Visiting Canyon Lake and Tortilla Campground

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Tuesday we made a return trip to Canyon Lake. It’s just a nice drive. We were going for the drive. Terry and my brother, Marv, had spent two weeks at the campground at Tortilla a couple years ago. It’s actually part of the Tonto National Forest. When staying here you can buy park passes using one for each night. They paid $3.00 a night with their federal park pass. It’s an absolutely gorgeous park loaded with native cactus including huge saguaros. The sites are large with water and sewer hookups but no electricity. Getting by without the electricity wouldn’t be difficult but getting by without cell phone and internet is the hard part. The park sits in an area with mountains all around. Thus, no cell signal. There are signs warning that when the weather gets hot the rattlesnakes come out. Thus, the campground is closed during the summer.

The area around Canyon Lake is a motorcycle paradise. At least that’s what it appears to be on the weekends. Tortilla Flats is pretty well known in the area. It’s not a large area but the restaurant sure pulls the crowds. It wasn’t so busy when we were there but then again, it wasn’t a weekend. On the weekends the restaurant lights the barbecue pit and throws a feast. If you walk inside, you'll notice dollar bills all over the walls. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone who visited you left money just because they could?

On the way in we noticed a helicopter that appeared to be lowering something to the ground. It was a mountain goat! Not sure what they were doing but it appeared they were picking the goats up from someplace in the canyons, delivering them to a parking lot where they were loaded into transport vehicles. It was definitely interesting to watch.

The Dolly Steamboat is located on Canyon Lake. Many snowbirds were lining up to take the lunch cruise around the lake. We didn’t take the cruise or eat in the restaurant or go out in a boat or even go fishing like so many others were. The facilities are there to do it all but we were just enjoying the drive.

Afterwards, we decided we needed some nourishment. We were hungry for really good barbecue and we knew just the place. Joe’s Real BBQ is in Gilbert and serves fantastic brisket.This place certainly serves food worth going for.

Then, I took a nap … a long, long nap. What a day this was. The problem is when I take a nap, I don't sleep well at night. I didn't. Today is another day. I have no idea what's on the agenda.