ANDERSONS VISIT

Last night we joined Al and Shirley Ludeking and Cal and Betty Anderson for dinner at the Creative Cafe here in Casa Grande. Andersons started out from Decorah about two months ago and have made their way to Florida and across the coast to Green Valley, Arizona. They drove up and spent the night on the way to the Phoenix airport, so Cal can fly back to Iowa for awhile. We had a lovely evening!

MY GARDEN

I'm winning my fight with my mystery animal (probably a rabbit), that chewed off my pansies that were on the ground until we got the shepherds hook in the ground, and raised them up. They looked pretty dismal, but with a little bit of a green thumb and a few prayers to the "garden saints", they're showing a little beauty.

This is how the one looks that was too high for the animal to reach!

FITZGERALDS ARE HERE

On Monday, we went up to Chandler to see Pat and Kathy Fitz, who arrived on Sunday from Grinnell. We sat around and chatted all afternoon, and then went to a great Mexican restaurant. It's good to see them!

The weather was beautiful so we ate outside.

BACK TO TORTILLA FLATS

Over 100 years ago, Tortilla Flats was a thriving stage coach stop on the Apache Trail. At one time it was a small town with 125 citizens, now it has six people.

We each split a hamburger with our hubby's, in the outside area of the Superstition Salloon, where we were entertained by some western music.



The inside of the saloon is unusual-especially the walls. They're covered with business cards and dollar bills.

If you want to sit at the bar, you have to sit on a saddle!

The restrooms are interesting!

Karen begged me to take her picture! (If you believe that one, I've got another fib to tell you!!!)

As you can see, we had a nice day!

WILDFLOWERS

Last year when we went here, it was later in the season, and the yellow poppies were starting to bloom. Even though we were early, we still saw some of the dainty ones.

UP THE MOUNTAIN

When we got to Tortilla Flats, there were loads of people there, so we decided to go up the mountain first. It starts by going through some water and eventually the road turns to dirt-and it's winds around the curves-but it's doable. Here's what you see.

Notice the huge rock that fell down-I wouldn't want to be beneath it.

NORTHEAST IOWA BREAKFAST

Last Tuesday we rolled Mulert out of bed about 6 am, picked up Al and Shirley Ludeking, and headed for the Little Mesa Cafe and the weekly northeast Iowa breakfast. Karen and Willie Brown saved us a spot. We knew that Judy Ehler (one of Don's office staff) was in town with her sister-in-law and her niece , and they'd be there. We had a nice visit, which moved on to the Brown's patio. Judy's in blue pants and sweater.

The three of us.

It's always nice to see Judy!!!

The 6 of us then took a ride up in the Superstition Mountains to Tortilla Flats. On the way, in the Tonto National Forest, we came upon Canyon Lake and stopped to check it out. Here's a bit of the view.