I’m still in Arizona and still in my camper and still pulling my little cargo trailer. I signed up to display and sell my jewelry at an art show in Apache Junction this Saturday (tomorrow). I needed a place nearby to hunker down through the winter storm that was expected. Although a friend in nearby Mesa invited me to stay at her house, her husband has a terrible cold (again; what’s with that, Jan?) and I thought it best to stay clear.

I wound up just outside of the National Forest land north of Apache Junction, less than 5 miles from the Superstition Mountains. I found a relatively level spot alongside a wide dirt area, dropped the camper’s rear legs to level and stabilize it while still on the truck bed, and settled in for a three night stay.

The Superstition Mountains were right out my dining area window. They glowed in Wednesday’s late afternoon light.

The Superstition Mountains in last light.

The expected winter storm came in right on schedule with scattered rain showers starting during the night and then turning to a steady rain just afternoon on Thursday. I had planned ahead and had everything I needed to work on a big jewelry project inside the camper. I listened to a recorded book while I started work on a fine silver chain for a customer. I even did a little live tweeting with photos.

The rain continued throughout the rest of the day and into the night, turning the dirt area near me and the dirt road I’d taken to get to my campsite into thick mud and reddish brown flowing puddles. The mudders came by in their trucks at 5 PM and some of them were still playing in the mud when I went to sleep at 9.

In the morning, it was still raining, but lighter. And when I looked out the window, I saw the Superstition Mountains blanketed with snow.

The Superstition Mountains blanketed with snow the morning after a winter storm.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Phoenix area, this is not normal. I consider myself lucky to have the chance to see it.

The rain is starting to let up now, but I’ll spend the rest of the day here, finishing up that jewelry project and making a few pairs of earrings I need for tomorrow’s show. With luck, I’ll be able to get out of here tomorrow morning at 7 to set up for that show; I admit to having doubts, mostly because of the condition of the road. I’m sure the mudders will be back in force today; maybe I’ll get some video of their antics.

And, with luck, I’ll get another afternoon shot of the Superstitions in last light, perhaps with some lingering snow.