Heading Home

After a light breakfast at the hotel, I finished packing the car.  Headed North from Tucson on highway 77.  Was planning to stopping by in Globe, but before I knew it, I was through the edge of town.

I had driven North from Globe and to the Salt River Canyon.  Just befire the canyon, I noticed abandonded buidinf - sign say Seneca.  Did a drive-through the area, down to the lake.  Took some photos.

Back on the highway, stopped along the road shooting photos of the canyon.  Will add some of these photos to the website page from a previous through the canyon.

Stopped in Slow Low to use the restroom and pick up maps & information.  I went up to St. Johns, gassed up and got some snacks before heading East via the road through Ramah.  Caught in rushhour getting home - about 5pm.  Was exhausted.

Air, Space, & Missiles

Time to check out some newer technology.  Headed out to the Pima Air & Space Museum.  Spent the extra money to ride the tram.  Was sure my legs and knee would not want to do all the walking.  Interesting tour - lots of aircraft.

Back at the room, I decided there was time to see if I could do a tour of a missile silo.  Googled for information - it's about 30 minutes South of Tuscon.  Plenty of time.  Had wanted to tour one of these sites - there's one in South Dakota, though a different missile.

Back at the room, started processing photos.  Went again to Brother John's for dinner - Monday special was a burger, fries and a pint of local been.  Packed up the room for departure in the morning.

Movies & Cacti

Seems that a Sunday would be a good day to check out Old Tuscon - a worked movie studio.  To get there, had to drive through the Tuscon Mountain Park.  Stopped at a parking area to take some photos.  Lot's of Saguaro and other cacti on the hills.

 Best know (by me) for the TV program "High Chaparral".  I am understanding that John Wayne starred on a lot of movies at the set.  Stopped in at the hotel/theater and picked up a soda and large pretzel.  Walked around and shot photos. 

Was happy to see that the is not charge for the train ride.  Bib the qhole loop and took some photos.  After more walking around, wanted to check out the High Chaparrel set.  Used the train back to the entrance/exit (a station in that area).   After 3 hours, I was ready to depart. 

Since I was in that part of town, went to the West section of Saguaro National Park.  Drove the gravel park road, shooting photos. 

Decided to eat dinner again at Brother John's.  Problem was their computers were down and had to get served at the bar.  Service at the bar was terrible. The bar tenders were both staying at the far end of the bar, basically ignored at my end of the bar.  Same amber beer. Tried the pulled pork sandwich.  Was not warm, not hot (temperature-wise).  Disappointed, early into bed.

On to Tuscon

Packed up the Tombstone room and headed toward Tuscon.  Took the scenic route.  Ran across the old ghost town of Fairbank.  Took time to shoot a few photos.

Found Saguaro National Park East section.  Drove the scenic loop road.  Stopped along the road and turn-offs to take photos.  Very overcast day - not the greatest for taking photos, but the temperature is comfortable.  In the Visitor's Center, did some shopping.

On into Tuscon and find my lodging.  Used rewards points to sta at the Quality Inn, Downtown.  Room was not ready yet for me.  Headed out for a late lunch at Brother John's.  Good pint of local amber ale, burger, and side salad.

Settled into my room and started processing photos from the day.

Tombstone Tourist

Was out of the room about 8 AM.  Drove down to the town of Bigbee.  Old Bisbee is an interesting little town in the mountains, just North of the border with Mexico.  Stores where not open, yet.

From there, back to Tombstone to check out the cemetary at Boot Hill.  Amazing the number of graves marked "Unknown".  A few have lots of information, and some had interesting sayings. 

On back on Allen Street.  Did the self-guided tour of the Bird Cage Theater...Then lunch time.  At at the Longhorn on Allen St.  Had their chicken tenders with slaw, fries, and coffee.  Too much food, left most of the fries.

Last on the agenda for the day was picking up my copy of the souvenir coppy of the Tombstone Epitaph.  Back in the room, spend the rest of the day professing photos.

Moving Day

After breakfast at the ranch, I finished packing bag for moving into town (Tombstone} for two nights.  It has been may years since that I was so sad to leave the location.  The people at the Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch really make you comfortable, like that family.

Heading to retreive the car, stopped on the street and visited with a guest from New Zealand.  He and his wife are visitng the area during a 10 day trip to US.  Found out his heritage is also Danish!  Nice chat.  Gave hime a copy of my calendar.

When I got into town, it was too early to check into my motel.  Went to the noon reenactment of the "Gunfight at the OK Corral".  From there, heaaded down the street to Big Nose Kate's for lunch.  Met ham radio friend Terry Zipes and his wife.  Had a bacon sheeseburger, fries, and a 22 oz mug ot Kilt
Lifter.   Then checked into my motel.  Settled into the room and processed photos.

A Recovery Day

Yesterday evening, I set up for a Utility Vehicle ride of the ranch are and an afernoon 1 hour group trail ride.  When I got up, (remember, I did not sleep well), I stopped by the desk and asked then to cancel my plans for doing the afternoon trail ride.  I was just too tired.

The ranch owner took me an hour-long tour of the area.  It was a wild ride (I had been warned during playing poker last night).

Most of the afternoon, I rested and napped in the room.  Did process the photos from my morning ride.  Eventually, found myself on a stool in the saloon for a couple pints of beer and an order of cheese curds.  Entertainment in the saloon was a guitar picker and singer. Early to bed this evening. 

Doc

After breakfast, it was time for my first ever horseback ride.  The wrangler and her helpers got me settled into the saddle on "Doc".  Here's the money shot of Doc and me.

After about 1/2 hour, I was ready to call it enough for a first ride.  Went to the room to post the photo.  In the afternoon, I again rode Doc - this time for a hour-long riding lesson.

After the lesson, I was feeling a little more comfortable riding.  Learned more of the way to guide the horse, getting him to go where I wanted him to go.

After a shower and changing into my evening wear, I settled into a stool on the bar in the saloon.  Was a little hungry.  Had some bar-food washed down with pints of Kilt Lifter.  Later, we moved into the card room to learn how to play Texas Hold-um.

Tired. I headed to my room about 10pm.  Had an order of deep-fried cheese curds and some fries as food.  Foir pints of beet, and a couple hours of practice poker..  Unfortunately, I was so wired, I had problems getting to sleep.  It was an awesome day.

Chiricahua National Monument

Was a foggy morning when I stuck my head out of the room and walked over the breakfast room.  By the time I was back at the room, the fog had lifted.  Loaded back into the car and headed to Chiricahua National Monument,

Wanted to look what is left of Fort Bowie.  Drove the dirt road, but not ready to walk the dirt trail 200 ft to see the site.  On to Chiricahua.

Checked into the Visitor's Center.  Picked up information, a book, and misc "stuff".  Drove the road to it's end, stopping for photos..  Was a cold, windy morning up at the end of the road.

Had time, so headed towards Bisbee, AZ.  Unfortunately, it was pouring rain when I got there, so just drove through town and headed to Tombstone.  Late lunch at Doc Holiday's Saloon in Tombstone ("dined" on Tombstone pizza). Washed down my meal with 2 pints of 8's and Ace's local craft beer.

Took a couple photos of Allen St. in Tombstone and headed to check into the Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch.  Settled into my "Grand Hotel" room.  There was problems with my heat in the room which was eventually sorted out. 

Rodeo New Mexico

Today was a day to explore the far SW corner of New Mexico.  Drove down to Lordsburg, West a little on I-10, and South eventually to the little town of Rodeo, NM.  The guy I visited with Thursday night, suggested visiting the museum there.

Spend the $5 to enter the museum.  Most was filled with artifacts in this part of the country. In a separate room they have a display of live rattlesnakes and a couple other desert snakes, even a Gila  Monster!

Nothing that interesting to photograph so I went into their garden.  Took several photos of cacti flowers.

At the highway, I had seen a sign to a National Monument 35 miles over in Arizona.  At the museum, they told me the road there is "iffy".  Paved for about 15 miles, the gravel with some rough area.  I decided to drive the paved area and then head the tourist route back towards Silver City.

Later, I learned that a college friend and his husband were in the same National Monument today.  They live in Florida, would have been nice to see them.

Dinner this evening was at the Little Toad Creek Brewery downtown Silver City.  They had a good "Copper Ale".  Food was a bacon-cheeseburger with fries.

Grand Canyon Railway

Don and I are on the road again, heading to Las Vegas and the West Coast Pipe Show,  Stopped in Williams, AZ for breakfast.

A block from the restaurant is the depot of the Grand Canyon Railway.  Took time to look at 2 if their locomotives and talked with workers decorating the locomotives for the holidays.

The railway's operational locomotive has been converted to run on used vegetable oil.  I would nick-name it the "French Fry Express".

Event-less drive on into Las Vegas.  Checked into our room. Had a beer and a burger  in the hotel for dinner.

Pipe Spring National Monument

Hungry, I ordered sausage and eggs for breakfast (I was at the lodge just after they opened at 6:30).  Food was good (portions are too big), service not so good.  Took me over a hour.  Thankfully, I was not in any big hurry.

At breakfast this morning in Jacob Lake, I noticed that I would driving past the Pipe Spring National Monument.  A visit to this monument will give you understanding of the life of earlier inhabitants.  There were Ancestral Puebloan  people, Kaibab Paiutes, Missionaries, Explorers, and Mormon Pioneers.

Thankfully, my St. George room was available early.  Unfortunately, it is in the 2nd floor (thought  I requested first floor).  Most places I  stay at automatically put 69 year old guests on the first floor and near the services.

Worked on my web site and block.  Headed out for some ice cream (the thermometer in the car said it was 107!)  Tomorrow is scheduled as a day of driving - to Tonapah, NV.  Think I and going to get comfy wearing basketball shorts for the drive.

Canyon Sunrise

Got a good night's sleep in my little cabin.  Dressed and headed out at "O-Dark-Thirty" and drove the 45 miles to the Grand Canyon.  Was set up in time for the sunrise.  Did not hike to the best view area, because my legs were still sore from the day before.

After sunrise, I packed the tri-pod back into the car and drove the Cape Royal Road.  Was able to get some great photos without a lot of walking.  By the time I was back to the main road, I was exhausted.  Was back at my cabin about 8am and crashed into bed.

After much needed sleep, I processed my photos and worked on my website pages.  ent to the lodge and had food at the counter.  Had one of my favorite burgers - the patty melt.

Verillion Cliffs & Grand Canyon

A short driving day was on the agenda Tuesday.  Dropped down from Page to Marble Canyon od the Colorado River.  This area started the Vermillion Cliffs formation and the National Monument of the same name. Took some photos of the canyon, river, bridge, and cliffs.

I was too early to check into my cabin at Jacob Lake.  Headed on down the 45 miles to the North Rim on the Grand Canyon.  Checked in at the Visitor's Center.  Verified sunrise and picked up walking stick.

Took several photos.  By the time at got back to the car, my legs were "toast".  Checked into my cabin and settled in.  This is an old little cabin.  No grounded outlets (luckily there was a power strip with cheated on the end in the room.  Further amenities missing from the cabin was any TV, Radio, or internet connection.

Figured out how to make my phone a mobile "hot-spot".  It allowed mt check e-mail.  I did have facebook on my smartphone.  Did not want to run up my usage charges, so decided to wait for make large posting when I got to St. George, UT.

Canyon de Chelly

First stop of my Army Reunion trip was Canyon de Chelly National Monument.  Unusual for me, I was able to get a decent sleep the night before heading out.  Was well rested and headed out of the house about 3:45 in the morning.  Stopped for breakfast in Gallop, NM.

Just across the Arizona border, I turned North on Rt 12.  The map shows the road is a scenic route.  At Tsaile, I headed SW on Route 64, another scenic road.

This road included access to a couple view areas of the canyon.  Stopped by and walked to Mummy Cave and Massacre Cave Overlooks. The trail to Antelope House Overlook was 1/4 mile from the packing lot, so with my knees, I skipped that overlook.

Turned onto the North Rim road.  There, I found many more canyon overlooks.  At the first overlook, I purchase a souvenir of the trip.  A local was selling painted rock telling the story of the area and its inhabitants. My knees did surprising well for all of the walking to the overlooks.

By the time I got to the historic trading post, I was getting tired.  Did a little shopping and headed towards town to find my lodging.  The Holiday Inn is just out of the park.  Registered and settled into my room.

The rest of the day was spent processing the day's photos.  Stretched out my legs on the bed.  Started creating the website pages for the trip.  Finally, wondered of the the restaurant for a late light dinner of chili and frybread.

Local Art Souvenier

At Canyon de Chelly, I met a local artist.  He showed my some of his art.  He had painted the history of the area and it's people on the rock.  Very unique souvenir of my visit the National Monument.

Quiet Las Vegas Weekend

After playing tour-guide Thursday/Fridat, I had a quiet weekend.  Was hoping to visit with relatives, but things did not work out.

Saturday,  I kitted up for a bike ride.  Stopped in a bike shop to get map(s).  Very nice new free maps were available for the Southern Nevada and Henderson, NV.  Grabbed the hybrid out of the van and ready for a bike ride on the Pittman Wash Trail in Henderson.  Alas, I had 2 broken spokes on the rear wheel. 

 Had dinner at the hotel cafe - decent order of spaghetti and meatballs.  Champagne brunch at the hotels Grand buffet. 

Met up with a couple guys from my Army Unit for lunch.  Was a little too much food, but good food at BJ's with a pint of beer. Great to see and visit with Nick and Alex (see photo). 

The afternoon/evening was spend napping and working on photos from the trip.  Headed back towards Albuquerque about daybreak. 

Stopped about 15 miles South of Hoover Dam to take a couple photos of the Colorado River downstream from the dam.  Late lunch in Flagstaff.  Was just getting dark as we got off I-40, heading to my house.

On the Road Again

A cousin of fine offered a ride with him the the West Coast Pipe Show in Las Vegas.  It had been several moths since I was on an over-night trip, nothing I had to do at home, I accepted the offer.

Was a long day - near 600 miles on the road.  Started from my house in Rio Rancho about 6am.  Stopped in Flagstaff, AZ for late breakfast.

Checked out Hoover Dam to look at the new visitor center.  I had been at the dam several times, and saw the new facilities in 2011, but did not go into the visitor's center.

I shot some stills and video during the drive,  Cousin Don shot some video, too, making a video record of the trip.  I also set up the GoPro camera on the dash.  Sill have to download that card to see what I got.  Don't use the camera much, and may not had captured much.

Got into out hotel (Palace Station) and unloaded the vehicle.  Met some of Don's pipe friends at Jack's Pub in the hotel.  Had a pint of been and ordered a burger & fries.  Service was poor.  Ordered burger MW, and it came MR.  Couldn't get the server to pay any attention to us.  By now, the smoke and noise was getting to much for me.  Don took care of the bill for me, I headed to the room for quiet and sleep.

Phoenix to Albuquerque

It was a frustrating start to the day.  Tried to do some computer work (check e-mail and facebook).  The hotel internet connection kept dropping.  So, figured to check out of the hotel and have some coffee, and maybe some breakfast when that is available.  That did not work because there were no parking spaces anyway near the hotel office.  I got on the road and stopped for breakfast at the Buckboard City Cafe in Superior, AZ.  Good breakfast, reasonable price, I was the only customer in the restaurant.

My plan was to drive mostly 2-lane roads today.  Wanted to see some scenery. Decided to head East out of the Phoenix area on US 60. It was still dark (starting to get some light in the East) when I stopped for breakfast. 

Right after Superior, the road starts climbing.  There's a tunnel through the mountain soon up the climb.  Stopped for a couple photos up.  From the map, it did not looking I would be seeing much scenery other than desert-scape and scrub.  About half way between Globe and Show Low, I had a sign stating I was entering Salt River Canyon.  What a beautiful drive down to the floor of the canyon and climbing back up.

At Quemado, New Mexico I turned toward Grants on secondary roads.  It was the shorter route to Albuquerque and I would be able to drive through El Malpais National Monument. By this time, I was getting tired (actually having problems being tired most of the drive).  Found my hotel and checked in.  The room is a it smaller than i was used to, not fridge or microwave, and only coffee in the morning. 

Checking my messages, made arrangements to meet a high school girl friend as she is driving through the area in her 18-wheeler.  Having breakfast tomorrow morning.

Upper photo here is of Salt River Canyon.  The lower photo is of the buttes in El Malpias National Monument.

Off the Mountain and to Phoenix

Got the car packed except for the computer, cameras, and change of clothes.  Was up about 4am.  Showered and dressed waiting until 5:30 when Chuck would get up.  Everything was in the car when I walked up to the main house.  Gave my "good-bye" and headed down the mountain.

Was still dark when i got on the road, but starting to see some light.  Got some beautiful shots of the moon set as I drove down the mountain.

Stopped in Indio along I-10 for breakfast.  On across the desert into Arizona.  Before getting to Phoenix, I dropped down to I-8, stopping at an information/visitor's Center in Gila Bend.  I was looking for information about the Sonoran Desert National Monument.  There is no visitor center in the monument. There was a trail/maintenance crew at one of the place along the highway.  They gave me a map and recommendations.  Arizona 238 is the road though the monument.  No loop road to drive through the desert.  I did stopped at a trailhead they recommended,  Took a short hike.  Not much any spectacular scenery where i was, just Saguaro Cacti, scrub brush, and dry soil.

Checked into my lodging and went out for some food.  The suggestion from the desk clerk was Rustler's Rooste.  The smallest burger they had was a 12oz serving with fries and onion rings.  Ordered it with a glass of Shiner Bock beer.  Not knowing, the "sandwich" came with a large salad and hot bread with whipped butter and cinnamon butter.  When I was served the burger, I was also presented with a little bucket of cowboy beans. 

I ate the salad.  It was a nice change of pace for me.  are the 3 onion rings, most of the burger and some of the fries.  Did not even touch the bread or beans.  It was just too much food.  I had arrived when the food service opened and during the happy hour.  Was happy I had eaten early.  As I was leaving the restaurant there were bus-loads of folks were arriving for their meal. 

Now settled in for the night.  Next stop Albuquerque.