Saturday, March 9, 2019

Skywatching with Randy & Chuck March 3-9, 2019

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Chuck the Camera-Drone and I "fly the sunset" just about every night that we're able.  Some nights, it looks like the clouds are too thick for the sun to peek through. Then suddenly - God surprises us with a glorious painted sky and lit-up mountains and cactus..
Below are some of the hundreds of photos we've taken recently..  I'll post the date below each picture.  All pictures were taken in Gold Canyon Arizona in our "back yard" of the Arizonian RV Resort.
Note: You may notice some photographs of a Saguaro Cactus that resembles a hand and I notate it as Jake's Cactus.  Jake was our son who passed away suddenly 3 days after his 34th birthday on 3-7-2017.  I dedicated the image of this cactus to his memory.
Pictures were taken with a DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone "Chuck". Post processing via Microsoft Photos to adjust exposure, contrast & sharpness.  In other words, I don't add color that was not already there or "photoshop" results. What you see is what I took a photograph of.



"CHUCK" - Coming home from a mission


Randy & Darlene - Chuck's Pilot and Co-Pilot

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March 3, 2019

March 3, 2019

March 3, 2019

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March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019 - Little Mountain & Knife Mountain in foreground. 400' 



March 6, 2019 - Superstition Mountain



March 6, 2019


March 6, 2019


March 6, 2019


March 6, 2019 Panorama 180 (is it this one or the next one that's nicer?)


March 6, 2019 Panorama 180 (so hard to pic a favorite!)

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March 7, 2019


March 7, 2019 - Jake's Cactus


March 7, 2019 - Jake's Cactus


March 7, 2019 - Jake's Cactus


March 7, 2019 - Jake's Cactus - Panorama 180


March 7, 2019 - Panorama 360 @ 400'


March 7, 2019 - Arizonian RV Resort from 400'


March 7, 2019 - Arizonian RV Resort from 400'

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March 9, 2019 - Jake's Cactus - Panorama 180

March 9, 2019 - Jake's Cactus





Friday, March 8, 2019

FUGAWi Trip to Pinto Valley in Tonto National Forest

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On Wednesday 3/6/2019, we had the largest gathering of FUGAWi Jeepers ever.. Led by Jerry Rich and Clay Hadley, we put into the roads and trails just east of Top-of-the-World AZ (look for blue circle on map).  We drove the mine roads past Pinto Mine and then onto the Forest Trails and roads.  The scenery was magnificent as usual. Chuck the Camera-Drone made an appearance to try and do some aerial shots and video, but the wind whistling through the valley made the video pretty choppy.  I may try to save it, but it's doubtful. Santa Claus made a cameo appearance to solicit early wish list entries!
On this trip were -
Jerry & Nancy with Wonder Dog Eddie
Clay & Mooch Pooch Mickey
Lee & Kathy with Heidi the hound
Mike & Ann
Jerry & Shirley
Don & Shiny the Jeep (we missed you Jeanne!)
Randy & Dar with CoCoa the PERSdog (short for PERSonal Body Guard)



The RED STAR is where we ended up in Pinto Valley (see close-up below). We started from the Arizonian RV Resort (red heart - blue dot)

Our Picnic Lunch spot was at the far west end of the valley.  Some made the trip through the woods to Rock Creek to let the dogs play in the water and collect rocks.  Our dog CoCoa did not go to the creek.


Most of the trip was on Mine roads, basically dirt and gravel roads.

Not our typical offroad trip, but very relaxing just the same.

  Just be-boppin' down the road... :) 

Lee & Kathy -- Mike & Ann coming 'round the bend

Wouldn't you love to spend a week back in these hills and mountains?  I sure would...

So peaceful...

Okay, so we found a bit of mud...  Lee did his best to avoid it - we just went through the middle. In for a penny, in for a pound.  It was maybe 1.5 feet deep.


 Old Steel and wooden bridge.. 



Very old abandoned Barn & Stable with small corral. 

Finally made it to our spot..



Shirley danced while Jerry cooked! (just kidding...)....

Jerry and Shirley Kutsche & their Jeep Hombre

I've been a good girl Santa! Don't believe what Randy says...  Let's see, a Long arm quilter, yes! ...and some yarn!  Books, yes, I need more books...  Oh, and..........  :)

Chuck and his launch pad


Juniper trees going nuts creating their pollen!