Friday 10-18-24. Day 39

 Friday 10–18-24  Day 39

Payton Elks Lodge, Payton AZ

As expected the weather came in early early this morning – strong winds and rain.  Too windy to take the trailer on the road so we are spending a second night in Payton.  We are blogging this morning and hope the weather will clear up for the afternoon.

 

The rain and wind stopped, it was cold and overcast but felt good to be outside. We had a wonderful hike at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park this afternoon. 

Park HQ and lodge

A display of some of the wildlife in the Tonto Bridge State Park. We didn't see any

             

It is believed the largest natural travertine bridge in the world is in this park.  The bridge stands 183 feet high, over a 400 foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.  

                              

                              

Several trails were closed because of the rain.   But, we were still able to walk to 2 upper viewpoints for a look at the bridge from above. Then we took the Gowan Trail down a steep grade to Pine Creek.  From there you take the steps up to the observation deck  high above the creek that provides a view into the tunnel under the travertine bridge and a view of the beautiful triple water fall that flows from over the travertine bridge and into the creek below.

 

 

                       

                         

 

                       

 

                       

                         

                         

                        

                                

We had a drink at the Elks Lodge before dinner. A beer and a glass of wine for $7! What a deal!

They even had a lady elk head... very progressive...

We were hoping to watch the University of Oregon Ducks vs Purdue Boilermakers football game but, they had baseball playing instead - the ALCS between The Guardians and the Yankees, so we went back to the trailer and watched UofO beat Purdue 35-0.

Had dinner, washed dishes, wrote more Get Out the Vote letters, and went to bed.