IT WAS A MOVIE MORNING FOR US GUYS

SUNRISE OVER THE MULE MOUNTAINS

Another reasonably mild night and the usual morning chill didn’t hang around too long.  Nice sunrise over the Mule Mountains to the East and how nice all the twinkling lights of Sierra Vista in the valley to the West.  I will take some photos of those lights later.  We’re familiar with the walking area where we’re camped so it was out the door along a laneway through scattered Mesquite shrubs and yellow grass.  A wash runs through to the San Pedro River nearby and again we noticed discarded clothing and backpacks along the banks but it’s not anything recent.  In fact we remember the gear from a year ago.  It was obviously a popular route for Mexicans heading North at one time.  We did see footprints on the sandy creek bottom but it could be hunter’s in the area.

WE HADN’T GONE FAR BEFORE PHEEBS HAD A FLAT TIRE

LOOKING ACROSS THE SAN PEDRO VALLEY TOWARDS THE SOUTH END OF THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS AND MEXICO

BACK HOME WE WOULD CALL THIS A RIVER OR CREEK BOTTOM BUT HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST IT IS CALLED A ‘WASH’  AND MEXICAN FOLKS OFTEN FOLLOW THESE WASHES NORTH ACROSS THE BORDER….. BELOW WE SAW FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDY GRAVEL

The Motorhome’s windshield was pretty dirty so hauled out the ladder and took care of that job soon as it warmed up a bit.  Kelly said the drivers side brake light wasn’t working so I attempted to replace the bulb.  Well of course that didn’t work when the blackened bulb broke off leaving the metal bottom in the socket.  Try as we did we couldn’t get that piece out.  We’ll have to stop at a garage in Sierra Vista when we leave.

LOOKING SOUTH ALONG THE WASH TOWARDS MEXICO ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY

LOOKING NORTH UP THE WASH

CLOTHING AND BACK PACKS LEFT ALONG THE BANKS OF THE WASH

 

WE HEAD DOWN ALONG THE BANKS OF THE DRY WASH

PHEEBS KEEPS A WARY EYE OUT FOR ANY ILLEGAL TRAFFIC COMING ALONG

DEFTLY GOING SLOW THROUGH SOME BRAMBLES

Quite often after a travel day we like to spend the next day just relaxing and lounging around.  What better way to do that than head off to an entertaining morning movie.  Drove into Sierra Vista for the 11:30 showing of The Greatest Showman.  Thought this was a very well done musically oriented movie and of course I always enjoy paying attention to the background sets, camera angles and lighting.

I ALWAYS LOVE THE MOVIE EXPERIENCE WITH IT’S BIG LOBBYS, BIG SCREENS AND BIG SOUND….NONE OF THIS WATCHING MOVIES ON LAPTOP COMPUTERS OR SMART PHONES FOR THIS GUY

Surprised at how warm it was when we came out of the theater.  Ten minutes later we were back to the rig and oh my what a happy puppy dog we always have when we come back from somewhere no matter if we’re gone for 30 seconds or 3 hours. And we’re always just as happy to see her as she is to see us too.

SIERRA VISTA LIES AT THE FOOT OF THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS AND AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS ARE LIKE A LONG THIN LINE OF GLITTERING DIAMONDS….THE U.S. ARMIES FORT HUACHUCA IS BASED HERE AS WELL

While on the road traveling in the Winter months it is too much of a hassle to continue my morning shakes so I switch to peanut butter and honey.  My morning shakes consist of  a big Romaine lettuce leaf, 1 banana, 1 apple, carrots, celery, oatmeal, cinnamon, strawberry flavored Whey powder, and skim milk.  With a smaller RV fridge there’s not enough room for all that stuff.  Not always having easy access to fresh bananas is a problem and keeping enough milk in the fridge for daily shakes is a hassle as well.  So peanut butter and honey sandwiches it is.  I never use regular doughy bread though, always Tortilla type flat bread.  I thickly slather the peanut butter and honey on and roll it up.

BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK TO THE RIG HATS AND COATS WERE COMING OFF

Forgot to mention all the photos I took a few days ago when out with Mike on his UTV were taken with my point and shoot Sony RX100-3.  Made a last minute decision to leave my heavier and bulkier DSLR camera at home and with all the bumping and bouncing it was a right decision.

THOSE ARE COMMUNICATION TOWERS IN THE MULE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF BISBEE AND WE’VE DRIVEN UP TO THE BASE OF THOSE TOWERS SEVERAL TIMES

Nancy and Pat had us over for supper tonight and although their house is only a few hundred yards from our rig we took the Jeep.  Kelly’s been having trouble with her back and wasn’t up to walking.  I think it was a year ago next week that we last had supper with Nancy and Pat.  Supper of course was great and conversation flowed.  It was three and a half hours before we headed for home…….a few hundred yards away.  Poor Pheebs she was about bustin by the time we got back and she was sure happy to get out an ‘go’.  It’s not often she has to stay home alone and despite her being home alone twice today we reassured her it was just a one time thing.  We had to give her a couple extra treats to convince her of that though………….. We have company coming for a visit tomorrow and I think they just might be Canadians.

A HAZY HALF MOON THIS MORNING

GROANER’S CORNER:)) Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman. The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one has to drop off, otherwise they are all going to fall.  They were not able to choose that person, but then the woman made a very touching speech.  She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because as woman she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids, and for men in general, without ever getting anything in return. As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping their hands.

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Black Fellah to White Fellah
Dear white fellah,
There's a coupla tings you orta no.
Firstly
Wen I am born, I'm black.
Wen I grow up, I'm black.
Wen I get sick, I'm black.
Wen I'm cold, I'm black.
Wen I go out in the sun, I'm black.
And wen I get scared, I'm black.
And wen I die, yes, I'm still black.
But you white fellah ....
Wen you born, you pink.
Wen you grow up, you white.
Wen you get sick, you green
Wen you cold, you go blue.
Wen you go out in the sun, you go red.
And wen you get scared, you yellah.
And wen you die, you purple
And you call me coloured !!

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SUN SITES ARIZONA TO EAST OF SIERRA VISTA WITH A YUMMY TUMMY BREAKFAST IN BETWEEN

MIKE WITH HIS CAMERA CAME OUT AND GAVE US A GREAT BIG COWBOY WAVE WHEN WE LEFT:))
A slightly high thin cloud cover held the warmth in and our morning was not as chilly as other mornings.  It was moving day for us so while Kelly took Pheebs for a walk I busied myself attending to coach prep and tank flushes, etc.  It was soon time for us to hit the trail so we said our good-byes to Janna and Mike, and were on our way by 9:40.  Janna and Mike, Montana ranchers, are just the best.  Mike is one of those rare fellas I can let my hair down a bit and feel comfortable with.  We first met Janna and Mike near Bouse Arizona where they were boon-docking years ago and we’ve been good friends ever since.  Our lifestyles kind of parallel each other at times.  They’ve had 13 RV’s and we’ve had 8 and if we were to combine all the other vehicles we’ve both owned we could probably open up one of the largest old car dealerships in the Southwest.   Thanks for your kind hospitality guys and we’re looking forward to seeing y’all again sometime:))  P.S. With all your renovations and hard work your house is looking great:))

WE’RE ALL PACKED UP AND ABOUT READY TO GO

HEADING EAST DOWN JANNA AND MIKES ROAD

BYE GUYS
Heading south on highway 191 from Sun Sites we weren’t long in reaching a little place along the road called Sunizona.  And of course we have a history with Sunizona as well.  At the Mustang Mall we pulled in and topped up our gas and propane tanks.  A few hundred yards down the highway was Sandys Restaurant and RV Park and we knew they had great food there so decided to pop in for breakfast.  Place was packed  except for a couple chairs at the counter.  Ordered us up some bacon and eggs and it was the best breakfast we’ve had in a long time.  We had been to Sandys before years ago and in fact that is where we first met  fellow RV’ers Nancy and Joe Carrier.  You can read about that morning meeting Here.  Joe, a former Blogger had been a blog reader of ours for years and in fact I think Joe was just about our longest blog reader at the time.   While in the area we agreed to meet at Sandys in Sunizona one morning for breakfast.  Joe and Nancy dropped into our Congress house to see us one time as well.  These fine folks are big golf enthusiasts and follow and work the big name golf tournaments around the States.  I think they maybe have met and know all the big golfing pros……….And it was also from Sandys Restaurant on December 2nd 2010 one morning that we met up with some good friends and headed out on a 3 Jeep Wrangler rumble into and around the north end of the Dragoon Mountains.  We eventually reached Dragoon Springs and the ruins of an old Butterfield Overland Stage Stop where 4 Confederate soldiers are buried after a clash with Apache Indians.   You can read my post from that day entitled From The Cochise Stronghold To The Dragoon Springs  Remember to click the photos to enlarge them when you get there.


WHEN WE FIRST WALKED IN THE PLACE WAS JAM PACKED SO WE HAD TO BELLY OURSELVES UP TO THE COUNTER….I HAD TO DO MORE BELLYING THAN KELLY DID

THAT’S LITTLE MISS KELLY AT THE COUNTER

THAT CHEDDER CHEESE HASHBROWN CASSEROLE ON THE RIGHT WAS TOTALLY DELISH
Before leaving Janna and Mikes and because our next destination wasn’t too far we had decided to not hook up the Jeep.  Pheebs and i drove the rig while Kelly followed in the Jeep as we headed south down highway 191.  This is always a nice way for Kelly to get a break from me.  It was all very familiar country for us and I really enjoyed all the memories along the way.  I know my mountain ranges in this area and how nice to see them all again standing like tall un-changing weathered sentinels.  They are like old friends who you can count on to always be there.

HEADING WEST AROUND THE NORTH END OF THE MULE MOUNTAINS ON DAVIS ROAD

YEP, IT WAS A NICE WARM SUNDAY MORNING IN COCHISE COUNTY

AND ON THE HORIZON I AM BEGINNING TO SEE THE TIPS OF THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

AND THERE THEY ARE OFF TO THE RIGHT…..THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS
MY TRUSTY NAVIGATOR SCANS THE WAY AHEAD
We rolled through the dustiest of little western towns, Elfrida, and oh how the memories rolled through my mind.  Angled off on the northwest side of Elfrida heading for Davis Road north of McNeal Arizona.  Again many happy memories of our ranch sitting days just a mile or so East of the Whitewater Draw.  It was an absolutely beautiful Sunday morning as we cruised along Davis Road between the Mule Mountains on our left and the Dragoon Mountains on our right,  Reaching highway 80 running between Benson, Tombstone, and Bisbee we hung a left turn in the direction of Bisbee.  A dozen miles later we exited right onto highway 90 running East out of Sierra Vista.  Ten minutes later and before crossing the San Pedro River we reached our destination.  It was a few minutes after high Noon.

OUR AMARYILLIS FLOWER IS BLOOMING
Oh and before I forget…….BIG changes happening for Nina and Paul over at Wheeling It and you might want to hustle on over there to see what’s going on and especially so if your in the market for a Class A diesel Motorhome with a whole lot of extras thrown in.  A really nice rig for sure.  We have met Nina and Paul half a dozen times over the years and they are two very fine people.  I’ve always considered Nina’s blog one of the best RVing blogs out here.  Always informative and always entertaining.  If we don’t happen to see you fine folks again before you sail we bid you Adieu, wish you well in your new adventure and wave you both a fond Bon Voyage.

We are boon-docked at Nancy and Pat’s place east of Sierra Vista.  Readers may remember our stay here nearly a year ago when we had planned to meet up with Kelly’s brother Peter and his wife Leslie in Sierra Vista.  Due to medical issues at the last minute  Peter and Leslie were unable to make it so we hung out in this area for awhile before returning back to Borrego Springs California.  It is a very interesting story about how we met Nancy and Pat so I have included that link here, HOW OUR BLOG HELPED LEAD A CALIFORNIA COUPLE TO ARIZONA.

NANCY ACTUALLY RODE HER RIDING LAWNMOWER TO THIS SPOT AWHILE BACK AND MOWED A NICE AREA FOR US

We have us a nice spot, weather’s great and we are in one of our favorite Arizona areas.  We are minutes from Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, and both the Mule and Huachuca Mountains.  And by golly I betcha we’ll catch us some movies in Sierra Vista too while we’re here. 
AND BY GOLLY THAT LADY IN THE JEEP LIBERTY FOLLOWED PHEEBS AND I ALL THE WAY TOO >>>>>
GROANER’S CORNER:(( A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him, "How many women can a man marry?"  "Sixteen," the boy responded.  His cousin was amazed that he knew the answer so quickly. "How do you know that?"  "Easy," the little boy said.  "All you have to do is add it up, like the Preacher said: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer."
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An old man goes to the Wizard to ask him if he can remove a "Curse" he has been living with for the last 40 years.  The Wizard says "maybe, but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you." The old man says without hesitation "'I now pronounce you man and wife'".
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A man and his young wife were in divorce court, but the custody of their children posed a problem.The mother leaped to her feet and protested to the judge that since she brought the children into this world, she should retain custody of them.  The man also wanted custody of his children, so the judge asked for his justification.  After a long silence, the man slowly rose from his chair and replied... "Your Honor, when I put a dollar in a vending machine and a Coke comes out, does the Coke belong to me or the machine?"
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