As many of you may know, it’s just about all downhill from Flagstaff (over 7,000') to Gold Canyon (about 1890') so Big Red (our 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe) performed well with a high mpg reading of 39.2 and an average of 32.9. We’ve been here about 5 days and are still running on the same tank we filled up with in Flagstaff. This all wheel SUV is only ranked 25 HWY!!!
Lots of “work around the place” and “stocking the cupboards” took most of our time the last 5 days. (Suzanne W - if you're reading this, stop now as there is discussion of snakes and photos.) For the rest of you - this morning it was cooler so we worked pulling weeds and trimming the tree in the back yard. It’s been very hot so we were on the lookout for snakes, and sure enough I wasn’t too startled when I spotted a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (with 6 rattles and a button) curled up under a bush. This snake is easy to identify by the black and white bands just above the rattles. We’ve seen them before here in AZ, but not in CA, although we have other types of rattlesnakes at home.
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As we headed out at 8:30 a.m. outside temp was 60...
Don's driving, set his temp at 79 - that's me at 68. |
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| The sky looked like this |
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| and the clouds did a dance for us |
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| can't you just hear the music. |
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| Proof of that great mpg. |
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| Our first evening sunset at our AZ home... |
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| Gardening - visitors, look closely - head raised |
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| uncoiled |
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| the "tell tale" sign "Western Diamondback Rattlesnake". |
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The yard looks great. The snake was coiled under the
small bush in front of the Palo Verde Tree... the one with
a few red fluffy flowers "Fairy Duster". |
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| All's well that ends well!!! Later... |
Are the snakes mostly hanging out along the desert homes? I would have been SO STARTLED! Good photos of the creature. Glad to hear all was well at your winter casa. Stocking for the winter stay seems to take forever! Glad you arrived safely!
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