Buckeye. The town is located approximately 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix.

Buckeye is one of largest towns, when it comes to size, covering nearly 600 square miles. The towns area stretches north to almost the town of Wickenburg, south to the town of Gila Bend, east to the Hassayampa River, and west to Perryville Road. Buckeye is Arizona's biggest mall town. Buckeye is accessible from Interstate 10 and State Highway 85.

Location is one of the main reasons people select Buckeye to live. Buckeye is far enough from Phoenix to be out of the traffic, yet close enough to receive the metropolitan advantages.

Residents enjoy the amenities found in Phoenix and then return to the quiet comforts of living in Buckeye. This town has so much to offer.

At one time Buckeye sat on far fringes of the Valley of the Sun, in an area where residential and commercial developments ended and desert wilderness and farming began. However, today the town is much different. Some consider Buckeye to be the last frontier for new development in the Valley of the Sun. It is the hot spot in the West Valley.

Cherry Creek Drive

I last took this drive many years and several ago. Check with the Forest service before you take off. Things change and there is not anyone out there to help you. Plan your trip and go with another 4 wheeler.

And now the adventure.

Looking for a terrific drive set within the Tonto National Forest. Then, I have the scenic drive for you. The road follows alongside Cherry Creek through a canyon revealing spectacular views”. I could almost feel my hands gripping the steering wheel tighter, as I read the article in the paper describing the “ Cherry Creek Drive .” I just had to try it myself. The following weekend, I climbed into my truck and headed northwest out of Globe on State Highway 88.
When I got closer to the Salt River, north of Roosevelt Lake, I took State Highway 288 north. Once I crossed the Salt, I was on the lookout for Forest Road 203.

This road follows the Salt River for several miles. I was in heaven. The views were good and the road was easy, just as the article had said. Eventually the road left the Salt River water’s edge and began to follow Cherry Creek. There was even a point in which my truck transverse the creek. In reflection, I believe it was at this point the drive began to change.

In the beginning, the change was gradual. First, Forest Road 203 became 202. Then, the once easy to manage dirt road became one that could only be described as a path to negotiate not drive. As a matter of fact, the road worsened as I headed north. Then the “terrific getaway”
turned into a three and a half hour experience, that had begun at the turn off at the Salt River.
By the time Forest Road 202 dead-ended into 512, I had only one option.

I continued north, until the road finally dumped me out near Christopher Creek on State Highway 260. It was dark by then and I still had a couple hours drive back to Phoenix . Now, there was one point that the article was correct in reporting – the views. These are views that are right off the cover of Arizona Highways. There were many times, perched on the edge of the canyon wall, that the meandering creek could be spotted in the vegetation below.

Yes, I did say vegetation. The trees along the roadside were so overgrown that numerous times throughout the drive branches popped inside the passenger’s side window. Of course, you just must make the drive with the windows down soaking in all of nature’s wonder. Plus, at the rate I was traveling, trying not to slip off the road or blow out a tire in a deep rut, the dust was not a problem. As my mom would always say, “You can’t believe everything you read.” Boy, that sure was evident in my little adventure. I would say that 80% of what I read did not prove to be true.

I recommend only four-wheeled drive vehicles venture down the path. Make sure you travel with another vehicle. It makes the rest stops to enjoy the view and to swap driving maneuvers more fun. Plus, you are traveling in an isolated area, east of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness and safety is a concern.

I would also start this adventure early in the morning. It is no picnic riding down a road you have never seen with only your headlights as a guide. As for my mom’s saying, “Don’t trust everything you read".

I would have to argue that point. I pride myself on telling it like it is, no fluff.
Arizonan Adventures reflect the state. Arizona is a state of beauty ranging from deserts to forests, yet the paths to see some of these sights can be a bit bumpy.

Until next time,

Carl

Arizona Adventure To Crown King

This adventure is one that has played out many times since it was first written. Crown King is still one of my favorite places and the road is still rough. Enjoy. Carl

Welcome to another Arizonan adventure! This driving adventure started out so simply, but by the end of the day there was a story to be told. It was a Saturday afternoon and I decided to head out of Phoenix on Interstate 60 up toward Wickenburg. Actually I had no plan in mind, just the desire to get out of the city and see something new. As I was flying down the road in my Bronco, I noticed a sign near Morristown for Castle Hot Springs leading off toward the east. I had always wanted to see this historical spot. So Turned off and traveled down Castle Hot Springs Road.

As I drove, I remembered bits and pieces of what I had read about the springs. Long ago Indians had discovered the springs. Mineral water flows from crevices in the rocks and the temperature of the water ranges from 115 degrees to 122 degrees. Later as Phoenix grew, the springs were located again. A wonderful resort was built by the springs and many famous individuals came to the springs to improve their health or just rejuvenate. While I was driving, I wondered what the resort would look like today.

After about 30 miles of dirt road through a beautiful valley between the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains I came to the springs. I parked the truck in front of a large white building. This building appeared to be the main part of the resort. However, there was a fence around the entire property. Visitors could only image what it was like being a guest here.

During my search for a map to see where the road continued on to horse greeted me. This friendly and hungry fellow proceeded to stick his head inside the open window of the Bronco. He was obviously in search of a treat. I gladly obliged and gave him a chocolate donut, which is a standard driving snack purchased whenever leaving Phoenix on a road trip. Then I decided I should take off before his owner arrived on the scene to discover chocolate coating his horse’s lips. Down the dirt road I went, with only a map that did not show much in the area and no markers in sight. Soon, I came upon a large rock with the letters “CK” spray-painted in orange along with an arrow pointing northeast. I checked my map again. There was a town called Crown King that was located to the north of here. I decided I might as well see where this road goes. I did have a full tank and the desire for an adventure.

While I was driving, I noticed that the road was getting a bit more difficult. There were spots where the road split and I always hoped I was choosing the best one. At several points during the drive, I could not see over the end of the truck’s hood. Well I guess I should say, I could see over it, but the only thing I could see was blue sky. Oh yes, there was the time that my back bumper scraped the road and bent it out of shape. Not only was the road becoming more difficult to transverse, but also I still could not figure out exactly where I was on the map or where I was headed.

Although, at one point on the drive I was up high enough that I could see in the distance behind me to the southeast Lake Pleasant. I decided to continue on. To add some more spice to the trip, every 20minutes or so a motorcyclist or ATC’er would come flying around a turn at an unbelievable speed heading straight at me. This made driving a bit more tedious, as if it wasn’t all ready. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, I came along a wash and a ghost town. I believe it was the old mining town of Minnehaha, located at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains. Here, I also encountered more off-road vehicles. I noticed two Jeeps. One was high centered on a rock on the edge of the road and his friend was helping him negotiate his Jeep off. Then the most amazing thing occurred. Throughout the journey, I had been checking my digital outside temperature gauge; the temperature had been gradually rising from 116 degrees on up. Now the gauge had reached 123 and then it simply went out.

Later I found out that the gage only reads to 123, after that it fails. All of the summer heat was trapped in the canyon. It was here that I decided, that if I got out of this place I would never return. After passing the Jeeps, I noticed the road was heading upward. The road narrowed and was clinging to the edged of the Bradshaw Mountains. I began my ascent. After about a mile, I came face to face with a pack of off-road trucks with men wearing baseball caps labeled “Road Hogs” and carrying walkie-talkies for communication between their vehicles. The first truck rolled down his window to say hi. I told him that I would be glad to back up to let them proceed and asked if there was anything at the top of the road. He said sure, there was the town of Crown King and a great restaurant surrounded by cool pines. I couldn’t believe it. I backed up and watched their band of road hogs pass by.

Then I was on a mission. I headed up the road with only one thing on my mind, food. It was a spectacular sight! As soon as I topped the mountain, pine trees sprang into view and the wonderful cool pine air flooded the truck. The road leveled out and there were campsites sprinkled around the roadside. I traveled 3 or 4 miles and then on my right, on a hillside I noticed a sign for the Mill Restaurant. I quickly pulled in. I ate lunch on the wood deck and enjoyed the numerous humming birds that make this place their home. During my lunch, I learned several important things. First and most foremost, nobody takes the back way (the road I have just described from Phoenix through Castle Hot Springs on up to Crown King),unless they are true off-roaders and very well prepared.

As a matter of fact, I was told only a week before a family decided to take the road down and their vehicle slipped. The family was all seriously injured after crashing 1200 feet down the side of the mountain. Instead, I learned that there is a much easier road to take up and back to Crown King. It is County Highway 59. You can get to the highway from Interstate 17, just past Black Canyon City heading north out of Phoenix. You should take the exit for Bumble Bee and head down the dirt road called County Highway 59. You will drive past the town of Bumble Bee(there’s a small gift shop/snack shop here, but not much more) and you will go by the town of Cleator.

I need to take a moment to share another story about this small town. On one of my many trips up to Crown King, (after discovering this quick road up and back) I topped the hill above Cleator, only to realize I had blown out both of my right side tires. I know I was shocked too. I ended up rolling my truck down to town. I went inside the saloon, where I encountered several locals. All of which were equally amazed I could achieve such a feat. But that wasn’t as amazing as the sight of a can of “Fix-A-Flat” on the shelf near the cash register. One tire had to be replaced and luckily the other one filled of “Fix-A-Flat” made it back to Phoenix.

Once I was back in the city, I purchased four new tires and four new cans of “Fix-A-Flat” and then headed back up to Crown King. On my way, I stopped in Cleator and donated two cans of “Fix-A-Flat” and thanked them again for their generosity. Then I was back on my way. I never let a little ripped rubber ruin a day. The road up to Crown King from Interstate 17 will take about an hour or so. This a much, much, much easier drive than the one I just described up the back of the Bradshaw’s. I also found out that Crown King was once a mining town. The county highway that you take up to Crown King zigzags up the Bradshaw Mountains. This road was laid over the railroad tracks that led up to the mine.

Today Crown King is a charming town. There is a saloon full of history, two restaurants, a general store, camping areas, cabins and a motel. Crown King is one of my favorite spots to venture to on a hot summer day in Phoenix. I love the fact that I can be in the cool pines in just less than two hours. I love that there is a delicious piece of fudge waiting for me at the general store. I love that there are more interesting facts about the town that I have yet to learn at the saloon. I love that there are always humming birds waiting for me on the deck of my favorite restaurant.

I love making the final turn into town and seeing pines towering above me. But most of all, I love the fact that I can experience all of these things without taking that horrendous drive up the backside of the Bradshaw’s.

Carl

Photo Sharing On Flickr

I put most of my photography up on Flickr. Click on the link or look me up under chapmanarizona.

Carl