Arizona's Profilers

The week started out beautifully. Temperatures in the Phoenix area were bumping into the 80’s. Once we got on the road en route to Safford, AZ, the news came alive with reports of snow in Flagstaff, winds in the southeast section of the state and rain in the west. In the end over a foot of the white stuff had fallen in Flag and their morning temp was 7. For the seven camping units that made the trek to Safford, the sun was out, but the wind was strong.

Roper Lake State Park surrounds a lovely 32 acre lake with several day use areas, fishing dock, mineral spring fed hot-tub, a group camp area and two more hookup camping loops. We had enough sites reserved and thus were located close together.

Campers this month included The Barbers, Costellos, De Georges, Fishers, Gillespies, Kaufmans and Mentons. Since this was an unplanned event, we were free daily to visit various places in the area. Side trips included Wilcox, the Morenci Mine, Ft. Grant Museum, Dankworth Pond SP, and a trip part way up Mt Graham, (You cant’ go all the way to the top yet, due to deep snow). Some folks enjoyed fish that they caught in the lake. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Branding Iron Steak house located across the Gila River and high up on a bluff affording sparkling views of the Gila River cities all lit up in the evening.

Our group meal was held in the park conference room, graciously offered by the park rangers since it would shelter us from the strong winds. As is the case almost every time, there was more food than we could eat and as always it was excellent!