If you think things look a little different around here, pat yourself on the back. Or knock one back. Either way. My web designer/magic wand waver Cynthia of NWDesigns cast a spell on this place this weekend, switching over to a new theme and tweaking some things. I love the result and hope you all do, too! If you’re thinking of freshening up your own blog design, or starting all over with a brand new design, I hope you’ll get in touch with Cynthia. She’s a great designer and an amazing illustrator.
Saturday afternoon, the Boy was at his best friend’s house for a few hours so they could pay tribute to their mutual Bionicles addiction, so the Girl and I decided to grab some food and then figure out what to do with our afternoon.
From the front seat, I asked her, “Do you want to go home, or for a drive? ”
“A drive,” she answered.
That’s my girl.
I wanted to drive over to Lost Dutchman State Park to be sure I knew how to find it when we go hiking there this week, but I sort of forgot that I would end up on part of this one road that I’m dying to drive in the Jeep. We kept driving and oh my god, the views were spectacular. I know I probably say that a lot, and I gush about how beautiful it is here, but it IS (and, hey, three cheers that I’m not bitching and/or moaning about my parents, right?).
The road we were on is part of the Apache Trail, a route that turns into dirt road not long after a little (little) town called Tortilla Flat (you just know someone makes a good margarita there), and goes for 27 more miles until you reach Roosevelt Lake.)
Anyway, here’s a little of what we saw.
Superstition Mountain
Superstition Mountain
Canyon Lake
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
It looks all spiffy and stuff! I love Cyn, she is amazing!!!
;Those pictures are gorgeous!
Love the look around here!
And I recognize that mountain! I look at it every day on my drive to work!
Love the new changes!
So fun to have mom/daughter time.
That Canyon Lake picture doesn’t even look real….so beautiful.
Beautiful photos!
beautiful. Just beautiful and to share it with your amazing, even better
I’ve said it before, but I’m sayin’ it again – there’s NOTHING around here that even begins to resemble that. Thank you for sharing…
A reminder that I need to plan a trip out West….
could bella be a kindred spirit of yours? that has to be the sweetest gift of all.
Love the new layout and glad you kept the masthead. NW does great work.
I do like the new look. Very clean and orderly.
Congratulations!
Gorgeous drive. Lovely new look.
Okay…that last one looks JUST like a postcard! Picture perfect.
I was just in Tortilla flats yesterday for the first time.
I’m in the valley, and my family and I spent the day at Canyon and Apache lake. Beautiful
The last time I was on the Apache Trail, I got carsick and threw-up. I too know Tortilla Flat!
Your blog looks great!
I like that girl of yours. So pretty out there….
Love the new wide look .. very nice .. and now I need to know .. what’s the superstition?
Oh wow…you’re right…the views are spectacular!
How beautiful! And how nice to have one on one time with your daughter.
Wicked cool photos. Given a chance I’ll pick the road any day. I love riding the elusive backroads through the mtns. I’ve found some cool places between NY and PA. Thankfully Paul loves the drive as much as I do. Most of the summer is spent exploring new roads.
Love the new layout, very streamlined. (Hugs)Indigo
I have hiked the Supersitions several times and their beauty is hard to match. They are a real treasure considering how close they are to Metro Phoenix. The one best hike I had there was the day after a monsoon rain. There were waterfalls comeing off ALL of the cliffs and the whole wilderness smelled of desert sage and wildflower, like some sort of heady perfume.
(just watch out for the Gila Monsters, Open Mine Shafts and Cactus)
I’ve been there! It IS gorgeous. Thanks for sharing these amazing photos with us.
Thank you for sharing GREAT pictures – I can look at those and get away in my mind. Glad you wrote about the experience with your DD.
I love your girl. Just love her.
I camped out there over one Christmas – completely unprepared, just got a wild hair and went for it. Holy-moly, was it cold at night! But THE STARS. Oh, my God, the stars. I will never forget it.
OMG!! I am officially beyond jealous that you can drive somewhere nearby and see that kind of beauty! Those pictures? I seriously think you should put them on a site that sells photography. WTH do I live here again?
The lake view! OMG, the lake view! It’s beyond beautiful!
Love the new layout!
Also? The pictures? Magazine-worthy. Just beautiful.
Wow, gorgeous pics/drive. And I LOVE the new color scheme here – all earthy and comforting and mocha-ish.
The pictures look great on your new design.
we did that drive in the big old astro van. made for quite the experience!!!
Absolutely beautiful.
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