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.

T or C to Silver City

After a waffle and several glasses of apple juice, I headed off toward Silver City (taking a tourist route).  First on the route were several "ghost towns" NW of T or C - Monticello, Winston, and Chloride.

In Chloride I tourist the museum and store then.  Spend so time visited with the "owner", a life-long resident of Chloride.  Her grandfather was born in Wisconsin and published his memoirs "Confessions of a Wisconsin Farmm Boy".  Sure sounded like I have been working on,

Drove through, but not stopp, in Hillsboro and Kingston.  I noticed that the General Store and Cafe in Hillsboro was not open - just hope it has not gone out of business.  On up the Black Range. Stopped at a view area.  There was a display about the Silver City forest fire.

Since I had time, I detoured to "City of Rocks" State Park. Purchased my annual state park pass.The park is mostly camping spots and some hiking and mountain bike trails.  Interesting rock formations out in the New Mexico desert.  Shot many photos of the rock outcropping.

Was thinking of picking up a t-shirt at the sate park, but after I paid for my annual pass, they basically ignored me,  They talked among themselves not paying any attention to me.From City of Rocks,

Checked into the Motel 6 in Silver CityIt was great - then gave me a room very near the lobby and entrance.  Settled into the room and then headed to Wrangler Grill & Bar.  Had 2 pints of Amber Bock and their taco plate.  Had a nice conversation with a local "snowbird"  Spends Winters in Silcer Cioty and Summers next to Acadia National Park.

Back to New Mexico

The last day on the road.  Coming out of Cortez, CO, I had to find the NW New Mexico landmark "Shiprock".  The formation is located several miles SW of the town of Shiprock.

From there, I drove East to Farmington.  Instead of the direct route on US 550, I drove Rt 371 South.  The goal was to take photos at the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness.  I had seen photos of the unusual rock formation at Bisti.

Was able to drive into the area and got several good photos.  The best shots are actually along Rt 371.

Back into Rio Rancho early afternoon.  Stopped by the post office to get my mail and resume delivery.  Also had a Blizzard at the local DQ.  It is good to be back home.

Mono Lake

Had a full breakfast (eggs, sausage, hash browns, toast & coffee between trips to the car reloading from the room.  Was going to have a dinner last night, but just too tired from the boring drive.

The drive today wasn't much better until I get closer to the mountains and Mono Lake.  Checked out the view at the first view area along Rt 120.  Not to see there.

A little further down Rt 120, I found the South Tufa area of the lake.  Was ready to pay the $3 fee, when they asked if I had any of several card (like my National Park Seniors Pass).  Was a bit of a hike to view the formations.I grabbed my walking stick and headed down toward the lake.  Exhausted by the time I was back to the car.  Glad I also was wearing my knee braces.

Room was not ready, yet.  Treated myself on to a ice cream (soft-serve) cone.  Also drove a little further North from the village of Lee Vining to see if there were any other formations I could see and photograph.  Thought of driving over Tioga to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite, but the pass was closed because of the high snow pack received this year..

Got to my room.  It's the last down the end of the hotel, closet to the cafe.  That worked well for me.  Settled into the room and walked pver to the cafe.  Had a bottle of local brew, Black Forest ham sandwich with Caesar Salad.

Holiday and Final Move Plans

Dodge City, KS became the regular overnight stop for me.  The desk clerk at the hotel knew me when I drove up.  I was looking forward to the burger and brew across the the street from the hotel.  For your information - my favorite hotel was the Rodeway Inn and food was at Bad Habits Sports Bar & Grill.

For a little variety, I would drive either US 56 or US 54 out of Dodge City area to I-25 or I-40.  I still have not found out what this structure (pictured here) is in Hooker, OK.

In Albuquerque, I picked up a desk and file cabinet from Office Max.  Started assembling the file cabinet. 

I was invited to a 4th of July cook-out.  Hosts were the owners of the house I rented in January and friends of cousin Don.  Was and enjoyable evening.  We were treated to a personal/family fireworks show.

Cousin Don offered to come to Iowa with me to help me finish packing the POD for the move.  We made plans to head to Iowa, driving through - 900 miles in one day.  Made it for Saturday breakfast. 

Final Inspection Before Closing

Early start out of Dodge City.  Took US 56 to Tucumcari.  In the area of the Oklahoma/Texas state line, I saw this unusual structure along the highway.  Almost looks like some type of antenna.

Took a couple other photos on the drive.  Early arrival in Albuquerque.  Settled into the motel and contacted my cousin.

Monday, I did some errands in the area in preparations for the move.  Met the real estate agent for the final inspection of the new house before closing on Wednesday.

Did some furniture shopping.  Ended up ordering a bedroom set, sofa, and entertainment center.