Camping

We finally went away for a weekend. Well at least for a night. As many of you know, we are not ones to stick around on the weekend. We would go to my parents, go camping, visit friends, we were always going somewhere. Well since moving here we haven't gone anywhere for more than a day. Since it was my birthday weekend I decided we were going to go camping. Its been a long time since we camped, and I love camping.

I chose a state park just south of Sedona in a town called Cottonwood. The park had hiking, camping and it was on a river that always has water. I was excited, finally the kayak can go out. We packed up the car and left Saturday morning for Dead Horse Ranch State Park. It took about an hour and a half and the temps dropped about 10 degrees. We got to the park, picked a sweet camp site and ventured to the river to see where we could put in.

our camp site

the Verde River

"Oh" is what we said when we saw it. It was flowing very quickly and was a nice muddy color. Man that's not going to be very fun, we both thought. In the end the kayak never left the roof of the car. Since it was only about 82 degrees we decided to just go hiking. We ventured around the park for a few hours and came back to the site to make some dinner.

perhaps the original ranch

Tuzigoot National Monument in the distance

The little microbes you crush if you leave the trail
A roadrunner

Camping is so relaxing, you just sit in your chairs, get a fire started and enjoy a beer under the stars. That is just what we did. The park was not very crowded so we had very few neighbors. We ended up retiring around 10:30 pm after the fire died down. As we were getting ready to go to sleep it started. Far off in the distance a yip, then another, then a howl. It started quietly, barely noticeable. Then slowly more yips and more howls until it culminated to what sounded like a thousand yips, cries and howls. Then just like that, quiet. I love to hear coyotes, its such a unique experience. Its not something we grew up with so its always a little nerve racking at first. All that separates me and them is nylon. But, being the animal person I am, I know that these small dogs will not hurt me and could care less that I am here.

Around 5 am I was jolted from my sleep by the howling coyotes. I listened as the cries gained in numbers. Cool, I thought, very cool. As quickly as it started it ended and I noticed that the sun was beginning to pop out. Thank goodness because, damn, it was cold out. From under the blanket I am pretty sure I heard Brian say "dont let them get me", and then he was asleep again. What a wuss.

The morning temperature, burrrr!

We rose early and decided on a short 2 mile hike before we left the park. Although the kayak never left the roof, it did get to see some wonderful scenery as we drove up and over the mountain back down to Phoenix. This state just keeps amazing me.

-Nina-