Helvetia Mining Hike

It turned out to be a blustery day for a hike but well worth the chilly air. We headed up the Santa Rita mountains to a former mining area with lots of rocky trails and animals. Glancing up the mountainside, I spotted 2 deer who then spotted me too!



Cows were also out grazing in the free range.






Beautiful views in Santa Rita mountains






Amazing turquoise shades in rocks




Entrance to a mining cave


Colorful rocks were throughout this area


This is the remains of the corner of the hotel that used to house the miners.


After hiking through the chill, we took another cross route to see the "smelter." This is an area the miners would come to burn off the valuable minerals. As you can see from my pics, the rock is black, black, black and flakes at the smallest touch. A




Grasses


Mining cave entrance at smelter


Straightest monkey cactus seen yet!


Smelter rock designs


Base of smelter area


Posing at the base of the smelter






Remains of cooking/kitchen area of mining operation


Old stove


Grass on smelter rock backdrop




Dry bed


Tree growing through metal bucket


Old car

You know you are in Green Valley if...(part 2)

Some of you might recall an entertaining blog I wrote about Green Valley on a former trip. Because Green Valley's population is 55+, it makes for an interesting experience.

Take, for example, our latest trip to Walgreens and seeing the end of a brick wall obliterated. Now, it very well could be the trucker smacked it while attempting to get in the docking area, but given it's Green Valley, it's also highly likely the sweet, little old lady down the road obliterated in her run for scripts.

My latest addition to the list of ways to know you are in Green Valley comes courtesy of today's indoor swimming experience. A lady floating leisurely in the pool volunteered she observed a gentleman come out of the restroom without anything but his birthday suit one time at another pool. Upon realizing his error (and nakedness) he declared, "Oops!" and returned to attire himself before swimming.

ONLY IN GREEN VALLEY!!!

Copper Mines and scenic shots

Copper mines outside Green Valley














Purple prickly pear cacti indicate a high level of distress - mostly due to lack of moisture - but they are very beautiful.

Ode to the Bug and Shooting Practice

Today after a run to the White Elephant, Jim and I headed out for a little golf ball shooting with the 22. The day was lovely and I didn't do too poorly with my shooting coach nearby. My big bonus for the day was the dilapidated VW bug nearby so enjoy my pics!