Goodbye to Candycane and Polka dots..

It was our last hike into one of my most favorite areas of Calico Basin..

We left our friends driveway and headed west..

See that smallish home in the center?

I would love to own it..what a fabulous view.

I wonder what bird left this downy feather behind…

It was a beautiful, warm, clear day in Calico basin.

We followed the path around to the area that goes over the mountain.

I could spend days here looking at the different rocks..

A view of Turtle head in the distance..

The hike starts to get steep…

Jeff leaves me in the dust as I slowly walk to the summit..

I turn around to catch my breath and take this photo of the area we came from.

A Rock Wren bobs around the top of this rock..

Jeff hiking up on the left..

I stop many times..Mostly to catch my breath..

It’s a great opportunity to look around and take photos..

Do you see a Gorilla?

Views from the path below..

I have more huffing and puffing to do..

I need to hike way up there..

There has been no rain in the area for weeks..

But..I find this tiny purple flower.

Finally at the top, I find Jeff taking a nap.

I look up behind me and see something up in the rock…

Looks like a great spot to enjoy the scene.

I thought this was a Dark-eyed Junco when I took this photo, as a flock flew past us when we were resting on the rocks.

Now that I look at it I can see its not a Junco. Not sure what it is..possibly a Rock Wren.

Its time to continue our walk off the other side of the mountain and into the wash below.

Turtle head is the gray mountain in the distance.

We hiked there four years ago…didn’t fit that hike in this time around.

Colors..

This is what I LOVE about this area.

As we head into the canyon we hear a helicopter..

It was a Police recue helicopter doing maneuvers through the canyon..

Check out the video I took of helicopter..seemed a little scary doing the maneuvers in this rocky area.

We aren't the only ones watching..check out the group below..

Time to continue on…

Another view of Turtle head mountain..

We work our way down to the wash..

Past striped rocks..

Hello there!

Fabulous sculptured rock..

I adore it here!

Finally down in the wash..

A sandstone hole..

Its lovely and stripy and polka dotty here..

Its also chilly here in the canyon..

We are in the shade..

I look up at the rock in the sun and see someone climbing..

Here he is..

We watched for a while..

Then continue our walk in the shadows..

I am going to walk on and let the rocks speak for themselves..

I hope you enjoy this area as much as I do....

Goodbye Candycane and Polka dot hike…

Thank you…..

Until we meet again…