TIGERS , LIONS AND BEARS

  On Monday afternoon we played 9 holes of golf at Pine Shadows Golf course in Cottonwood. We walked it, and it is up and down hills, but it is a nice course to play.

 The only animals we have seen in this area are these rabbits on the golf course.

 So on Tuesday morning we went a few miles up from the campground to Out of Africa. It is not a zoo, not a drive-through park, but a place were you enjoy an authentic replica of a real African Bush Safari.

After a tram took us around the grounds to get an over view and to introduce us to each of the animals. You could really tell how much all of the personel knew and loved each of the animals.We then boarded this open bus and took a tour in the serengeti area, where the animals roam free.

We were given a piece of celery to feed to the giraffe or camel.

He gave me a kiss as he took the celery out of my mouth.

That is one long tongue.

The camel had to be behind a fence, because he being mean to the other animals.

An ostrich, named Chili-Pepper.

This zebra had been kicked out of the herd because she is the youngest and a new baby was to be born shortly. Her sister came with her, but didn't have too. Our driver fed her some aspirin since she was limping a little.

The zebra mother with her three day old baby.

The Preserve has about 15 tigers and 15 lions.

We were amazed that these workers had just taken one of the tigers from an area and walked with him down a fence enclosed pathway for the tiger splash show.

They played with the tiger and had him chase "toys" around and capture it.

Now to take the toy away, given some meat to encourage him to give up the toy.

Another toy brought out to play with.

The tiger won this tug of war.

There were two tiger cubs rescued from a yard in Phoenix a few weeks ago. This weekend was the first they were meeting the public. They are seven  months old.

There was a contest to name them, the winning names are Gabriel and Journey.

They are brothers.

Lion pride.

What a view.

You could hear the lion's roar throughout the preserve.

There was a giant snake show. You could go in and touch him.

The bears were in hibernation, but these two black bears came out for a short visit to get a drink and nibble.

We spent the whole day enjoying the shows and walking around. Larry doesn't enjoy zoos that much, but he really like Out of Africa
 We ended our day out with a stop at the Cliff Casino for dinner and little slot play. Their $10 free play earned us $14 each, so dinner was paid for.Thanks.

VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

We were going to take a hike in Sedona on Wednesday when we stopped here to get some information. Of course it was one of those places that offered a "freebie" if you just take a 90 minute tour of their resort. We got  first class tickets on the Verde Canyon railroad for Saturday.
 Our 90 minute minute tour took 4 hours and we left with a sample membership for 2 years. We plan to use it to go to Hawaii for a couple of weeks.It is with Diamond resorts and you may have seen the CEO on Undercover Boss. 

On Saturday we had lunch at Bobby D's BBQ in Jerome.This town clings to the sides of Cleopatra Hill. It is about four miles of switchbacks up the hill from Clarkdale.

In the late 1800's this area was famous for its cooper mines. The train was used to take the cooper out and to bring in supplies. The train station is in Clarkdale.

Our first-class car was the Wickenburg, there were two others and they were all full.

We had spacious living room style seating and complementary appetizers.

I spent most of the trip in the open air car taking pictures and enjoying all of the scenery.

Our first view of the Verde River.

Going across a trestle bridge.

Going through the 680 foot tunnel. It sure was dark in there.

We went 20 miles to the ghost town of Perkinsville. We were traveling at 12 miles an hour.

The engine unhooked and relocated at the other end of the train to take us back.

F p7 locomotive, two of only 10 remaining in North America.

There is an eagle nest a little below half way down on the rock. The highlight was seeing an eagle flying along the river on our way back.

It was a very enjoyable 4 1/2 hour train ride through this beautiful canyon.

RED ROCK COUNTRY

The hairdresser I went to on Thursday told me  I should be sure to go see Oak Creek Canyon. So on Friday, using my Reader's Digest Most Scenic Drives in America book as our guide, we drove up Hwy 17 to Flagstaff. We were at 8000 ft and there was snow on the ground, but there should have been a lot more.

At Flagstaff we traveled back on Rte 89A. Our first stop was the Oak Creek Vista Point. There was a row of Navajo Indians selling jewelery, so I bought a bracelet.

It is 1000 feet to the bottom of this canyon.

Notice the switchback road going around the cliff behind us. It was fun driving down those hairpin turns!

We stopped at Pine Flat Campground to look up at the cliffs, and found this water supply from a mountain spring.

Many people stopped and filled up their water bottles.

At Slide Rock State Park we paid the $10 entrance fee and took a short hike.

You can slide down this 80 foot chute of slippery rocks. Fun in the summer but a little too cold today.

Larry climb down the cliff, but I decided to go back on the path.

Red rock of Sedona, this picture just doesn't show how beautiful.

Our book told us to stop at Schnebly Hill Vista for a spectacular view. The road is 6 miles of switchbacks, but only one mile is paved. We parked where the paved road ends and  took a hike. We will have to take the Pink Jeep tours sometime and go to the vista.

We took the Munds Wagon Trail, agreeing to hike 30 minutes in and 30 minutes out, since it was getting late in the day.

The path was marked with these stacks of rocks.

What a beautiful place to hike.

Larry taking a rest.

We had also gone to Sedona on Wednesday and stopped at the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

You can see the inside of the church, very simple and peaceful.

When we left Sedona that evening a full moon was just coming up. Red rock country sure is beautiful!