Hike to Wave Cave, 20 Mar 2020

Hike to Wave Cave - still keeping our social distance!

Since all our venues closed on Thursday, Mar 12th (during the middle of our Thursday afternoon Clinic Class), we have been struggling to stay busy, healthy, & happy!  We are folks who love a routine & this abrupt cancellation of all of our sessions was quite unsettling.  We are very lucky that none of our dancers in the Mesa area are sick with Corona Virus (even as I write this on March 23rd!  And the weather is lovely.  Lots of folks immediately left when the dancing stopped, heading back home before any of the quarantines or transportation cancellations could effect anything.  Those of us left continued to have some small get togethers - maintaining the suggested social distancing.  George & I were getting out to walk around our neighborhood & enjoying having our windows open to hear the birds & enjoy the warm breezes & lovely smells from the citrus trees & wisteria vines.

When we discussed meeting with Marlyn & Michele, we decided to choose a day we could get out & hike.  It rained on Wednesday & Thursday was chilly, so we waited for Friday & Michele met us outside their park to show us their space.

We sat outside their 5th wheel for a little while before heading out.  Enjoying the lovely weather & discussing afternoon plans.  Enjoyed watching a Red Tail Hawk soaring overhead in the beautiful blue sky.

We decided on the hike to Wave Cave.  We'd not been there before & they had just done it recently & knew it was easily accessible.

Distance:

3.2 miles Elevation Gain:872 feet Route Type:Out & BackWave Cave Trail is a 3.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Gold Canyon, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from September until April. The spectacular views at the top and the shaded cave make this a great hike. The trail has a steep climb at the end and a rocky descent.

We drove & it was easy to get there & park.  We knew it would not take very long, so we didn't have much with us.  Marlyn had the only back pack with some water & a few snacks.  Marlyn & Michele both had their binoculars, but I had forgotten mine.

The Trailhead was easy to find & even though there were quite a few cars, we didn't see anyone as we started out.

The majority of the hike was fairly level with a wide dirt, clearly marked trail.

As we got closer to the bottom of the mountains, Marlyn pointed out a waterfall in a crevice beside us.  They had followed a faint trail towards it, but it was not maintained & they were having to maneuver through brush.  Not such a good thing to do in the desert!! 

They saw a Gila Monster.  Here's the pictures.  We thought about wandering a ways down the trail to look for it, but decided we didn't want to risk getting scratched up on the brush.

We soon started gaining a little elevation.  Amazing to get such incredible views in such a short time uphill.  

Before we knew it, we were at the cave.  There were a few folks up there, but easy to maintain our social distancing.

Michele gave us advice for our unforgettable picture!  On one & only time to surf!!  Great fun!

It was cool up at the top, so we didn't hang around very long.  

Our only real bird sighting was this guy.  Couldn't get a picture that showed any color.  Started walking up to him, but he flew of course!

Anyway, it was a lovely day.  Highly recommend you use this slow down social distancing time to get outside a little!  Even if you could only walk a few steps up a trail, it's excellent to get outside & breath some wilderness in - helps to get away from the depressing news!

Desert Belle Cruise

Special Friday Group Cruise!!!

What a great Day!!  Started for most of us with a complete review of Bill & Carol Goss's beautiful Viennese Waltz - "In the Arms of an Angel."  That was fun & gave us all some exercise.  We were all impressed when they went to demo at the end & Bill couldn't get his voice to play.  He cued the dance live while they danced together!  Way to go Bill & Carol!!!  Very impressive!!!

Then the afternoon progressed with different activities for all.  I went shoe shopping with Birgit & Martin (our danceer/teacher/cuer friends from Germany that are visiting for a couple of weeks.  Unfortunately we couldn't find any shoes in a style she wanted in stock that fit right, but I placed an order for 3 new pair of FLAT fun shoes!!!  Glad that George didn't go with us!  Ha!

Then on to the main event!  We rode with Birgit & Martin to the Saguaro Lake Marina for a fairly short notice sunset Narrated cruise!!!

We arrived about 4:20pm & found several of our group of 30 dancers already waiting to board the Desert Belle.  This event was also a testing day for my new cell phone strap.  Already see an issue when it has slipped over to cover a portion of the picture!!!

We loaded onto the boat & met Captain Randy - our pilot & narrator.  He was spectacular!  They load the boat in specific order of check in - the earlier you check in, the sooner you board.  Therefore, our folks were scattered from front to back & up & down.

We slid out of the dock & onto the lake while Captain Randy gave us both some historical info (this is one of the 4 lakes in Salt River Project (Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, Roosevelt).    The project was began in 1903 & has many purposes - hydro electricity, water resevoir, & flooding prevention.  Not to mention the recreational uses.  He also gave us many specifics - average depth is 65', surface area of 1280 acres.  He told us about the trails surrounding the area & some of the wildlife we might see (Big Horn Sheep for one!). 

A few minutes after leaving the marina behind, the automatic awning covers slip open.  He said they were mostly to protect us from the poop bombing attacks of the many birds in & around the dock - especially the wily Grackle!! 

We slid close by the rock cliffs & all kept an eye out for any wildlife.  The recent rains made for some beautiful contrasts in the colors. 

Scenery was spectacular.  Loved every second of it.  He gave us the names of all the cliffs & small off shoot canyons, but I don't remember them.

I do remember Ship Rock being pointed out.  He said boats had been known to crash into it, so it was sometimes called "Ship wreck Rock."

The cruise was an hour & a half, so all too soon, we reached the end of the lake & made the slow u turn to return to the shore.

As we continued the cruise, I noticed additional dancers that were with us that I didn't know were coming!!  Cool!  We filled up a huge portion of the boat!! 

We all got very excited when George called out that he saw the silhouette of a Big Horn Sheep on the ridge. 

I didn't get any real good shots, but that didn't keep me from snapping away!  John & Malva got some pretty good close ups, so I'm hoping they will share.  But since they were to leave early Saturday morning for a vacation to San Diego, I might have to wait until they get back!  If anyone else got one - please share!!!

Most of the final minutes of the cruise flew by as we all tried to snap the winning photo of the amazing sunset vistas of 4 Peaks Range! 

George & I thought we spotted some horses up on the rocky ridge, but no one else noticed & my zoom couldn't pick anything up for sure.

As we slid back into our slip on the dock, I was thrilled with the colors all around us.  All in all it was a lovely time!  Most of us tripped up the stairs to the Marina's restaurant & had dinner together.  The service was pretty good considering we had all arrived at one time (along with a lot of the other boat passengers).  We sat out on the deck & although we were afraid it might be too cold, it really wasn't too cool until about time to leave anyway!  Food was just so so (french fries were the best), so not highly recommended, but still it was enjoyable & the day was great fun!

Highlight of the dinner was singing Happy Leap Day Birthday to Bob Jordan!!!