• Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact
Geogypsy
Menu
  • Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

Category: Yarnell Hill

06 September 2018

Some sometimes colorful skies

Weaver Mountains sunset clouds crepuscular rays Yarnell ArizonaDon’t seem to be making photos of anything more than colorful skies.

trees ESE reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaSometimes I don’t get any farther than the yard.  It’s a nice yard with spectacular views.  Getting even nicer that it’s being mowed and weed eaten.

Date Creek Mountains sunset rays clouds Yarnell Hill ArizonaSometimes I drive at least part way down the Yarnell HIll.

Weaver Mountains sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaSometimes colorful skies can be seen from the yard and I still decide to drive down the hill.

end divided highway SR89 Congress ArizonaIf I go too far, like past the paved turn around option, I drive all the way down to the bottom to turn around on this divided highway.

gravel road Yarnell Hill SR89 ArizonaThere is another option that is gravel and sometimes in worse condition than other times.  I hesitate to take a chance with the Toyota car.

mountain reverse sunset clouds Yarnell Arizona

mountains reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaSometimes, even the eastern view produces colorful skies for a reverse sunset.

Date Creek Mountains sunset clouds sunburst Yarnell Hill overlook SR89 Arizona

Date Creek Mountains sunset clouds Yarnell Hill overlook SR89 ArizonaIs it just me that sees a man with beard blowing in the wind?

Weaver Mountains sunset clouds SR89 Yarnell ArizonaSometimes I shoot colorful skies on the fly.

Joann upper overlook from lower Yarnell Hill overlook SR89 ArizonaWave at Joann

overlook Yarnell Hill SR89 ArizonaThe lower overlook during the day view West

Sometimes I go with a friend.  Sometimes we go separately and see each other, and the sunset, from different perspectives.

valley Vulture mountains sunset clouds Yarnell Hill overlook SR89 ArizonaSometimes, I just have to look in another direction for a whole different show.

valley Vulture Mountains sunset clouds Yarnell Hill SR89 Arizona

valley Vulture mountains sunset clouds Yarnell Hill SR89 ArizonaSometimes, I use my cell phone.  But most of the time I use the “Big Girl” (Nikon D5100).

fence yard trees reverse sunset clouds Yarnell ArizonaAnd sometimes I stay home.

Weaver Mountains Yarnell Hill SR89 ArizonaLook closely for a diagonal line across the far Weaver Mountains for the Yarnell Hill Road SR89

Check out more sky photos at SkyWatchFriday.

_________________________________________________

If you have problems commenting try this:  leave the cursor after the last word of your comment, then use the Tab key to move the cursor to the Name, Email, and Website boxes before you click the submit key.  Otherwise, feel free to comment at https://www.facebook.com/Geogpsy , use the contact form found below the header shot, or send an email.  Please know I appreciate everyone who lands here and stays long enough to read.  I really do like comments and try to respond to them all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BTW, you can now shop for photo prints directly from this blog by clicking on the ‘Photography’ tab under the header image.

*************************************************************************************

And if you’d like to make a donation to #keepthisgypsyrollin you’ll notice an image of the camper on the side bar.  Just click it, and you’ll be redirected to my PayPal account.

Push my buttons!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, sunset, Yarnell, Yarnell Hill clouds, colorful skies 9 Comments
09 January 2012

Yarnell – Where the desert breeze meets the mountain air

01 Weaver Mts & Yarnell Hill Rd from SR89 Congress AZ (1024x764) (1024x764)

While Mike has been visiting the last month we drove up and down the Yarnell Hill a lot, or so it seems.

03 Weaver MtsYarnell Hill & overlook SR89 AZ (1024x768) (1024x768)

It’s a great drive 2500 feet up a very curvy road. But please use caution, this road sees a lot of accidents.

02 View NW from Yarnell Hill SR89 AZ (1024x618) (1024x618)

Within four miles the environment changes from Sonoran desert to oak woodland.

04 Side mirror view of Mike & Max in truck & valley below Yarnell Hill SR89 AZ (768x1024) (768x1024)

Just over the western edge of the Weaver Mountains grows saguaro and ocotillo.

05 Sunset from Yarnell Hill SR89 AZ pano (1024x364) (1024x364)

Sunset over the desert from Yarnell Hill

From bottom to top the temperature changes at least 10 degrees.

06 Yarnell AZ welcome sign

Which keeps me living in the mountain air.

Push my buttons!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Yarnell Hill 12 Comments
22 February 2009

(In)famous Yarnell Hill

Map of Highway 89
Yarnell Hill tends to evoke a love/hate relationship as the road’s ribbonous curves climb from desert to chaparral.

Highway 89 Yarnell Hill
U.S. Highway 89 was Arizona’s first state highway from Nogales to Less Ferry at the Colorado River.  Yarnell Hill changes 2500 feet in four miles along the side of Table Top Mountain.  An overlook about a mile from the top offers views of the valley below.

Parker Dairy Farm in the valley
This section of Highway 89 has been called the most treacherous drive in Arizona.  Motorcyclists love it, although many accidents occur.  Big rigs, like semis and RVs avoid it.  At least I do, once each way towing was enough for me.  Yet I love to drive this curvacious piece of highway.

Landslide on Yarnell Hill 1932
Couldn’t find an exact date for the first highway, but know it was an unpaved narrow two lanes.  In late 1914, the drivers of the last Los Angeles to Phoenix Cactus Derby race drove down the precipitous slope during a torrential rainstorm describing Yarnell Hill as the most challenging drive ever made.

White Elephant curve
About half way down Yarnell Hill there is a white elephant painted on the rocks, when someone hasn’t vandalized it.  The bend could be compared to an elephant’s trunk.  There is mostly mystery surrounding this apparition involving many stories told by folks who are “right” in their own truths.  The Arizona Highway Department calls it “graffiti” and occasionally tries to paint it over but unknown persons paint it back.

At the top of the hill lies Yarnell, current population less than 2,000, “Where The Desert Breeze Meets The Mountain Air!”  For many years Yarnell has offered respite for both automobiles and their occupants.  Passengers, thirsty and exhausted by the climb, were as dry as their cars’ radiators.  However since the Black Canyon Highway, known as Interstate-17, rerouted much traffic further east Yarnell has slipped into a quiet little berg.  Yet there are some nice restaurants, antique stores and art galleries.

Push my buttons!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Highway 89, Yarnell Hill 10 Comments
← Older posts

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere in southern Arizona.  In the area, give a shout.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

Search

Popular Posts

1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

Categories

Archives

Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

Caught in a Slot 9×12 canvas print under $50

If you don’t like what’s going on in your government, contact your Congress

Directory of Senators

Directory of Representatives

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com
%d