On the Road Again

Here are some 2007 photos from our wonderful trip to Copper Canyon Mexico.
Google has changed the Blog format, and I'm at a real disadvantage. Who knows what will happen here.

Green Valley and other Arizona travels

Almost forgot how to "blog". We have been busy. Went to Rocky Point, Mexico on the Gulf with Archer's. Had wonderful weather and a great time. Spent two weeks in Casa Grande house sitting, enjoyed being out of the trailer for a time. Had a wonderful visit with friends in Tucson. Are now in Green Valley enjoying the warm weather. Tomorrow I start a water exercise class. My body won't know what to think. Here are a few pictures of our latest adventures.

Tucson

We're in Tucson, a nice RV Park on the NE side close to where Ron and Bev Noble are staying. He's Ross' old buddy from high school and college. Have spent two weeks visiting with them. Before that we stayed in Green Valley parked in front of Donna and Bob’s. It was a busy time for the area, the Gem and Mineral Show was going on in Tucson, and the Art Festival in Tubac. All three couples had a very la te dah Valentine's Day Brunch at the Indian Casino.

One night we took a moonlight walk in the Saguaro Park. I gave out first, but everyone else is very fit, and walked miles, in the dark. The moon was beautiful, and temp just right.

Nobles son, Kevin is a hard core cyclist. He sells Kona bikes and entered a 24hour race here in the hills of Tucson. It was amazing, and he did ride 14 laps of 16 mile trail. This is mountain biking, and with one speed, no shifting. He’s just an animal.

Where from here, who knows. Maybe back to Green Valley for another week. It’s too nice to go north yet.

Cochise and Cowboy Poets

Moved on from Columbus to Douglas, AZ. This is Cochise Country. Day trip up to Fort Bowie. Built to protect the Apache Springs. A hot shot Lieutenant captured Cochise and threatened to keep him as hostage. This started the 11 year Apache war. More evidence of our “punitive expeditions” in the 1800’s.

The Chiricahuas are harsh, and not what most of us would call home, but there were a few families who stayed. Spectacular balanced rocks and pillars.

Wish I could have taken you all to the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering last night in Sierra Vista. This has been a happening for 14 years. Actually, Cowboy Poetry is a huge draw, especially in the West. Wonderful talent. This year was a tribute to the Women of the West. They picked 12 women in the area and they were remarkable. An example, LaVerme Williams, 83, three term mayor of Bisbee. The Western Heritage Program involves students from 16 elementary and secondary schools in the County. We heard three, and they were amazing. After the performance we moved to The Windemere Hotel and watched some of the performers jam. Some names to look for, Juni Fisher, Dennis Gaines, Ken and Lyn Mikell, the O’Brien Family Band, Daughters of the Purple Sage. See, you’ve never heard of them, or their music, but it’s out there. My vote for the best Poet was Ann Sochat who brought tears with her poem of a young girl’s wish for a new saddle.

The weather continues to be fall like. Warm days and cool nights. The mountains surround this area. Ross is itching to jump on his motorcycle. We’ll be at Donna and Bob’s in a few days.

Gila Cliffs and Palomas

Such pretty country. We took a trip up to Silver City and Gila (Heela) Cliffs Dwellings. A mini version of Colorado’s Mesa Verde. The ruins date to the 1200 AD. A tribe of Mogollon (mo-go-yon) people lived there for about 60 years. They then assimilated into other cultures in the area.

We went in to Palomas, Mexico where Ross had a pair of glasses made transition lenses and frames for $130. The Pink Store is a well known and high class (for Mexico) place to eat, drink, shop and have a good time. The town is nicer than most border towns.

On day four or five, who counts anymore, we drove up to Silver City again and on up to Catwalk Trail, Willow Creek Canyon. Pictures show the force of the water, when available, that cuts such a gorge. This is also Silver Mining Country and Mogollon and Alma are almost ghost towns now. A few people live in this high isolated country. Last year at this time there was 12’ of snow, this year none.

Pancho Villa State Park, New Mexico

Wish I could remember who told me about Pancho Villa State Park in New Mexico. I’d like to thank her. It is really a beautiful RV Park built on the remains of Fort Furlong. We’re about 3 miles from the Mexican boarder and 35 miles south of Deming. A flat arid land surrounded by Owyhee like mountains. Cactus abound, as well as birds.

The State of New Mexico is building a new museum, opening in March, but we got a preview (by just walking in), so I snapped a few pictures. There are even a few of the original “tanks”. In about 1911, the first motorized military machines were here. Of course they had to bring gas in by mule and horse. Makes sense.

We stayed a couple of nights in El Paso. Took a drive up to Cloudcroft and Alamogordo. That area is booming. New subdivisions everywhere. It was cold in the mountains, but pretty. At 8 or 9,000 feet there were Ponderosas and other pines. No fir. We kept a look out for wild animals, but only saw deer and turkey. There are so many of them, we don’t even consider them wild anymore.

The library here in town, (Columbus) has great internet service, it’s warm, TV reception is good, we have electricity and water, so we’ll probably be here for a week. Amazing how little it takes anymore to “survive”.

Fort Clark Springs

January 24, 2006, 39 years ago our first son was born, and now Rod is 39. Happy Birthday Rod! I told him he and Jack Benny had something in common, he probably wondered, “who’s Jack Benny”? Time does get away from us. Keep moving.

We enjoy Fort Clark Springs so much. Most people have never heard of it, and the locals seem to want to keep it that way. White tail deer and wild turkeys roam freely throughout the entire property. The RV park is full of friendly people who really know how to cook. There is a huge swimming pool, 68 constant degrees (as if that’s a good thing.) The river from the Las Moras Springs is beautiful, and so is the countryside. It’s a hidden side of Texas, and believe it or not a building lot can be bought for $4000 or $5,000. Set your clocks back 20 years. Maybe I should start selling real estate again. So here are some pictures for y’al to enjoy. It’s friendly country, just very remote.

We moved across the southwest corner of Texas and are now in Alpine. It’s near Ft. Davis where the telescopes are. Very desolate and beautiful country. On our way to Arizona via New Mexico, of course.