Az Highway 191 homeward bound- almost!

 This trip, like other driving trips, began with wanting to do a 'scenic' drive.  The Coronado Highway, 191, has been on my to do list for some time.  We've tried it 2 other times and couldn't get here for one reason or another.  Since coming in from the southern side didn't work, we dropped in from the north this time, completing our figure 8 trip and crossing our outbound leg in Springerville.

This was such a great spot to end our trip, that I really don't want to say where it was - I want to be selfish and not share it!  So, it's one of the boon docking campground areas on Highway 191!  Our site was a pull out on the campground road, looking down across the meadow and hills.  We both decided we'd stay until the water or food ran out.  Water was going to be more of an issue, as we were well stocked!  But we also learned where we could get free water... we could be here for a while!

We made several hikes in the area: Tom for birds and mammals, and me for wildflowers and other interesting things.  I will admit that quite a bit of time was just spent sitting in the gravity chairs and watching the clouds roll by.  The temperature was very comfortable in the 80's and some late afternoon thunderstorms  a couple of days added some extra drama. The changing light across the meadow was fun to watch.  Now if the elk and deer had only timed their crossings at the correct time.  I guess they didn't get the shooting schedule memo!

We did make an excursion away from our little utopia to explore a couple of the forest service roads in the area.  There are many to choose from.  Road 25, or just '25' as the locals call it, had several camping sites, some neat side roads, and about 5 miles in the Reno Lookout Tower, manned by Don, a 32 year veteran of the tower.   It was quite smoky and hazy when we were up top, and I guess I just didn't feel like taking pictures of the haze.  I did capture Tom on his way down!

Heading south on 191 from Alpine, we passed this, fairly new fire, just south of Josh Ranch.  It was started by lightening the night before, a storm we experienced while in Springerville.

While we were at camp, this one continued to burn, but into an area that had already burned.  It grew enough, that crews were called in and power was shut off to the Hannagan Meadows Lodge. It was 'corralled' but not contained. 
The camp  host was keeping everyone updated as much as he could regarding the fire situation, and it appeared that all was good.

These are a few of my images from our time here.  Many more to follow.  Stay tuned for our drive home!