“Travel is like a giant blank canvas, and the painting on the canvas is only limited by one’s imagination.” — Ross Morley
Gypsy Lee at sunrise at Cholla Campground in the Tonto Basin, with Roosevelt Lake in the background, about 35 miles north of Globe, Arizona. — Photo by Pat Bean
Tonto Basin and Roosevelt Lake
“Let’s take Gypsy Lee, Dusty and Pepper and go to Eisenhower Lake,” said my friend Jean, whose dog, Dusty, I pet sit during the week while she’s at work. Gypsy Lee is the small RV I lived in for almost nine years while traveling this country full-time, and Pepper, of course, is my own spoiled dog.
My three traveling companions. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Where’s Eisenhower Lake?” I asked between sips of Jack and Coke during a Friday happy hour, when we were sitting out on my bedroom balcony watching the sun go down.
“You know. Up by Globe (Arizona).”
“In the Tonto Basin?”
“Is that by Globe?” She asked.
“Yes. And I’ve been there. It’s a beautiful area and lake. Let me show you the photos I took of the area some years back.” And I did, and she responded with just the right amount of oohs and aahs.
Those of you who are familiar with the Tonto Basin area are probably by now exclaiming: “What in the Sam Hill are those two old broads talking about? There’s no Eisenhower Lake in Arizona.” While others might be thinking: “Are they stupid? The only Eisenhower Lake I know about is in Rhode Island.”
Of course we soon discovered that the lake near Globe is named Roosevelt. We just got our presidents mixed up. But just as a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, so Roosevelt Lake would be just as awesome.
Blog pick of the day.
Bean Pat: Choosing gratitude and joy. http://tinyurl.com/k68qur5 Good advice for all those who find themselves stuck on the road. There are a lot worse situations in life in which you can find yourself.
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