Date Day Friday- Saguaro Lake

I took 592 pictures today, so you know I have a great day.

We went to a large body of water and rode a boat, so you know Don had a great day.

So, from the beginning, here’s a picture of a house on top of a mountain.  Pretty impressive from the highway.

“<Phoenix” painted on the side of a mountain, just in case you need directions.  Would be handy if you were in an airplane without navigation tools.

And then we topped a mountain and saw an amazing vista. Pictures just don’t do the layers of colors justice.

Scene after gorgeous scene.

Our first sighting of the Salt River.

The Saguaro Lake is in view and less then thirty minutes from the Q!

Don timed our arrival perfectly.  It’s lunch time!

On the lake side veranda of the restaurant was this very large Saguaro cactus.

We were a little skeptical about the cuisine, but were pleasantly surprised. I ate a salad that was very pretty and very delicious with smoked turkey and ham cubes. I’m pretty picky about my Italian dressing and theirs was really good.

We ate on the patio and this was one of our views. Just over the patio wall was a scavenger just hanging around and minding her own business.  She enjoyed a few pieces of tossed ham before we left. :-) I quickly sketched a close-up of the pretty kitty. (not)

We finished lunch just in time to purchase a ticket and get on the Desert Belle for a leisurely tour down the lake for about ninety minutes.

Waiting for the boat to get loaded and start moving.

Don is on water = one relaxed, happy camper.

The ducks came to see us off.

And we’re off! The weather could not have been more perfect for a boat ride.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them, but I really don’t think that’s possible.

We passed a couple of paddle boarders or maybe they were board paddlers.

Finally, Don’s gets to see some wild life. There are at least three Big Horn sheep in this picture.

Do you see the sheep hiding behind the bush in the middle of this picture. The whole boat was pretty excited about seeing these Big Horn.

The Four Peaks mountain in the distance is home to an active, producing amethyst mine.

Elephant Bridge Rock.

Ship Rock. Even though there are lights all around it and a flashing light on top, this rock “collides” with a boat about twice a year.  There may be a beer or two involved.

Saguaro cactus on Saguaro Lake.

Another view of Four Peaks.

Most everyone on this ride rode on the top deck in the rows of chairs up there. Since Don has had a pretty tough week, we decided not to climb the steep stairs and sit on the lower deck in the more comfortable chairs.  I didn’t do much sitting going from window to window to front door taking pictures.

ATVing here would be fun!!

Wildlife sighting #2:  See the blue heron?

The granite cliffs and rock formations were just beautiful.

Wildlife sighting #3:  Another blue heron.

Saguaro cactus do not start growing “arms” until they are about seventy-five years old.

Wildlife sighting #4:  Actually, this is the same Big Horn sheep, taken on the return trip, but this time I got a few better pictures. This is a ewe. Her horns aren’t as big as the buck.

Just a dead tree.  Have you met me?

The ducks came to escort us back to the dock, most likely hoping for a few morsels to be tossed their way.

Good bye, Desert Belle, you were very kind to us and Captain Mike was a great tour guide.

Wildlife sighting #5:  On our drive back to the Q, we passed a huge parking lot by a big metal building. Out in the middle of the parking lot in the shade of a tree was a lone wolf, just standing there. Of course, we were a good fifty yards away from him.  After I took his picture, he just laid down.  He looks healthy, but may have been injured.

Another view of the big house on top of the mountain.

Thank You, God, for my wonderful husband who still takes me on the most wonderful dates.  I am so blessed and I am so thankful.