CRYSTAL HILL FELT MORE LIKE A MOUNTAIN

Our drive from LaPosa South to the road leading to Crystal Hill was a short drive south.  Then we turned east and proceeded down yet another dirt and rock road.  Crystal Hill is part of the KOFA Wildlife Refuge where Big Horn Sheep, Desert Tortoises, Kit Fox and other wildlife can be found.



While at the Visitor’s Center, we also discovered that other things can be found there in the desert where General George Patton of WWII fame trained some of his troops.  One can come upon unexploded ordinances!  Some land mines and grenades could even be live.  THAT is a do not touch.  The training was in this area since these troops were heading to Africa. 


But there is also beauty to be found in these mountains.  Saguaro, Ocotillo, Cholla and Barrel Cactus are a few that we saw on our drive to the mountain. This is what John and I were in search of on this trip.  This is a photo of what one person found.  They are clear “crystal clear” quartz.  We do not want them for any New Age faith.  These crystals are hard to find and we enjoy the challenge, the search. 


I think the person that named Crystal Hill must have been younger than John and I.  From a distance, it looked climbable.  And it was, to a point.  About the point I was half way to the top.  John was smart and did his rock hounding about a third of the way.  It was a fun day.  We both try to push ourselves to do just a bit more than our last outing.  We both succeeded.  And we rested for the next two days!  This was our view from the car as we approached the “hill.”




We discovered a new to us cactus as we drove up the road.  Do you know it’s name?








This is the path that I followed up the ‘hill.’  It started out gradually then became more challenging the higher I went.  I accidentally had John’s rockhounding tool bag with me and I did not enjoy the extra weight.  The next day, my elbows and shoulders ached from the extra load.  But, I found that loaded bag mighty useful.  At times the grade was so steep, I felt as if I were going to tumble down the ‘hill.’ I carried that loaded bag in from of me to provide more stability.  At times the problem was that there would be a drop off at my right or left. So I carried it of the ‘hill’ side. 
                                                                                                                                    

My goal with that stand of rocks that has a lighter border at the top.  I told myself that I made it that far, I would stop. At times I pulled myself up with limbs of the creosote bushes.  Al of the Bayfield Bunch does not like them in his yard, but they were a great help to me.   I made it to my goal and just sat on those rocks and enjoyed the scenery.  You know though what goes up, must come down.  And I did just that – safely.



On my way down I tried to take a photo of John.  He is that speck in the center of the photo.  As I came further down the ‘hill,’ I found a place to stop and get a better picture of ye ‘ole rockhounder.  He did not find any crystals, but he also exceeded his climbing goal.  Much better than finding a crystal. 


Yesterday, we were walking in the area north of where we were camping.  John found a crystal there.  He had planned to return to search for more, but he has been hanging some of my artwork and doing some honey-dos. 



We came home to enjoy a beautiful sunset.  The perfect ending to a perfect day even though we did not see the Big Horn Sheep.  Their birthing season extends from January to June.  I imagine some were resting or caring for their young. 

After the sun dropped behind the mountains we went inside and played a couple of rounds of Sequence. He beat me soundly in both games. I got my revenge the next evening.

Our next adventure?  Our journey into Parker and Lake Havasu City.  Until next time,

God Bless you!