After being without internet for a couple weeks we're back in business. I have much to share to finish out our month of January. While staying in the Tonto Basin (Punkin Center) we spent time hiking and jeeping in the Salome Wilderness Area. The desert here seems very healthy and so beautiful, it's definitely wilderness, acres and acres of wilderness. We would be on trails for hours and never see another soul.

 This trail in the Salome was named THE JUG, probably because of the deep pools of water. Some of the pools can only be reached by repelling down cliffs, something we don't do. However, we were able to scramble boulders to get down to this pool. I loved the heart shaped boulder with bamboo growing behind it. One of God's whispers.

 More from THE JUG trail. There are lots of saguaros in the Tonto Basin.

We attended the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction, a week long event.
The Barrett & Jackson Auto Auction is held every January in Phoenix. This year thousands of immaculate autos were auctioned off, the most expensive selling for $500,000. There were model T era cars, muscle cars, prototypes that never made the production line to a very unusual tour bus made by GM (sold for 4 million), photo above. We spent the day there and didn't see all the cars.  


                                                         (My driver Drew)
Chevy, Ford and Dodge had large outdoor displays along with a small race track where they offerred “hot lap” rides with professional race car drivers. Figured we’d never get a chance like that again so we got in line. My first hot lap was in a Ford Mustang (photo), we peeled out, skidded and squealed around the corners and when I opened my eyes we were crossing the finish line. Driver Drew said he wanted to give me a good ride, ha ha. I think he just wanted to see me scream (but I didn’t).

Tom got a lap in a Mustang Shelby and then we both took a second hot lap in a new Corvette, only this time I asked the driver to go a bit slower. Was thrilling and fun.

 I liked the colors in this row of old trucks. The vehicles all so clean they sparkled with the overhead lights.

 There are several Indian ruin sites in this area. Fortunately the Forest Service has taken this site under their wings to help preserve and protect it from vandals and the elements. We were told there are others that are not protected, kind of wonder if there's anything left of them. Above are the Tonto Ruins from the Salado Indians. The Salados are thought to be some of the first people to use the Apache Trail as a footpath. Interesting side note...at the bottom of this trail by the visitor center we met an elderly couple from New Auburn WI, a neighboring town to Chetek.  The trail up is paved but too steep for many that have difficulty walking.

 Beautiful views on our way to Young. 
A day trip to the remote town of Young was another scenic drive with lots of oohs and awhs. This town has only one road in and one out, most of it dirt. The road is called “Desert to the Pines” because you start out driving in the desert and climb up into the pines to snow level, over the mountain then desend into the Pleasant Valley which was the former name of Young. It’s a beautiful green valley, we didn’t see any industry, mostly ranching. This is cowboy country...cowboy hats, boots and dusty trucks. We had lunch at the Antlers Restaurant, we loved the quaintness (wood stove in dining area) as well as the good food. Interesting side note...Young didn’t get electic service until 1965. History includes the Pleasant Valley War waged between two ranching families that continued for years with many lives lost. 

 Hard to believe this is the only road into the town, or out, depending on what way you're traveling.

 23 miles to go. Not the greatest picture but wanted to show you the road as one travels into the town of Young.

In the Pleasant Valley entering Young.

Will continue with more tomorrow.
Erin, thanks for the blogging tips.