Late afternoon at Roosevelt Lake. The lake has many different looks, depends on time of day, lighting and what side of the lake you're on. The lake is the result of the Roosevelt Dam completed in 1911, it was named after President Theodore Roosevelt.

 More Roosevelt Lake.

 Our first week in Punkin we set out to find the remains of Camp Reno, but no luck. A later attempt proved successful.

 All that's left of Camp Reno are stone walls...and the history. Camp Reno was an outpost established to protect settlers and prospectors looking for gold. Indian raids, most notably from the Apaches were a constant threat. Abundant gold was discovered in this area...still today people find gold. In fact I saw a gold panning kit in a local hardware store and was tempted to give it a whirl. Maybe another year.
This outpost was so remote, difficult to keep soldiers supplied, it was in existence less than 5 years.

 When the girls were here we went cholla hunting. When the cholla cactus dies the meat of the cactus rots away and leaves an interesting wood from the inside. It's popular with crafters and often seen as decoration in gardens. The sun was setting and painted the desert with a beautiful peace.

The cholla cactus is beautiful to look at but one must beware, it's called jumping cactus because the slightest brush against it results in a clump being attached to one's limb, and it does not feel good.

All for tonight.  Jan. continues tomorrow.