COLD NIGHT, WINDY MORNING AND CRUISING THROUGH TOMBSTONE ARIZONA

MORNING WALK

Okay so where the heck are we anyway??  Well let me see now……we’re in Arizona’s Cochise County with Sierra Vista 20 minutes to the west, Tombstone about 20 minutes northeast, Bisbee 20 minutes southeast and the Mexican border maybe 25 minutes due south.  All estimated times of course.

I’M THINKING THIS WASH HEADING FOR THE SAN PEDRO RIVER MAY HAVE IT’S ORIGIN IN THE DISTANT MULE MOUNTAIN RANGE IN THE BACKGROUND

A LOT OF PRICKLY MESQUITE TREES IN THIS AREA ALONG THE WASH

ONE HAS TO ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WALKING ON ANKLE TWISTING ROCKS

And where is it we’re parked??  At the moment we are parked at friends of ours who we met through the RV Net Forum way back in January 2009 when we came to this area for the very first time.  (here’s a link to one of the days Roy Rogers) Our friends names are Pat and Nancy who by the way are also RV boon-dockers who sometimes travel in their Casita travel trailer.  I wrote in one of my posts years ago about how because of the Bayfield Bunch these folks left California and came here to this area of Cochise County, bought a 10 acre piece of property and built a new house.  All solar powered I may add.  It’s a story of coincidences and I will try to find that post which will explain the series of events which landed these fine folks right here where we are parked for the next week or so.

NANCY AND PAT’S HOUSE ON THE LEFT AND US ON THE RIGHT

Now, why are we here??  Readers may remember Kelly’s brother Peter and wife Leslie coming to visit us in Congress during January for the past 3 years.  They are from Webster New York and Arizona has grown on them.  Wanting to return again this January they expressed an interest in seeing southeastern Arizona where Kelly and did some ranch sitting for a few years in our early travel days.   ‘Walla’ we’ve been wanting to return to this memorable area for the last few areas anyway so a plan quickly came together.  Peter and Leslie are flying into Phoenix Friday morning then with a rental car are coming down here to Sierra Vista where they will stay at the Fairfield Inn.

BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE RAIN HEADED OUR WAY WE MAY MOVE THE MOTORHOME HERE TO THIS OLD BUT FIRMER STRETCH OF ROAD ON PAT AND NANCY’S PROPERTY

We haven’t firmed up any plans on just where we will be going or what we will be seeing yet but along with Sierra Vista we’ll likely be driving up to Coronado Peak in the Huachucas and slipping down the other side along the Mexican border then north to Parker Lake.  Tombstone, Bisbee, and some of the true ghost towns like Fairfield, Gleeson and Pearce.  We’ll maybe do the Middle March road through the Dragoon Mountains, the Chiricahua Monument, and maybe Fort Bowie.  We hope to get up and over the Chiricahua Mountains and down the other side to Portal near the New Mexico State line.  Rucker Canyon, old Fort Rucker, and the Mary Kidder Rak homestead are on the agenda as well.  Might get over to the Whitewater Draw near McNeal too.

NANCY TOLD US A FEW YEARS AGO THE WASH BEHIND THEIR PLACE WAS POPULAR WITH ILLEGALS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER…..ON OUR WALK THIS MORNING WE FOUND EVIDENCE OF THAT

DISCARDED BACKPACKS, WATER BOTTLES, PIECES OF CLOTHING ETC.

IT IS ALARMING THE NUMBER OF BODIES FOUND EACH YEAR AND ALTHOUGH THIS AT FIRST LOOKED LIKE THAT IT WAS ONLY A BLUE JEAN JACKET

We arrived at Nancy and Pat’s place about mid afternoon Wednesday and for the moment we are parked near their house but with a good chance of a 2 day rain coming up on the week-end we may move a short distance away on their property where the ground is firmer with less chance of mud.  Desert mud in this area is like gumbo and sticks to shoes and paws like cement.  Because of our higher altitude now in southeastern Arizona (4200’) our night’s are much colder so we’re probably going to have to slip the rig into Sierra Vista to top up our propane tank.  By the way Nancy and Pat had us in Wednesday night for a delicious BBQ chicken dinner with a great cheese and onion laced scalloped potato dish:)) 

WITH RAIN IN THE FORECAST WE MAY RE-LOCATE A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY TO THIS OLD FIRMER ROAD BED

Generally after a travel day we like to have a relaxation day but neither one of us felt much like relaxing so with Pheebs anxious to get rolling we all piled into the Jeep and headed into Sierra Vista.  The traffic reminded a bit of Sarasota Florida but only maybe half as bad.  Wanting to know where Leslie and Peter would be staying we first located the Fairfield Inn.  Great location just steps from a handy indoor mall complete with movie theaters, eateries, Sears, Best Buy, Dilliards etc.  Appleby’s, Texas Roadhouse, and more.

Stopped into a place called Schlotzsky's for a sandwich then slipped over to the big Fry’s Supermarket for a few things.  Been a few years since we been in there and they must have changed the store around because I couldn’t seem to connect on one single memory of it.  The store looked different than what I remembered.  I really like the spot lighting they use to display their natural health food section.  Kelly picked up a few things while I walked around the store looking at all the really neat-o colors.

A COUPLE PIGEONS HANGING OUT IN FRYS PARKING LOT

Wanting to touch base with a few old memories we headed out the Charleston Road towards Tombstone reminiscing about our time boon-docking on a scenic slab of cement there for a week one time.  Great memories of our search for the old ghost towns of Charleston and Millville.  Our times in Tombstone as well.

WITH ALL THE SHOOTING GOING ON IN TOMBSTONE I DID A BUNCH OF DRIVE-BY SHOOTING MYSELF

We will be back here next week with Peter and Leslie.

SEEN ON THE STREETS OF TOMBSTONE ARIZONA TODAY LOOKING FOR A THRIFT STORE

NOT ALL OF TOMBSTONE’S OLDTIMERS ARE BURIED IN BOOT HILL

WHAT WOULD TOMBSTONE BE WITHOUT IT’S TOMBSTONES EH

From Tombstone we headed south down highway 80 to the junction of highway 90 and turned right for Sierra Vista.  Wasn’t long and we were back to Nancy and Pat’s place and that was it for our day’s outing.  Very windy here so we kinda hung out inside.  Things will begin to ramp up for us Friday and we should have us a busy week coming up.

LOOKING SOUTH TO NACO PEAK IN MEXICO TONIGHT

From our current location east of Sierra Vista we have a very much most beautiful view of the city by night. 

WAITING FOR DARKNESS TO DESCEND

SUNSET OVER THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS TONIGHT

LIGHTS OF SIERRA VISTA ARE SLOWLY BEGINNING TO TWINKLE ON AS THE PLANET VENUS HANGS BRIGHTLY IN THE EVENING SKY

PINPOINTS OF LIGHT ON THE SIDE OF THE HUACHUCAS

THESE TIME EXPOSURES SHOW A LONG STRING OF WHITE CAR HEADLIGHTS DRIVING EAST OUT OF SIERRA VISTA ON HIGHWAY 90

GROANER’S CORNER:(( As migration approached, two elderly vultures doubted they could make the trip south, so they decided to go by airplane.  When they checked their baggage, the attendant noticed that they were carrying two dead raccoons. "Do you wish to check the raccoons through as luggage?" she asked.  "No, thanks," replied the vultures. "They're carrion."

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= I hate used car dealers. They can be so over sell us.

- What do you call an Arab bodybuilder?  A protein sheikh.

Wife texts husband on a cold winter morning: "Windows frozen, won't open."Husband texts back: "Gently pour some lukewarm water over it and then gently tap edges with hammer."  Wife texts back 10 minutes later: "Computer really messed up now."

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There was a barber who paid close attention at his parish whenever the topic of evangelization was discussed. He thought he should be doing more to share his faith with his customers.The next morning the barber told the Lord in prayer, “Today I’m going to witness to the first customer who walks through my door.”A man came in as he opened his shop and said, “I need a shave.” The barber said, “Yes sir! Just have a seat and I’ll be right with you.” The barber went in the back and prayed a quick prayer saying, “Lord, the first customer just came in and I’m going to witness to him. Give me the wisdom to know just the right thing to say. Amen.”Then the barber came out with his straight razor in one hand and a Bible in the other and told his customer, “I have a question for you: Are you read to meet your Maker?”

WHAT IS THAT MUSTY SMELL?? AND HERE'S MY DECISION

PATHWAY LEADING FROM THE ROAD TO THE WEST SIDE OF OUR HOUSE

I could tell Pheebs was really missing Kelly so with a break in routine Sunday night I took her for a Jeep ride into Bayfield and back.  I think that break in routine is something I should be doing more often.  And speaking of routine I am trying once again to break myself of my bad television news habit.  Guess it's that inquisitively undeveloped latent photo journalist mind of mine.

A FEW SAILBOAT NAMES

Rains were upon us by 8 o'clock and we just made it back from a morning walk in time.  Pheebs and I took a short walk to the area where they are putting in new units near us.  It had been a nice spot over the years for peaceful walks and I remember our first dog Max and I walking there many nights to stare up at the night sky through a break in the tall pine trees.  The pine forest is being torn down to put in more units.  For some of us progress is not always a welcome thing but I guess we wouldn't be where we are right now if someone had not come in here and tore trees down in the first place decades ago.  It probably upset someone somewhere at that time too who I am sure also grumbled about 'progress not always being a welcome thing'.

SHORT ON PHOTOS TODAY I GRABBED A FEW OUTSIDE SHOTS TO SHOW THE LUSHNESS OF SPRING THIS YEAR

Saw 'Little Red' in the front yard this morning and again tonight but neither time no attempt was made to climb the tall shrub and leap over onto the feeder.  I think the last branch I lopped off about 5 days ago has finally done the trick.  And yet the suet I had out was disappearing quickly.  Hmmmm??  When I got up this morning there were 3 large Crows perched at the Suet Smorgasbord Counter.  Mystery solved but now I have a Crow problem!!

NO THESE ARE NOT CROWS THEY ARE GRACKLES

NOTICE HOW OUR NICE GREEN CLOVER IS REALLY FILLING IN

YEP THAT'S OUR PLACE

With an all morning rain Pheebs and I didn't go too far.  Coffee with Richard and Gayle at their place and Pheebs got to see her old Pal, Bronson.  Bronson is R&G's Golden Lab.  On the way home later I was aware of an odd smell in the Jeep.  Knowing my own smells as well as I do I was convinced it wasn't me for a change.   By the time I got home after a little drive around Bayfield I had narrowed it down and figured it out.  The smell was coming from my big ten gallon Cowboy Hat.  With my Mojave Breezer hat currently in Spencerport I had hauled out my big wide brimmed cowboy hat this morning.  It's the one I always wear when we are in New Mexico, Arizona, and California during the Winter months.  Out there in the wild west I fit right in with my big cowboy hat because most everybody else is wearing big cowboy hats as well.  I don't normally wear it here in Ontario Canada because people stop and stare and point at me and I can sometimes here them saying, 'what the hell has he got on his head'.  Anyway, back to the smelly hat.  The mustiness was familiar to me and I knew I had smelled that somewhere before.  The smell was old, very old, from an era a long time ago.  My mind in it's search through my olfactory archives finally pinpointed it to a specific location.  Now the type of western cowboy hat I was wearing is called a 'Tombstone' hat but even before remembering that my sensitive nose had taken me back to (coincidentally) Tombstone Arizona.  On Tombstone's main street stands an old original building from the late 1800's that has stood there basically untouched with it's interior and furnishings (and bullet holes) still intact and unchanged for well over a hundred and thirty years.  It is called the Bird Cage Theatre and was frequented heavily by the townspeople including Wyatt Earp and his brothers.  Kelly and I took a tour through this old building and being the only two people in there I can tell you it was downright creepy.  And it was the same smell inside that old building that wafted into my nose this morning directly from my 'Tombstone' cowboy hat.  So why hadn't that hat ever smelled like that before??  Well because in this morning's rain it was the first time I had ever got that hat wet since I first bought it in Sierra Vista Arizona about ten years ago.  Now why that cowboy hat when wet would take on that same smell from the Bird Cage Theatre I have no explanation.  A bit uncanny but I'm sure it has something to do with whatever that genuine cowboy hat of mine is made of.  I can't remember if I was wearing that hat in the Bird Cage Theatre the day we were there or not.  Couldn't find the exact date we were at the Birdcage but here is a blog link of mine referring to the Birdcage theatre and if you read it you will notice that at the time I talked about the smell in the over a century old theatre.  Tombstone Arizona.  You will also find some of my photos from inside the Theatre as well.  In this next link I reference just a few of our adventures in and around South-Eastern Arizona over the years.  In search of Old Original Ghost Towns and Historic Places.  What a great trip down memory lane this afternoon while putting the above paragraph together and it was a definite lift for me.  This era of our Winter southwest travels years ago was by far our best RV traveling years.  I sometimes get myself too caught up in the now to remember the good times of the past.  And we did have a lot of good times back in those years and I am so thankful now that I took the time to maintain a blog diary with numerous photos to take me back there anytime I am willing to saddle up my mind and ride on out there:))

SORRY FOR SCARING YA BUT THIS IS MY BIG COWBOY HAT AND NO MY BEARD IS NOT BLONDE IT'S WHITE BUT I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE COLOR CORRECTION IN MY LIMITED PHOTO EDITING  PROGRAM

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and concerns regarding a paragraph in my Sunday post.  Let me just say this for now.  Like so many others our age we have reached a stage where medical concerns have been encroaching further into our lives.  Kelly's results from her recent liver biopsy were definitely not good and the results from my latest PSA test showed my numbers had spiked and a prostate biopsy is now scheduled in three weeks.  Prostate cancer is in my family on my Mother's side.  These combined with a few other things are the current changing realities I've been wrestling with lately to decide whether or not to mention anything about our looming medical difficulties or just try to write my blog around them.  But how can I not mention them or pretend in my daily blog that everything is wonderfully marvelous each day when in fact they at times are not.  'RunNRose' in a comment summed it up well when she wrote, "The problem for you is, how do you pretend nothing is bothering you when something IS bothering you.  Faking fair weather when it's pouring is not something you are inclined to do."  Along with 'RunNRose' and everyone else I again thank you all for your thoughts and concerns.  It's clear to me now that if I am to continue this daily blog of mine in an ongoing honest manner I must carry on including the rainy days with the sunshine.  In a humorous comment a couple days ago Kelly said, 'maybe we should change our name from 'The Bayfield Bunch' to The 'Biopsy Bunch,'  Welcome to the so called 'Golden Years' eh.  Boy oh boy if I ever fined out who coined that 'Golden Years' phrase I am going to give them such a thrashing!!

THIS IS THE GREEN SPACE BETWEEN US AND OUR CLOSEST NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST.....THAT GROUND COVER BY THE WAY IS PERIWINKLE

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A tour bus load full of noisy tourists arrives at Runnymede, England.  They gather around the guide who says, "This is the spot where the barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta."  A man pushing his way to the front of the crowd asks, "When did that happen?" "1215," answers the guide.  The man looks at his watch and says, "Shucks! Just missed it by a half hour!"
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Camper: "Look at that bunch of cows.
"Farmer: "Not bunch, herd.
"Camper: "Heard what?"
Farmer: "Of cows."
Camper: "Sure I've heard of cows.
"Farmer: "No, I mean a cow herd."
Camper: "So what if they heard? I have no secrets from cows!"
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