It's About the (RV) Journey....: Cave Creek and Carefree.......

After an early morning fix of caffeine, and a hearty breakfast, we were ready for another exciting day. We headed up to Cave Creek for a morning hike. Cave Creek Regional Park is part of the Maricopa County park system. I've mentioned this before, and I'll say it again, the park system in Maricopa County is excellent! The trails are very well maintained, and the visitor centers are nice. Not only are there bathrooms, but they are really clean! There are also very well appointed picnic spots. For more information on Cave Creek Park, click here.

A Starbucks Stop

Ballooning here too:)

We stopped in the visitor center to get a good map, and had a nice chat with the friendly park employees. The trail we picked out looked to be a good one....and it did not disappoint! There was enough elevation gain for nice views into the surrounding valleys and hills, but yet the hike was not difficult. It was a nice pleasant 3.5 mile hike we all thoroughly enjoyed. We were hoping to see some form of wildlife....a roadrunner or javelina, but we didn't. Not surprising, since the trails were well used. There were a lot of hikers on this beautiful day.

Ready?

Ready!

lots of saguaros here

dramatic rock experience for Richie's benefit!

going up

we're good....

pretty views

are we going up again?

pretty hillside in the desert

the trail winds around the mountain

lots of neat views

so many different cacti-they all look different

this is a fun trail!

lots of nice views

more cacti

pretty, isn't it?

look-the start of the trail

cool landscape...check out the rock

going up and around

break time....stay hydrated!!

that's a pretty tall cactus behind me

having fun on the trail

views from another side of the mountain

love the cacti...all so different

like people

trying to tell us something?

capturing the view

we need to pay attention here!!

more cacti

still having fun?

its about the light too!

What is that?

we are still going up

what??? Better have another sip!

a view of the trail down

what are you checking out there Tom? Is it a crested saguaro?

a dead saguaro...quite an infrastructure

another view up the hill

everyone still behind me?

how pretty

lots of saguaros....and is that the parking lot down there?

heading down now

love these

saguaros....they are all different!

we were way up there

howdy partner

pretty scenery

The picnic areas and ramadas were so clean and located at various points throughout the park. After our hike, we found one with abundant shade and a nice view, and had a simple hiker's lunch to tide us over for a bit. We wanted to nourished for our little trip to Carefree!

lunch on the go

can you see the huge home built into the hill? in the middle-looks like a spaceship with those windows

Who wouldn't want to be on Easy Street in Carefree? It was pretty nice....just sayin'. The street signs are goofy and fun in the sundial area of Carefree. The many shops and restaurants surrounding a beautiful art park were great....but we were lucky enough to visit on the weekend of the Fine Art and Wine Tasting Festival!! What an unexpected treat that was! The artwork and other creations were exquisite, and quite expensive. It was wonderful to "windowshop" - such beautiful works by these talented artists.

Entering Carefree

that's where I want to be for a little while

fine art and wine show in Carefree

E wants to be here for a bit....at the corner of Ho Hum and Easy Street

Jackie's? Let's check it out (too bad your not here too Jackie! and Lisa!)

The largest sundial in the country is in Carefree, right in the middle of the shopping area. For more information about the sundial and Carefree, click here. The gardens and sculptures nearby were particularly nice too, and a great place for a little break in the shade!

the famous Sundial....largest one in the country

really nice art park here too

lots of sculptures

and water features

and beautiful desert gardens

now that looks inviting to me...the sun is just wicked here

now there's a picture.....resting up for more shopping

are you having fun yet Tom?

I hope you stay on Lucky Lane and Easy Street in the next few days:)

I'm ready for Ho Hum Road for a bit myself

Late in the afternoon, we ran out of steam and hung out at the patio and listened to some music. It was also the wine tasting area, and from what I understand, it was really good. I had the lemonade-which was really fantastic! The music-well-it was ok. It was a really pleasant break in the shade!

that wine was red when you got it....must be the light

shop till you drop E!

fun times in Carefree!!

sporting our matching Sedona t-shirts and dorky hats like good little twins (hahahah!)

Before heading back, we stopped in a nice restaurant in Carefree - Venue? I actually forget the name, but it was delicious. Fresh food and a nice atmosphere. Perfect ending to the day. Oh wait, the sunset was the perfect ending!