{"id":9247,"date":"2017-05-08T04:43:08","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T04:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/?p=9247"},"modified":"2017-05-12T03:33:50","modified_gmt":"2017-05-12T03:33:50","slug":"cave-creek-outing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/?p=9247","title":{"rendered":"Spur Cross Ranch Outing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Adventure buddy Konnie and I set out to explore <a href=\"http:\/\/www.maricopacountyparks.net\/park-locator\/spur-cross-ranch-conservation-area\/\">Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-yet-another-mountain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9269 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-yet-another-mountain-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-yet-another-mountain-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-yet-another-mountain-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-yet-another-mountain-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We parked and headed toward the trails.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-another-mountain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9270 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-another-mountain-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-another-mountain-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-another-mountain-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-another-mountain-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What a beautiful day for a hike!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/lush-greenery.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9268 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/lush-greenery-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"578\" height=\"771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/lush-greenery-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/lush-greenery-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s hard to believe that this is a desert.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/big-ol-cactus.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9257 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/big-ol-cactus-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"582\" height=\"776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/big-ol-cactus-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/big-ol-cactus-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But, those cactuses kind of give it away. Yes, it&#8217;s a desert!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/creek.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9263 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/creek-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/creek-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/creek-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/creek-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We got down to the creek.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cave creek 2\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G8MuqHcIIbM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The sound of water in the desert is so peaceful.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9267 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-trail-sign.jpg 1988w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We continued our explorations. I wondered about the name of this trail, Metate Trail.<\/p>\n<p>A metate is a tool used for grinding corn. There are a lot of forms of them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9275 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is a souvenir version that I brought home with me from my years in Guatemala. The stone on top is called a &#8220;mano&#8221;, and this one is too large for the metate underneath.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/guatemalan-sculpture.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9276 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/guatemalan-sculpture-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"549\" height=\"732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/guatemalan-sculpture-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/guatemalan-sculpture-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As long as I&#8217;m sharing about Guatemala and metates, I figured I&#8217;d share this sculpture I brought home that shows how tortillas were traditionally made.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re welcome.<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, we set off down the path and we found metates!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-with-cactus.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9258 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-with-cactus-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-with-cactus-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/metate-with-cactus-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The people who lived here long ago found this rock and used it to grind their grains. Sometimes rocks would have a natural indentation that they would use to start. Over the years, the grinding would wear away the rock creating deeper pockets.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Konnie-with-cactus.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9260 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Konnie-with-cactus-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"587\" height=\"782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Konnie-with-cactus-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Konnie-with-cactus-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Konnie and I looked for cactuses to take pictures with. This one was her choice.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/me-and-the-cactus.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9261 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/me-and-the-cactus-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"581\" height=\"775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/me-and-the-cactus-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/me-and-the-cactus-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I picked this one.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Odd-vine-growing-on-prickley-pear.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9265 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Odd-vine-growing-on-prickley-pear-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Odd-vine-growing-on-prickley-pear-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Odd-vine-growing-on-prickley-pear-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Odd-vine-growing-on-prickley-pear-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I was surprised that this prickly pear was covered with vines. That&#8217;s not something I would expect to see in a desert.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/odd-vine.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9266 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/odd-vine-1024x736.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/odd-vine-1024x736.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/odd-vine-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/odd-vine-768x552.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This vine had some mighty odd looking fruits. Konnie tells me that they are <a href=\"http:\/\/southwestdesertflora.com\/WebsiteFolders\/All_Species\/Cucurbitaceae\/Marah%20gilensis,%20Wild%20Cucumber.html\">wild cucumbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-mountain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9271 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-mountain-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-mountain-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-mountain-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/view-of-mountain-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Time for another look at the mountains and then off to Cave Creek for a little sustenance at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bigearlsgreasyeats.com\">Big Earl&#8217;s Greasy Eats<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Me-at-Big-Earls.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9272 \" src=\"http:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Me-at-Big-Earls.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"459\" height=\"583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Me-at-Big-Earls.jpg 581w, https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Me-at-Big-Earls-236x300.jpg 236w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And so another concludes another outing with adventure buddy, Konnie.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Adventure buddy Konnie and I set out to explore Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. We parked and headed toward the trails. What a beautiful day for a hike! It&#8217;s hard to believe that this is a desert. But, those cactuses kind of give it away. Yes, it&#8217;s a desert! We got down to the creek. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/?p=9247\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Spur Cross Ranch Outing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[782,780,781],"class_list":["post-9247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-big-earls-greasy-eats","tag-cave-creek-regional-park","tag-metate"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9247"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9548,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9247\/revisions\/9548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.towingsilver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}