Apache Trail (March 3) — Crazy drive up the Apache Trail (28 miles of winding dirt roads–even followed a dude pulling a boat at one point) and ended up at the Roosevelt Dam and Roosevelt Lake on the other side. AZ government had to add 75 feet to the dam in the 90’s and also built the bridge on the other side so that traffic no longer traveled over the bridge. I love bridges and dams! Lots of scenery on the drive, but I figured we’d all seen enough cacti and amazing panoramas of the AZ mountains. We’ve gotten into picnics and taking our lunch with us, which is quite a change. 

Tonto National Monument at the end of the Apache Trail (March 3): Tonto Native Americans lived in the caves up the area. Great walk with views of Roosevelt Lake and land east of Phoenix.

Cholla cactus also known as Teddy Bear Cactus–looks so soft!

Phoenix and a local taco joint with the Woodial Family (March 4): Carrie (Chrissy’s sister), husband, Chris and daughter, Sam.

Downtown Phoenix (March 8):

McClelland Irish Library and Museum–Tom was in heaven as Carrie (above) invited him to pursue his genealogical research on his Irish line at their library. The library opened in 2012 and is a replica of an Irish building and Carrie is one of the head librarians. She totally rocks as does the library and museum.

Meanwhile, I appreciated the library and museum, but not so much the genealogy. So I wandered to the little green oasis next to the library, the Japanese Gardens, then further down the road to the Phoenix Art Museum.