Monsoon Season

September, the end of our monsoon season approaches. This year we experienced record-breaking heat and not as much rain as we would like. There have been a couple thunderstorms in our area providing about a half-inch of rain each along with vivid lightning displays. The latest storm was this past Thursday. Whew! Lots of lightning! I've always wanted to capture a great lightning photo. This is my best one to date. I'll keep trying.

Extreme heat in the Valley pushed us north into the mountains for a little relief. Payson Golf Course is not a fancy country club. It does have tall trees, mountain views, and slightly cooler temperatures, which provided a nice change. The course is located on the edge of town surrounded by woods. Payson has an abundance of elk, deer, and other wildlife. Although we didn't see them while we were there, they left evidence of their presence by their hoof marks in the fairways. Fortunately the greens were not affected so it didn't cause us any issue.

One of the holes was particularly interesting. We approached through a tunnel of trees going uphill on a gravel golf cart path. From the cart path, we walked up several steps to the tee box, which was rock. Yup, no grass, just rock. The tees were on turf driving range mats. Being an elevated tee, the green was above 20 yards below, 100 yards ahead on this par-3. Tall trees lined the fairway, which was filled with tall, brown grasses and a gravel cart path snaking through. If you've golfed with me, you know how this played out. 'Nuf said.

Even though it has been hot and many outside activities are scaled back, Papa and I are reminded how fortunate we are to live in an area with so much to see and do. Our immediate community provides ample activities, and the surrounding area has an abundance of hiking trails, places to kayak, and beautiful mountains. The calendar is filled with plays and concerts. 

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/GBt6ZniDaL0 
Breakfast: Salt River Wild Horses

We also live fairly close to where the Salt River Wild Horses roam. They have definite trails they travel, daily routines. If we go early in the morning, we can usually catch them having breakfast close to the road. They must do this often as the noise of the speeding traffic just a few yards away didn’t matter at all.  In the evening, especially in the heat, they're hanging out by the river. This video clip was a herd of 15 horses having breakfast on Thursday morning, August 31.

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/z4_XrrjE708?si=7R0Gxi5bcQMKN0mT -- "Come Swim with Me"

Even us humans seek refuge from the heat in cool water. We're grateful to have access to a nice pool with a chiller to keep the water refreshing on hot days. Take a swim underwater with us. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day, the excitement really begins. More next week.