Ride to Wickenburg and Cave Creek |
|||||||||
     |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Leave on
this ride when it's a bit cold in the winter. Yes, it gets cold in Arizona in
the North Country. You leave for a great day's ride for Prescott Valley toward Prescott, "Everybody's Home Town" and take Montezuma on the west side of the Courthouse to the south. It winds through town and turns into White Spar Road. We call it "The Spars" when you are in the switchbacks. You are in the Prescott National Forest shortly after leaving town. This is the tall pines area of Ponderosa Pines, the largest stand of them in the world. Take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet clean smell of the trees and see the clear water in Granite Creek on your left. You pass some great places to camp where solitude is the fare of the day. Just imagine the first settlers coming into this forested mountainscape. The Spars is a fun ride by itself. There is beauty surrounding you. The road is a challenge to the rider as it winds over the mountains for 25 miles into Wilhoit. The view coming into Wilhoit is a spectacle. Willhoit sits at the north edge of a valley surrounded by mountains. It is a nice place to get a piece of property and kick back. Your cost of living will be minimal. Continue down the road until you pass Tufa Tavern and the junction of Rt. 89 called Kirkland Junction. Not a town. Just a junction. The Spars flow into Rt 89 and heads for Peoples Valley. It's a mix of huge ranches, a few goat farms, and the quiet life. Peace abounds as you ride without seeing many humans. Keep an eye out for greenery. It usually indicates a water source. You will see creek beds lined with trees. Stay on the road through Congress and look for the giant frog on your right. If you see it, send me an eMail. You come to a junction for the Las Vegas turn off. Don't take it. They didn't build those billion dollar joints there by giving away money. Instead continue to Wickenburg. There was a resort called The Wickenburg Inn. It has been donated by the owner, Merv Griffin who ownes Wheel of Fortune, to a group dedicated to helping troubled youth. There really are saints in this world. Wickenburg is an affluent community of nice homes and a fairly good downtown. At least it is a thriving community center. There is a rodeo facility where besides riding and roping, they hold the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival in the fall. I was there last fall and saw a kid about 8 years old playing the fiddle like he was sawing it in half. He was a very talented youngster. I am certain I will see him become a star. There was an old codger playing the bass fiddle who won years ago on the Gong Show. This guy could pluck that sucker like nobody's business. He stood on it and double picked it to everyone's amazement while he sang. You will notice the warmer weather as you are now at a lower elevation. Hey, that's why I suggested this ride in cold weather, remember? On to the next fun place…cave Creek. Head southeast on Highway 74 from Wickenburg for about 15 or 20 miles until you reach Highway 60, Carefree Highway. You will be riding through some incredible dessert. In March the entire floor is in flowers. Gold and orange mainly, but peppered with purples and reds. It is just a wonder how alive the "barren" dessert really is. You can't help but notice how smooth the roads are all over. Not a bump or a crack. It `s easy on the bike and the back. On your left will be Lake Pleasant. A State Park with good fishing and camping. Boaters flock here in the hot summer months from Phoenix. There is about a 5 or 10 buck charge to enter the park. Just east of the park entry road is the dam that creates the reservoir of Lake Pleasant. Coming next is the junction with Interstate 17. But keep on heading east. Carefree Highway east of I-17 is the start of the metropolis of Phoenix. Urban sprawl has come this far north. It used to be a cowboy area. Now it's mini ranches with expensive new homes and barns. Subdivisions are sprouting like spring dessert flowers. You hit Cave Creek Road about 10 miles mile further. Take a left. Notice the homes built on the mountains. The saguaro cactus are everywhere. Cave creek is a community with nice shops and restaurants. There are good biker bars and leather shops for the Harley folks to hang out in. You will meet people from ways away. Have lunch and take an earned break. You can either go back to Prescott Valley by the I-17 Freeway or return through Wickenburg. I-17 takes you on Black Canyon Highway and has a few towns to stop and visit along the way. I-17 also takes you the way to Rt 69 where you can drop in a Billy Jacks' Saloon and Grill in Humboldt for dinner and a cold one. It's the best deal in town. They serve cocktails, beer and wine along with great sandwiches like the Road King and Shovelhead and Hondkawasuki. Darleen and the crew there will welcome you warmly. Tell them Jerry sent you. Billy is opening a Harley and auto repair shop next to the grill. He is a certified Ford Technician and the best around. I highly recommend his shop. Hey! Take a look to the east from Billy Jack's patio. That tall mountain is where I live. |
|||||||||