Road Trip with OFD

OFD said she wanted a ride in Lil' Red. She wanted to go some place she had not been before. She wanted to take photos. We could geocache along the way. Woo Hoo! Did I have a road trip for us!

Highway 288 is called the Desert to Tall Pines Highway. It runs along the west side of Roosevelt Lake north of Globe to the valley community of Young. Thanks to hiker, writer, blogger and professional photographer Hans, I knew this was the road that would check all OFD's requirements. It did not disappoint.

We piled in Lil' Red with all the stuff we might need for a day long trip; lunch, lots of water, geocaching supplies, hiking/walking sticks, snacks, and our cameras. 

The Mexican poppies are long gone from our area, but are in full bloom in Miami and Globe. (higher elevation) Whether they are planted or happen to grow this profusely naturally, I do not know, but their bright colors adorn both sides of the highway through Miami. 

It was our first stop as that was the agreement: we could geocache IF Hubby would stop when she wanted photos.

The second stop was along a small creek (river?) that flowed into Roosevelt Lake.  We were looking for a geocache, but OFD saw a photo opportunity. The one lonely saguaro growing on the rocky hill top caught our eye.

Small purple moths were flitting about, landing in the wet clay along the creek. They flew around us, landing on our arms. 

I spotted this crested saguaro along the highway and insisted Hubby stop so we could get photos.  The paved highway is just wide enough for two vehicles to pass and did not have a shoulder or pull off in this area.

He did stop, grudgingly. Keep in mind we have traveled about 70 miles and have not found a cache...yet. We had to keep moving.

Ah ha! Cache #1. Now he is in a better mood. The two of us had lots of time for photos.

prickly pear

a view of Roosevelt Lake from another geocaching stop

a clump of saguaros next to OFD

hedgehog cactus flowers at another caching stop

a new prickly pear lobe with soon-to-be stickers

One more view of Roosevelt Lake as we climbed higher into the Sierra Ancha Mountains, leaving the desert flora, and noticing more scrub plants.

this variegated whatever caught my eye

wildflowers appeared

Spreading Fleabane (Sunflower Family)

Verbena

Doubting Mariposa Lily

growing in the red shale

red rock cairn

3 mountain ranges across the lake

Our last view of Roosevelt Lake as we reached the elevation of over 5000 feet. The desert is gone. Pine trees are appearing. Part 2 of our Road Trip on the Desert to Tall Pines Highway is next.