SALADS WINGS

Every Fratelli Pizza starts life as homemade dough in our kitchen and is then proofed, hand tossed, mated with the freshest ingredients & baked to crispy, golden perfection.

cones in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Unlike most cinder cone volcanoes, Red Mountain’s guts are exposed to the world, revealing the geologic processes that took place in creating the rugged landscape.

The trail gradually rises toward the mountain and the “amphitheater” nestled at the base of 800-foot reddish-brown cliffs. The creation of the amphitheater is shrouded in mystery to geologists. How it happened, they don’t entirely know. The trail dips into a wash, and we follow the wash in between cinder mounds toward the shade of the amphitheater. Before we arrive at the large hollow, I suggest we climb the cinders to the east to get a better view of the volcanic field that stretches across the plateau. Hiking up loose cinders is a chore, with every two steps up leading to a brutal slide back, over and over, until the lungs burn. Eventually, we hit the ridge and are rewarded with a higher view of Red Mountain and an unobstructed view toward Slate Mountain, Kendrick Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks. The panoramic view, complete with dancing clouds gathering steam for a monsoon rain, takes the breath away.

Birdsong and insect buzz play on the breeze, and as Evan and I stroll through the dense brush clinging for dear life on the ridge’s cindery soil, we spot deer and antelope scat.

After a heart-thumping descent of sliding and slipping, we land back in the wash, climb a small ladder and head into the amphitheater. The area is filled with large, stone structures called “hoodoos” topped with solid rocks for hats. The cli walls are pockmarked with holes and little caves, which, according to the USGS, is the result of water and wind erosion. Green, sandstone red and dark grays are featured in nature’s color palette here. The amphitheater is cooler than the sun-exposed path from the trailhead.

We hike along the sandy trail to the southeastern corner. Evan shows me a chimney of rock that we climb to get interesting views of the exposed volcanic material worn nearly smooth in areas by running water.

Other hikers sit in shaded areas and gaze at the unusual rock formations all around. Clouds, white and graying with rain, pass overhead making the light in the amphitheater dance.

I marvel at the surreal imagination of the creative force used to make Red Mountain. We gaze about with mouths open and eyes wide. Once rested from the heat and renewed with water, we head back.

As Evan and I amble to the trailhead, we come upon a man with children. They stare at the ground and point at a horned toad scurrying through the du and stones. Evan scoops up the small reptile and holds it out for the children to touch. They approach cautiously, not entirely sure if it’s all right to touch the fearsome-looking little creature. A hand reaches out and brushes the barbs on the toad’s skin.

“The horns are soft,” says one little boy, surprised.

After the children have their fill, Evan sets the horned toad in a shaded spot o the trail, and we head on our way back to the car.

I make the decision to return on a cloudless, moonless night. The hoodoos will make a wonderful photographic landscape against the immensity of the Milky Way.

Since 1969 the Deer Farm has been enjoyed by animal lovers f rom around the world. Getting “hands on” close to such beautiful creatures is a rare opportunity Only by raising them f rom babies allows for such intimate human contact We work around the clock taking care of the animals so you can have a memory that will last a lifetime.

Located on a section of old Route 66, the Deer Farm is 10 acres of absolute animal wonderland. Walk a path around our park to view wallabies, llamas, coatimundis, bison, camel, & much more. Walk with deer, feed the deer right f rom your hands. Chat with our silly umbrella cockatoo, Mozart, pet a goat

For a small additional fee you can pet a porcupine or wallaby!

The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is Fun for ALL AGES!

For more info check out www deerfarm.com.