Adventure So Far

Monday, March 30, 2009
We were ready to leave at 8:30 am on . Well, it took us five hours to finally get on the road. There was some problem with the electrical connection between the car and the coach. Thank God for our fellow Rvers who came to our assistance and helped get everything fixed. After finally leaving Rockport, we went to Fredericksburg (two nights, and it wasn't enough. There is so much to see) and went to the Wild Seed Store where I bought Blue Bonnet Seeds and also Maroon Blue Bonnet Seeds. Then on to Fort Stockton for an overnight stay. They have an eleven foot roadrunner statue (big bird). We arrived late for a visit to the Fort and were able to see inside the museum but did not tour the houses around the parade ground. We also visited the Anne Riggs Museum which is the reason we were late getting to the Fort Stockton Museum.

Tuesday, March 31
Next day we went on to Fort Davis (stayed at a really nice PA part that is in foreclosure (25 sites, 18 acres, 4300 sq ft house, restaurant, two small green houses). Lady connected with bank is running it until it is sold and hopefully it will be because it is really nice.

While at Fort Davis, we went to McDonald Observatory and absolutely loved it. We saw the moon through a telescope - BUT, the most remarkable thing was looking at Saturn. You know how all the pictures show the rings going horizontally around Saturn? Well guess what, we saw the rings going vertically around Saturn. It looked like a toothpick stuck through it up and down. Really glad that we went. Also had lunch at a place called Indian Lodge which was on the way going up toward the observatory.

Well, let's see, from Fort Davis we went Las Cruces and since we discovered our printer had gone on the blink (did I tell you that?) we went to Office Depot and bought a new wireless printer. Stayed at park just over I-10 and it was okay for a one nighter.

Finally arrived here at Valley Vista Sunday afternoon and low and behold, couldn't get our internet to come up. We could get TV but not internet connection. Chris spent over an hour on the cell with the Hughes people (they did get a little flustered with us since we are mere laymen). We finally got that thing up and then attempted to install our NEW WIRELESS PRINTER. You just don't know how quickly you can get on each other's nerves. Finally took a break and went to Wally World and when we got back, Sweetie got it up and running right away.

We have been at Valley Vista for a week. During this time we have gone to Fort Huachua (Army Base) and toured the museums there. Very interesting. The Museum and US Military Intelligence Museum are in old buildings that go back to 1880-1905 and you can sure tell its old as the floors are uneven and being museums, they are kept pretty dark. They represent the history of the U.S. Army in the Southwest from the Buffalo Soldiers to World War II. Fort Huachua is an active military base. They are very strict about getting a visitors pass. You have to have vehicle registration and insurance papers and valid photo Id's for all over 13.

Fort Huachua is right next to Sierra Vista and we briefly rode through the city. It is very commercialized and there are strip malls everywhere. We have been told there is a big mall (with Dillards, etc) but this is another trip before we leave, as I need to replace makeup.

Friday, April 10
We went to Tombstone with friends (K and B) who dress up in old western outfits (complete with him wearing spurs and carrying a six-gun). We walked up and down the main street and visited shops where they purchase the western outfits that are very expensive. B paid $150 for a hat she had bought and some of the outfits we saw in the shops were as much as $499. Really glad I’m not into this type entertainment. They have a gun fight at OK Corral and one in the street. We went into the Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, had lunch and visited downstairs where there is a real mine shaft (blocked off, of course). K had to check his six gun before they would let him in. Patronizing the saloon were Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday and some others I did not recognize. Western legends, I presume. All in all, it was a fun day and a good place to visit.

Saturday, April 11
Sweetie and I decided to visit Kartchner Cavers which is a "living" cave (even though it was cold). I think this means that water leaking into the cave forming stalactites and etc. Some of the formations are very unusual and beautiful. While our guide was telling us about the tour (we were outside), it started hailing and it was very, very cold. When we finally went through the final door (I think there were three) to get to the cave, it got very warm, my glasses fogged up and I had to take off my sweatshirt. They are very strict here, no cameras, no pocketbooks, no backpacks, etc.

Saturday, April 12
Easter Sunday we attended a small United Methodist Church just down the road and thoroughly enjoyed the sermon. The minister is also the piano player! The people were very friendly and welcomed us with a gift (as newcomers). It was great being back in a real church where they say the Lord’s Prayer, sing songs we know, and was just a typical church service.

Monday, April 13
We went to Bisbee for the Copper Queen Mine Tour. This was very interesting. We arrived in Bisbee and went to restaurant for lunch before going on tour. Our reservation at the mine was 2pm. We finally had to ask for our lunch to be prepared “to go” since we were running out of time. This was done and we walked the short distance to the tour office.

We were fitted with rain coats, safety helmets and lights attached to batteries. We straddled the cars (they ran on rails) that would take us into the mine. Our tour guide was Spanish and had worked in the copper mine for years. As we entered the mine, the air got cooler and cooler as we descended. The tour guide stopped ever so often and he explained where we were and what went on in the mine at that point. There were various places where there were signs that read “no road” and always signs pointing to the surface.

After the tour we went back to the car, retrieved our lunch and walked a short distance to a small park and ate. Then we walked around the town of Bisbee and visited some of the antique shops. B was looking at 1800's dresses and hats and I was looking for nothing in particular. I did however find a skirt and three rubber stamps!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
We went to find Cochise Stronghold which turned out to be a range of mountains. It’s hard to imagine how Cochise was ever found. there are so many places to hide. We then went to Chircahua National Monument and saw more beautiful scenery. We have seen so much that we did not see when we were here before. Road in was a dirt road and very rough.

Wednesday, April 15
We mailed a check to the Federal Government. Need I say more? We then went back to Sierra Vista to find the Dillard's so I could replenish my makeup foundation. We had lunch/dinner at Golden Corral and of course, we overate again, and I have to go to Weight Watchers tomorrow. The wind is still blowing pretty hard and there are warnings out everywhere. It also blows up dust which is brought to travelers’ attention on the highways.

Thursday, April 16
After going to WW, I went to Wally World to start bringing in grocery items we may need at our next stop which is Salome, AZ. The nearest Wal-Mart is 85 miles away! After lunch we went to Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, AZ which is just down the road about eight miles. It is a Benedictine Community and a very interesting place to visit. Holy Trinity Monastery belongs to the Olivetan Benedictines, whose Motherhouse is located outside Siena, Italy. Its Abbot-General is Michaelangelo M. Tiribilli.

Friday, April 17
We took off to visit the Rex Allen Museum in Willcox and Fort Bowie. Decided to go to Fort Bowie since it was further away. We stopped at the Visitor Center in Willcox to get any information they had on either place. Across the lot was Stout’s Cider Mill. They have the tallest apple pie I have ever seen. They start with ten pounds of apples and when the pie is baked, it has six pounds of apples. It was really tall and No, we did not buy one but it sure was tempting.

Off we went to find Fort Bowie. You have to turn off the main road on to a ‘unimproved” road which actually means it is a dirt road and it was like riding on a washboard. We had to endure this for eight miles. We finally arrived at a sign that told us we had to leave the car and walk in 1-1/4 miles to the fort ruins. This was not a straight path. It meandered up and down and around and was, in my opinion, also unimproved. We finally arrived at the ruins (more than 1-1/4 miles) and had to go another ¼ or ½ miles to get to the Visitors/Ranger station. THEN, we had to turn around and WALK back out to our car and drive over the washboard road to get back to the highway. All in all, it was an interesting walk and made you appreciate all the stories we’ve read about the fighting between the Indians and the soldiers to make for safe passage for the poor pioneers who were brave enough to travel over this area to get somewhere else.

We arrived back at the car and took a few minutes to mentally rub our feet (not used to walking this far all at once) and headed back to Willcox. When we finally could get a cell phone signal, I called the Rex Allen Museum to find out what time they closed. Low and behold they close at 4:00 pm and it was 3:57. I told the man “I guess we will miss the museum” and he immediately asked where we were. Told him we were about five to ten miles away and he was very gracious and said he would stay open until we got there.

The museum was something we are very glad we did not miss. I did not realize exactly who Rex Allen was until I was walking through the museum. He was an actor and also a singer.