FINALLY – a little good news in 2021!! It’s been almost a year and a half since a search was started for a new “Mini Magic” that would be the ideal van for our travels (as they are today). Last August the new Mercedes ‘bare bones chassis’ was delivered to us. The previous 3 months had been spent with Off Highway Vans (OHV) – a van up-fitter in Salt Lake City – planning the layout of the interior, as well as determining all the materials that would be used. The first of October, the van was delivered to OHV for them to build out and implement all the planning. January 5th a rental car delivered us to SLC to pick up the new, and improved, Mini Magic;-) We loved it from first sight!! Kudos to OHV.
The VERY Proud and Excited owners of the NEW Mini Magic.👏🎉
Kitchen, Seating, Plenty of Storage AND Toilet in the Rear;-)
AND – A Special Perch for the Golf Clubs!!
It was sooooo exciting to have our new ride, it HAD to be put through some paces. So – our adventure home was through Valley of Fire State Park in NV.
Mini Magic looked beautiful against the Red Rock.
The BIG question everyone asked was – “Where will you sleep?” MM does NOT have a bed, as it is meant to get us from VRBO/hotel to VRBO/hotel and for day trips. However, we have missed camping and would like to be able to have such a trip to the National Parks, etc. So – a ‘Magic Carpet’ was acquired for the ‘here and there’ camping trips – –
This 20 foot Airstream Caravel will be towed behind Mini Magic when we want to”camp”.
Our “Magic Carpet”!
Not being able to sit still for even a minute, we were off to Willcox, AZ to test out MM and to see the migrating Sandhill Cranes. Every winter (October – March), more than 20,000 Sandhills flock to the Willcox Playa – an ancient lake bed formed from sedimentary deposits of gravel, sand and silt. We spent hours (even cooked dinner in MM!!) at Cochise Lake watching these migratory birds.
The perfect vehicle for spending the afternoon at Cochise Lake watching the birds.
Cranes galore. These are just a few of the 800+ shots taken by the mad photographer.🤪🤪
Of course, we can’t be on the road every week – so the desert hikes (and golf) were back on the agenda. For about three weeks, several of us from our “Sr. Community” prepared for a hike to Tom’s Thumb and the ‘Lookout’ just beyond it. When the day finally arrived for our trek, there were 6 hardy souls (ages 84, 82, 80, 79 – and us at 73 and 69 (the youngsters)) that made the 6.5 mile round trip with a 1500′ assent!! The day was absolutely beautiful and it couldn’t have been more fun;-)
What a happy crew!
Some interesting rock formations along the way.
We made it! Beautiful views of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills.
It was time for us to tackle some new areas on our weekly hikes. With our Vi crew it was off to Scorpion Point – a hike just written up in the Arizona Republic. The trail provided very interesting rock formations, an Ocotillo forest and even some mule deer – –
Off to Scorpion Point.
We thought this looked a lot like a puppy.
The ocotillo were leafing and beginning to bloom.
We ran into a family of deer.
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area provided a fabulous hike with friend, Silvia. Starting on the Metate Trail (named for the remnants of metates – a ground stone tool used for processing grain and seeds) to Spur Cross and finishing on Dragonfly, another beautiful morning was had by all.
The indentations in the rock (matate) were used for grinding grain in centuries past.
With our recent rains the creeks had water and the desert plants were quite green.
Our friend Silvia led the way.
It was about time for Magic Carpet to be tried out. Cave Creek Regional Park was an ideal spot, especially since we could meet up with friends Linda and Chuck;-) The spaces were very nice and wide, which allowed the two vehicles to be parked side by side creating a great shaded area for our chairs and table. Everything was checked out to be sure it worked. What fun!!
A couple of nights were spent in the nearby Cave Creek to “shakedown” the new equipment.
Another new hike – Clay Mine Trail – with our friends Chuck and Linda.
Beautiful desert sunrise. Nice to wake up to in the morning.
The desert hikes provide LOTS of Harris Hawk sightings (which we love!) AND – we have two resident owls just out our balcony door that have a HOOTING GOOD time every evening;-)
One of many Harris hawks we have spotted on our recent hikes.
This handsome creature spends quite a bit of time in the trees around our neighborhood.
The past two months have provided some very good times, which we hope get even better now that we have had our two vaccinations.
Stay well and safe – E & G in sunny AZ
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 