The last couple of days have been dedicated to exploring new areas around this part of Arizona and catching up on our chores (grocery shopping, mucking out the trailer, etc.). On Sunday we drove to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park about 1.5 hours east of Cottonwood. Part of our interest in going there was we would follow a highway that we haven't driven before. We were thinking that we might leave the Verde Valley via that route when we head back to Idaho to avoid climbing to over 7000 feet in elevation going up the freeway through Flagstaff. However, the highway to Tonto also climbs to over 7000 feet just to get out of the Verde Valley. So we will probably drag the trailer up the freeway as originally planned.

Tonto Natural Bridge is a very interesting and beautiful place. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400 foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.

Dogs are allowed on the trails around the rim.

But dogs are not allowed on the trail that descends into the canyon.

Therefore we did not experience the view from under the bridge. But if we had we would have seen the following (downloaded from the internet).

There is also a waterfall over the top.

Complete with rainbow.

And where there is water, Abby has to enjoy it (it's spring fed a few hundred feet up slope).

And Abby makes friends everywhere we go.

We took a picnic lunch and pretty much made a day of the trip.

Yesterday (Monday) we decided to check out a trail head that we have noticed for the last couple of years but have not taken the time to follow it. The trail head is near the east end of Cottonwood and it climbs south out of the Verde Valley up into the Mingus Mountains. It afforded beautiful views of the valley and of the red rocks around Sadona to the north.

The cactus are just beginning to bloom in the area so it is about a month behind where we were farther south and much lower in elevation (the white blossoms are sego lilies).

The trail is nice and is for foot traffic only (although horses are allowed we didn't see any horse droppings so it must not be a popular ride).

Can you find Sharon and Abby in the picture below? Remember you can click on the picture to enlarge.

We started the hike in the afternoon not knowing what the trail was like or where it went. We hiked uphill for about an hour, took a selfie, and returned to our truck.

Some limited information at the trail head said it was 3.5 miles long climbing a couple of thousand feet but didn't mention why anyone might like to hike the distance. Back at the trailer we looked at Google Earth on the computer and discovered what is at the end of the trail attracting hikers (this photo was downloaded from the internet).

There is a big waterfall and pool of spring water 3.5 miles up so we will definitely attempt the hike. But this time we will wear our hiking boots and we won't start the journey in the heat of the afternoon. But we haven't made a 7 mile hike yet this winter so we don't know if we could make it the whole way. And even our short hike of yesterday pooped Abby out so much that all she has done since is sleep and eat. We'll see.