The Superstitions near Phoenix

We are camped at Mesa Regal RV Resort—quite the luxurious place, and huge--2000 sites, crowded close, but it has four pools and every activity you can imagine.  This is how the other half of snowbirds live—swimming, happy hour with neighbors, biking around the park, zumba, Bible study, even a concert by Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers.  There is a grapefruit tree at every site.  We are relaxing for nearly a week here while we wait for the snow to melt in Flagstaff.  We want to start north, but it is still winter there.  We are staying here half price with Camp Club USA that we joined in fall.  We rode the tandem bike to church and the concert because the hall was on 4th Street and we camped on 20th, all within the park.

The Superstition Mountains loom over Apache Junction, stark and steep.  We hiked at Lost Dutchman Mine State Park, but did not find the fabled lost gold mine.  Another fabulous hike and another amazing feat for Don to handle the rough terrain.

We drove part of the Apache Trail up into the Superstitions, with hairpin curves, drop-offs and hills.  Canyon Lake is one of several reservoirs on the Salt River that used to water crops for native people centuries ago.  We had great chili at Tortilla Flat—an old mountain stagecoach stop, now with a population of six, but lines of tourists enjoying the drive and the prickly pear ice cream.

I don’t know how these campers got up here—I sure would not drive a trailer up this road.

Queen Creek Olive Mill has great Italian deli food, but we spent way too much on olives, olive oil and tapenades.

At Lost Dutchman Days in Apache Junction, the midway shines below the Superstitions.

The festival featured a rodeo—a first for us.  We enjoyed every event. 

Bareback broncos

Calf roping

Saddle broncos

Bull-riding:  I cringed a few times when the bulls threw riders and seemed to charge them on the ground.  I agreed with the announcer when he commented on the necessity of wearing a helmet to protect the skull that protects the brain that actually advised, “go ride on a bull.”