Congress, AZ  Oct. 2016

This was our first time Congress and surrounding area. We were pleasantly surprised. I think we were expecting desert with not much else around. We met some great people here and started doing things together from day one. From Cowboy church to learning to play Pickle Ball.
Sunsets were a highlight everyday.  

Another sunset...view from our campground. 

On our way to hike (climb) Vulture Peak near Wickenburg. 

The last couple miles on a dirt road to the trailhead pass by this Cholla field. The needles of the Cholla are incredibly sharp. It's often referred to as Jumping Cholla because the tiniest touch against the cactus will have a bunch break off and stick to whatever touched it. Shoe, pant leg or if really unlucky your arm. I read where areas like this are a sign of over grazing from years back, the cactus takes over like an invasive weed. With that being said, it had a beauty of it's own.   

Vulture Peak, the rounded dome, that's our destination.
I took this picture from the trailhead, our hike starts here. 

The main trail leads to the "saddle" middle area between the two mountains. The views in the saddle were awesome. However we learned there was a scramble of a path that would get us to the very top. At the top a metal box with a notebook awaits for successful hikers to sign. We were determined.  

Continuing upward to the top of Vulture Peak, 

not much of a trail anymore, more climbing over rocks than hiking. 

View from Vulture Peak. 

Signing the book on Vulture Peak.

Next stop, the Chamber of Commerce in Wickenburg. They give hikers a certificate for climbing to the top. (Doesn't take much to get us excited, ha ha).  

Downtown Wickenburg has several statues, the detail is incredible on these works of art.
This statue named "Thanks for the rain."

 We really like the town of Wickenburg, about 12 miles from our Congress campground. It's a cowboy town, the team roping capital of the world. The roping season was just beginning, it runs from Nov -April. There are several arenas in town that hold weekly events. Many signs around town are welcoming the ropers back, it's a big deal here.

Another statue in Wickenburg, a tribute to the miners.
Again, the detail so impressive and realistic. It felt like this guy was looking right at us.
All for now from Congress and Wickenburg, our next stop will be Benson.