Completing the 4K Mile Loop

The final stop on this four-week loop was Prescott, AZ. A nice town that has grown too much and is becoming suburbia. It was one of the old west towns that attracted the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. I sat at the saloon bar that was in place back in their day.

But the highlight of this town is the trail network. Ripley and I got out on two trails. First, the Willow Lake trail to Pioneer Park where we saw lots of different grasshoppers. More on that later. Then we headed over to Thumb Butte. We made this a 3 mile loop and saw great views.

This is Prescott. And who knows what that tower in the lower right is - vacation home on steroids??? The Beaver Tail Cactus was full of fruit.
And as I mentioned there were some neat grasshoppers. This one flies with orange wings. We also saw black hoppers with red wings, and tan ones with blue wings. I tried to photograph them in flight, but they are too quick. I never appreciated grasshoppers before, they were always just a nuisance. Not anymore.
And on the drive back to So Cal, I spotted my favorite cactus, the Cholla. Back-lit like this they are so vibrant in the desert landscape.
And then I arrived back at Ramona. Carol welcomed me back with a birthday chocolate pie and April and Desi came by to celebrate. The Chargers won. The Dodgers won! Life is good!
Next stop San Elijo.