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.

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.

On the Road Again

My planned trip to Death Valley starting late January had to be cancelled because of the "Orange One's" dumb government shutdown.   I planned a different Winter trip - Destinations Tombstone & Tuscon, AZ.

Day one on the trip got me to Lordsburg, NM.  On the was, I stopped by Chloride, NM.  Met Donald Edmonds (I have read his book about growing up on a farm in Wisconsin).  Gave his daughter 5 copies of my 2019 calendar as a donation to the museum and store.  Picked up 2 more books about the area,, one also authored my Edmonds.

Stopped by the General Store and Cafe in Hillsboro.  Dropped off 2 of my calendars - the inside of the store in a page of my calendar.  Shot some photos in the real ghost town of Lake Village.  It was raining when I arrived in Lordsburg and checked into my room.

Relections on the Wall

You may ask "what wall" or ask what I an talking about.  To Vietnam Veterans, there is no confusion.  the "Wall" is the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. I wrote the following after a visit to the Memorial in 1988.

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On December 13, 1969, a scared young man got off of a plane at Bien Hoa Air Force Base in Vietnam. Thirteen and a half months later on February 1, 1971, that same young man – older and wiser – returned home to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. In those months, a lot happened that took years to accept. The real acceptance of that experience started on July 28, 1988, over 17 years later. That’s when I visited the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial (“The Wall”) for the first time.

My experience in ‘Nam was different than most, I wasn’t out in the boonies carrying a rifle, nor was I totally a “REMF” at a rear base camp. I was a “71M20” Chaplain Assistant. That meant I was the Chaplain’s bodyguard, driver, secretary, chapel organist, and chapel builder. In addition, I visited our wounded at the evacuation hospitals and assisted in memorial services.

That may not sound like much to you. I didn’t see actual combat – instead, I saw the aftermath. I haven’t talked much about it except to other Vietnam veterans – we’ve had a propensity to keep our feelings to ourselves. At the most, we’ll discuss it with other Vietnam veterans. Recently, with the building of “The Wall” and some of the programs on TV we’ve started to let our feelings come to the surface. They call it “Delayed Stress Syndrome” or something like that.

In the meantime, we’ve kept to ourselves. I have a very close friend in Des Moines who saw a lot of combat. We’ve spent several nights just talking. Occasionally he will have a flashback. Our mutual friends know that’S the time to leave us alone. I know I’m one of the few men who understand what he's going through.

When I visited “The Wall”, my first thoughts were that I wished he could have been there with me to share our feelings and, yes, cry on each other's shoulders. The memorial invokes those feelings, It is truly a moving experience.

As you approach the memorial, it's almost like entering the sacred ground. Signs request “No Smoking”, “No Food”, “No Running”. 

A brochure published by the Parks and History Association fittingly describes the memorial “Like a roll call of time, the memorial lists casualties by date of loss, starting at the vertex. The first name, Dale R. Buis is inscribed under the date 1959 on panel 1E. Names continue eastward to panel 70E, reaching May 1968 at the end of the east wing. The sequence continues at the walls opposite end on panel W70 as if the memorial has circled underground and surfaced again At the vertex, the toll ends with Richard Vande Geer at the bottom of panel W1 above the date 1975. End meets beginning; the circle is complete.”

On my visit to the memorial, I noted an envelope sitting against one of the panels. A soldier’s name had been copied from the memorial. Written on the envelope was “Dear Dad, I’m sorry I never got to know you. Love, …

It is a memorial not only to those who lost their lives but all who served. This is best described by the inscription at the base of the memorial’s flagpole “The flag affirms the principles of freedom for which they fought and their pride in having served under difficult circumstances…”

Anyone visiting Washington DC, whatever their political stance during the Vietnam war, should visit the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. Take in the wall with the veteran standing beside you, tears in his eyes and try to understand the necessary healing of the nation that is taking place. We the Vietnam Veterans, do not expect the general public will ever fully understand what we went through. We only ask that you accept that we served our country as have other veterans.

Enchanted Circle for the 4th

When am I going to learn - no not go out playing "tourist" on a holiday.  A friend and I headed out to the "Enchanted Circle".  Drove from the Albuquerque area to Taos via the Low Road. Drove the circle, returning via the high road.

Stopped along the road to take photos along the Rio Grande.  There were some ranters riding the river.  Shot some photos of them.

Was planning to have lunch in Red River.  The town was a zoo.  Wait for a table at the brewery was over an hour.  Looked like the parade had over, but there was a festivals in the park.  Decided to check out food in Eagle Nest.  Arrived there as folks were gathering for their parade.  Scrub that idea.

Found a nice, not packed brewery in Angel Fire.  After lunch, went to the New Mexico Vietnam  Veteran's Memorial and park.  Took a couple photos for a future calendar.  

It was a great day, all-in-all.  Just a bit too much for me in one day - ended up very tired and a head ache.

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.

Geronimo

 Yesterday, I left Roswell late - heading to Hobbs.  Visit with my hosts and a late Thanksgiving dinner..

Spent a relaxing day in Hobbs, NM.  Was thinking of playing, instead did a quick tourist trip to Monument, NM and looked at the Geronimo monument.  The local citizenry needs to spend to money to refurbish the monument.

There was a work-ware store closing in Hobbs.  Stobbed by there and pick up another pair of boots

SLC to Grand Junction

Headed out of Salt Lake City.  Was mostly a boring drive down to Moab.    As I neared Arches National Park, I saw signs that the park was closed.  It was about noon. I could see vehicles driving the park road to the exit, but not into the park.  I later learned that it was so hot, they were allowing folks to come into the park early in the morning, but no hiking of the trails.  Then the park closing as it got too hot.

Was planning to drive the LaSal Loop.  The last time I was in the Moab area, the road was closed for construction.  When I neared the road, I learned it was again closed for construction.  Drove a few miles, anyway, to see the scenery.

Back-tracked to Moab.  Found out what's happening at the Visitor's Center.  Drove CO 126 along the Colorado River.

Found my hotel in Grand Junction (would have liked to stay in Moab, but room rates are too high).  filled up the gas tank ready for the scenic drive tomorrow.  Early to bed.

Virginia City

Wednesday I headed up to Virginia City to play "tourist".  It was about noon when I got theer and just too busy on the main street,  (no parking) so I went back to Reno, planning to try again Thursday.

Did some walking down the street.  Suddenly, the stomach was giving my problems.  I knew I had to kill the tour and head back to the hotel.  Was able to get a couple photos before I had to head back.

Trinity Site

New Mexico played an important part in the development of the atomic bomb.

Los Alamos National Lab was constructed in the mountains of North central New Mexico to research and build the first bomb.  The town of Los Alamos grew as the need for housing for the scientists and technicians.

The location for testing the first bomb was selected as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range in New Mexico.  Later, the range became White Sands Missile Range.

Trinity Site is a National Historic Landmark.  The landmark is a 51,500 acre area on the White Sands Missile Range. The site is open 2 days a year - the first Saturday of April and the first Saturday of October.  http://www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity/Pages/Home.aspx

This morning, my cousin and I were  out of Albuquerque at "O-Dark-30".  Stopped into Socorro for a light breakfast and heading to the site.  From the San Antonio exit of I-25, head East about 11-12 miles to the road to Stallion Gate. There was a line of vehicles waiting for access to the site when we arrived about 8am.  It took us an hour to get to the gate.  (see upper photo).

He had no problems getting onto the range (you need your state government ID or passport for every occupant and the insurance certificate and registration for your vehicle).  Another 15 miles or so we were at the parking lot for viewing the site.

When we arrived the site, my cousin and I estimated that had to be nearly 1000 people that were already here or already leaving the site.  It is about 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot to the site.  Thankfully, there was a large "golf cart" (8-10 person) with driver to carry "handicapped" visitors.  With my knee problems, I availed myself of the ride to the site.

Of course, everyone wanted a photo of themselves or family at the ground zero marker (see photo to the right). There are remains of the of the original 100 foot tower (basically nothing).  On the fence to the far side of the site had photos of the detonation, and some of the people that were out at the site.  There was ever a "polo" teams at the site!  There is a covered shelter protecting the portion of the original crated cause by the detonation.

The bring in a "fatman" casing on a trailer to show the basic size of the bomb.  The last stop for me at the site was a stop at the the National Park Service vendor to get at least a bood about the test.  Ended up with a good book, at DVD and hat pin.

From there, Don and I boarded the bus taking us over to the McDonald Ranch House.  This was where the plutonium core of the bomb was assembled.  The house was left to the elements for many years until Commander of White Sands decided in was a important part of history and had the house restored.  There are a couple outbuilding at the ranch.  They are basically ruins and think there is no plans to restore them.

By the time we boarded the bus back to the parking lot, my legs had had it.  It was a little after noon when we got into the car and headed back off the base.  On the way back out of the gate, there was still a line of about 2 mile long waiting for access to enter the base!  It seams there was not any "slack" time to visit the site!

We headed back to the highway, intending to stop at the Owl Bar for a burger and brew.  Unfortunately, a lot of other folks at the same idea.  There was a line to get into the bar and for seating.  I am not big on waiting for tables to eat.  I convinced Don (I was driving) and it would be better to get food in Socorro. we stopped at the Bodega Burger Co in Socorro.  (see lower photo)

The weather was a bit "iffy".  Rain moved South further than first forecast.  We had some rain driving down to Socorro.  After our light breakfast, he headed to the site.  It was mostly overcast at the site, sun trying to peak out and even a couple sprinkles of rain while we were there.  We saw there had been a heavy shower that came through San Antonio.  We hit some more rain on the way back North to Albuquerque.

It was a interesting day.  I dropped Don back at his house in Abq,  It was about 4pm when I got home in Rio Rancho.  I grabbed my camera, processed most of the photos, wrote a short facebook post and crashed into bed for a long nap.

Quebradas Back Country Byway

It was time to make a trip to Bosque del Apache.  I decided to make a couple day trip out of it and
play tourist.  On the NM DOT web site I found map and information for some scenic drives.  It has been dry, so I was sure back country dirt/gravel roads would be passable.  Guebradas Byway was along my way from Rio Rancho to Bosque del Apache.

Thanks to good direction on the DOT web sire, I was able to find the byway off I-25 at Escondida (just North of Socorro).  Follow carefully the NMDOT web site direction to find the start of this back country byway.

It was a welcome break from the Interstate and the traffic of the ABQ Merto area.  Other than some folks out for 4-wheeling in  "dune buggy type" vehicles, I only encountered about 3 or 4 vehicles on the 24 mile road.

The road drops you onto US380 about 11 miles East of San Antonio.From there, I drove south on NM 1 to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuse visitors center.  By that time I needed was facility break and picked up pass for the refuge.

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.

Fall Colors - Enchanted Circle

TV here in the Albuquerque area has been touting the Fall colors,  In the N. New Mexico mountains. the colors were forecast to be peak about the first of October.  Since I would be busy volunteering at the HDARC tent ant Balloon Fiesta, I decided to make a drive today.

Got an early start, was past Santa Fe when the sky started showing some light.  Wanted some breakfast, but saw nothing comcenient until I got to the outskirts of Taos.  Filled up gas in the car.  Next door I saw El Taosena Restaurant.

When on the road, I like to eat at local establishments.  The problem is you may not what you are getting.  There were a lot of cars out front of El Taosena, usually a good sign.  Had a waffle and sausage pattie.  Did not want to trust my stomach on any Mexican dish lest the food come right through me while on the road.  Not impressed, food was just warm.  Was finished with my food before I got a second cup of coffee.

On up the road.  Drive the Enchanted Circle in  clockwise direction.  This was an error, Much of the drive, I was driving into the sun.  The forest in this part of New Mexico is mostly conifersm with a splattering of poplars. Disappointing for someone that has experience the colors of New England hardwoods.

It was a beautiful day for the drive.  Was a little chilly when I stopped for breakfast, but quickly warmed up as the sun rose.  Did not stop on the drive, except to take photos.  No reason to stop and shop for keepsakes, not room in the new house.

When I got to Espanola on the way back home, I needed to use the facilities.  Took the time to pick up a snack, Powerade, and ice cream bar.  Was home in Rio Rancho about 2pm.  Grabbed my cameras out of the car, into the house, took off my boots and jeans, crashed on the bed.

I brought several cameras with me.  The only two I used were the Canon 60D with Tamron 18-200 mm lens and the Canon Rebel T1i with canon 75-300 mm (1.6 cf).  the 60D was set up for shooting bracketed exposures for my HDR software.

New Mexico 165

I was debate what to do for Labor Day.  It had been some time since I was on the road to take photos.  Decided to drive the "back road' up to Sandia Peak.

Checked the cameras (60D, T1i, & S95 - Canon) and loaded them into the car.  Stopped into Weck's for breakfast.  I have discovered Weck's "Nana's Value meals".  Smaller meal and good priced.  Had french toast, sausage, and coffee.

From Bernalillo, I crossed I-25 and headed up NM 165.  As I drove through the town of Placitas, I though "another day I will have to take time to scope out this town".  I saw several cyclist climbing the mountain.  Too much for me!

From the photo taken as I climbed out of the valley (see above), I was excpecting the top of the summit would be in the clouds.

At the edge of Placitas, the road pavement ends.  I was taking my time, enjoying the beautiful  day and scenery.  Soon, the road got very rough. At time, I was unable to make more than 5 mph.  The road winds up the Northeast side of Sandia Mountain. As climbing, the road was getting narrower and the brush/trees closer to the road.

I took my time. Stopped many time to shoot photos.  At one time, a cyclist on a cross bike rolled up the road past me as I was stopped to get a shot.

Being the monsoon season, the wild flowers were abundant along the road.  A couple times, the cyclist and I leap-frogged passing each other on the road. At one point, the road came clost to the edge of the mountain and we were rewarded with a view of the valley.  Took the time to get a photo of the cyclist and get his e-mail so that I could send him the photo,  He was visiting from Dallas.

At the end of the gravel, I turned up the mountain to Sandia Peak.  As expected, the peak was socked in with the clouds.  As I headed down the mountain, the cyclist friend and others were continuing climbing to the peak.

Down the mountain, I learned the mountain road I was driving is called "Balsam Glade Scenic Byway". I headed south on NM14 to I-40.  On west to Under and North to Rio Rancho and home. Photos from the drive can be seen on my web site.  http://www.tomwinfield.com/new-mexico/nm165.html

Since I had started at dawn, I was back at the house before noon.  Processed my photos and took a nap.  I was getting thirsty so dressed again and headed out to the local VFW post for a pint or two of Amber Ale.  The beer is good and inexpensive ($2.50) but don't think I will spending a lot of time there for a beer.  Being a private club, the smoke was terrible.  On the packed bar, I was sitting with a guy smoking a cigar, which he had a habit of aiming right at me, 

Break from Unpacking

By Saturday evening, I was looking forward to a break from the moving activities..  Weather was looking good for most all of the day Sunday, so I decided it was a good day to make a return visit to the Valles Caldera.  I wanted to get an early start si that I could drive the preserve roads and take photos.

Typically, I could not sleep.  Got up early and had a big breakfast at IHOP (more than I could finish).  Gassed up the car,  Stopped in San Ysidro to use the facilities and get some soda.  It was about 8:15 that I pulled into the Valles Caldera National Preserve visitor's Center.  Signed in for driving the roads and headed off to shoot photos of the caldera.

The preserve is now under the National Park Service.  The preserve roads are narrow, gravel roads.  To keep traffic reasonable, the preserve allows 35 personal vehicles per day. 

Visited a little with one of the ranger - talked about my High Dynamic Range Photography/  Was thinking to check some of the spots along the way home, but the road and turn-off were full.  Think lots of people had the same idea.  Back home, I processed photos taken during the trip.

Photos I took at Valles Caldera are posted on my web site.   http://tomwinfield.com/new-mexico/valles-caldera.html

Loaded up and Gone

After breakfast Saturday morning, Don and I tackled loading the rest of my stuff into the POD,  We gave ourselves the goal of being pack and on the road Thursday morning.  As I would pack a box, Don was loading in into the POD.  We was also looking at other things I may want to load and thigs he might like to take off my hands.

We put in some long days and were exhausted after dinner time.  We took time off for making the usual Sunday and Tuesday coffees at Panera Bread.  Thursday early morning, we were packed up and the POD was locked.

Said my "good-bye" to my house for the last 30 years.  Was an emotional "farewell".  Off to Panera for coffee.  Spent about 1 1/2 hour there visiting and saying "good-bye". 

Then, it was on the road heading southwest.  We decided to take it easy on the way back, spending the night in Dodge City.

Made Dodge City in planty time to tour the old Boot Hill museum.  Had a pint of beer at the Long Branch Saloon.  Checked into the hotel.  Walked across Wyatt Earp Blvd to Bad Habits for brew and burger.  All the times I had been in this bar, never seen it so busy.

We were exhausted and crashed into bed.  On the road about 6:30 in the morning.  Drove to Liberal where we had breakfast.  When we got Don's place in Albuquerque, my nerves let loose - my stomach rebelled from the nerves.  Got my car out of Don's lot and drove to my Rio Rancho house.Saturday morning, Don came up and we unloaded his van.

Tram Flight

Worked with my loan officer.  He got the mortgage papers ready for me and e-mailed me the link to review the application and electronically sign them.  Thaw was accomplished.

Since I was basically packed and the afternoon free, I decided to play tourist and ride (fly) the tram up to Sandia Peak.  Was a beautiful day for the "flight".  Brought my jacket because I knew it would be chilly on top of the mountain.

Took photos on the way up the mountain.  Shot some HDR photos on top of the mountain.  Since I had not eaten, I opted to have a late lunch in the restaurant on the top of the mountain.  Was a bit pricey but the food and scenery were great.  More photos on the way down the mountain.  Another time taking the tram flight, I need to remember to bring my polarizing filter (to cut glare and reflection from the windows).

Day to Play Tourist

I needed to get out of the room and out of town Sunday.  Was thinking of taking a bike ride, but was a little chilly until late in the afternoon.  I decided to head up the Turquoise Trail.

Tinkertown Museum had opened the day before.  I had wanted to see the place, so it was my first destination.  Interesting little place - patterned off Wisconsin's House on the Rock. Shot a lot of photos in the little museum.  Building a wed site page of the photos.

From there, I headed north in NM 14 to Madrid.  Was thinking of scoping out places there. Madrid is a revitalized "ghost town".  Lots of artisans, shops, and old buildings. Even being Easter Sunday, the town was hopping.  A little too much so for me to enjoy checking out the town.  So, I headed on North almost to Santa Fr and headed South on I-25 to Albuquerque.

La Crosse - Day 2

Needed a light day - Sunday was the day.  Light breakfast (the breakfast room was a zoo).  In the morning, I drove over to the La Crescent side of the river.  Mostly to find a Minnesota map (free, information type).  No luck, back in the room I rested and watched TV.

Headed out early for the pizza and beer cruise on the La Crosse Queen.  Took some photos along the riverfront while waiting.

Nice, relaxing 1 1/2 hour cruise on the Mississippi River.  Domino Pizza and an American big brewery beer.  But, I suffered through it (LOL).  Finished the night with a Heath Blizzard at DQ.