TONOPAH ARIZONA

 

Tonopah, Arizona is one of our favorite places, it offers so much to do and see.  The main attraction is the Saddle Mountain area.  It is located on BLM land and that means it is government land and can be used by the public for various reasons.  Linda and I hiked as much of it as we could while we were there, we did manage to hike all the way around it.  The cactus where starting to bloom on the back side of the mountain.

Linda and I hiked with several different couples while exploring the area.  While hiking one day I came upon a desert tortoise.  The next afternoon I took Linda and Gina back out to the mountain to show them what I had found.  The tortoise was suning himself when  we arrived and we didn't want to bother him as they are protected.



One of our day trips was a 4-wheel drive ride up Harquahala Mountain Trail.  Harquahala Peak Observatory was constructed in 1920 by the Smithsonian Institute to monitor solar activity.  The ride to the top is great but the views of the area mountains is spectacular.  On the way up Keith thought he had run over a snake so we all got out to check it out.  Charlotte was concerned that it might get hurt if we left it in the road, I got a stick and tried to move the snake to the side but instead I flipped it between her legs.  In case you are wondering the snake is fine?




 

 



Lucky for me that Chuck and Gena were willing to share their dog with me.  Rio usually stopped by daily for some good pet'n or just to pick up a treat.  He always gave more than he got.