The Sonoran Desert - My Son's Homework Project

dave6253 · 04-26-2010, 03:35 PM

Day 1: Friday April 16th

My son Matthew will reach his first double digit birthday this summer.

After a full day of school and work, we load up and hit the road.

The first order of business is to escape the Phoenix Metro. We choose East on US 60.

That's my boy! Unfortunately he didn't do this much.

The Superstition Mountains

Four Peaks in the Distance

Canyon Lake

A short day in the saddle for us both.

Our Accomodations at Tortilla Flats

We go about setting up camp.

Then take a nature walk before the sunset.

I planned this trip weeks ago and was just waiting until we had the right weekend to do it. We were going to do it a few weeks earlier, but Matt had to bail at the last minute. I rode "Alone in the Arizona Desert" instead.

I had a couple surprises planned to make the trip memorable for Matt. His teacher then sent home his homework project. I was tasked with helping him write a report on an Arizona subject. There was an entire list of subjects to choose from. I ruined the surprise and told Matt to chose the Sonoran Desert because we were riding to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.

But he still doesn't know we are going to the Pima Air Museum as well.

These guys make ferocious football players. (Good shot Matt)

We made hot dogs for dinner, but neither of us really felt like eating them.

Yes, I made him blow up his own bed.

This little guy tried to follow Matt inside.

Matt goes to bed to read a little...

...while I stay up to shoot the stars.

Tomorrow will be Matthew's longest day on the bike, and we shoot to many pics at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.

nvdlboy · 04-26-2010, 03:42 PM

Desert camping!! Looks like great fun. I wish my kids got cool assignments like this one...

dave6253 · 04-26-2010, 04:06 PM

I boot Matt out of bed. Gotta get and early start!

The water crossing at Tortilla Flats was getting low. The asphalt was in bad shape from all the recent flooding.

Off we go to explore the Apache Trail.

Down Fish Creek Hill

Apache Lake

Still Apache Lake

Roosevelt Lake

PishPosh · 04-26-2010, 05:45 PM

Nice!!

Can I ask, what kind of lens that is on your camera?

larryboy · 04-26-2010, 05:56 PM

Nice report, guys!!

TwilightZone · 04-26-2010, 06:03 PM

Awsome ride... he will remember that for his life!

clarkkent14 · 04-26-2010, 06:31 PM

Great pics! You have a good eye for design. That looks like fun, he'll be sure to remember this trip :)

PinkPillion · 04-26-2010, 07:02 PM

HOW FUN!! Super pictures!

Suzuki Phil · 04-26-2010, 08:37 PM

Forget the school work, your son will remember this adventure for the rest of his life. Thumbs up dad

.

SP

dave6253 · 04-26-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PishPosh

Nice!!

Can I ask, what kind of lens that is on your camera?

Pentax DA*16-50 f2.8 SMC

It's large and heavy for a walking around lens, but is weather sealed.

dave6253 · 04-26-2010, 09:30 PM

With a forecast of sunny skies and temps between 60s and 90s Farenheit we didn't pack more than one sweater each. That one sweater was the only thing protecting us from the cool morning air ripping through our mesh jackets. Brrrr! (When you live in the Arizona Desert, 50s is cold.)

The Catalinas still have snow.

We stopped in Tucson for food and fuel. We tossed our Subway sandwiches in the side bags and struck out west of town into the Tucson Mountain Park.

Gates Pass

Our New Home for the Night.

Matt's longest day yet. It's only noon, we will add another 25 or so miles today. More than 200 miles for a 9 year old.

We quickly set up camp and scarf down the sandwiches.

The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is just down the road...

dave6253 · 04-26-2010, 10:21 PM

Ok Dude! Time to do the homework.

Mountain Lion

Cardinal

Mexican Grey Wolf

The "museum" is more of a pretty cool zoo of local wildlife with beautiful desert scenery.

It was over 90 degrees. We walked around over 4 hours shooting photos.

Beep! Beep! Roadrunner!

Cactus Flowers in So Many Colors

It was HOT!

Bird?

Mourning Dove

Quail

mcc66 · 04-26-2010, 10:52 PM

Great photos, love the colours. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing more.

mcc66
Michael

BusyWeb · 04-27-2010, 12:01 AM

Saso · 04-27-2010, 06:43 AM

Now that's a field trip!

04-26-2010, 03:35 PM	#1
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,538	The Sonoran Desert - My Son's Homework Project Day 1: Friday April 16th My son Matthew will reach his first double digit birthday this summer. After a full day of school and work, we load up and hit the road. The first order of business is to escape the Phoenix Metro. We choose East on US 60. That's my boy! Unfortunately he didn't do this much. The Superstition Mountains Four Peaks in the Distance Canyon Lake A short day in the saddle for us both. Our Accomodations at Tortilla Flats We go about setting up camp. Then take a nature walk before the sunset. I planned this trip weeks ago and was just waiting until we had the right weekend to do it. We were going to do it a few weeks earlier, but Matt had to bail at the last minute. I rode "Alone in the Arizona Desert" instead. I had a couple surprises planned to make the trip memorable for Matt. His teacher then sent home his homework project. I was tasked with helping him write a report on an Arizona subject. There was an entire list of subjects to choose from. I ruined the surprise and told Matt to chose the Sonoran Desert because we were riding to the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. But he still doesn't know we are going to the Pima Air Museum as well. These guys make ferocious football players. (Good shot Matt) We made hot dogs for dinner, but neither of us really felt like eating them. Yes, I made him blow up his own bed. This little guy tried to follow Matt inside. Matt goes to bed to read a little... ...while I stay up to shoot the stars. Tomorrow will be Matthew's longest day on the bike, and we shoot to many pics at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum. __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

04-26-2010, 03:42 PM	#2
nvdlboy Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: North Vancouver, BC (right beside the forest) Oddometer: 975	Desert camping!! Looks like great fun. I wish my kids got cool assignments like this one... __________________ Current - Wee strom K7 Previous - DRZ400SK4

04-26-2010, 04:06 PM	#3
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,538	The Apache Trail I boot Matt out of bed. Gotta get and early start! The water crossing at Tortilla Flats was getting low. The asphalt was in bad shape from all the recent flooding. Off we go to explore the Apache Trail. Down Fish Creek Hill Apache Lake Still Apache Lake Roosevelt Lake __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

04-26-2010, 05:45 PM	#4
PishPosh n000000b Joined: Mar 2007 Location: The Basement Oddometer: 305	Nice!! Can I ask, what kind of lens that is on your camera? __________________ "The beautiful stripped me..."

04-26-2010, 06:31 PM	#7
clarkkent14 The Midnight Writer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: St. George, UT Oddometer: 27	Great pics! You have a good eye for design. That looks like fun, he'll be sure to remember this trip :) __________________ 2005 - KLR 650 My Night Photography Podcast • The Night Writerz \| My Adventure Videography • UP4ADV

04-26-2010, 05:56 PM	#5
larryboy Paint it black. Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Über Alles,Ca Oddometer: 12,875	Nice report, guys!!

04-26-2010, 06:03 PM	#6
TwilightZone Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Oddometer: 1,951	Awsome ride... he will remember that for his life!

04-26-2010, 07:02 PM	#8
PinkPillion Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Northeastern California Oddometer: 473	HOW FUN!! Super pictures! __________________ I'd rather live, than live forever... 10 HUSQVARNA TE250 & 00 BMW R 1150 GS 2up Black Rock Desert Anniversary Ride 4 Days-2up NorCal to Death Valley Black Rock Desert Overnighter

04-26-2010, 08:37 PM	#9
Suzuki Phil Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Simi Valley, CA Oddometer: 534	Forget the school work, your son will remember this adventure for the rest of his life. Thumbs up dad . SP __________________ 1916 Ford Model T 1996 DR350SE

04-26-2010, 09:30 PM	#11
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,538	The Road to Tucson With a forecast of sunny skies and temps between 60s and 90s Farenheit we didn't pack more than one sweater each. That one sweater was the only thing protecting us from the cool morning air ripping through our mesh jackets. Brrrr! (When you live in the Arizona Desert, 50s is cold.) The Catalinas still have snow. We stopped in Tucson for food and fuel. We tossed our Subway sandwiches in the side bags and struck out west of town into the Tucson Mountain Park. Gates Pass Our New Home for the Night. Matt's longest day yet. It's only noon, we will add another 25 or so miles today. More than 200 miles for a 9 year old. We quickly set up camp and scarf down the sandwiches. The Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum is just down the road... __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

04-26-2010, 10:21 PM	#12
dave6253 ^OP ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,538	Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum Ok Dude! Time to do the homework. Mountain Lion Cardinal Mexican Grey Wolf The "museum" is more of a pretty cool zoo of local wildlife with beautiful desert scenery. It was over 90 degrees. We walked around over 4 hours shooting photos. Beep! Beep! Roadrunner! Cactus Flowers in So Many Colors It was HOT! Bird? Mourning Dove Quail __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

04-26-2010, 10:52 PM	#13
mcc66 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: forrestfield, western australia Oddometer: 196	Great photos, love the colours. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to seeing more. mcc66 Michael

04-27-2010, 12:01 AM	#14
BusyWeb Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Oddometer: 99

04-27-2010, 06:43 AM	#15
Saso chronically restless Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Northern California Oddometer: 790	Now that's a field trip!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode