This is Mom’s favorite time of year because the wildflowers are popping up. I personally am enjoying the cooler weather before the heat comes. We decided to head down toward Scottsdale to do something different.
We kicked it off with a nice lunch at the Dynamite Grill, located at the Troon North Golf Club (10320 E. Dynamite Drive, Scottsdale). Their outside patio gives you a view of the golf course and is dog friendly. We met a cool dog named Sparky, and he was a bundle of energy. Oh, I remember those days.
The food was tasty and the prices decent. Mom is always thoughtful and got the club sandwich so I could have some bacon and turkey. Yum! Service was good, and we had a spot in the shade. We were surprised how quiet those golf carts were…we couldn’t hear them even though we were close by. Although the parking lot is big, expect a crowd. This is a busy golf course. We didn’t have to wait to eat, though.
We continued on our way, ending up at 31402 N. 136th Street. We took a left on Lone Mountain off E. 
Rio Verde Road and followed the sign for Granite Mountain (Scottsdale, not Prescott…we’ve done both). Parking is free, and they have a very nice human restroom.
We were quite disappointed…again. When we arrived, we remembered we tried this same hike last spring and saw zero wildflowers. Since they are everywhere by us, we expected a colorful array of them. Nope, nada, zilch…a bust. We don’t understand why up north has more. We thought the cooler the weather, the later the blooms, but we were wrong.
Granite Mountain is a unique area, though, in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, so we were game to take a nice stroll. The entire loop is 5.5 miles, but we didn’t plan to do the entire thing. Dad said we would go as far as I wanted. I was poking and moving slowly. I sniffed every bush and said hello to several doggos. Some people stopped asking my age. I guess I’m finally showing it; yet, folks were impressed how well I was doing for 15 ½ years old. I do my best!
The trail is multi-use, so expect to see mountain bikers, horses, hikers, and runners. The trail does not have shade, and I was feeling it. I still have my big, heavy winter coat on, and my black fur soaks up that sun. We did see a road runner and bunny.
We only went about a half mile out to the boulder field and returned. That section gets a little rockier, and that is harder on my lame ankle. As soon as we turned around, I picked up the pace, leading us back to the car. I still got it when I want it. Woof!
The day was still young when we got home. That meant I could have a nice nap! Mom and Dad did some 
spring yard work and painting. They take great care of our home, and we appreciate it.
Mowgli was acting weird around dinner time and fixated on the ceiling of the family room. We finally noticed what he was looking at…a mosquito…the first one of the year! Dad quickly got the fly swatter and SPLAT, it was no more. Mowgli spent the next hour looking up just in case another one came in. Ha! He’s so funny. This was the first time we heard him chatter up a storm.
Granite Mountain gets high marks online, but we’ve been disappointed twice now. If you go, wait until April and hope the flowers arrive by then. This is a hot hike in the summer months, so we will stick up north where we have hills, flowers, and shade!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
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Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
Ginger Stahl says
Now you’re in my territory, or, at least the family’s. I’ve only been to the Troon Dynamite Grill once; hearty breakfast. On New Years Day, 2020 or 2021 (?) it was my daughter-in-law’s birthday. We asked what she’d like to do; she wanted us all to take an early morning hike at Granite Mountain; only ten minutes from the house. We put on heavy jackets, but shed them soon as the sun and hiking warmed us up. Other people had the same idea. It’s a busy hiking trail; fun when it’s done in a group.