JAKE'S CORNER, AZ

Our oldest grandson is named Jake, so when we came upon this place in the middle of nowhere, we just had to stop. It consists of a bar, store, RV campground, gas station and laundry. What more would you need?

Who wouldn't want your name on this?

Even this town has rules!

We quickly decided to move on!

FISH HATCHERY CONT.

There were some nice sized trout in the pond and all sizes in the tank.
Don fed them outside and this man was feeding them inside.
The exhibits were interesting at the visitors center. They distribute the trout to the streams in trucks like they do in Iowa, but here they also carry them in backpacks and dump them out of helicopters. After seeing everything, we headed down the hill and saw that the firemen were busy.
The fires were closer to the road, so we didn't tempt fate.

FISH HATCHERY

We decided to go to the trout hatchery in the Tonto National Forest. On the way up the road, we saw smoke.

We wondered if we'd be able to continue up the road, but a firegal stopped us and said it was okay. The fires were started by lightning five days before and 389 acres had burned. It was contained, but they were watching it. We finally arrived at the hatchery.

We couldn't help but chuckle at the name of the toilets.

It was kind of a pretty place with a small stream running down the hill.

I was pleased to see some sweet peas growing along the fence. My mother got some seeds when she was in Salt Lake City many years ago. She planted them every year, saving the seeds each year. A good memory triggered!

PAYSON AND GLOBE

A couple weeks ago, we took an overnight trip to the mountains, to celebrate our 46th anniversary. It's a curvy road up to Payson.

We spent the night at Mazatzal Casino. They have beautiful rooms, actually they're a full suite, and they also give you a coupon book that includes $15 for breakfast.

I had packed a lunch, so we ate by a lake in Payson.

In the afternoon, we took a little drive toward the Mogollon Rim. It's really pretty in winter when it's full of snow.

COTTON FIELDS

For those of you who can't be around AZ at this time of the year, the cotton fields have blossomed and are forming the bolls. It doesn't get as tall as corn, and you can't eat it, but it's fun to watch it's progress. We have several fields close by.

A SAD EVENT

On Wednesday,we all felt bad when we drove past the cactus garden at the office, and saw the top of the saguaro cactus lying on the ground. We've been in the middle of a drought zone in Casa Grande-the rain seems to go around us, so some people thought it was too dry. However, it had done what it was supposed to, and stored water within. I heard it was very wet inside. Another theory was that the birds nest sitting on the arm caused it. The more people you talk to-the more theories you get. The guys used a saw to cut the remaining top in an attempt to save it. What a shame!