Pleasant Lunch Surprise

Headed out for a late (3pm) lunch at the local (just over a mile from me) Chili's. Pleasantly surprised to see these signs close to the main entrance. I grabbed one of the 2 so designated parking spaces.

For lunch, I had a lunch special - a side Caesar salad, double cheeseburgers, fries, and a pint of Kilt Lifter.

Boots and Jeans

I have had these white upper boots for some time.  It was time to wear them for a day.  Here. wearing with "Jack's Treads" slim fit, button-fly jeans.  I have to wear the jeans tucked into the boots.  Legs of the jeans are too tight to wear the jeans over the boots.

Cuffed or Not

According to the internet, Jeans should NOT be cuffed with boots. I will buck the trend. For straight-leg Wranglers or Levis (especially 501s), I think the jeans look better CUFFED with boots. Obviously, boot-cut jeans should NOT be cuffed.

Photo here shows a pair of Wranglers, cuffed, with western boots. Yeah, I love my jeans and boots.

BTW, my "to-go" store is Boot Barn.

Waterproof Boots

More boots.  Waterproofed, "Winter" boots.  These are "Fields & Stream" boots from Dick's Sporting Goods.  Shown here wearing with digital camo button-fly BDU's.  BDU's from one of the surplus stores in Albuquerque

Paratroop Boots

Yup, another new pair of boots.  Had been looking at these paratroop boots by Bates for some time.  I finally had some time where I could order and take delivery of these boot.

Side zipper, 11" boots with a polishable toe.  Felt a little festive when I wore my red digital camo BDU pants.  I have an old pair of the boots that are very similar, but they are old and starting to degrade, enough that I do not wear them.

BBD's

Had an awesome bacon-cheeseburger at BBD's in the Palace Station. The burger accompanied by crinkle fries. I had it washed down with 2 pints of "The Drift" ale from Yorkshire Square Brewery in Torrence, CA.

Ujfortunately, the price was awesomely high - 27$.

Las Vegas Bound

One the road again.  Drove to Las Vegas with cousin for his West Coast Pipe Show.  Has breakfast/lunch in Williams, AZ.

Got off the highway to check out the "almost" ghost town of Chloride, AZ.  Used the facilities and bought a book at the little general store and Tourist Information.  I had sto[[ed in this town on a previous trip, several years ago.

We got lost in Las Vegas rush-hour traffic.  Eventually got to the hotel,checked in and moved into the room.  Visited, had a couple bottle of beer and slice of pizza.  Then I hit the sack.

Echo Banquet

Friday evening the men of Echo and their wives (including 2 widows) gathered at La Posta in Old Mesilla.  I  was a little late for dinner.  I thought dinner was at 7pm.  It was almost 6 when I realized my mistake!  Found the restaurant and settled in next to my friends Eric and Paulette Cortez.

My meal - second time this week, had enchilada plate with a bottle of Dos Equis Amber.

Photo here is of the 23 vets in attendance.

Farm & Ranch Museum

Thursday, I needed a "down" day.  Skipped the travel to Columbus, NM (Poncho Villa State Park) and Palomas, Mexico.  Spent the day watching TV, playing o the computer, and napping.

Friday was back to reunion functions.  In the morning, we traveled to the Farm & Ranch museum in Las Cruces.  I had been there previous;y with our hosts (Merv & Sue).  Checked out the indoor exhibits.  Skipped the livestock exhibit.

White Sands

This morning, we traveled to the White Sands Missile Range.  WSMR is an US Army facility with all of the inherent security.  After a small SNAFU regarding access to the base, we were escorted onto the base. We had some time to view the museum and missile display before a lunch at the base's Pioneer Club.

The base commander had lunch with us and briefs us one the base.  After lunch, we were sprented with an Army Veteran pin/tie tack to the veterans and the 2 deceased spouses in attendance.

Next the base's museum curiator lead a tour of the museum.

After the base tor, we headed further up US 70 to White Sands National Monument.  The white "sands" are actually dunes os drifting gypsum. I had been there with our reunion host, Merv, during a previous visit.

The day ended with a pizza buffet at  Luna Rosa, across the street from our hotel.

Echo Memorial Service

This morning, Echo gathered at the Las Cruces Memorial Patk to honnor out fallen comrads.  The Vietnam Veterans of America hosted the service.

Phyllis Towns, wife of our late member Jim Towns laid a wreath at the Vietnam War Memorial at Las Cruce Memorial Park

There wan s no activity planned for the afternoon  Dinner was Chope's bar & grill in La Mesa, NM.

On the Raod Again

On the road to Las Cruces, NM for my Army reunion.  Took the interstate to just past San Antonio, NM.  A couple times I say signs for the Rock House just North of Elephant Butte.  Took the time to drive over 6 miles on a gravel road to get to the "house". 

From there, I drove 2-lane roads to South of Hatch, NM.  Noticed that the Hatch "valley" appears to be a very fertile farming valley.  Major crops are Pecan trees, cotton, green & red chiles, and some hay.

Checked into my hotel. Moved into my room. Visited with some of the other reunion attendees.  Most went to Crackel Barrel for dinner, I found High Desert Brewery.  Enjoyed a pint of their "Oktoberfest" beer and a cheeseburger with tater tots.

To Tuck or Not Tuck

Generally, I wear my jeans over my boots. This it the same as most other western boot wearers. It bothers me that wearing boots this way, hides the beautiful colors and stitching on my cowboy boots.

Today the issue caused me some consternation.  My newer (size smaller) Wrangler jeans fit much tighter over my legs.  As such, it was difficult to get the jeans over the taller boots.  So, today I decided to wear the boots with my Wranglers tucked into my boots.

It seams that that is the way Women wear their boots.  And I hear there is some suggestion that to tuck or not to tuck has something to do with the what you are working through.

The bottom line, it is a shame to hide the beautiful uppers of cowboy boots.

 https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/texanist-tuck-boots-jeans/

A Relaxing Birthday

Slept in a bit this morning.  Got dressed (could fit into a size smaller jeans today - not eating as much).  Gathered the pages of my memoirs and assembled 2 copies.  Sent one to Kenosha, WI to my Aunt and Cousin to read and comment to.  Late lunch at local Chili's.  Had a bowl of chili and a side salad.  Washed down with water - will have craft beer Saturday evening with Cousin Don. Then a nap.

Bitter Cold Morning

It was a bitter cold Saturday morning.  I got to the park at 3:30 and the thermometer in the vehicle shows 34 deg.  Of course, it at least even colder as waiting for the sun to rise.  Seems evencolder in the tent..

Only 3 of us working the shift.  Had time to get out to take a couple photos during Mass Ascension.  Steady flow of visitor to talk about Ham Radio.  Hungry, so after the shift I stopped by Freddies at Alameda & Coors for a lunch.

That was my last shift for the year!

Balloon Fiesta - Wednesday

Wednesday's Mass Ascension.  Took a couple photos of Dawn Patrol, but not as good as I had hoped.  More photos will be posted on my web site.  Several have been posted on the on the High Desert ARC Facebook page.

Full crew, including a net control.  I could have been out to shoot photos, but have taken many over the 4 years I have woeked at Balloon Fiesta.

Son of a Sharecropper

  Here's a teaser - the Preface of my book.  We have finished editing, now a publisher

What a time to grow up on a farm. World War II was over. My Dad and Mom ran a 240 acre farm in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. My paternal grandfather owned the farm. I arrived on the scene in 1947 during the baby boom.

We didn’t have much money so finances were a bit tight. But, being farmers, we always had sufficient, good food. Not fancy food, but good, hearty food. I was educated in a one-room school house about two miles from the family farm. Growing up, I saw how neighbor kids were working the farm with their Dads. Eventually they would take over the family farm. I thought that was my lot in life, too.

My Dad had other plans. I don’t remember how many times he told me that I was going to get off the farm. While he would have loved to have me work the farm with him, he felt that I could do better. Thankfully, I had the intelligence to excel in school.

I had an interest in engineering, especially electrical engineering. My parents supported me in getting into one of the best electrical engineering colleges in the country. There, I made good and bad decisions. When I dropped out of school, first semester of senior year, the draft came after me.

My military ”career” worked out pretty well for me. The army taught me one thing: “I really wanted to be an electrical engineer.” I buckled up and finished my studies, but my dream job in the space industry was not to be.

I was fortunate to land a job with General Motors, Electro-Motive Division. For years I excelled in my profession. But, I was not the 3-piece suit type of guy. I preferred getting my hands dirty if it meant solving problems. I am sure that restricted my rise in the company.

When the opportunity to retire early presented itself, I jumped at the chance. I had sufficient funds and a retirement pension. The excitement and rewards of the job were gone. I was fortunate to retire at age 54-½, with a bridge to 62 when Social Security would kick in. I relished my retirement because I had so many things I could do now.

Retirement has not been a bed of roses. I’ve had to weather health issues. On the other hand, I rekindled my love for bicycle riding. Eventually, I moved to the warmer, drier climate of New Mexico. A cousin lives 15 miles away from me. We gather for food and craft beers regularly. Often during out conversations, I remark that the two of us did prettywell growing up poor farm boys from southeast Wisconsin!

This book attempts to tell the story of my life, from its humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son.

Balloon Fiesta - Day 2

Up, up, and away on day 2 of the 2019 Balloon
Fiesta.  I had a couple opportunities to get out of the tent to view and shoot the boon  mass ascension.  We were short on staff today, only 3 of us to greet visitors and operating the special event station..

I knew it was going to be a zoo today.  Balloons not flying the first day, there was a pent desire to see the balloons.  At the gate where I enter the park, there were already about 50 people waiting for the gates to open.

By time I got the my vehicle, I was exhausted.  At home, I just crashed into bed.

Balloon Fiesta 2019 - Day One

The first Saturday of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was a bust as for balloon flying.  Fog was intermittent, too much for the balloons to fly.  Gave us the time to cut the kinks out of put equipment and out set-up.

We did log 70 FT8 digital contacts.  We are using special events call W5B

Set-up, Balloon Fiesta 2019

After breakfast on Oct 3th, we headed out for Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park to set up our equipment and display for Balloon Fiesta,

Here, Gerry and Terry set up the vertical antenna.

He have 3 operating locations in out display.  There ate HF transceivers and antennas for 40M and 20M.  The third position is for 2M net controls.

We are planning to operate 20M SSB,  40M FT8, and 2M nets.  Also have equipment for SSTV slow scan if and when he have sufficient operators.  Great photo ops being a roving reported on the launch field transmitting back to the tent photos via SSTV. 

Buckhorn, San Antonio, NM

Thursday morning I took my time checking out of the Ruidoso room.  On the way home, it was almost lunch time.  Pulled into the Buckhorn for lunch.  I have eaten at the other famous location in San Antonio (The Owl).  Wanted to check out the World Famous Buckhorn's Chile-cheese burger. 

The Buckhorn was closed early Spring until the previous owner sold the establishment.  New owner promised to serve to same best burgers.

The establishment is still working on getting the beer and wine license - so with my burger, I had a side of onion rings washed down with glasses of water.

Home to Rio Rancho early Afternoon.

Lincoln, NM

Headed out of my hotel. On the way to Lincoln, I drove the road to Apache Ski Area.

This is a 12 mile, winding, narrow road up to the ski area.  Off the ski season, Apache also has a zip line and mountain bike trails.  Took a few photos and headed down into Lincoln.

The almost ghost town of Lincoln is the center of "Billy the Kid" country.  He was killed in a shoot-out in the courthouse (show in the photo here).  This was truly the "Wild West".  The other infamous character in Lincoln was Pat Garrett, who claims to have shot "The Kid"..

Fort Stanton Visit

Another visit to Ft Stanton,  Was there a couple years ago. Wanted to revisit the fort to deliver so (almost outdated) calendars and shoot photos a part of  the fort I missed last visit.

Docents were appreciate of the calendars especially with the photo of the Catholic chapel.

From there, went to Lincoln to check out the brewery there and make plans for tomorrow;s tour of the museums in Lincoln.  Unfortunately, the brewery was closed.

Cloudcroft Brewing

Not that easy to find in Cloudcroft.  From the "downtown" business area of Bluff St, head East.  Bluff St is a narrow street, eventually come to the brewery.

Finding the brewery was worth the effort.  Ordered a pint of their amber ale and a pepperoni  pizza.  Friendly staff.  All just what I needed after a long drive

A Busy Day

The day started with a car that would not start.  Charged the battery and headed to the hospital for my CT scan.  Started after the CT scan, went to the Honda Dealer.  They said they could not take care of my car until Tuesday. 

Went to the showroom area and tried to get the satellite radio set-up.  Resetting the radio meant the car needed to be shut down and restarted.  The battery was dead again.  This time, the dealership dealt with the probm, changed out the battery.

On down the road, heading to Cloudcroft, NM.  I had a date with a pizza and pint of Amber ale waiting.  On the way, I made a short detour tothe ghost town of Ancho, NM.  Did not expect to find a big railroad depot out here in the nowhere!  There are a couple other abandoned buildings the South side if the tracks.

Finally arrived in Cloudcroft for the well deserved pint and food.

Selected a New Car

Well, I decided. Out early this morning for car shopping.  First planned stop was Precision Honda, Rio Rancho.  Started looking at new, 2019 CR-V.  With the different option packages, I was looking at the EX model.  Just not sure the cost at basically $30k.

Asked the salesman about used cars.  Also told him I was also planning to look at a Subaru Outback.  Alas, the dealer here had both.  I was able to sit in and look at the Outback.  Contemplating the used car, I was this was more in my budget.  There was a low mileage 2019 CR-V (used as a dealer loaner), but was the LT version missing some featured I want.  The low mileage EX models.  Settled on a little more car than I was planning on, but could not pass the deal.

Buying a 2015 Honda CR-V EX-L with 9812 original miles. Always serviced at the dealership. Per-approved for the loan with my bank and paperwork for insurance ready. Finally a late lunch at Chili's Guess I have had a busy and productive day.

Not totally excited about the color, but could not pass up the vehicle with its options, mileage, and price.

First Day Car Shopping

Spent Sunday looking at and considering a new vehicle. Looking at Crossover/SUV for all-wheel-drive and higher clearance for driving back roads. Drove a 2019 blazer and a 2019 Equinox. Can't see the extra $8000 for the Blazer. Even the Equinox will see me back with about 30K when all is said and done.

Planning to check out Subaru tomorrow. They have low mile used Outbacks (demos?),  Cousin Sue Walker and fraternity brother Dale Trone recommended the Honda CR-V.

Just while my Chevy Impala is in good mechanical condition, has been totaled by insurance for hail damage. The Chevy dealer said the would only offer me $250 for the Impala

Dinner at Billy's

Home from dinner and beers at Billy's Long Bar with cousin Don Gillmore. I had the open-faced chile cheeseburger with rice and beans.  I an still getting used to eating so many things with chile on, I usually order the green chile on the side, so I can portion the amount of chile. It had been a while since I had it. Had 3 pints of Kilt Lifter to wash down the food. Relaxed on the patio before heading home.

Started looking at perhaps a new vehicle. Something with higher clearance for New Mexico back roads.

Two More Pair of Boots

Yup, 2 more pair of boots! Black, zip-side harness boots and light blue w/ brown/grey lower cowboy boots. 

The harness boots were purchased near Boot Barn at Cottonwood Mall.  Was looking at another pair, but could net get a clerk to help me (boot hooks, Etc).

Light blue uppers boots were bought at the Boot Barn on San Mateo.

Yes, you could say I have a boot fetish.

The Story of fascism in euroupe

Watch this PBS program - we are on the path to this led by the GOTP and Trump.  We MUST defeat him in 2020.

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-story-of-fascism-in-europe-pthanf/

We Didn't Belong

WOW. Guess it was perfect weather for me editing my memoirs chapter about my time in Vietnam. It brought out the good and bad feelings and memories. Almost 50 years since I landed "in-country" my feelings are still there, maybe even stronger.

In Vietnam, I was a Chaplain Assistant with the 199^th Light Infantry Brigade. I was trained as a Chaplain Assistant with MOS 71M20. Our job was being a jack-of-all-trades for the Chaplain. We were his driver, acolyte, clerk, jeep mechanic, handyman and bodyguard, among other things.

Being with the 199^th LIB, we were on the TOE of Brigade HHC. This should classify us as REMFs – the rear support personnel. The thing is, we spent most of our time out at the Fire Support Bases with the infantry battalions.

Recently I’ve been in contact with another Chaplain Assistant that was with the 199^th at the same time. It was surprising to hear how much of our thoughts, feelings and experiences were the same. I began to wonder why.

We got back to Brigade Main Base for 2 nights a week, when our Chaplain was on duty there. During that time we spent a lot of time visiting the wounded at the 2 evac hospitals. We saw very little of our fellow Chaplain Assistants – except during these visits to BMB – and then only those that happened to be in at the same time. We were never at BMB long enough to develop any friendships with the support personnel. We didn’t really “belong” to this group – we were field guys.

Back to the FSB. We lived with the grunts, rat patrol, snipers, and recon. Our closest friends were 11B, 11E, etc. For some strange reason these guys adopted us. But we never felt we really “belonged” to their group. We lived with them, drank with them, partied with them. We laughed and cried with them. We were invited to their stand down parties. But we could not “belong” because we didn’t share the field/combat experience.

Some of us ended up going out with the troops one way or another. My Chaplain wasn’t happy when he found out I went with the rat patrol when they escorted the infantry for troop insertion. Recon was willing to take me along on a short patrol – but the Chaplain put a stop to that. Others were able to spend more time in the boonies – yet we still didn’t feel that we “belonged”.

We visited the sick and wounded. We set up the Field Cross for memorial services.  We suffered survivor guilt to varying degrees. And mostly we kept it all to ourselves. After all, it was our job to assist the Chaplain helping the troops. Hell, I don’t think our Chaplains had any idea what we were feeling.

I moved on to HHB II Field Force Vietnam Artillery in the fall of 1970. IIFFV was a REMF group, but my roots were in the field. I wore my boonie hat with pride. Ball caps were required at IIFFV unless you came from a field unit. So, while I made some good friends, I still didn’t really “belong”.

When we got back to the “world”, it was difficult for all Vietnam Vets. The country did not accept and understand us. We no longer “belonged” to their social group.

Each of us handled this in our own way. I finished my college degree and used work to suppress the thoughts for over 30 years. Now, with retirement, the war in Iraq and some other catalysts I probably don’t recognize, the feelings have come to the front. And I still don’t feel that I really “belong”.

SP5 Tom “Preach” Winfield

71M20 Vietnam

Dinner Party on the Sun Porch

 Friends from Hobbs (Peter & Jim) are celebrating Peters 75th birthday. Cousin Don was invited and attended. All I had to do was provide the location. Salad, Garlic Bread, Lasagna, apple cake w/ ice cream was served.

During dinner we were treated to a nice, gentle rain. I heard the Albuquerque got about 0.7 inches of rain!  That's a lot for this area.  The rain cooled off the temperature - enough that I grabbed a sweatshirt. 

In the Army

50 years ago today, I boarded a bus from Kenosha, WI to Milwaukee. That day I raised my hand and offered my life to my country.

The one positive part of the day was when we were advised that that month the Marines were not drafting. 

Later in the day, I was on a plane headed to Fort Campbell and Army Basic Training.

Free Grill

Went out yesterday to get groceries, I nited the neighbor across the street had a gaf grill on the drive, free for the coming.  Back from the store, it was still there and the wife was in the yard.  Talked with her a little.  Dennis then brought it of to me, put it in the back yard.  Now, gonna move it is the shed or sun porch. And need to get a bottle of propane - regulator is with the grill.It will probably kept in the sun porch, more convenient to grill on the patio.

Had thought about picking up a grill, but doubt I would use if much.  Too much hassle  for what little I eat.  But, when (if) have company, it will be nice to have it.

Dinner at The Local Brewhouse

After my appearance at Field Day, I went home and processed thet photos.  Field Day Chairman wanted the photos up on Facebook during Field Day,

Did not feel like fixing some food for dinner, so made the short drive (under a mile) to The Local Brewhouse.  Normally, I prefer to eat out on the pasio.  The problem was if was very windy.  Was going to eat at the enclosed porch, but there was a noizy child or two where a couple families were eating.  Ended up sitting on the bar.

Asked for a pint of Kilt Lifter, but they were out, so had theit Local Brewhouse Amber.  For food, had thei pub burger.  The purger seemed to be larget than the last time, but same price.

Field Day 2019

The weekend of June 22/23 was Field Day - a day for Amateur Radio Operators to show their emergency preparedness.  The High Desert ARC set uo at Enchanted Trails RV Park West end of Albuquerque.  The club set up a phone station, CW station, and GOTA (Get On The Air) station. 

I visited the site and operations for several hours, taking photos for the club.  Then when home, posted them on the club's Facebook page.

Lunch at Chili's

Had a busy paperwork morning.  Went to Office Mas for supplies to construct a copy of my memoirs to send to Aunt Audrey.  Did a little editing while printing a copy of my efforts, so far.

Soon, it was past lunch time.  Chili's is about a milr away, so headed there.  Had a weekday lunch special combos -- Caesar salad, double cheeseburger, and fries.  Washed down the food with a 22 oz of amber ale.

I figured that while the salad would lower my INR, the 22 oz of beer should raise it.   zero sum?!

Not surprising, when I got home, I was too tired to do any work, even on the computer.

Presentation to High Desert ARC

At the June meeting of the High Desert ARC, I presented a talk on county hunting.  This was the first time I did a talk since my stroke 14 years ago.  The were a couple rough spots inn  my  speech, but made through.  Got many cudos from the members.

Here's a photo of me with my certificate.

Ham Radio Equipment

This afternoon, I unpacked my ham radio gear.  Guess it was about time as it has been sitting in the garage for the last 3 years!

On the bottom, the lineat power supple and Icom 707 transceiver.  Middle row are two of my antenna tuners.  On the top row were the Ramsey crystal 2 'm transceiver, Kantonics TNC and the antique CW key.

I also have Hustler mast and resonators, a mobile antenna tunor and a keyer.  They had unpacked shortly after I moved to New Mexico.  One of the paddles of the keyer is damaged.  Guess will have to repair of replace it if I want to do some CW.

Introduction to County Hunting

In the United States. there are 3077 jurisdictions (counties, parishes, districts). CQ Magazine offers an award for making 2-way amateur radio contacts with stations in those jurisdictions. The award is the United States All Counties Award (USA CA).

I, (WA9LKD), holds USA-CA #946. At the June meeting 0f the High Desert Amateur Radio Club, I will present a talk on “Introduction to County Hunting”. Topics will include requirements for the award, MARAC (Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club), County Hunting Nets, where to find additional information, and hints on how to start on county hunting.

Warning- county hunting can be addictive.

Taco Cabana - a Bust

Yesterday, decided to check out some of the local "Fast Food". Went to the Taco Cabana at Westside & Unser. Ordered their beef enchilada plate with green chile on the side. I was not excited about the taste. Even with the chile, it was rather bland.

Food was just "warm".  The tortillas were basically cold (though wrapped in foil). Chalk up for experience - food was not tasty and poor presentation

Memoirs Update

Yesterday I went to Office Max and purchased supplies to print out a working copy of my memoirs.  This will help be understand where I need to write sections (chapters). and make some corrections and additions.

At this time, I think there about 60k words on paper.  Much more still to write.

Jungle Boots

Bought the boots and BDUs some time ago.  For over a year in Vietnam I wore boots like these.  Happy I was able to pick up these boots, in my size, at a local surplus store.  The "Tiger Stripe" camo BDU pants at a good combination.

New Boots

After breakfast, I headed out for some shopping.  Stopped by Boot Barn, but they did not have the boots I was looking for (desert boots) nor any belts that L likes.  Ended up driving to Kaufmans, being sure they would have them.  Reebock desert boots, sans metal.

A couple days before, I have been to the Surplus City on Central and purchased 2 more pair of BDU pants (red digital camo and desert khaki camo).  While there, also bought a short "day pack). Here, I am wearing my new desert boots with the desert camp pants.

From there, I went to Cavenders Western Store.  Picked up a couple new belets (some of mine are getting too small - needed to buy some size 40 belts).

House Work

Busy weekend. Friday, tore up boxes, no into the recycling bin. Sat & Sun picked up 2 more bookcases. Got one assembled. Framed my horse ride photo and hung a couple other photos. Still, have another bookcase to assemble.

Saturday treated myself to a brat and 2 pints of beer at the Blue Grasshopped. Tried Isotope's Slammin Amber - very smooth beer.

Left knee and leg did not act up over the weekend.

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.