On Monday most of the day was spent with more relaxing at camp and then visiting Bearizona right outside Williams. Bearizona is a drive through animal park where the animals roam free and you drive through their areas. We saw bear and bison and other critters. I am a critter fan in general. They seem to do their best to give the animals a large enclosure as close to what it could have been in nature too. I believe most of the animals are rescues of sorts as well, like the blind owl that comes out to play during the birds of prey show and the mostly crazy turkey that is constantly displaying his feathery finery for his petting zoo visitors.
We also were continuing to look for flint in various spots including driving out to a spot near Ash Fork we had been told might be a place to pick up some good pieces. So far, we have not had terribly good luck finding any. This is probably because we have very little idea what we are looking for. More research is required as usual.
Tuesday we ventured out and did a pretty little hike to Keyhole Canyon. There are a few petroglyphs there. The spot was a perfect set up to force wildlife into for hunting by the native peoples many moons ago. Like many spots we’ve visited there has been much more water there in the past. If you hadn’t gathered yet, I’m a bit of a waterfall hunter. Sadly, some of the waterfalls we’ve hunted have not been running as it seems to be a hot, dry year, most everywhere. We saw just a smidge of water, but it was still a nice spot. We found some chunks of flint here. Or at least what we think might be flint.
On Wednesday we had a fishing day. We tried for some fish first at Dogtown Lake and the Wonder Beast had an epic showdown with a crawdad. We then headed further out of town to a spot near Whitehorse Lake called JD Dam. The hunting/fishing guy in town told Zack Attack it might be a good spot. No one else was there and Zack Attack caught no fish, but it was pretty. Zack Attack did manage, very skillfully, to cast a line and hook the hat I was wearing. Luckily, my hat saved my noggin from being hooked. The Wonder Beast really wanted to wade into the boggy marsh areas surrounding the lake so I spent most of my time holding him back.
Thursday was a big day. We got up early and drove through a fun little ghost town called Jerome on a back road. We then went on into Clarkdale to ride the Verde Canyon Railroad. We sprung for the extra 20 bucks to get a first class seat on this little tourist train. It takes you back through a lovely section of the Verde Canyon along the river there. We loved it. One of the greenest bits of Arizona we’ve seen. And, train rides are just plain fun. I can’t resist them. We also saw a mountain lion crossing the road on the drive back. Pretty awesome day overall.
