Big Cat, Small Box

Heart Attack Grill

Also a couple of weeks ago we went with Ross's aunt and uncle, Shari and Chuck, to the (somewhat) famous Heart Attack Grill. It's been featured on the Food Network, Sunday Morning and other shows. The concept is cute, the food was good (if a bit pricey) and we had a lot of fun!

In case you haven't heard of it the concept is a medical establishment that serves only food that is VERY bad for you. The waitresses are all dressed as nurses. They put a hospital wrist band and gown on you when you come in. The only things on the menu are "bypass" burgers (single, double, triple and quadruple), an all you can eat "flatliner" fries bar (instead of a salad bar), regular soft drinks (no diet drinks but you can buy bottled water) and unfiltered cigarettes. All the food is cooked in pure lard! Probably not the kind of food you'd want to eat every day but once in a while... tasty!

	(Left to right) Shari, Chuck and Karen enjoying their "single bypass" burgers and "flatliner" fries.
	Karen with her hospital wrist band.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

A couple of weeks ago we took a day trip up to Payson and the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The main attraction of the park is the natural bridge. In order to see it up close you have to hike down a short but very steep trail. Of course the hike back up is the hard part but it's well worth the effort. This thing is HUGE! The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. Very impressive!

	This picture doesn't convey just how massive the natural bridge is!
	Looking up at the top of the bridge.

Saguaro In Bloom

Cholla Pieces

We saw this large pile of Cholla pieces
on the Merkle Trail today. What's
strange is that there aren't any Chollas
around this location! The nearest ones
Are at least 100' away.

[5-30-2010 Update] I sent this picture to Ranger B at Usery Park. He wrote back that the pile was created by pack rats. Apparently they can carry the cholla pieces in their teeth without sticking themselves.

Real Time

Right now we're at the top overlook
on the Vista Trail. That's Pass Mt. in
the background.

A Few Days Ago...

At the corner of Crest and Huff and
Puff.

Dead Snake

We found this dead gopher snake on the side of the road yesterday in McDowell Mountain Park after a hike. In spite of its position it was dead. Ross kicked some pebbles at it and it didn't move. The strange thing is that there we no signs of trauma on the snake. We thought maybe it had been hit by a car but that would have left marks. Strange!

Chuckwalla

Seen while hiking Silly Mt. today.

Saguaros

They're in bloom now.

New Jobs

We're working part time at Quiznos
now. MMMMM - Toasty!

Gilbert Tea Party

Today we rode our bikes to the Gilbert Tea Party. They were expecting 2000 people and the organizers think more than that showed up. There were a lot of speeches by politicians, people running for office, political groups and the like. The main speaker was Sheriff Joe Arpiao, "Sheriff Joe." The whole thing lasted 2 hours. It was inspiring!

	Sheriff Joe Arpiao speaking at the Tea Party.
	Some of the extimated more than 2000 people at the Tea Party.
	Some say that people who are in the Tea Party movement are all "racist, right wing extremists." Here are 3 of them!

Gila Monster

Seen while hiking today in Usery Park.

Flowers In Bloom

On Merkle/Vista Trail today.

Flowers In Bloom

On Merkle/Vista Trail today.

Ocotillo In Bloom

On Merkle/Vista Trail today.

Hedgehog In Bloom

On Merkle/Vista Trail today.

Spring Training 2010

Critter

Chuckwalla we saw Monday at the top
of the Vista Trail in Usery Park.

Wildflowers

The wildflowers are in bloom here in
the Sonoran Desert. Not as many as
the last couple of years.