ATV 15

OK, I screwed up ! I stayed up too late. I didn't plan ahead. When I woke up I hurried out of the house and didn't have a map with me. I was trying to find Fossil Springs, the water source that feeds Fossil Creek and the generators at Childs. I'm a male I don't need no map,,, I can use that ancient talent of "dead-reckoning" I do know where the spring is +/- 50 miles.

Small problems- I didn't get out of the house until after 12 noon. The area I was trying to go to was on fire. They had signs all over about some Rx (prescription burn). The smoke was very thick it looked like a war zone. I had to do this "Plan B" stuff, the smoke was just too thick.

"Plan B" was great. I didn't see anyone all day. Many of the trails and fire roads were only lightly used. As usual I'm way way in. My cell phone does work here ! I do have my GPS to find my way back out.

Oh Yea,,, Remember that late start. So here I am (in deep) and I noticed the shadows getting long. It got dark real fast! Nothing like scaring the hell out of yourself deep in the woods after dark. Lions and Tigers, Giant Snakes ! Wild man eating Monkeys! All chasing me through the woods !

You big PUSSY-ASS! Get out and do something !

One of the members of (Riding Arizona) lives outside of Payson, AZ in an area called Freedom Acres. It was nice of him to hold a ride in an area he is so familiar with. We had sufficient parking for everyone, good thing. I believe we had 25 machines and 29 people (+/-5) on the ride.

(Left)Being a very open minded group of people we accept even those half breads, (father was a ATV , mother was a Golf-Cart). It did just fine and looks like a cool family vehicle. It actually surprised me !
(Right) Funny how they line up in formation even when they park.

Signs we all really like: One is a sign that doesn’t say NO, and the other is a sign that doesn’t say PAY $ ahead. This sign also implies "get stuff for FREE". This is heaven !

OK,,, This is the secret Diamond Cave (Crystal Cave). The one thing ATV riders love almost as much as water crossings is a good cave , and this is a good one! The entrance is like a slit in the ground and not like a “CAVE”. Even if you are standing by the entrance you have to know what you are looking for. I’ll be back !

In this adventure many of the pictures are not mine. These pictures have been lifted from other member’s picture at www.ridingarizona.com. I was unable to take my usual 100+ pictures due to my position as tail gunner during this ride. All pictures have been de-pixilated to render them useless for reprint. Contact me to have your pictures removed.