Shrimp in the Arizona Desert

This coming Saturday November 7, I plan to visit the small town of Gila Bend in south central Arizona. Known years ago as the fan belt capitol of the United States because of the extreme summer temps resulting in large numbers of vehicles losing their fan belts while traveling nearby Interstate 8. But in this new millennium, this town of about 1,500 is known for its Arizona shrimp farming. Say what? Ain't that a triple oxymoron? Yup. The good folks in Gila Bend (the school mascot is the gila monster) are throwing an annual party: The Gila Bend Desert Shrimp Festival. Okay, so how in the world do shrimp and a hot desert town go hand in hand? Because some very high quality shrimp are commercially grown here on shrimp farms. I once did a story on the shrimp farms west of Gila Bend near the ghost town of Agua Caliente. So, I'm excited to return to the area to photograph and munch on some taste sea creatures who are fortunate enough to call the Sonoran desert their home. This is one reason I so love Arizona.

Mother Nature Is Calling

I am joining my two photographer sons on a trip to eastern Arizona where we have a rendezvous with Mother Nature. She's teasing our visual senses with autumn's peak colors this week. Another few days and it's all over. I haven't been back home to Nowhere for what seems like a month, but when my boys insisted I join them for this road trip, I couldn't resist. We'll be adding a video of the trip shortly.

Life is good when I'm with my family and Ma Nature.

Where The Hell Am I?

My head is spinning, and my wife has forgotten what I look like. Old age? Maybe, but I suspect it's because I'm traveling Arizona's back roads and have been for several weeks now. My photographer sons are with me as I begin a book project on Arizona villages. We're in eastern Arizona right now, and the aspen are at their visual peak. We found these owls at the barn of my good friend Sam Udall, a one-of-a-kind cowboy near Eager. The east trail to Mt. Baldy is spectacular, but the wind is abusing the leaves today. We'll be in Blue, Az. tomorrow. If possible, I'll upload a picture or two from my iPhone along the way. In the meantime, enjoy Arizona's autumn!

Life is good when I'm trucking along any Arizona back road.

Time To Be In The High Country

If you've read my two previous posts, you know we're in the thick of Arizona autumn colors. I'll make this brief as we're outside Flagstaff photographing the elk rut this week. We happened upon this deer bedded down as we entered the Coconino National Forest off FS road 418. But I want to let you know that the aspen will be at their peak colors between October 4-11 this year. The north side of the peaks are spectacular right now, and the inner basin will be in prime colors later this week. Let's hope a cold front doesn't move through and drop the color. Enjoy. We are.

When the aspen overwhelm one's senses, life is good.

More Arizona Autumn Drives

In my September 14 post, I offered three Arizona backroad drives for seeing the autumn colors. The colors begin in another two weeks in some locations. Here are the next four of my favorite autumn drives.
4. Southeast Arizona: Near the village of Portal in the Chiricahua Mountains. Take Interstate 10 from Tucson to just before the New Mexico border. Go south on state highway 80 and then west to Portal on Forest Service road 42. From Portal, turn left (south) and you'll be entering Maple Camp. Then, it's a two-mile hike in from the South Fork Trail. Wonderful maples. Usually peaks later than the other sites, around October 28-November 5.
5. Sedona: Schnebly Hill road between Sedona and Interstate 17. I enjoy entering this drive from I-17 at exit 320 (Schnebly Hill Rd.). After 15-20 minutes, you'll come to the rim with gorgeous views down to Sedona. Take that Forest Service road 153 down the hill to Sedona. It's a bit steep and can be rough, so I recommend a 4WD. There are countless spots to pull off, get out, hike and take photos. About 1/3 to half way down you'll come to a very tight turn in the road (actually there are several). But in this turn in the switchback road, a number of maples grow. And if you're lucky, you'll hit the spot - a long blanket of brilliant oranges and reds. It's a relatively small area, maybe 2 acres, but it's comparable to New England's best. Honest. Peaks about a month after Flagstaff's aspen. October 28 - November 5.
6. Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona: Highway 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff can offer some nice spots of color. But my favorite here (if you like to hike an easy trail) is the West Fork of Oak Creek. Lots of flora color beyond some tree color. Drive south 17.5 miles south from Flagstaff or north 9.5 miles from Sedona to about halfway between milepost 385 and 384. The trailhead is on the west side of the highway down a paved lane that leads behind a few creekside houses. The best place to park is at the Call O' The Canyon day-use area. Mid to late October.
7. Flagstaff: Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks. From the east side of Flagstaff off I-40, take highway 89 and travel north for 18 miles.  Turn left onto Lockett Meadow - Schultz Pass Road - this is the road marked "Forest Access Road", located directly across the divided highway from the turnoff to Sunset Crater National Monument.  Take the forest access road 0.5 miles to the junction with FR 522 (Lockett Meadow Road).  Continue on FR 522 4.6 miles to the open meadow. Great aspen. And there's a trail to the inner basis as well. October 1-12.

Life Is Good When Autumn Arrives in Arizona.