We got to go ATVing to Box Canyon without the kids!

On Thursday of this past week, Christopher, Laila and the kids went to the Phoenix Zoo for the day. We decided that this was the time to get our riding group together and go for an adult ride. We decided to do a trip into Box canyon. When we left Apache Junction to go pick our friends Ron, Elaine and their grandson Curtis up, it was calm, beautiful, warm and sunny. By the time we reached their RV park in Mesa, only about 10 minutes away, the wind was howling and Elaine said it had been doing this sine 0300 hrs in the morning! We then drove out to the Arizonian RV park where our ATV's are and our group heads out from there and the wind was howling there also. It was just 0900 in the morning and boy was it cool.
Doug and I were using our friends Bruce and Connie's Razer, Ron and Curtis were using our ATV and Elaine rode with our friend Harvey in his Rhino and Trent and Ann also came along,.

 When we went riding with the kids on Tuesday, all little Lukie had wanted to see were cows in the desert! Of course we never saw a one! When I spotted cows on Thursday I knew I had to bring him home a picture

 We had to travel over an hour just to get to the trails on the south side of Highway 60. A lot of the travel was on roads through Queen Valley where we were traveling at least 30mph and boy was the wind cold. Even with gloves and goggles on, my hands were numb and my eyes tearing. I thought I would never get warm again! Here we are heading up into the hills over looking the mountains to the south looking down towards Florence and Tucson

 I had to take this picture for Christopher and Cole of the this rigged up jeep heading past us into the hills

We are getting into some pretty rough, rocky trails and we are sure glad we put new heavy duty tires on our ATV this year!

 Minus the wind, it was a sparkling sunny day and we could see for miles

 There is one spot where we have to traverse down a rocky ledge to get into the wash that leads us into Box Canyon. Ann is busy giving Harvey directions as he is the last of our group to come down.

These were some dirt bikers who came along right behind us at the ledge. The young woman was too afraid to ride her bike sdown so one of the fellows brought her bike down and she scrambled down. Gave us some entertainment!

 Curtis, Doug, Ron and Elaine just chatting as we take a break after coming over the ledge.

 Looking ahead and Ron & Curtis in our ATV as we approach Box Canyon

 It is hard to stop taking pictures as the scenery is so spectacular

 I have some dust on my lens and it makes for pretty spots as the sun reflects off them!

 There are some very narrow spots in the wash that you just squeeze through. You sure don't want to be down there is it starts to rain!

 Lots of different rock formations

 We were protected from the wind down in the canyon so it was a welcome relief!!

 You can't be claustrophobic as some spaces are very narrow with the rock walls closing in on you

 We are slowly making our way to a spot that has some sunshine and is a good place to stop for lunch

 Almost there, one more cornor to circumvent

 

We know we are at our lunch spot when we see these formations!

 We are all parked on the shady side of the canyon so other vehicles can get by us when we are stopped. It is a popular ride so we saw many other ATV's and jeeps this day

 We have lunch in style, making sure we are in full sunshine so the women are warm!

 Heading home, we have a couple of steep, shale hills to climb that are lots of fun. Especially  when we have friends along that have never done them! They never look as steep when you take a picture but they really are

 Doug is at the top waiting for the others to come up the hill. He will be setting up his tripod so we can get a group picture to commemorate the trip.  Something we always do!

 Elaine is taking a picture of Trent and Ann coming up the hill

Trent stalled his engine right at the steepest spot and we were all holding our breathes but he got it going and made it to the top.

 

 The scenery from the top is spectacular again as you can see for miles.

 Everywhere you look you see different scenery

 We look like we are dressed for a Canadian Winter!! from left in the front is: Ann, Trent, Sharon, Ron, Elaine

Back row from left: Harvey, Curtis and Doug

 I think Doug wants to black mail me with this one! I was bundled up so much doing my best to stay warm. My ears were aching from the cold breeze when we were zipping along at 25 - 30 mph!

 Hopefully soon you will see me in a lot lighter clothing as the weather starts to warm up. I am so glad I brought my down vest along!

Doug made me drive the rest of the way home as he thought it might warm me up! I had to borrow Elaine's blanket to wrap around my legs as i was freezing! The little Razer we were using didn't afford any protection from the wind and we don't get any heat off the engine like you do when you are riding in our Rhino! We had a wonderful 8 hour ride with good friends despite the cool wind!

On Friday we decided to just stay at home and relax and let the kids have some down time and just swim in the pool, play some tennis and sit outside and sun! On Saturday Christopher, Laila, Hannah and I went to a huge gem and rock show in Mesa. Cole and Luke didn't want to go so Grandpa stayed home and babysat. It was so lovely, warm and sunny and Laila got quite a sun burn! You have to learn down here to slather on the sun screen! Hannah was in her glory as she loves rocks. She got many free rocks from vendors and used her Christmas money to buy a few more! Both Christopher and I forgot to take our cameras so I have no pictures of her gold panning darn!