All Vaxed Up and Nowhere to Go

 

Scene from Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek, AZ

So, we are going on almost two weeks since we got our second COVID vaccine. We had some reactions to both the first and second Moderna shots but survived the sore arm, chills, fever,            backache, and general malaise. Jim hit the jackpot and got "COVID arm", which is really a thing. We're glad it's over, but now what? 

With the assumption that we are now relatively safe, we've made several doctor/dentist/hair appointments that have been put off for far too long. It feels strange to get back out in the world and get near other people without fear of getting sick, even though we are still wearing masks. 

In the meantime we've been doing our usual hikes, bike rides, walking around town, and working with Fearless Kitty Rescue. Nothing much to say, so here are some photos.

The following are from a loop hike at Spur Cross Ranch. We've been checking out some different trails.

Looks like this saguaro is being smothered by its arms

As dry as it's been we were surprised to see any water in Cave Creek

Several years ago we saw lots of dragonflies here, but none this time

It's a lovely place for a hike

One day we hiked a new-to-us trail at Coon Bluff along the Salt River, about 25 miles from Fountain Hills. The bonus was after our hike we walked down near the river to see the wild horses that come there every afternoon.

A zoomed sneak peak at the horses from atop the bluff

We found a fairly easy way to get down off the bluff and took the low road back

It was a good hike. We'll definitely do it again.

And then the horses. There was a volunteer from the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group who told us a bit about the horses and warned about not getting too close. So of course we saw a man petting one while the woman he was with took photos. We were secretly hoping the horse would kick him, but no such luck.

It's a big herd

A little horse play. You can see how close people were getting to them.

Mark and Bobbie spent a few nights at McDowell Mountain campground on their way back north. We hiked, biked, and had a few beers with them. Always a fun time.

Resting at Jackass Junction on the Pemberton trail

Dispite the drought we found some blooming ocatillo at Adero Canyon a few days ago

And as always a few cat photos. This is the River family. Mama Ellie and her kittens Danube, Mosel, Rhone, and Rhine. She made pretty kittens, but none of them have her coloring. They are very friendly and will be adopted quickly.

Mom

We have a little road trip planned for next month so stay tuned. Really looking forward to some new scenery.

A New Year but Nothing's Changed

Verde River in the Tonto National Forest

I had good intentions to do one last 2020 post but somehow never got around to it. Our holidays were quiet and we are just happy to still be here in this tumultuous beginning to 2021. 

I wanted to remember a few more hikes we've done since my last post so here goes. Alex and Ellen were out at McDowell during November and December, and although we are still social distancing, we visited them several times outside at their site, and one day met them and Terry for a hike at Adero Canyon.

I just like the look of this saguaro along the Bluff trail at McDowell Mtn Park

Terry, Jim, Alex, Ellen taking a break on the Promenade trail at Adero Canyon

There are numerous options at Adero and we have finally hiked all the trails there and have started repeating them. 

Mark has been camped down in the Superstition Mountains so a few weeks ago we made the 47 mile drive to visit our old Lazy Daze and take a hike with him. He was in a beautiful but not so level spot.

We jokingly gave him a hard time about his leveling job, while being impressed that he was able to get up on all the boards and blocks without someone spotting him.

It was a gorgeous day along the Wind Cave trail.

Last week we checked out the Tonto National Forest 10 miles north of Fountain Hills and found some horse trails along the Verde River. We had never been up there before and were surprised at how pretty it was. And we got to see two of the many wild horses that live along the Verde and Salt Rivers.

Almost missed this horse in the water getting a drink.

On Friday we made another trip to Gold Canyon and the Superstitions to hike with Mark again. Bobbie had joined him from Colorado a few days before, and Chris arrived a couple weeks ago. We managed a socially distanced hike on some bike trails off the main trails, since this is a popular area and we were trying to avoid the crowds. Luckily we only saw a couple of bikers out there.

Jim, Chris, Bobbie, Mark

Cute painted rock I found

And a couple more photos I borrowed from Mark.

Bobbie and I heading off into the desert

Jim, Gayle, Bobbie, Chris. We liked taking photos with masks on as we didn't have to worry about smiling.

So other than hiking, fretting over the news, and trying not to catch COVID-19, we've been spending more time working online with Fearless Kitty intake team duties. We didn't realize what went on behind the scenes of a rescue organization until we got more involved. I really like it.

We are still getting our hands on cats at our Thursday afternoon caregiving shift. These three have all been adopted since I took their pictures before Christmas.

Addendum to this post: After I finished writing this I found out someone left two cats in the donation bin outside of Fearless Kitty Rescue, which of course is for food, litter, cat supplies, etc., not cats!! The carriers they were brought in were dumped next to a trash can down the street. Fortunately, a man walking his dog found them, as the volunteers only check the donation bin a couple times/day. It was a good thing the cats were microchipped as they turned out to be registered to another cat rescue in the Phoenix area. They were contacted and then called the people that adopted the cats from them, as they had adopted three, not just two. They were told to bring the other to Fearless Kitty this morning, which they did, and someone from the rescue came to pick up all three of them today. I am trying to reserve judgment since the cats are safe, but it's not easy.

And we're still patiently awaiting the vaccine but suspect it will be at least a couple more months. 2020 was a long year, and so far by the way 2021 is playing out it isn't looking much better. Only time will tell...