I have things to occupy me, besides hiking.  The Red Cross Disaster Assistance Team for Yavapai County has become one of them, and indeed, it will be my main focus next weekend, as we have a training seminar.

On Saturday, I went, as I had promised, to a Health & Wellness Fair in Bagdad, AZ, as part of a Red Cross presence.  It turned out I was the ONLY presence, but I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of that, soon.

Bagdad is a small, spirited mining town, 50 miles west of Prescott.  I bided my time by talking with a handful of people, both about the mission of the Red Cross and about the course of suffering among those in declining health.  The somewhat flinty-eyed fair director seemed a bit suspicious of me, but offered me lunch anyway.

Here are some scenes which await the traveler, both in and en route to Bagdad.  The first two scenes are just west of Kirkland, which lies halfway between Prescott and Bagdad.

These are sort of a gateway into the northwest arm of the Sonoran Desert, for which Bagdad and Wickenburg are the commercial centers.

Above are the Connell Mountains, north of Kirkland and Hillside.  Below are a few scenes of the Sonoran Desert, just east of Bagdad.

This shrine is on a ranch, in the small settlement of Hillside, fifteen miles east of Bagdad.

The Bagdad Community Center itself is at the foot of Sanders Mesa.

On Saturday, it was a happening place.

After the delicious lunch, I switched gears.  The evening brought me to Lynx  Lake, southeast of Prescott.  I took a leisurely walk along a segment of Homestead Trail, which skirts the west shore of the lake.  I saw a cormorant, ready to get its supper.

Following the bird’s lead, I went in search of my Oktoberfest dinner.  Lynx Lake Cafe is a full-service restaurant, with German fare.  So, I sat at an outside table, near the entrance, and ordered a full German meal- with bratwurst as the centerpiece.  Trio salad, sauerkraut, spaetzel, and German potato salad were there on the plate, as well.  Apfel (apple) strudel and coffee topped it all off.  The place was packed, inside and out.  My Poppa would have been proud.

My table-for-one (or two, if need be) was right where that bench is in the photo, to the right of the door.

(Above photo courtesy of phoenix traveler.com)

I was probably the only person there that evening who made do with water and coffee, but my Oktoberfest, my rules.

Next- Sunday brunch and the Red Rocks of Sedona.