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Old 02-16-2012, 04:29 AM   #1
Ozz
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Arizona

We are hiking and exploring Arizona. This is a wide-open area with BLM roads and few fences, a person can get as lost as they want here, you could drive 100 miles in the Desert and see nothing but wilderness and bad roads. The tire guy told me to drive around the Creosote bushes, the limbs are like steel. Only had two flats so far. We have probably walked 50 miles to date. Of ALL the places we have been, this is King, so far....

https://picasaweb.google.com/Jimsue1...eat=directlink

 
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Old 02-16-2012, 04:50 AM   #2
gr8330
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Glad your enjoying the state. If it stays warm watch out for snakes.
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Old 02-16-2012, 04:58 AM   #3
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Mike, that is always on my mind, I try and look where I am stepping, but am so deaf I wouldn't hear the rattle so I try and be careful. Haven't seen anything but Turtles, birds and those rabbits with huge ears.
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Old 02-16-2012, 06:27 AM   #4
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You know they do not always rattle. That being said your DW might not hear anything ether. I would hate for her to get a bite.
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Old 02-16-2012, 07:11 AM   #5
Art-n-Marge
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Helpful hint: Hike with a walking stick or a pair of poles. Besides providing some walking assistance they are good for poking at things to get snakes to rattle before your body parts get there. Do remember to keep an interval between yourselves because you'll want those sticks/poles to be swung around your area as you're walking and you don't want to be swatted or poked by someone else. This is the voice of experience from a hiker/backpacker that treks with others using poles and sticks. These are great tools but do require some extra consideration.

I was shocked to hear about the two flats. Do you know what caused those? Creosote plants? Most desert flora is pretty sturdy. I wouldn't try to drive over cholla, cactus, Joshua trees or anything with needles, but sometimes you can't help it. Keep your flat-fixing tools with you and that spare tire aired up.
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Old 02-16-2012, 10:01 AM   #6
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We have had a lot of enjoyable times in that state. Jim, when we're out hiking or geocaching we wear hiking boots. That protects from the bites unless they jump up high. I likely will not hear the rattle, either. One of the things I like about some of the geocaching in that state is how it can get you hiking good distances back in the boonies. So you're getting to sightsee and get plenty of good exercise while geocaching. Here's Vicki coming back up out of a canyon at the Kokopelli's Thimble geocache site. On of our DNF's. Twice.

This one is near Camp Verde, site of the Spring rally. If anyone finds this cache, please let me know where you found it. This was in January or February, so no snakes.

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Old 02-16-2012, 10:07 AM   #7
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I made our walking sticks out of cedar 2x2's, I bored a hole in the end and jammed a 12" sharpened rebar in it, they have been great. Saved our keester many times. I can either poke at the varmits with the rebar in the pole, or 17 shots from the Glock. Dealers choice Actually if I saw a snake I would take a picture of it and leave it be. Haven't fired my gun since I have been here, it's there if I really need it, but why break this wonderful silence with gunfire.
Creosote bushes, I pulled the stick out with needle nose pliers from the tread-sidewall real close to the tread. I had a thorn of some sort; same tire about the same place 1/2 way around the tire. (I'm replacing the front tires before we leave.)
Yep, I have a tire-plug kit, co2 for air and breaker-bar, ratchet bottle jack, blocks, tow strap, energy bars, plenty of water, 3 jackets, dry socks, 2 cell phones, blanket and a rabbit's foot. Wasn't too lucky for the rabbit though...
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Old 02-16-2012, 11:59 AM   #8
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Where are you Ozz??? Looks similar to an area I used to know WNW of Wickenburg......
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Old 02-16-2012, 12:42 PM   #9
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Bill, we have been all over this area, also around Wickenburg. That town reminds me a little of Santa Fe, I don't think I could afford to live there. Don't have three horses, or all the other stuff they seem to have there.
Vulture Mine Road is a beautiful drive, we found a bunch of Gode's WNW of Vulture Road. All broken and small, there was a mine claim there, a group of men: 'The Three Amigo's' had been working it with heavy equipment, just surface mining.
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Old 02-16-2012, 02:02 PM   #10
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We carry hiking poles all the time when hiking. We just tap the ground in front of us. The snakes are sensitive to vibration and will generally move before you encounter them.
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Old 02-16-2012, 02:48 PM   #11
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Jim, did you install leather (or other material) thongs on your walking sticks? They really help when used as designed. You are supposed to just lightly hold on to the stick so it doesn't fall but use the thong for support. It's hard to explain so maybe google walking stick usage if interested at all. Supposedly if done right it helps relieve pressure on some of your muscles. I'm not explaining it well. Maybe someone else can explain it. Or point to a link with the info.
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Old 02-16-2012, 03:13 PM   #12
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We use themm for support depending on rocks, up the mountain, or down, so we move them around from hand to hand and side to side, so I don't think it would work for us.
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Old 02-16-2012, 03:44 PM   #13
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my neighbour here came by yesterday and declared it's time --hot enough for the sidewinders . they found a baby one on their porch.

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Old 02-17-2012, 02:51 PM   #14
gr8330
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I love the smell of the Creosote bush after a rain.
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Old 02-18-2012, 06:49 AM   #15
sreigle
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Jim, we use them for support on rocks, also, but don't switch back and forth between hands too often. Sometimes we do, though. I've seen people with two sticks each but I like to keep one hand free for whatever reasons. In any case, walking sticks I find very helpful when hiking.
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:33 AM   #16
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by gr8330

I love the smell of the Creosote bush after a rain.
Rain?
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Old 02-18-2012, 11:41 AM   #17
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Oh yeah, forgot were not doing that this year
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