Bearizona at Williams, Arizona

After our camping trip to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, we left for a cabin in Munds Park with our youngest daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons.

 

However, this was NOT to be a relaxing weekend.  We had plans!

 

We played "peek-a-boo" with our youngest grandson Caleb during walks around the neighborhood.

 

Soon, we loaded up and headed for Williams, about a45 minute drive away from the cabin.

 

Bearizona is the best place in the state to see Arizona wildlife in a natural setting as you drive your own vehicle through the park.

 

You can see wild burros.........

 

.....American bison.....

 

........mountain goats......

 

.........white buffalo (not albinos) ........

 

and Desert Bighorn sheep.

 

When you enter the wolf enclosure you have to roll up your windows!

 

These wolves are quite used to cars driving through their territory.

 

Keep those windows up when driving through the bear enclosure too!

 

Signs tell you to keep moving if a bear approaches your car looking for a handout.

 

Seeing all the animals made us hungry so we stopped for a quick lunch before boarding a windowless bus for a drive back through the animal park.

 

Caleb enjoyed his unrestrained view of the animals and Jason enjoyed taking photos without having a window in the way.

 

Back at the entrance, you could enjoy a "Birds of Prey" show or walk around and see some of the smaller animals.

 

Caleb and Joshua enjoyed the petting area.

 

It was a beautiful fall day at Bearizona! 

 

 

 

 



"Camp Papa" at Dead Horse Ranch State Park

We have been making the most of our time with the grandsons while we're home in Arizona.  Hubby has been wanting to teach our oldest grandson, Jacob, to fish.  (An odd desire, since Hubby really isn't a fisherman himself.)  Jacob just happened to have "fall break" so we packed up the 5th wheel and headed north to Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

 

Traveling dog, Maggie, enjoyed the company in the back seat of the truck.

 

We stretched our legs with a hike after we set up camp.

 

Early the next morning (after a hearty breakfast, of course) Hubby started the fishing lesson.

 

They tried several different fishing spots.

 

And, at last, success!

 

Then - another one!

 

Flushed with success, Jacob kept at it.

 

After a picnic lunch we headed back to camp where we spent the rest of the day hiking and playing games.

 

The next morning, the lesson continued and Jacob became pretty good at casting.

 

However, all was quiet around the fishing lagoons.  None of the other fishermen were catching anything either.

 

Jacob finally decided to amuse himself with watching an otter swimming nearby and feeding the small fish near the shore while Hubby tried to catch his own fish.

 

All in all, "Camp Papa" was a great success and a good time was had by all.  By the way - the score was:  Jacob:  2 fish, Papa: 0.

 

 



Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona

The last week has been a whirlwind of activities - centered around family.  A week ago our son-in-law, Mike, called to invite us to join him, and our grandson Jacob, for a Diamondbacks game at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

 

The field has been here for 15 years but this was our first visit!

 

Jacob never passes up a photo opportunity.

 

It was a nice evening so we got to see the roof open up.

 

It really didn't take very long at all!

 

There was a little pre-game entertainment with "Bob" the bobcat, the Diamondbacks mascot.

 

It wasn't long before the teams took the field.  The Diamondbacks were playing the Washington Nationals that night.

 

No one got a run until the 5th inning, but the Nationals finally won the game 2 to 0.  I'm sorry the Diamondbacks didn't win the night I was there but I finally got to see the ballpark!