Day 3: Grand Canyon (03 Aug 14)

Another early wake-up in an effort to beat the crowds to the Grand Canyon.  It worked; there was only one car ahead of us when we reached the front gate (on our way back out, there were 3 lanes of traffic, each backed up at least 30 cars each, waiting to get in!).  Thanks to the National Parks Service program, we got in for free because of Jen's active duty military status (usually $25/person!).  See the pic below of the ginormous elk who greeted us within the first mile of the park.   

Doug found an article in a magazine that directed us to an unmarked trail out to a deserted point with fantastic views. Seriously, there wasn't a single human being anywhere with ear or eye shot, which, if you've ever been to the Grand Canyon, you know how rare that is! Despite the misting, foggy weather, there were breaks where we could see some of the canyon (check out the pics below).

Then, just out of curiosity, we drove to the visitors center and fought the crowds for different views of the canyon.  Within a few minutes, though, we were both annoyed and ready to get the hell out of there.  We did our obligatory reenactment of the famous "vacation" movie where Chevy Chase spends 2 seconds looking at the Grand Canyon and then rushes the family back to the car, and we were out.

Ended the day with a rainy walk with the pups at Dogtown Lake Park in Williams.  These two desert dogs were overwhelmed by all the new smells and the feel of soft pine needles under their paws.

Day 2: McDowell to Williams (02 Aug 14)

Mission:  Beat the heat.  Up at 0420 to get a ride in before the sun cooked us alive. Rode our favorite trails EVER one last time (until we retire and spend our winters here anyway).  Even that early it was 85 degrees! 
Mission successful, and we were packed up and on the road North before 9.

Williams, otherwise known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" is a cute little tourist town centered around the famed Route 66 (and was, in fact, the last town to be bypassed, according to a billboard on the outskirts of town).  We promptly found the Grand Canyon Brewing Company and rehydrated from our morning desert ride.  We were astonished to see little piles of snow on the ground, and to need a long-sleeved shirt!  From 105 to 60 in one day!

Day 1: Ft. Huachuca to Phoenix (01 Aug 14)

On her first day as a civilian, Jen slept in until 0600, and enjoyed several leisurely cups of coffee outside in the shade.  Then we were off to McDowell Mountain Regional Park just north of Phoenix to ride our favorite trails EVER one last time. By the time we got there it was a blistering 106 degrees, with warning of severe monsoon storms, so no riding that day for us.

The pack has left the Fort!

All packed up and ready to go. First stop:  mcdowell state park,  AZ. 

Official Discharge

It is official....Jen received her discharge papers (DD214) and has them in hand (even though her actual end date is not until October)!

Just top of DD214 since it contains all her personal information

Final Week at Fort Huachuca, Arizona

This begins the final week of our 2.5 year adventure here at Fort Huachuca.  This is the longest time we have spent in one place since this long family adventure started in 2006.  It is very hard for us to accept the idea that it has been that long here.  We have seen 3 Springs and Summers / Monsoons here.  The only thing that brings us to that realization is that when we got here we had 3 old dogs (Sandy, Richie and Maggie) that traveled all those miles here with us.  

Sandy, Richie, Maggie

They however are not with us anymore, but we are bringing their ashes with us so they can be back at the cabin in NH where we all started this adventure.  We are however starting this new trip with 2 new dogs (Finn and Sunday) that will enjoy lots of new places, smells and dog parks.

Finn & Sunday

It is going to be hard leaving this beautiful, warm, dry (mostly) and no humidity high desert location.  With it being located at a mile high elevation and the accompanying environment of vegetation, wildlife and weather it has been a great place to live.  From snow to monsoon rains to repressive 100 degree heat it has been all new and enjoyable to us coming from New England / East Coast.

Snow in the desert

Sunsets

Monsoon rainbows

Monsoon sunsets

Wildlife have been plentiful, different for the most part and fun for the dogs (except those designed to kill)

Deer at our back door

Javalina at our back door

Road Runner (in its nest off the ground)

Rat Snake

Rat Snake

Tarantula 

Arizona Diamondback Rattlesnake

Hummingbirds

Regal Ringneck Snake

We have had some great mountain bike riding, hiking and motorcycle riding here as well.   To include the breweries that came after these events in the hot/dry weather.

So we are off on to experience our 4th adventure trip since starting this Active Duty Army adventure 4 years ago.  We are looking forward to the new places we will see and experience in the coming months.  You can guess it will include lots of bike riding and breweries, and dog parks for the new pups. 

New Pack Member

Finn on his way to his new home.

Another City Another Brewery

Finally getting to more new breweries.

Road trip

Most spoiled dog in the whole world. Has her own personal fan and window shades in the truck. 

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Silver City, New Mexico

Finally someplace new(er) than where we have been going in and around Fort Huachuca.  We went to Silver City, NM with the new RV and tried out some of the mountain roads on the Motorcycle.  Best roads I have been on since my last trip to the Alps.  There was a road bike race going on in the city and we got to see some of it as well as visit the 'beer garden'.  We also went to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings.  Great area and beautiful country....