Some mountains, a tunnel, and clouds

Posted on May 16th, 2008 by Jennifer Harvey

Yesterday (Thursday) was my take-a-long-drive day, in case you weren’t on the edge of your seat just waiting for me to come back with a report. But you were, right? Probably almost falling off your seat, so excited for the juicy details of my trek.

I did take a different route this time, since I was jonesing for some different views and felt like shaking it up a bit.

I wish I could say the details were juicy. (Or that there were cowboys on this route.) But here are the high points:

  • Totally would have run out of gas if I didn’t accidentally turn left when I should have turned right, leaving town. There was a gas station ahead, which reminded me to check the gauge. I wouldn’t have made it far, if not for that happy accident. (Mr. H, you’ve got an almost full tank now. You’re welcome. Sorry about the buggy windshield, though.)
  • I was flying along, not following the speed limit, when road work signs appeared. The lanes merged, and I got stuck behind a slow-ass van whose driver insisted in maintaining the speed limit, even way back from where the real construction began (I am careful in construction zones. That’s a perilous job, and a damn hot one here in the desert.) I was kind of annoyed, until I realized he probably saved me from a ticket, since the highway patrol was out in force. So, thanks, driver…and sorry about the tailgating.
  • There was a sign in the town of Superior advertising The World’s Smallest Museum. I was really tempted to stop and take a look. I’ll be damned if they don’t have a website, and aren’t you glad I let you know?
  • The best part of the road (Hwy 60) between here and Globe, in my opinion, is the few miles of great scenery through Devil’s Canyon. The road is designated the Gila Pinal Scenic Road, and my favorite part of it is the view just on the other side of Queen Creek Tunnel. If you go to that link, there’s a photo of the old tunnel (the 1926 Claypool Tunnel) that the new one replaced in 1952. The old tunnel is still visible from the road.

Here are a few photos of the tunnel and the scenery on the other side of it.

What is interesting about going through this tunnel is that the scenery on one side looks very different from what you find on the other side. There are a few parallels I could draw about how life is like that sometimes, but I will let you find your own. I think you can handle it.

As far as I’m concerned, the drive is worth it for those few miles of treacherous-looking scenery and the winding road through it. When I’m driving, if I come across signs like “Road Narrows” or “Steep Grade”, my pulse quickens and I tighten my grip on the wheel. That’s good stuff. Maybe I’m a thrill junkie when it comes to driving, but I love those parts.

Later in the evening, we all went to Boy’s violin recital. It was sweet, and short, and the classes performed well. After, we went for ice cream.

When we got home, these clouds were in the sky almost above us…And, yes, the sky really was that blue.

Filed under: Uncategorized

« The music The backseat diaries »

34 Responses to “Some mountains, a tunnel, and clouds”

  1. Franki, on May 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm Said:

    Lovely pics! I was thinking about tunnel parallels, but then my head hurt, so I stopped. ;)
    Frankis last blog post..Inside Voice.

  2. Tricia, on May 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm Said:

    I love the idea of Thursday drive. Kuddos to you for taking the alone-time.

    Tricias last blog post..The Shout Report

  3. Brenda, on May 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm Said:

    I love the clouds! Clouds are one of my biggest photo weaknesses. Those are super cool ones, though! (Worthy of a photo WITHOUT having the cloud weakness.)

    And the blue sky. You’ll miss it when you move. Or is yours always that blue? (Smog and all.) Ours is always that blue, and I miss it when I go “back” for a week!

    Don’t you love it when you’re about to choke the slow driver in front of you, then realize s/he saved you from a ticket? I do!

    And I’m so happy the violin concert was short! Sweet it good, but short is better!

  4. the mama bird diaries, on May 16th, 2008 at 3:24 pm Said:

    How could you not stop at the world’s smallest museum. I am so intrigued… is it bigger or smaller than a breadbox?

    the mama bird diariess last blog post..the elephant who loves volkswagens

  5. Mrs. Schmitty, on May 16th, 2008 at 5:19 pm Said:

    Great photos!

    Mrs. Schmittys last blog post..Things That Made Me Laugh Yesterday

  6. Lisa, on May 16th, 2008 at 6:29 pm Said:

    And here I get excited when we drive by a baby cow—you are so lucky to live there!

    Lisas last blog post..And the best part was….

  7. HRH, on May 16th, 2008 at 7:31 pm Said:

    Beautiful clouds. I really need a full (it can be short) report about the world’s smallest museum. That seems like it would be up there with driving by Wall Drug without stopping.

    HRHs last blog post..Worth noting…

  8. Sandy (Momisodes), on May 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm Said:

    Wow! Those are amazing shots! I love those clouds. Short, sweet and well performed recitals are the best :)

    You must go back to that smallest museum one day and give an update!

    Sandy (Momisodes)s last blog post..Hai’ahh…

  9. Lisa Milton, on May 16th, 2008 at 8:16 pm Said:

    I love those clouds…

  10. Carolyn, on May 16th, 2008 at 9:04 pm Said:

    I just love it when you post photos of your stomping grounds. It’s so vastly different from the rainforest I live it. How breathtaking. Although I’m a little concerned about you driving while taking photos on treacherous roads. Eeeeek. Careful lady! (Kidding. Unlike me, I’m sure you can handle the feat of coordination…)

    Carolyns last blog post..beauty high.

  11. Jozet at Halushki, on May 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm Said:

    omg…those photos are beautiful!

    The rock formations are other-worldly.

    Jozet at Halushkis last blog post..Liar, Liar: The Big Reveal!

  12. Mrs. G., on May 17th, 2008 at 12:24 am Said:

    My blood pressure rises just looking at those curves!

    Mrs. G.s last blog post..Throw Another Six Pack in the Cooler

  13. flutter, on May 17th, 2008 at 1:47 am Said:

    aren’t our skies beautiful?

    flutters last blog post..Therapy Notes: Intimacy

  14. akelamalu, on May 17th, 2008 at 3:29 am Said:

    I’m curious now to know what was in the world’s smallest museum?

    I love the photos!

    akelamalus last blog post..Saturday Wordzzle #13

  15. dragonfly, on May 17th, 2008 at 4:01 am Said:

    How beautiful! Sounds like you had a lovely drive (and I’m glad you had a slow driver in front of you so you didn’t get a ticket. ;) )

    dragonflys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: My First Mother’s Day - Trier, Germany

  16. Crazycath, on May 17th, 2008 at 4:17 am Said:

    What a lovely way to spend a day, any day. The scenery is breathtaking (as is the sky on that last one). And you drive a yellow car? I always imagined you with a brightly coloured car. I also love the sign these highway people put up (here in UK too) telling us to “keep right” (or in UK, left) “except when passing”! lol. What do they expect us to do? Without the sign would we really try to drive OVER the car in front, or UP A MOUNTAIN CLIFF? It is so kind of them to give us permission to NOT “keep right” when passing! ;0)

    Anyway, bad news I’m afraid. You’re TAGGED. Pop over mine and see what onerous task you have. ;0)

    Crazycaths last blog post..

  17. Madge, on May 17th, 2008 at 5:48 am Said:

    I’m so glad you are taking the time to do this. to be alone and to see things.

    Madges last blog post..Iron Man

  18. Geoff Meeker, on May 17th, 2008 at 8:03 am Said:

    Wow. You are lucky to be surrounded by such raw magnificence. We have a lot of that here in Newfoundland, and it astounds me how there can be so many different - yet highly spectacular - faces and profiles of Mother Earth. I am actually in the process now of booking a rafting expedition for my family on the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon - because I know that it will be a transcendental experience. However, this summer I am staying closer to home, and going to Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne National Park. Here’s an image link:

    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Gros_Morne_Western_Brook_Pond.jpg/800px-Gros_Morne_Western_Brook_Pond.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Gros_Morne_Western_Brook_Pond.jpg&h=600&w=800&sz=50&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=CqMgb6ekaITk7M:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwestern%2Bbrook%2Bpond%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN

    This is just a small section of the fjord, and, in turn, just a portion of the park. It’s almost impossible to capture something this vast in a photograph; far better to take an imprint in your genetic code and take it with you.

  19. Jennifer, on May 17th, 2008 at 8:42 am Said:

    Cath, it’s actually Mr. H’s Jeep. My car is black. :-)
    Jennifers last blog post..Some mountains, a tunnel, and clouds

  20. Jenn @ Juggling Life, on May 17th, 2008 at 11:07 am Said:

    There’s nothing like a blue sky.

    Jenn @ Juggling Lifes last blog post..Overheard Around . . . Various Places

  21. david mcmahon, on May 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm Said:

    Just like you, I always pay heed to the call of the open road!

    david mcmahons last blog post..The Sunday Roast

  22. Shamelessly Sassy, on May 17th, 2008 at 10:39 pm Said:

    gorgeous photos! They are so lovely.

    Shamelessly Sassys last blog post..80’s Lady Saga: The Redneck Bridal Shower

  23. Grandy, on May 17th, 2008 at 11:25 pm Said:

    WONDERFUL Photos, Jennifer!! Thank you for sharing.

    Grandys last blog post..The Last Good-bye

  24. JCK, on May 18th, 2008 at 1:10 am Said:

    Gorgeous rock formations you have in your jeep, cowboy country!

    We went out for ice cream that night, too. No violin recital. Perhaps some violent recitals perpetrated by preschoolers.

    JCKs last blog post..I get a phone call…

  25. Mary Alice, on May 18th, 2008 at 3:33 am Said:

    So beautiful…you made me remember how much I love the desert

    Mary Alices last blog post..Clarification of Mystification

  26. Daryl, on May 18th, 2008 at 8:28 am Said:

    Fabulous pix as always ..and now I am going to ruin your day

    You have been tagged .. come over to my place and get the rules

    :-Daryl

    Daryls last blog post..

  27. Meg, on May 18th, 2008 at 9:51 am Said:

    Beautiful shots Jennifer, as always! The scenery is amazing…but so are you!

    Megs last blog post..Fabulous After 40~Bikinis

  28. Julie Pippert, on May 18th, 2008 at 10:18 am Said:

    What an incredible trip.

  29. Just Jamie, on May 18th, 2008 at 3:14 pm Said:

    I was just in your neck of the woods this weekend. So purdy.

    Just Jamies last blog post..Gone Fishin’

  30. Ree, on May 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm Said:

    One of the things I truly miss about West-by-gawd-Virginia is the mountains. The rocks that just shoot up out of nowhere. Somehow, Michigan’s hills, er, rises, er, ant mounts, just aren’t the same.

    Rees last blog post..Password Protection

  31. Suzanne, on May 18th, 2008 at 7:01 pm Said:

    So incredibly beautiful! Thank you for sharing those pictures and good for you that you are smart enough to take the time for those road trips each week!

    Suzannes last blog post..With friends like these…

  32. Louis la Vache, on May 19th, 2008 at 6:20 am Said:

    That cloud photo is breathtaking! It would be perfect for Sky Watch Friday!

    Louis la Vaches last blog post..Chocolat à l’ancienne

  33. Sandpiper, on May 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm Said:

    This was a fun read! Your pictures are wonderful. I love that scenery.

    Sandpipers last blog post..A Quick Run Here & There

  34. we_be_toys, on May 20th, 2008 at 10:06 am Said:

    In-credible photos! I am just in awe.
    I want to go on a road trip with you someday - i’m just saying!

Leave a Reply