Prescott
Our first stop in our Arizona journey.

Roosevelt Lake
Theodore Roosevelt Lake (usually called Roosevelt Lake, sometimes Lake Roosevelt) is a large reservoir formed by Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River in Arizona. Theodore Roosevelt is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.

Gold Canyon
We initially were going to stay here for a month, but liked it so much we stayed for two. The RV park we stayed at had a lot of activities and friendly people. The weather was very nice too.

My dad left before Thanksgiving, but we were still able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

Hieroglyphic Trail

The rocky washes and saguro-studded hills at the base of the Superstition Mountains have lured adventurers for nine thousand years.

A miner name Jacob Waltz ventured into these hills and brought back gold so pure that when he died in 1891, without revealing its source, a legend was born. For more than a century prospectors have returned to the Superstition looking for the “Dutchman’s” lost mine but to this day no one has found it (that includes Scott and me).

Full Moon Party

The RV park we stayed at had a full moon party with a band, bonfire and food. We had a prime spot on a hilltop to view the beautiful desert sunset and moon rise.

Silly Mountain

This is a fun trail that is easy to moderate with a variety of botanicals. There are several different trails that intermingle to provide a long or short hike.

Organ Pizza

This is unique place to visit – a combination restaurant and theater. The restaurant, Organ Pizza, has the largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world.
The actual specifications are extensive to say the least. Here are the numbers:
• 4 manuals – 61 keys each
• pedalboard – 32 keys
• 422 stoptabs (red denote reeds, amber for strings, ivory for flues)
• 113 combination action pistons and toe studs
• 5 expression pedals: Foundation, Main, Solo, General, and Crescendo
• 5 toe levers controlling traps and reversible stops
• 2 drawers housing 327 switches controlling various selective stops, sound effects, theatrical lighting and effects, and other console functions

While the pizza was fair, the musical show with changing lights is awesome. We attended during the holidays so most tunes were Christmas standards, however the kids requested Star Wars and it was amazing to hear on this fabulous and unique organ.

Flatiron via Siphon Draw

We have been looking at this mountain from our site every day and thinking how awesome the view must be from the top. Come to find out that there is a hike (rated difficult) that will get you there. Our neighbor completed the hike and advised it is aptly rated and you’ll be sore for days. Challenge accepted!!!!

This part of the Superstition Mountains is called The Flatiron as that is what it looks like. The hike is a 3 mile out and back (6 mi total for the math impaired) with an elevation gain of just under 3000 ft.

The first two miles are a nice walk to the basin with mild elevation gain and some good views.

Then you get to the Basin. This is where things get interesting

The “hike” turns in to a rock climb. This mile has an elevation gain of approximately 2000 ft. It’s no longer a trail as you are basically scaling the side of the mountain.

When you get to the top, there are some very nice views…

It took us so long climbing the mountain that on our way back down, the sun began to set. As we reached the Basin on the way back, the sun had completely set with us still having 2 miles to go. Luckily we had a flashlight. The trail was not well marked though and we veered off at one point and had to use the AllTrails app on our phone to figure out where we were and where the trail ran. Backtracked a bit and found the trail again. Using the flashlight and the app we finished the last two miles to get us back to the car. Not something we would recommend.

And yes, sore for days.