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from Peoria Times - 12.9.2021

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Cottonwood’s Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a hiking gem

TOLD BY KUMA AND WRITTEN BY LORRAINE BOSSÉ-SMITH Peoria Times Contributing Writer

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Did you gobble ’til you wobbled? No comment from me. What’s better than turkey? Finding a great new place to hike! Yes, my family and I discovered yet another neat gem that isn’t too far away.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park (azstateparks.com/dead-horse) is in Cottonwood, which is about an hour north of us. If you live in other parts of the city, you might need to add about a half hour. It’s a straight shot up I-17 north to the Cottonwood exit onto the 260 west toward the town of Cottonwood.

Stay on 260 until 10th and turn right. You will follow signs for the Dead Horse Ranch State Park, ultimately taking another right on Dead Horse Ranch Road. At the entrance to the park, guests will need to pay $7 per vehicle. Dogs are permitted on leash, and there are human restrooms.

In fact, this is a park, so there are lots of human restrooms, picnic tables, fishing spots and camping. The park sits near the Verde Valley River, so it has water. I could smell it as soon as we pulled in!

Be sure to grab a map, as there are plenty of options for activities. We chose the Lagoon Lake Trail Loop that goes around most of the lagoons for a total of 2 miles. It’s flat and scenic.

Visiting this time of year is perfect, as the temperatures are cooler. However, there are tons of big cottonwood trees, so you would have shade even in the hot summer months. I would watch

Dead Horse Ranch Park has great views of Jerome and Mingus Mountain. (Photos by Lorraine Bossé-Smith) Kuma wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!

SEE RANCH PAGE 20

Goldberg finds inspiration in the Phoenix Art Museum

BY SHEA STANFIELD Peoria Times Contributing Writer

Art theorist Anton Ehrenzweig observed, “Abstract art has helped us to experience the emotional power inherent in pure form.” Scottsdale artist Barb Goldberg intuitively entered her encore career as a painter after many years in corporate America.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Goldberg was introduced to her family’s creative roots through her mother’s meticulous fashion sense and learning of her grandmother’s hobby as a milliner.

Despite her creative musings, Goldberg began her working career as a special education teacher. Five years in, she returned to ASU to earn a master’s in business, and that allowed her to take a corporate job with a Fortune 500 company.

The corporate world was her place of business for the remainder of her career.

“Some say after spending years focused on the left side of our brains, a long-awaited aspiration to spend time in our right brain follows. Turning to the fine arts is a perfect solution to the yearning,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg retired from the fast-track career a few years ago, turning her attention to her intuitive, contemplative right-side brain.

“I welcomed a chance to pursue an activity with no rules and no requirements,” Goldberg said.

To this end, she enrolled in several painting classes at Scottsdale Community College, where she could paint in an open studio with other artists.

“I have learned so much through osmosis, critiques and my professor Robert You. I’m honored to be in his studio class,” she said.

During the initial pandemic lockdowns, Goldberg retreated to her cabin garage in Munds Park, attending class virtually through Zoom and Facebook. The group provided support and inspi-

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

DECEMBER 11 & 12 9AM-5PM DAILY

PRESENTED BY

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING GREAT GIFTS & AFFORDABLE ART KIDS' ACTIVITIES & FOOD VENDORS

litchfield-park.org

live hometown parade along old litchfield rd dec. 11 at 10am

pictures with santa dec. 11 from 11am to 2pm

ice skating sessions all weekend long

ANSWERS PAGE 20

ACROSS

1 Alum 5 Spell-off 8 Pit 12 Taylor of “Mystic Pizza” 13 Approves 14 Satan’s forte 15 Leading man? 16 Landlocked Mideast territory 18 Disney’s Ariel, for one 20 Van Gogh venue 21 CBS logo 22 Mimic 23 Wedding VIP 26 “I’m No Angel” actress 30 ‘60s chic 31 Green shade 32 Cattle call 33 “The Great Gatsby” setting 36 Self-reproach 38 Stop -- dime 39 “-- voyage!” 40 Skater Ohno 43 Within earshot 47 Oater setting 49 Author Bellow 50 Within (Pref.) 51 “Shoo!” 52 Exile isle 53 Beheld 54 Sugary suffix 55 Marvel superheroes

DOWN

1 Glitz partner 2 Carousel, for one 3 Winged 4 Darkened 5 “Let’s Dance” singer 6 Scratched (out) 7 Curved letter 8 Semitic language 9 Cameo shape 10 Queue 11 BPOE members 17 Carton sealer 19 Nay undoer 22 Motorist’s org. 23 Upscale auto 24 Shad product 25 Egos’ counterparts 26 Jo’s sister 27 Brit. record label 28 Fa follower 29 Youngster 31 Links org. 34 Ratted out 35 Sufficient, old-style 36 Deity 37 Gender-neutral 39 Montana city 40 Dazzles 41 Freshener scent 42 Shoppe description 43 Unrepaired 44 Lip soother 45 Garage job 46 Panache 48 Conceit

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

GOLDBERG FROM PAGE 16 ration.

“I can say my inspiration also comes from photos, thoughts, an object, place or the colors of light during the day.

“I always know where I am going when I face the blank canvas. Like life, the finished product often ends up in a different place.”

On the rare occasion when rejuvenation of ideas is needed, Goldberg visits the Phoenix Art Museum, art shows, bookstores or searches online resources for historical artists and fashion shows. All hold the promise of growing the next inspiring idea.

“As an abstract artist, the muse that drives the image is almost impossible to explain. It comes from a soul place,” she said.

“When clients connect with a piece, they connect with me. I consider it a great honor to have an image living in their home or office; we become family.”

To view a selection of Goldberg’s work, visit the showroom of the Galleria of Floors, 4848 E. Cactus Road in Phoenix, where she maintains a permanent exhibition space. She is also a member of the Sonoran Arts League and participates in its annual Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour each November. For more information, visit sonoranartsleague.org.

View a selection of artist Goldberg’s work on barbgoldbergart.com or contact her at email address barb@ barbgoldbergart.com. PT

Barb Goldberg in her studio. Her work can be viewed at Galleria of Floors, 4848 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. (Photos by David Minton) Barb Goldberg said her muses come “from a soul place.”

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RANCH FROM PAGE 16 out for snakes then, though, due to all the marshes.

We walked by lots of tall grasses and enjoyed fall color along the lagoons. We met nice humans and other dogs, and quite a few folks were catching. Apparently, they just stocked the lagoons. Check the schedule online to plan accordingly, if you want to fish.

We found the story about how the park got its name interesting. As we were walking, mom shared with us how a family from Minnesota visited Arizona in 1940 looking to move. Just like my folks, they gave unique names to each place they visited so they could recall it later.

Upon arriving to a ranch, the Irey family saw a dead horse along the road. At the end of their tour, the parents asked the kids which ranch they wanted, and they said, “The one with the dead horse.” The name stuck, and when the land was acquired by Arizona State Parks in 1973, the family insisted the name stay. There you have it! I kept an eye out but saw no dead horse.

I did, however, love all the water! Some of it was full of algae, so mom wouldn’t let me swim in it. We did find where the Verde River feeds in, and that was fresh. Ah! I love a good swim.

After our 2-mile loop, we found a covered picnic table and had our lunch. We enjoyed views of Jerome and Mingus Mountain, both of which I have been to. The tranquility is what really impressed us about the park. Although it is very close to the town of Cottonwood, you would think you were out in the middle of nowhere. I suspect we aren’t the only ones who never heard of this park, so it has remained a local spot.

Please, discover it for yourselves — just don’t all go at once. Dad forgot the hammocks, and this would have been an excellent place for naps. I found myself dozing off and then slept the entire way home. Oh, the life I lead.

Counting down until Santa Paws come. May he bring you lots of treats!

Merry Christmas.

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 our blog at https://bit.ly/ kuma0901, @kumathedog on Facebook or @kumaitothedog on Instagram. PT