The temperatures have settled down in the Southwest. It was finally time to visit our neighboring state of Arizona. On the way out of New Mexico we drove through the Gila Wilderness. We stopped at Catwalk Recreation area in the Gila National Forest. Set in a rugged canyon a series of walkways clinging to the rock walls were built to provide access for the gold and silver miners. The walkway now allows visitors to hike into this majestic canyon. We spent our first night in Arizona at Lyman Lake State Park.

Catwalk Recreation Area

The Gila Wilderness

Lyman Lake State Park - St. Johns, AZ

The next day we arrived at the Grand Canyon. We have decided to share those photos in a separate post. Leaving the Grand Canyon we drove to Phoenix to camp at Lost Dutchman State Park in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains and to visit Dennis' niece Meredith and her family. While in Phoenix we visited the Heard Museum of American Indian Art.

Lost Dutchman State Park - Apache Junction, AZ

Heard Museum of American Indian Art - Phoenix, AZ

iPad drawing of Yosemite National Park by David Hockney exhibited at the Heard Museum

Phoenix sunset from the Melowski's back yard