Where Are We Wednesday

 APACHE TRAIL 

 

I needed a day away from the city. So a friend of mine, who is always up for an adventure, joined me on a drive down the Apache Trail. For those of you outside of Arizona, the Apache Trail is also know as State Route 88 and it runs through the Superstition Mountains. At one time it was a stagecoach trail named after the Apache Indians that used the trail to travel the Superstitions.

This highway gently winds its way East from Phoenix to Roosevelt Lake where it meets up with SR188 and heads to Miami, Az. We didn't go that far. But it does bear noting that even though we live in Arizona, and everyone knows that we have vast desert areas, we have over 100 lakes in our great state. On this trip we drove past Canyon Lake. There were plenty of places to stop on the side of the road to take a look. We went over a couple of bridges near the marina and decided one of these days we are actually going to have to go on the lake. Anybody have a boat?

I love the scenery on this highway. The rock formations are amazing. The Superstition Mountains are home to rock climbers, hikers and treasure hunters. The tale of the Lost Dutchman Mine is pretty well known in Arizona. Many people have gone missing looking for the ever elusive gold said to be somewhere in these mountains.

 A little farther down the road is a great place to stretch your legs and get something to eat. The Superstition Saloon and Restaurant has great burgers. And you can belly up to the bar and sit on real saddles that make up the barstools there. The restaurant holds down the boardwalk on this small strip of leftover remnants of what was a true Western town. Tortilla Flat started out as a prospector's campground for men looking for gold in the Superstitions. In 1904 it became a stagecoach stop. Now, besides the restaurant, there is a large souvenir shop and ice cream shop. At the end of the road is the schoolhouse that houses the museum. It's just a tiny little place. I couldn't fit my car in that schoolhouse. But it is full of old pictures that give you a better idea of what went on there back in the day.

We decided to head on back down the road toward home and stopped off at Goldfield Ghost Town. It's hard to believe there was a time that this town was on it's way to being bigger than Mesa. Back in its heyday Goldfield had 3 saloons, a general store, a brewery, boarding house, blacksmith and meat market. Unfortunately the vein faulted and the town withered away. Now, it still has the saloon, a coffee shop and restaurant as well as the Chapel on the Mount. 

The chapel sits at the top of the hill. The views up there are lovely. You can go inside the chapel and sit for a while. 

Heading back down the hill you go by the Bordello. I love this building. But as you pass this building there's a little sign that says "Live Reptiles". Follow that sign. It goes down around the back to a very out of the way room. Once you step inside the smell hits you. Yes, reptiles smell. And there are a couple where you can see them. There was a woman at the desk advising there was a $4 charge if you want to see the good stuff. What the heck, we forked over the fee and stepped in through the curtain. Inside were multiple enclosures housing over 20 different snakes, 10 different spiders, lizards, scorpions and the most ginormous roaches you've ever seen. You know those hissing cockroaches? Yeah, well, these were twice as big. The woman is Calleen. And these reptiles are her own personal collection. Reptiles don't bother me, but my friend was a little iffy on them. However, Calleen is so knowledgeable and so friendly that you forget your fear. She helps you see their personalities and the next thing you know you're standing with your nose almost touching the glass talking baby talk to the slithering snakes and spiders. She even showed us some very special tarantulas of hers that she does not put on regular display. They were beautiful.

After that we went back toward home a little further and stopped real quick at Apacheland. Once upon a time it was a movie ranch where several Westerns were filmed. It burned down once in 1969 and again in 2004. We originally stopped out to see the white chapel but stopped in to the barn to see pictures of actors who had filmed out there in the late 50's and 60's. It looks like they're trying to build it up again. There was some construction going on around the place. The chapel is very quaint. But for me it lost a little of its luster when we went inside and there was a very bad Elvis statue standing on a stage. No. I didn't take a picture. I couldn't. It was really bad.

So that's where we were Wednesday. Time to find some place with plenty of chips and salsa, beer and margaritas. If you're looking for a quick day trip out of Phoenix, this is highly recommended. 

So hit the road. Obey all traffic laws. Be safe. And have a good time.

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October PopSugar Must Have un-boxing!

Back in the 80's my mom had a monthly subscription. Each month a lovely little box would show up and I would get more excited than she would. Mostly because I knew she would give me whatever she didn't want. Inside that box were wonderful little treasures. Perfume, makeup, scarves, lots of lovelies. And now, I have a subscription of my own.

I discovered PopSugar must haves through a youtube channel I subscribe to.  Jen at The Busy Bee Buzz did an unboxing and I fell in love. Every month now I get my own little box full of lovelies. This October box is my third box. So far I have not been disappointed. The picture above is the inside of the box. Just opening it makes me happy. Even before I know what's inside.

Then they have a little leaflet inside that explains all of your goodies.
 

The first thing I took out was this darling pair of socks. They're Happy Socks Animal Socks. They're an adorable leopard print made of combed cotton. Combed cotton is much softer and stronger than regular cotton because of the way they treat it before spinning it. These socks are definitely soft. I can't wait to wear them.
 

There's always some sort of sweetness in the box. This time it's Pumpkin Spice Maltballs from Dean & Deluca. I love maltballs. And these are scrumptious with a hint of pumpkin. I was afraid at first the pumpkin would be overbearing since they are so very orange. But they are very delightful. I usually keep my goodies hidden in my desk drawer. Otherwise my kids would eat them.
 

Also included is a sheet of Halloween Designs from NailedKit. Unfortunately I just got my box 3 days before Halloween and don't have time to do my nails with them. I might do the cool orange squiggly lines for November since they're a nice Autumn color.
 

Now, I'm not sure why this picture came out so blurry. It's not like the pencil was rolling around. This is a butter London Wink eye pencil. It's gray and great for a smoky eye. It goes on like, well, butter. 
 

Oh how I love soap! I love soap! This is K. Hall Designs Shoreline Shea Butter/Olive Oil Bar Soap. The smell is wonderful! Kind of like Ivory but with a zing of citrus. Soaps like these are so nice that I hate to use them. I'll have to make an effort to use it. I mean, what good is it if I leave it on the shelf?

Ooooh! A candle! I love candles! See? These boxes are just full of my favorite things! This is a chalkboard candle by Mine Design. You can write whatever you want on this reusable candle. I'll have to think of something very clever. I love that it comes with it's own chalk. This has a very light vanilla/citrus type scent. 
 

Now this is really cool. When I first took it out of the box I didn't know what it was. It just looked like an acrylic slab. But then...there was a small slit on the side and when I pushed the top half of the slab, it came apart. And it turns out this is a magnetic acrylic picture frame! This is the coolest thing ever! I love it! Now I just have to find the perfect picture to put in it. 

So that was my October PopSugar must have box. So much fun. I'm already excited about my next one!