tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199147971356048982024-03-18T19:48:55.158-07:00HappiLeeRVingThe Lees, Fred and Bonnie, are off on a multi-year excursion throughout the United States and Canada. They traded a four-bedroom home for a forty-foot motor coach -- home for them, their dog, Rascal, and their cat, Bear. They'll catalogue the adventure at HappiLeeRVing.com Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-35643642479244288802018-10-15T13:00:00.001-07:002018-10-15T13:00:16.103-07:00Lancaster County Pennsylvania: The Amish Village<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lancaster county transportation.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">Somehow in all of our journeys up and down the eastern part </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">of the country we have missed Amish Country. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It was time to correct that omission and are so glad that we did. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lancaster county is some of the most beautiful farm country </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that we have ever seen. Talk about </span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;">country roads! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seemed like we never found a way to get from one address to </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: large;">another without driving over and around a mountain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We started our visit with a trip to The Amish Village. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cultivating corn.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">The drive took us past several farms and were lucky </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">enough to see the corn field of an Amish farm being cultivated </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with a horse drawn wagon. The farmer was balancing in the </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">moving wagon with a dog running along beside him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It was like a look into the past and we were thrilled by the </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spectacle.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The banked barn has entry on two levels.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">The Amish Village is an authentic Amish homestead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">It currently serves as a museum that showcases the house and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">banked barn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">There is a covered bridge on the 12 acre property as well as a </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">small dam with water wheel and a wind generator that </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">demonstrate methods of generating energy that are acceptable </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">to the Amish way of life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space: pre;">There are a blacksmith shop and</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"> a one room school built </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;">according to a standardized plan. These buildings are</span><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;"> typical </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space: pre;">of a Plain community.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">Premium admission included a bus tour of the surrounding </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">countryside and one was getting ready to leave as we checked in. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amish farm</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">Margaret was our bus driver and tour guide for the day. She is </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a long time resident of Lancaster County and has many friends </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">within the Amish community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We learned that the Lancaster County Amish came here to </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Pennsylvania after being invited by William Penn himself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">They arrived between 1720 and 1730 seeking religious freedom. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Members of </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the thr</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">iving community of over 30,000 continue to embrace a simple life free of materialism and dedicated to God. The Amish way of life is focused on service. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Margaret's stories helped us to understand some of the Amish </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">customs and traditions. It was interesting to learn how a culture </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">has learned to do business with the English while protecting </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">themselves from becoming too worldly.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scooters outside the one room schoolhouse.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">Margaret took us past a number on one room Amish school</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">houses. She told us that all were built from the same approved </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">plan. It was interesting to see the childrens scooters all parked </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">outside. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thats not an outhouse its a phone box, outside the house.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">We learned how to recognize Amish homes by the lack of </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">phone and electric </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">wires, the type of clothing hung to dry and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">sometimes a telephone box near the end of the driveway. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Kitchen gardens were meticulously tended, neat and ordered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We drove through miles of Lancaster County backroads </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">observing the Amish lifestyle without intruding upon it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia's Country Store</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">We stopped at Lydia’s Country Store where the baked goods </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were a huge temptation. Molasses sugar cookies are my </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">weakness and oatmeal raisin Fred’s. Its going to be tough </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sticking to our food plan in Lancaster County.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The bus dropped us back at The Amish Village and we </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">toured the 2 story homestead built in 1840. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfzIEYGcVxhJbrv_cTnYKbZyDyHOjS8GV_HGr1jYBxT3obwbMbB805oHs-ibtDlWaW3u1rPUXjHkmr5fgrrx4MSePOI3DMIw8G9QA2p0zLE7hRoTwM91Tx4bU2Bf4XVad1xqH7n8NxfQ/s1600/IMG_1653.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfzIEYGcVxhJbrv_cTnYKbZyDyHOjS8GV_HGr1jYBxT3obwbMbB805oHs-ibtDlWaW3u1rPUXjHkmr5fgrrx4MSePOI3DMIw8G9QA2p0zLE7hRoTwM91Tx4bU2Bf4XVad1xqH7n8NxfQ/s640/IMG_1653.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stand mixer runs using air as power.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The kitchen was </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">pretty amazing. Propane lights and a mixer </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">powered by air </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">were a couple of the innovations we found </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">fascinating. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3XVUO9hXeexseN4bwMGmq9gV7cu_e8HXKJINakGmX-0GjM49lAPWGgoqljjHyjUsGHd8LSi92WGsZYQ6juXDKbBwHKOQAmtUdXfzEPjg6zqEoexN35JbGwhpnYCZ9ArO_kAyTqFSNZw/s1600/IMG_1655.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3XVUO9hXeexseN4bwMGmq9gV7cu_e8HXKJINakGmX-0GjM49lAPWGgoqljjHyjUsGHd8LSi92WGsZYQ6juXDKbBwHKOQAmtUdXfzEPjg6zqEoexN35JbGwhpnYCZ9ArO_kAyTqFSNZw/s640/IMG_1655.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lamp base hides a propane tank.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">The </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">bathroom was surprisingly modern. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">I had pictured hand pumps </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">for water but learned that a wind </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">generator supplied power for </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">the water pump. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There was a laundry and separate kitchen area for canning </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in the basement.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84bXekxo9GGAZRoqqhVgGil0nNexmIAc4l-I_XfsEIg2tPnaWUJE8EdaKznPJ6RGIo4Fmu-aYOa77d_YnaVyV5gBVcOd0zBrXHA0-vkuE5WpdE7ifWvDpJR9PyNbqLjxJKeuoRDkUD2c/s1600/IMG_1656.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84bXekxo9GGAZRoqqhVgGil0nNexmIAc4l-I_XfsEIg2tPnaWUJE8EdaKznPJ6RGIo4Fmu-aYOa77d_YnaVyV5gBVcOd0zBrXHA0-vkuE5WpdE7ifWvDpJR9PyNbqLjxJKeuoRDkUD2c/s640/IMG_1656.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful quits were on all of the beds.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">Outside was a Spring house where milk cooled in metal cans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The banked barn built into the side of a hill, allowed entry on </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">two levels.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPisCy0zXnKCoPj-kvRJdmzhay59JcxRbi_vWb4N2wPoAZIbZgD8PX_VU5DAptbsi1kEvEPgMWzyeg05mGXJHeSFZw0OVZq5oyWUfBSbcXeIUHgHBVIG3v_dHWfGUK5jlb1LzorAqd9E/s1600/IMG_1661.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPisCy0zXnKCoPj-kvRJdmzhay59JcxRbi_vWb4N2wPoAZIbZgD8PX_VU5DAptbsi1kEvEPgMWzyeg05mGXJHeSFZw0OVZq5oyWUfBSbcXeIUHgHBVIG3v_dHWfGUK5jlb1LzorAqd9E/s640/IMG_1661.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basement laundry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre;">We enjoyed the tour and then headed to Deinners for a late </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lunch at Margaret’s recommendation. The food was plentiful and </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the service great just as she said it would be.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmPh6ptJzGgRXZ8WVsRzXf-0KniZNd1kvRS27yGWoGUEAcBcmoGou_XBo2i7Cg3F6xsk9f2Laxm9zDp7bPBZKEYuUbqyzi6KKL6JoADL3fLQPLhRZV8E78seYGjE2tZsSt2NYaralrW8/s1600/IMG_1662.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmPh6ptJzGgRXZ8WVsRzXf-0KniZNd1kvRS27yGWoGUEAcBcmoGou_XBo2i7Cg3F6xsk9f2Laxm9zDp7bPBZKEYuUbqyzi6KKL6JoADL3fLQPLhRZV8E78seYGjE2tZsSt2NYaralrW8/s640/IMG_1662.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Amish Village</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">199 Hartman Bridge Road</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ronks, PA</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(717) 687-8511</span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-60591730029815450742018-10-10T08:51:00.001-07:002018-10-10T08:51:24.602-07:00On the Road Again: West Point Military Academy and New Paltz, New York<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKdyI4iyTBIgPAuMa000Ud6ZQDFrRlpnGgkBrHeIDB1EBsBhcG7lRhivuEPwi9PVxSsc-UCa-mkgp8KacZNsE7FzPwq915PXvSRHPpF8s7ZlDG_eSSUG1fjMzzRuiZhdTrmoal4Af7qI/s1600/41305848_10212784684036239_2682463099352514560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKdyI4iyTBIgPAuMa000Ud6ZQDFrRlpnGgkBrHeIDB1EBsBhcG7lRhivuEPwi9PVxSsc-UCa-mkgp8KacZNsE7FzPwq915PXvSRHPpF8s7ZlDG_eSSUG1fjMzzRuiZhdTrmoal4Af7qI/s640/41305848_10212784684036239_2682463099352514560_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been a wonderful Summer but the road is calling our names.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's good to be back on the road again. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">In case you can’t tell I’m singing these words.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqenLFa1ydiQNGA6ed-x2HLhlwf8NTYX_W2hwV-CXpkyV8gSP4on5rPmOBQ4cop3nnNoqyhDza9CWTtbXdhj9qM8UXuAvSI7feLZKEMWgO7mF1641Yf2gDzmQB2OoyPS_ZD7l5wYUxdME/s1600/IMG_1384.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqenLFa1ydiQNGA6ed-x2HLhlwf8NTYX_W2hwV-CXpkyV8gSP4on5rPmOBQ4cop3nnNoqyhDza9CWTtbXdhj9qM8UXuAvSI7feLZKEMWgO7mF1641Yf2gDzmQB2OoyPS_ZD7l5wYUxdME/s640/IMG_1384.HEIC" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a year on the plains and in the desert we were happy to see the beach.</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fred and I had a fantastic Summer in New York. </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We camped and had outings with our grandsons, spent time with my Mom, enjoyed the company of our daughters, and spent some time with extended family. We got back to the coast enjoying the beaches of Maine and northern Massachusetts.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZWiNEiH-ExWmeiRnXiOx7iRtEVVocWrWswHfVea8chhVfXcXDlYWcsTsNrbh_rHXvEhmduC-JcSRLbkqUwUF52cYSZlnNNCODkutq15zMlSNulPTH2GTd9KPzwfgp15SB6GgZ_sxVyo/s1600/IMG_1445.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZWiNEiH-ExWmeiRnXiOx7iRtEVVocWrWswHfVea8chhVfXcXDlYWcsTsNrbh_rHXvEhmduC-JcSRLbkqUwUF52cYSZlnNNCODkutq15zMlSNulPTH2GTd9KPzwfgp15SB6GgZ_sxVyo/s640/IMG_1445.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 3 are always ready for adventure</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somehow there was time to dust off our construction and gardening skills as the Lake George house foyer got a facelift and major pruning was accomplished outside. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fo7puM2qOrTnOuCpmtMeEJ5p1YnTO-_c6rXi-VngpTnOXQK3enogilnTqba8NAYuRizy1RAwjTstjXsBiVF6rOGwXRyDXwp8yB11GV1i3uSrysRWlw16_lXdkufGaZ3CdZB8-aeZp5A/s1600/37964949_10212500108962040_7839006478517141504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fo7puM2qOrTnOuCpmtMeEJ5p1YnTO-_c6rXi-VngpTnOXQK3enogilnTqba8NAYuRizy1RAwjTstjXsBiVF6rOGwXRyDXwp8yB11GV1i3uSrysRWlw16_lXdkufGaZ3CdZB8-aeZp5A/s640/37964949_10212500108962040_7839006478517141504_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa and Clay's new deck and flower boxes.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">A new deck and flower boxes were completed at the Connecticut country house and the Behemoth got new window treatments.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsY1kSA-COp_Ev22wqAKugc0vX72eBDVNr8GDw4TZ_4h_tNpVi_Z9UwVV72hSLCbUy1yQrrfv0eHoP-SwJpZzlmFTLt7YgysDBJwoVuQFtZHJqfthjobGQyjN5rSOM4CarNSxoEZfYXE/s1600/41244053_10212776648355352_1163895966386880512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="960" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsY1kSA-COp_Ev22wqAKugc0vX72eBDVNr8GDw4TZ_4h_tNpVi_Z9UwVV72hSLCbUy1yQrrfv0eHoP-SwJpZzlmFTLt7YgysDBJwoVuQFtZHJqfthjobGQyjN5rSOM4CarNSxoEZfYXE/s640/41244053_10212776648355352_1163895966386880512_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred's new Can Am Spyder</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fred checked another item off his Bucket list when he acquired a Can Am Spyder that he has been wanting for a long time. He even got to attend a Spyder Rally in Queensbury at the beginning of September going on a couple of rides with large groups.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb5RapJgN9jMlSZk41DHipbxhyphenhyphenJIrmRhRyDDEg89wGAapm0GCCmLCfFR2ySWax8EJhnmN64bRnAg5qct4UF3XBS79IV_Iy2uBOfJgkZK7E2s1sW71EZBhpCohEVGm0SjgxTGboWcP-Ss/s1600/41705693_10156073757114685_6747619197993353216_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb5RapJgN9jMlSZk41DHipbxhyphenhyphenJIrmRhRyDDEg89wGAapm0GCCmLCfFR2ySWax8EJhnmN64bRnAg5qct4UF3XBS79IV_Iy2uBOfJgkZK7E2s1sW71EZBhpCohEVGm0SjgxTGboWcP-Ss/s640/41705693_10156073757114685_6747619197993353216_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round Pond</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our first stop was at West Point Military Academy’s Round Pond Recreation Facility where we enjoyed a couple of nights at the top of the mountain. Round Pond is a beautiful site. The roads are narrow, steep and twisty to get there but worth the effort. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were pleased to meet neighbors Karen and Bill who are new to the full time RV lifestyle. We met as they were dealing with a broken cable on one of the slides of their rig. We dragged out Nick Russell’s Guide to RV Good Guys to try and find them some help. You meet the nicest people in military RV parks and we were happy to read a few days later that they found a temporary solution to hold them over until the needed repairs could be done by an RV Good Guy in Virginia.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0SmYoOu0TOOQrviIiApyo0ASIU4BNAXdgNwHIGy3XLWvCd_zIJv0E7tFC5NNvFU7pnFbjl_wZyzEfUyadMurzXy5EjgV_RLdeRGN_a-BMrGyEnN6RLiB0mkx8zgpXntvf6imJyQL8uM/s1600/IMG_1572.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0SmYoOu0TOOQrviIiApyo0ASIU4BNAXdgNwHIGy3XLWvCd_zIJv0E7tFC5NNvFU7pnFbjl_wZyzEfUyadMurzXy5EjgV_RLdeRGN_a-BMrGyEnN6RLiB0mkx8zgpXntvf6imJyQL8uM/s640/IMG_1572.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had one day to devote to sightseeing and spent it in the Historic Huguenot district of New Paltz, New York. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Huguenot’s were Protestants who emigrated from France to the New World in the 1600’s seeking the freedom to worship as they chose. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhuZTjMad_PrPv-FN3p2Zys-kE74srh76iJZDLwa66p8TGMsX0WNY4LlyIWcuCmdibRxnYCtO1SprgKqMuHm8K22hFwaC7XVSza8EYLWlOPHdG-7E3kCMZPsFAbDDBsQoPo4oegmArz8/s1600/IMG_1591.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhuZTjMad_PrPv-FN3p2Zys-kE74srh76iJZDLwa66p8TGMsX0WNY4LlyIWcuCmdibRxnYCtO1SprgKqMuHm8K22hFwaC7XVSza8EYLWlOPHdG-7E3kCMZPsFAbDDBsQoPo4oegmArz8/s640/IMG_1591.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twelve families settled in the Hudson River Valley in 1677 after purchasing 30,000 acres from the Esopus Indian Tribes. The 12 families who formed the town of New Paltz are referred to as patentees. Names common to the Capital District and Hudson Valley like Deyo, LeFevre, Hasbrouck, Dubois, and Freer originated here.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_yDrhHhTL9zt4-JIPT4vZlAzVQMO07K_rczHjRSb3RmPkPrHAtwpbLO5P_M__mN0jbyWO8T3UjQG1M8UEl5uaBr4qBymCj4JkbSzqxLE97jpRJ4vAATcIyWCLQ2_t094wkooSr-3lvY/s1600/IMG_1582.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_yDrhHhTL9zt4-JIPT4vZlAzVQMO07K_rczHjRSb3RmPkPrHAtwpbLO5P_M__mN0jbyWO8T3UjQG1M8UEl5uaBr4qBymCj4JkbSzqxLE97jpRJ4vAATcIyWCLQ2_t094wkooSr-3lvY/s640/IMG_1582.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">A portion of Huguenot Street consists of 6 stone houses built before 1720. Those houses are protected as a National Historic Landmark. Each home is a museum preserving the history of a patentee family. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The families built their original homes of wood, replacing them over the next 40 years with stone houses in what is now called rural Colonial Dutch architecture. Gambled roofs and curved eaves in single story houses built of local stone are hallmarks of that distinctive style.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf_JMSaVTUq2H8eEz92CsYZoFsuR_MqEbSrsPzYgX2BdGsEtekt5kwuBToQbX1dTBxKgQINjrcyykZDT8YC0ToCq07ypFbyWd5tJSMQm1xmjJ00BLDiaFililSJdGNat_Ioq3_MXVkH0/s1600/IMG_1602.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf_JMSaVTUq2H8eEz92CsYZoFsuR_MqEbSrsPzYgX2BdGsEtekt5kwuBToQbX1dTBxKgQINjrcyykZDT8YC0ToCq07ypFbyWd5tJSMQm1xmjJ00BLDiaFililSJdGNat_Ioq3_MXVkH0/s640/IMG_1602.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We walked the hilly street along the banks of the Wallkill River admiring the stone structures and beautiful gardens. There is a replica wigwam on the lawn of the Dubois Fort representing the Munsee Esopus people who lived in this region prior to European settlement. The wigwam was constructed using authentic techniques and locally sourced materials to make an accurate presentation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a stone church (reconstructed in 1972) and a small cemetery where some of the early members of the community were laid to rest.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The walking tour was pet friendly since we opted not to walk through the inside of the homes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rascal enjoyed it and afterward walked with us up the hill to Main Street for lunch at Mudd Puddle Coffee Roasters. Mudd Puddle is right next door to Paws of Distinction so he enjoyed chicken and sweet potato dog treats. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky Rascal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left Round Pond on Friday morning. Army fans were already starting to arrive for Saturdays big game against the Rainbow Warriers of Hawaii. Grills were being set up and long tables were set out under shade canopys. I bet it was a fun weekend at the Academy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Army won 21-28.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1V7674Nm89eQ-U2gxnXANN_EmHQG2DrwugPCfXwBpZS6GT1Oy5HV2MgE4spRe0HSmSRh3_z93rA2v6NUprW5oC4ho2ATm2kJp9x7vWDzyg5LsCBB9co2-uDqjRqgdaOp5f6fMZlbXWQ/s1600/IMG_1614.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1V7674Nm89eQ-U2gxnXANN_EmHQG2DrwugPCfXwBpZS6GT1Oy5HV2MgE4spRe0HSmSRh3_z93rA2v6NUprW5oC4ho2ATm2kJp9x7vWDzyg5LsCBB9co2-uDqjRqgdaOp5f6fMZlbXWQ/s640/IMG_1614.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next stop Amish Country, Lancaster County Pennsylvania.</span></span></div>
Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-64201792730991179862018-05-26T04:00:00.000-07:002018-05-26T04:00:09.045-07:00Getting Our Kicks: Route 66 New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxvuERaIT_wfNGp66tvW6DIvn8wfTJMXm56cjMXAg2SiX_O1A7SpjOFkBXX54VJOG0uLVSfhqaWuVwjeLGrm63JKEbpY0XG6wiQcSBlB7SDQXZqFeiJGOoaGFOQoCnQ_KR2Z_brY19PA/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxvuERaIT_wfNGp66tvW6DIvn8wfTJMXm56cjMXAg2SiX_O1A7SpjOFkBXX54VJOG0uLVSfhqaWuVwjeLGrm63JKEbpY0XG6wiQcSBlB7SDQXZqFeiJGOoaGFOQoCnQ_KR2Z_brY19PA/s640/DSC_0020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Near Albuquerque, New Mexico Route 66 got musical. There is a short strip of road in Tijeras that has been scored to play a piece of America the Beautiful when you drive over it at 45 mph (the posted speed limit). </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tjJmYDjwpNwcZAtj8mmsL2c3q3PWFpi-0x7Cc70ddysI5t2PUxJS_sjOvix25gIo9IFzQXPiNjh7EOStXUrr29p44PRxFoTGtT5Q27zAKEfrNaGzAcMwqNnUHS0Fppf72fB8_M-5TEk/s1600/IMG_8148.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tjJmYDjwpNwcZAtj8mmsL2c3q3PWFpi-0x7Cc70ddysI5t2PUxJS_sjOvix25gIo9IFzQXPiNjh7EOStXUrr29p44PRxFoTGtT5Q27zAKEfrNaGzAcMwqNnUHS0Fppf72fB8_M-5TEk/s640/IMG_8148.MOV" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rte 66 singing America the Beautiful</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a relatively recent addition to the road, paid for by National Geographic for its TV series Crowd Control. The musical road fits right in with the weird and wonderful attractions of the original route. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amarillo Texas found us visiting the famous Big Texan Steak House and Brewery home of the 72 oz “Eat it all and it’s free” steak dinner. The steakhouse sent a horned limo to pick us up at the RV park and the driver told us stories about the area for the entire 15 minute trip. We enjoyed steaks of a reasonable size with fellow RVers Anne and Dave who we had met through the Living the RV Dream Facebook page. Alas no one accepted the challenge while we were there but we did enjoy checking out the Wall of Fame. It is amazing how many people have manage to eat the entire meal. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnRRFNJRhrSERrYuamY5VkKajBfUgz_ylX87CMZ8lGQvhsqVyylnse82DYOBIxHxQf4ek5aEH8LNFKYKw7F8Vi9HC_RPSVsY-cxnTLEfFa_7PQAfawwL-g-vBM8wZGL4wEReHfrN1Md8/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnRRFNJRhrSERrYuamY5VkKajBfUgz_ylX87CMZ8lGQvhsqVyylnse82DYOBIxHxQf4ek5aEH8LNFKYKw7F8Vi9HC_RPSVsY-cxnTLEfFa_7PQAfawwL-g-vBM8wZGL4wEReHfrN1Md8/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadillac Ranch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amarillo is home to the Cadillac Ranch, a famous art installation on old Route 66. It consists of 10 Cadillacs with the front ends buried in the ground, tail fins in the air. They are all at the same angle and spaced regularly so that they look like a junkyard Stonehenge. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAck0lslxtZH2Nn9NI3aiE_QkSHx-bqh_2KIpB9Oai2XSlMxt_vXb222Vc9NudcG25K6B6wma-YY534Cn-2ey5xlkOeVtZnhUp5LU7vs1Xc1fmllHaf6ZnqVXtDI4FmUYZZKET6D0fGHs/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAck0lslxtZH2Nn9NI3aiE_QkSHx-bqh_2KIpB9Oai2XSlMxt_vXb222Vc9NudcG25K6B6wma-YY534Cn-2ey5xlkOeVtZnhUp5LU7vs1Xc1fmllHaf6ZnqVXtDI4FmUYZZKET6D0fGHs/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">t is customary when visiting to leave your own spray painted tag on the cars, so of course we did. The paint is an inch or more thick in places. We passed by Cadillac Ranch 6 times during our visit to Amarillo and there were always cars parked along the road and people walking to and from the caddys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Downtown Amarillo still has some old Route 66 establishments including the Golden Light Cafe, where we enjoyed perfect burgers while exploring the Mother Road.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oklahoma City was our last stop on old Route 66. We made the time to seek out Leo’s Barbeque. Leo’s has been serving OKC diners since 1974. We enjoyed the ribs and brisket and have been making a version of their pickled cucumber and tomato salad weekly. Every dinner comes with a slice of homemade strawberry banana cake-don't even think about turning it down.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_KNUYUlqoSsMeg6iFJq0NzkcMQB0Tos_K-LpxX-HBXCgjV2IbLcX3n_RJ7p1pDyXspiOr5TrO2ZMt4K-5U77N5LUV4Wq9oZtEsqVf6utpFhsMi4gZ4T_Y9B_AIHwBxGS1GOd2H607qA/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_KNUYUlqoSsMeg6iFJq0NzkcMQB0Tos_K-LpxX-HBXCgjV2IbLcX3n_RJ7p1pDyXspiOr5TrO2ZMt4K-5U77N5LUV4Wq9oZtEsqVf6utpFhsMi4gZ4T_Y9B_AIHwBxGS1GOd2H607qA/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chairs at the Oklahoma City Memorial</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rest of our visit was spent seeing the Oklahoma City Memorial and the national Cowboy Museum both of which were recommended by my Mom, Ella. </span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mom served as a volunteer disaster coordinator for the American Red Cross and worked for many months in Oklahoma City after the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. It affected her deeply. She returned to OKC to see the memorial and wanted us to see it too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a solemn place that manages to preserve history, remember the lost and celebrate the survivors of that violent senseless act.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ePo2HELnRBO6y6nXs6c2zJO6Lo1KMgrtZND5eT-r4ZXR2ESTxVTsDC9cRoQ_i5DSrfpCxAM9g_IKsaNw5QUWlLBvRGVg-Hwfz2p-qJSvtSO9iYaaoBSIe6yKqgYJKRbqIggjQC9xe1s/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ePo2HELnRBO6y6nXs6c2zJO6Lo1KMgrtZND5eT-r4ZXR2ESTxVTsDC9cRoQ_i5DSrfpCxAM9g_IKsaNw5QUWlLBvRGVg-Hwfz2p-qJSvtSO9iYaaoBSIe6yKqgYJKRbqIggjQC9xe1s/s640/DSC_0021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall made from children's art work from all over the world.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The memorial is so effective because it tells so many stories. Those stories begin with the Field of 168 chairs that sit on the ground of the former Murrah building. Their are 9 rows of chairs for the 9 floors of the building. Each chair is inscribed with the name of someone taken that day. 19 of those chairs are small ones. The museum tells the story of the bombing and its aftermath in a personal way. News clippings and video of the bombing and rescue and retrieval are very factual but they are not dry. Victims are always named. Survivors, first responders, and rescue workers have been interviewed and recorded. Their words are the most effective kind of lesson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Responsibility Theater is at the end of the museum tour. In the theater visitors are asked questions about their thoughts and beliefs and how involved they would be in trying to prevent a dangerous situation. Video clips about the bombing and its aftermath are shown in response to their answers with further questions about how they might have acted, knowing the outcome. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was interesting and rather heart wrenching to watch a group of high school students struggle with the choice of trying to stay safe or “snitching”. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum was good for our souls. We loved visiting works by our favorite western artists Frederick Remington and Charles Russell and discovered for ourselves the works of Grand Canyon Artist Thomas Moran, and Native American artist Jerome Tiger. A favorite part of the museum was a room that honored Western film and television stars. It included homages to John Wayne, Gene Autry and Barbara Stanwyck. There were displays about Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Wild Wild West, The Big Valley, Death Valley Days and so many others. I lost Fred to the movie theater for more than and hour. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are leaving Route 66 now and continuing East through Arkansas on our way back to New York. It seems that we have seen middle of the road. Chicago and LA will wait for another journey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Musical Route 66</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I-40 exit 170 drive east 3.5 miles on Hwy 333/66 between mm 4-5 only works east bound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Big Texan Steak Ranch</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7701 I-40 Access Rd</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amarillo, Texas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cadillac Ranch</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">13651 I-40 Frontage Rd</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amarillo, Texas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Golden Light Cafe</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2908 W 6th Ave</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amarillo, Texas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leo's Barbeque</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3631 N Kelly Ave</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oklahoma City National memorial</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">620 North Harvey Ave</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1700 NE 63rd St</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oklahoma City, Oklahoma</span></div>
Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-40422190638715536042018-05-22T13:18:00.001-07:002018-05-22T13:18:11.613-07:00Getting Our Kicks: Route 66 Arizona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWBc5uizk_n0ghA4FFRCuF4WMKtGfUa-Z4CvZXtX-4VK0mmQizEV_2dkm4VMioGXSa_RBMi6hLrYzPnp4_dJdNA2t47zxi6MxfgVljP8qhMcVUPFxsFD1t-l2EMI-DNWDJcq3ltVzCuI/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWBc5uizk_n0ghA4FFRCuF4WMKtGfUa-Z4CvZXtX-4VK0mmQizEV_2dkm4VMioGXSa_RBMi6hLrYzPnp4_dJdNA2t47zxi6MxfgVljP8qhMcVUPFxsFD1t-l2EMI-DNWDJcq3ltVzCuI/s640/IMG_8039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-ea5df730-893c-ed16-0743-4dfdf000727b"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Motoring east we stopped for one night in Kingman Arizona on our way to Williams. Driving into Kingman you can still see the old pull up motels typical of Route 66. You know...the ones where your park your car right by the door of your room, with vending and ice machines near the office. Most of the neon signs were long gone and the buildings looked very tired but it was fun to see some of the old style signs and artwork. We passed the colorful Mr. D’z Route 66 Diner and Locomotive Park on our way to the Desert Diamond Distillery.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">D3 is a young up and comer in the distillery world. Established in 2009 they are already winning international awards. The owners claim that the dry heat of the Arizona High Desert is the perfect environment for barrel aging rum. I don’t know if its the dry heat or their gigantic German still but have to admit they have a very good product. We sampled several rums and a gin that they make and enjoyed a tour of their still and barrel rooms. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOgySc_AxXaahFKPnNjKsz7UGwd12RFw6Bb7Klb0KGJv-oBiju2rw5zQgKE6wvbkwOw2GBp1t-Tnun35SuMBLVzUzKytZD0Ub_dauZ7q2-YIVL8TSu-ip10slpETzqrRcY2zckjQ7SWk/s1600/IMG_8015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOgySc_AxXaahFKPnNjKsz7UGwd12RFw6Bb7Klb0KGJv-oBiju2rw5zQgKE6wvbkwOw2GBp1t-Tnun35SuMBLVzUzKytZD0Ub_dauZ7q2-YIVL8TSu-ip10slpETzqrRcY2zckjQ7SWk/s640/IMG_8015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The distillery has acquired a vintage railroad pullman car and are in the process of restoring it as a weekend dining area for their customers. It’s an impressive project. Desert Diamond Distillery is a Harvest Host’s stop so after visiting for a while we stayed the night boondocking in their parking lot.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The next afternoon we arrived in Williams Arizona, a Route 66 town that embraces its past. Old Route 66 runs right through town. Route signs invite you to “Get your Kicks” while a variety of hotels, eating establishments and attractions attempt to lure in weary road travelers. A colorful zipline soars above town. Our main purpose in visiting Williams was to see the Grand Canyon but we also took the opportunity to travel down to Flagstaff and visit the Lowell Observatory. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNFqPWxBUyv3KapMe2jrkXtbP3XBQP0WHrAtuG3yiNXUNw_GWcBodph2S8VZ8peg4sn_RYQgXX4_a8Yp5vxCsrUOubj3FTy5B77v2ldYOghsttOGF-iK1XKJvx95jSEcUQJFUEvr-GJo/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNFqPWxBUyv3KapMe2jrkXtbP3XBQP0WHrAtuG3yiNXUNw_GWcBodph2S8VZ8peg4sn_RYQgXX4_a8Yp5vxCsrUOubj3FTy5B77v2ldYOghsttOGF-iK1XKJvx95jSEcUQJFUEvr-GJo/s640/IMG_8124.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The astronomers at the observatory have been searching the stars since 1894. It was goosebump inducing to tour the place where Pluto was discovered and where so many maps of the stars have been made. Our tour guide was an excellent storyteller who made the history lesson enjoyable and brought the characters to life.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedona Red Rocks</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another day found us driving part of the old road past beautiful red rock formations that lead into Sedona and out to Montezuma Castle National Monument in the Verde Valley. The cliff dwellings of Montezuma Castle have stood for a thousand years. We have seen many of the cliff homes preserved throughout New Mexico and Arizona. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrUbKJnycj-0z51PsMj_uXtEeYwmcKPVO0MkEibc6ULZSDFmYWfQZw28bf88YAIDvJJG5NZvTKwGfxKNl3hvJkDg_U9WGwAML3AXfzhQ6Gc4Rz_eQzRd78IE6CMnQ3HFaE0POxToRqbc/s1600/IMG_8062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrUbKJnycj-0z51PsMj_uXtEeYwmcKPVO0MkEibc6ULZSDFmYWfQZw28bf88YAIDvJJG5NZvTKwGfxKNl3hvJkDg_U9WGwAML3AXfzhQ6Gc4Rz_eQzRd78IE6CMnQ3HFaE0POxToRqbc/s640/IMG_8062.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montezuma Castle</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Montezuma Castle is not just enhanced caves, it is an architectural marvel and is considered one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. The ancient remains attracted early travellers of Route 66 and we are still visiting in 2018. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgVJQzXiSWLaXqZ6zG0cCKJI16DiP1v2p0yWV5Vdy8GRawfLN-Dss-E0v6VfOLdCBzj4MqX1LvC4TWt_gENsLxiIyZUaSiTIIl8NHFWVekEaIFR28eDF8LEfSrDd7E3k8A5qnjmmDjMg/s1600/IMG_8018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1493" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgVJQzXiSWLaXqZ6zG0cCKJI16DiP1v2p0yWV5Vdy8GRawfLN-Dss-E0v6VfOLdCBzj4MqX1LvC4TWt_gENsLxiIyZUaSiTIIl8NHFWVekEaIFR28eDF8LEfSrDd7E3k8A5qnjmmDjMg/s640/IMG_8018.JPG" width="596" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 16pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not far from Williams is the Flintstones Bedrock City. The 40 year old amusement park is dedicated to the cartoon show of the same name. It is a color fading, paint peeling nostalgia lovers dream. You can walk into and around the homes of Fred and Wilma, and Betty and Barney. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTy1uQjiUqmoL91P60fAEegugHyxLSV12eiO9SpQRKkfZ0KuQLinEbpdzFC6zi8xLk3eVcM-kmEywisf0OQB_hBnFYDKccgFRyvyf58JH6i_-DA1qL9gNScr-4Dg0RKSyn04qr14XcVU/s1600/IMG_8019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTy1uQjiUqmoL91P60fAEegugHyxLSV12eiO9SpQRKkfZ0KuQLinEbpdzFC6zi8xLk3eVcM-kmEywisf0OQB_hBnFYDKccgFRyvyf58JH6i_-DA1qL9gNScr-4Dg0RKSyn04qr14XcVU/s640/IMG_8019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RVing Bedrock Style</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had fun sitting in the foot powered cars and watching cartoons in the Bedrock Theater. All Flintstones all the time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The highlight of our stay in Williams was a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway described in our previous post. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We continued down America’s Main Street determined to see as much of it as we could.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove to Holbrook, Arizona passing the remnants of old trading posts and the giant twin arrows by the roadside. Holbrook served as homebase while we explored nearby attractions. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6gHA1Yc0r9H8_WnlDchSVSCUlmB6FqZVA2us6WFomMre3auz1_7TTnJFWuh9QcZ0kTOs8RgkS4YlvFuZp6q1Zbcngpb1t-9zBnXDtwOUud_qN31-wYQDrM_WCROhp7qfOQLd-p_l_-U/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6gHA1Yc0r9H8_WnlDchSVSCUlmB6FqZVA2us6WFomMre3auz1_7TTnJFWuh9QcZ0kTOs8RgkS4YlvFuZp6q1Zbcngpb1t-9zBnXDtwOUud_qN31-wYQDrM_WCROhp7qfOQLd-p_l_-U/s640/DSC_0020.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fred finally got to Stand on a Corner in Winslow Arizona, which is something he has dreamed of doing since we started this journey 3 years ago. The experience was made even better as Eagles music filled Standing on a Corner Park from a nearby gift shop. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lczSoBw7lg8oa6f1VHUunxYMm8UwisuegL2aKnbiYkFF4nnvqSZy7XgWyLPkUBRSl7DtIejmJq_G2KeBVQD6vCRQNhNaY5_TKo_EEPEWYsVxB2AvV3j9nhIlolZn9FzVqlOe8bTZEmg/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lczSoBw7lg8oa6f1VHUunxYMm8UwisuegL2aKnbiYkFF4nnvqSZy7XgWyLPkUBRSl7DtIejmJq_G2KeBVQD6vCRQNhNaY5_TKo_EEPEWYsVxB2AvV3j9nhIlolZn9FzVqlOe8bTZEmg/s640/IMG_8139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the edge of the Meteor Crater</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove back west toward Flagstaff to spend a day at the Meteor Crater. The 700 foot deep crater is about 4000 feet across and almost 2 ½ miles around. It was formed more than 50,000 years ago when a large meteorite slammed into the flat plain with the explosive force of 20 million tons of dynamite. The force lifted rock along the rim and beyond, creating hills where none existed before the impact.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Meteor Crater is deemed a National Landmark. It is privately owned and operated by the Barringer family through Meteor Crater Enterprises. It is one of the best preserved craters on planet Earth and is providing much information to scientists. Apollo astronauts trained here before walking on the moon, learning that meteor samples could be collected from the debris field surrounding the crater. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp03bENWb68i4oR3yFZoq2VR9FfT2-Z-KSMbCm_qS5oF562Bj29aFVErbTR4m-zu2wtPG1cksHU_74uynJa2MxSVryRxq43TaK1T5RmatrBtULf5u4tQuGaMJNaP_dNBKWWJHBNXo9_I/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPp03bENWb68i4oR3yFZoq2VR9FfT2-Z-KSMbCm_qS5oF562Bj29aFVErbTR4m-zu2wtPG1cksHU_74uynJa2MxSVryRxq43TaK1T5RmatrBtULf5u4tQuGaMJNaP_dNBKWWJHBNXo9_I/s640/DSC_0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were able to participate in a walking tour along the rim of the crater and were lucky enough to see and touch 2 large pieces of the meteorite that formed crater, one located at the Meteor Crater Center and one at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7StACFfSkf8P5h0GxDy8b-v-GzXqLO74_f4uQEYrD3A9SXrb8n4UTFmD2dIVc9wYjf82zBn7wrmZKXo4q1hIeMyIbQZ6QEp1gjlY611F48aluW-T81tfIPIRBDMzBxfnmEDp_9_xoAs/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7StACFfSkf8P5h0GxDy8b-v-GzXqLO74_f4uQEYrD3A9SXrb8n4UTFmD2dIVc9wYjf82zBn7wrmZKXo4q1hIeMyIbQZ6QEp1gjlY611F48aluW-T81tfIPIRBDMzBxfnmEDp_9_xoAs/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Holbrook is home to Joe and Aggies Cafe a vintage Route 66 establishment recommended by Roadfood. We left our names in the guestbook and enjoyed enchilada dinners before walking back outside to admire the Wigwam Village up the street.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DnxY6-p9fGLxBUQebv3n5cDmvO-ehm9X-07k2xlS48bLY_porp2uw3H4kJ9bLR30OCNEHpCs2OCG6nxoa1Tl8jOMJ4B7pXjdv8ZwbjVvMs4NZUgZKqbqIi7DovCmJkTpzw8GjYVMmHU/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DnxY6-p9fGLxBUQebv3n5cDmvO-ehm9X-07k2xlS48bLY_porp2uw3H4kJ9bLR30OCNEHpCs2OCG6nxoa1Tl8jOMJ4B7pXjdv8ZwbjVvMs4NZUgZKqbqIi7DovCmJkTpzw8GjYVMmHU/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Desert </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our last day in Holbrook was spent exploring Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert. I have been fascinated with stories of this place since the 1960’s when my Aunt Marian visited and brought home a piece of the petrified wood and gave it to me. I still treasure that little piece of contraband. As a child I pictured the Petrified Forest as a standing forest of trees made of stone. It seemed a magical and wondrous place. Study showed me how wrong my assumptions were but the Petrified Forest still piqued my curiosity. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We entered the Park at the Painted Desert Visitor Center where scenic overlooks and several trails provide a birds eye view of the colors of a landscape created by wind water and the result of mineral deposits.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDF6O5ev2Frrjkbs64F6CONCeeQxTLJ99FI1JVQPH1WabWYaOVTH-mQ7QZbCQjnkBn5MKMhzfqGTCw0rhugtWHeJazzE80PBuEpD1ZyftQtPB5PRUMQVDIhiyaVuSwXn3FYeGyfzFXAM/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDF6O5ev2Frrjkbs64F6CONCeeQxTLJ99FI1JVQPH1WabWYaOVTH-mQ7QZbCQjnkBn5MKMhzfqGTCw0rhugtWHeJazzE80PBuEpD1ZyftQtPB5PRUMQVDIhiyaVuSwXn3FYeGyfzFXAM/s640/DSC_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thye park is best seen by a 28 mile driving tour. There are 12 major stops and many lesser known ones. Most have short (less than 4 miles) hiking paths that let you really enjoy the landscape. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNto6xd6eza4RX_VQKd-HrC1IcuyCrRHZI0XgO4Xii8oLf5VWy_u5t_4fwSRgKaNrK_yDlUooti5tnr3fRWmMGaEJqNPF2KlXv8jd_V9sDa8VxYlQ8KNDzC8aRYVmwrmvwWj_IREjNNDY/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNto6xd6eza4RX_VQKd-HrC1IcuyCrRHZI0XgO4Xii8oLf5VWy_u5t_4fwSRgKaNrK_yDlUooti5tnr3fRWmMGaEJqNPF2KlXv8jd_V9sDa8VxYlQ8KNDzC8aRYVmwrmvwWj_IREjNNDY/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The old Route 66 alignment is marked by a rusty 1932 Studebaker.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYb4O9bjy7kLb5NEixlDN1uDjhLoTdPIpeIajyv-w6yVpma_F3bWOdBV30NU8Go1wkQRx4xMQ3KPFd5JuwIZVvPrT0Bj7ySA33_7LhjI3Z80MUIXC91il-BdstUeLTvClZyamMN2E_xc/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYb4O9bjy7kLb5NEixlDN1uDjhLoTdPIpeIajyv-w6yVpma_F3bWOdBV30NU8Go1wkQRx4xMQ3KPFd5JuwIZVvPrT0Bj7ySA33_7LhjI3Z80MUIXC91il-BdstUeLTvClZyamMN2E_xc/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We enjoyed a stop at the Puerco Pueblo where Newspaper Rock has so many petroglyphs that the information resembles a daily publication.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFq6CmAuMYgEgPUvlczGxMJimlGvfnPRr0kYraAYakTwZLUouISbNwqxsRj0k3lOeVoK0JNaNOabuZg72XxXxP6aBMwWzSGmwhKbQGigSBJAfaedBgDPH5nua9TULHfRmcj6ZRJW6JMw/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFq6CmAuMYgEgPUvlczGxMJimlGvfnPRr0kYraAYakTwZLUouISbNwqxsRj0k3lOeVoK0JNaNOabuZg72XxXxP6aBMwWzSGmwhKbQGigSBJAfaedBgDPH5nua9TULHfRmcj6ZRJW6JMw/s640/DSC_0049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Mesa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blue Mesa is a small area of badlands with blue and grey tinted sandstone. It was spectacular to walk the 1 mile loop among those beautiful tent shaped rocks scattered with pieces of petrified logs.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasper Forest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Jasper Forest has beautiful views out over the desert to the mountains beyond. Large pieces of petrified wood are all over the ground. Colors of Jasper in the wood ranged from gold to brick red and were pretty brilliant even in the hot sun.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaloVZ02-x4xulU8mrT4JXe9zlE20TWUSrG_jQOLujrw2_YKGdcDBHXgdjIqDKukhR1qM9_kk1FqCSt28bllj245Xwmz6xgytj6TRwyJdpEq-0D1zggwLshJH7h0tBdiCsFABEI1Jq0Q/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaloVZ02-x4xulU8mrT4JXe9zlE20TWUSrG_jQOLujrw2_YKGdcDBHXgdjIqDKukhR1qM9_kk1FqCSt28bllj245Xwmz6xgytj6TRwyJdpEq-0D1zggwLshJH7h0tBdiCsFABEI1Jq0Q/s640/DSC_0079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Forest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Crystal Forest was showed us smaller logs with quartz inclusions that sparkled in the sun like bits of glass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Petrified Forest National Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Park Rd</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chambers, Arizona</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Standing on the Corner Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">100 E 2nd St</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winslow, Arizona</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meteor Crater National Landmark</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interstate 40 Exit 233</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winslow, Arizona</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe and Aggies Cafe</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">120 W Hopi Dr</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Holbrook, Arizona</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wigwam Village</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">811 W Hopi Dr</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Holbrook, Arizona</span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-931224015724681692018-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-24T04:00:39.328-07:00All Aboard the Grand Canyon Railway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuUXcr5ccqb-WZewkkPmwtnQ0gh_FLFqAii2HwuBkL7pwTnyQqFvuinNMzLp3UrynGl35wi5QVfYjCtp4rgPvya201a9bvIxroEAI127_f50viXiSxbq0rMTQWiOWaPmtMsTwuuTaVFM/s1600/IMG_8101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuUXcr5ccqb-WZewkkPmwtnQ0gh_FLFqAii2HwuBkL7pwTnyQqFvuinNMzLp3UrynGl35wi5QVfYjCtp4rgPvya201a9bvIxroEAI127_f50viXiSxbq0rMTQWiOWaPmtMsTwuuTaVFM/s640/IMG_8101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are back in Arizona camping in Williams on old Route 66.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Grand Canyon is calling us to the South Rim and Williams is the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Railside RV Ranch will be our home for the next few days. Railside is very near the train tracks and station as you might have guessed from the name. The park is not a luxury resort, the long pull through sites are quite close to each other but it does have a lot of conveniences. There is a hot tub, a dog park and Cable TV and decent WiFi are included in the nightly fee. You can get complimentary continental breakfast in the office each morning as well. The RV park acts as a concierge service for the Grand Canyon Railway. We were able to book our tickets through them with senior and military discounts, arrange pet sitting for Rascal and get a complimentary ride to and from the station.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Grand Canyon Railway runs twice daily to the South Rim. The 65 mile journey takes 2 hours and 15 min each way and provides expansive views of the Colorado Plateau. There are several classes of travel ranging from non air conditioned coach coach to luxury parlor car. We chose the observation deck experience in order to see more of the landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While we were waiting at the station to board there was a wild west show featuring some rather inept robbers and the marshall. It ended with a shoot out and we heeded the call to board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was great riding on the second deck and watching the long train snake on ahead of our car which was 4th from the end. Ticket prices included complimentary coffee, juice and pastries. A variety of cocktails were available for purchase. Our personal travel assistant Christina kept everyone supplied with beverages all the making sure we were comfortable and that our questions were answered. She provided each of us with a pocket map and spent time with each cgroup helping us plan our 4 hour visit to the canyon. We were entertained by a wandering guitarist and the engineer occasionally announced points of interest along the route.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The train passed the station and then backed up using a maneuver they called the Santa Fe split to get us into position. Once in the station we headed straight for the rim trail and our first view of southern portion the vast space that is the Grand Canyon. The colors and shadows were magnificent, changing around each turn in the trail as we made our way to the Verkamp's Visitor Center. You know I had to put the stamp on the passport book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the Visitor Center we headed back east along the rim trail past the Hopi House and El Tovar Hotel and down to Bright Angel Lodge for what we thought was going to be a quick lunch. The long lines made it a 45 minute wait but it was the fastest option. Note to self: Pack sandwiches and lots of water for a future trip, the lines are crazy and crowded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once fueled we continued to the end of the Rim Trail at Kolb Studio and walked to the first stop on the Hermit Road Loop which is called Trailview Overlook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The overlook is on a promontory out into the canyon so once you are out on the point you can look back at the Rim Trail down into the canyon at the folks hiking the Bright Angel Trail and a glimpse of the Colorado River at the end of that trail. We were also lucky enough to spot a mountain goat jumping on the rocks across from us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are Buses that run all along this route and beyond but we decided to spend our time looking at the canyon rather that queing for the bus. On a return visit we will plan to stay at the lodge and do further exploring but this time we had the dog to consider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With an hour left we headed back toward the train station. Fred wanted to walk part of the Bright Angel Trail and I was interested in the Hopi House exhibits. We split up at met later as the train backed in to pick us up. Christina had snacks and beverages waiting for us and we were happen to get to our seats. The ride home was eventful. we saw antelope, mule deer, traveling musicians and the train was boarded by bandits who overcame the Marshall. The sun was setting as we pulled into the Williams station.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our ride was waiting and we got home to find a happy Rascal, who had been walked and fed in our absence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you only have a day to see the Grand Canyon the Grand Canyon Railway is a great experience. The town of Williams on old Route 66 is fun to experience. There are a number of restaurants to choose from, Brewed Awakenings Coffee Co, and the Historic Barrel + Brew Bottlehouse to enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't try it but folks we met on the train raved about Rod's Steak House.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grand Canyon Railway</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">235 N Grand Canyon Blvd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Williams, AZ</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-79934321423360077332018-04-21T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-21T04:00:15.559-07:00Las Vegas: A Walk on the Wild Side Part 3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEbAH1GnwSrO6Z5MP0ld_pWe9Il7l1VDkYtgLglSn_1RdeEMA1Lc8Pn2KxVnc7qIBwC6fDddrlKfQU4uI7S0TFo4paPl9R_2PLXBBh1GvwRdea5v-XV4mkUMBKaK_-yBO1YKjWD9awho/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEbAH1GnwSrO6Z5MP0ld_pWe9Il7l1VDkYtgLglSn_1RdeEMA1Lc8Pn2KxVnc7qIBwC6fDddrlKfQU4uI7S0TFo4paPl9R_2PLXBBh1GvwRdea5v-XV4mkUMBKaK_-yBO1YKjWD9awho/s640/DSC_0039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fifty-five miles northeast of Las Vegas is one of Nevada's most impressive state parks, Valley of Fire. The parks 42,000 acres were formed by the action of wind and shifting sand millions of years ago. Time and erosion carved surreal shapes and formations out of the brilliantly colored sandstone and limestone, creating the amazing environment that we enjoy today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Valley of Fire is very accessible. 18 miles of paved road transect it and give you a view of the amazing rock formations. There are a few miles of dirt road near the campgrounds that will also accommodate vehicles unless you are driving a car very low clearance.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwa1xcRmAFy8JYnKtjJr34BirFVUqPxRJk2UExI2aa2BcGtQtGUrKySt_ViZ7hZl90NM43exAsmaOrxkikyEnwHW-4wy46s-21npnWY4sh6Ogn-qmEi7v7UUVZ2lNy9YP480onf32DG0/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwa1xcRmAFy8JYnKtjJr34BirFVUqPxRJk2UExI2aa2BcGtQtGUrKySt_ViZ7hZl90NM43exAsmaOrxkikyEnwHW-4wy46s-21npnWY4sh6Ogn-qmEi7v7UUVZ2lNy9YP480onf32DG0/s640/DSC_0009.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beehives</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those wanting to get a closer look there are 4 1/2 miles of developed trails. We began our tour at the west entrance where a $10 entrance fee gave us all day access. We drove Valley of Fire road to the first pull-out at the Beehives. These unusual sandstone formations have been eroded into the domed shape of a beehave. Many of them have tunnels big enough to crawl through and little window holes to peer inside. There were a lot of families with school age children enjoying the rocky playground of rocks.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petrified wood</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little further along Valley of Fire Road there are some petrified logs to walk around before arriving at the East (Lake Mead) Entrance where you can park and climb the hill to get a closer look at Elephant Rock.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone cabins built by the CCC to shelter hikers.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We turned around and stopped at Seven Sisters picnic area for lunch before returning to Visitor Center Road where the most spectacular formations in the park are located. Across the road from Seven Sisters are 3 historic stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid 1930's as shelter for hikers traveling the Arrowhead Trail. The cabins are in a beautiful setting and remain in very good condition.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKQDvgOKXxLMSdp_ELcKOiySHrz5e7s9_N-JlCAMsJyRIurvTfbZ31U4V1-bhjT7xOxdK0R5NMSkwjPTOuHbrf-gJJHqQBUcKIC7sZd3MCHJPYP-SM5OwO98viG5dj0BtjmlRn4CxKWY/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKQDvgOKXxLMSdp_ELcKOiySHrz5e7s9_N-JlCAMsJyRIurvTfbZ31U4V1-bhjT7xOxdK0R5NMSkwjPTOuHbrf-gJJHqQBUcKIC7sZd3MCHJPYP-SM5OwO98viG5dj0BtjmlRn4CxKWY/s640/DSC_0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petroglyphs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at Mouse's Tank to hike the petroglyph canyon. Valley of Fire is dog friendly so Rascal was able to walk with us. He seemed to enjoy the soft sand after struggling with volcanic rubble and cactus thorns all winter. The canyon trail is only 1 1/2 miles round trip. It has dozens of petroglyphs on the steep walls of the canyon. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22bVYHVy2EGZBwhSb9jLdIzuLGTEzkFDhJAcqgJCtQE1sv-Ng-ln_b5mu9BNKAWNdsbKWj66uBwmHDt0np-ZzWbhCF1nEH8Q3trJZmdTIifyHtPyfirjOdM8MP0fIiBvjnLexyaVQvbc/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22bVYHVy2EGZBwhSb9jLdIzuLGTEzkFDhJAcqgJCtQE1sv-Ng-ln_b5mu9BNKAWNdsbKWj66uBwmHDt0np-ZzWbhCF1nEH8Q3trJZmdTIifyHtPyfirjOdM8MP0fIiBvjnLexyaVQvbc/s640/DSC_0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun over the steep wall of Petroglyph Canyon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a good time spotting them and trying to figure out what they meant to the person that chipped them into the desert varnish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Are they art or graffiti?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do they have spiritual significance or are they the bored winter doodles of someone that would rather be hunting?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do they tell a story?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Document history?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Were they meant to leave a message?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the end it doesn't matter. We love them for their antiquity, a visual link through time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u_7mlCcXhmUcnVttvDDzQiVQI_T9BVRs5CrH-sc0oZU78-GgTUkjnNO0nsaohKqIUXHLdrXVogrLCCqeKacLjHft7bFAv3klH4N8Ukg9PCSnFiWUHFIuYDrVntX3SluoFVz-GxDzbCc/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u_7mlCcXhmUcnVttvDDzQiVQI_T9BVRs5CrH-sc0oZU78-GgTUkjnNO0nsaohKqIUXHLdrXVogrLCCqeKacLjHft7bFAv3klH4N8Ukg9PCSnFiWUHFIuYDrVntX3SluoFVz-GxDzbCc/s640/DSC_0074.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fire Canyon, Fire Wave and the White Domes are further along Visitor Center Rd. The colors, the soft rock edges carved by wind and sand, the play of light and shadow all seem familiar somehow. Familiar and other worldly at the same time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6e29oROW5FvwTAXyrYt1RipIXHhU1tScigWM7rfvHTk77xzqu1AdRFEsyH-zSab5pq62mQKq7_n5DhF1H6I70C1gmDwRpSXGx3TlD7K9b7CyFiXbma6U6fpY7AT-mFLlkBV7vBMA5JM/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6e29oROW5FvwTAXyrYt1RipIXHhU1tScigWM7rfvHTk77xzqu1AdRFEsyH-zSab5pq62mQKq7_n5DhF1H6I70C1gmDwRpSXGx3TlD7K9b7CyFiXbma6U6fpY7AT-mFLlkBV7vBMA5JM/s640/DSC_0063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this rock formation look like the Starship Enterprise?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many movies have been shot on location in the Valley of Fire. Transformers, Con Air, the Martian scenes of Total Recall, Captain Kirk's death scene from Star Trek Generations were all filmed in the park as late afternoon sun made the rocks glow red.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUM7tmCkGH09tNRMInafNV9aRKHSJI-SkZTuHjhAWHy0Wjc9uyRX-vKLSguL2G0709MU_dtruTp5-_GMkKtdYIl99mfQxBk19oUAVC-obI9j-OPnkL_bw14a0CJ1wRZwwuzl-3fL5MN0/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUM7tmCkGH09tNRMInafNV9aRKHSJI-SkZTuHjhAWHy0Wjc9uyRX-vKLSguL2G0709MU_dtruTp5-_GMkKtdYIl99mfQxBk19oUAVC-obI9j-OPnkL_bw14a0CJ1wRZwwuzl-3fL5MN0/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed our visit, the drive and the short hikes but were disappointed not to have spotted any wildlife. Then right at the side of the road were a herd of Bighorn Sheep feeding on the burrobush and brittlebrush.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6Q7Svi3js7JCwJwLZsCmVe9c9dsuj9GYRUtM3g9aCft1345h6dEuf2WwIn8rIfif669XiwlDj68Y7Omi7RryNAsi6lvePgsvdZdqZrINEv6oQrrZry2EfeCRULWr_nle2iuL2yCKjaE/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6Q7Svi3js7JCwJwLZsCmVe9c9dsuj9GYRUtM3g9aCft1345h6dEuf2WwIn8rIfif669XiwlDj68Y7Omi7RryNAsi6lvePgsvdZdqZrINEv6oQrrZry2EfeCRULWr_nle2iuL2yCKjaE/s640/DSC_0128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sheep were as curious about us as we were about them.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We plan to return and plan to spend a few days in the RV campground so that we can enjoy more of the park.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Valley of Fire State Park</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">29450 Valley of Fire Rd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Overton, Nevada</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-16898648208927976542018-04-17T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-17T04:00:22.341-07:00Las Vegas: A Walk on the Wild Side Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaBaFAjdu_crsa_23bqVRBOkwKK0eb155DdN1SaBpZMHv9RQrfDZAy1tQ-YwzYMO6HsqATMZNoFttxjLOZE53EF5IOxcRLs-LpsAVrbRwVAaAS3-0H7d6MO7pfGOXOihtDLfUzYhVMGk/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaBaFAjdu_crsa_23bqVRBOkwKK0eb155DdN1SaBpZMHv9RQrfDZAy1tQ-YwzYMO6HsqATMZNoFttxjLOZE53EF5IOxcRLs-LpsAVrbRwVAaAS3-0H7d6MO7pfGOXOihtDLfUzYhVMGk/s640/DSC_0106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't drive enough our first day at Nellis so the second day we decided to accept the challenge of the Extraterrestrial Highway which is Nevada Route 375. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The remote winding road through high desert country is as close as one can get to the mysterious Area 51. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOCm0-6S07EiF50YQqXtbag7XHRCVlgA0mW2XbmNEZ_MK-B6aSJ0y7ByiSDUXMH-Sfjo42tSO-PH3papNSZijvq-VJ0oMys14u2Oezy7KQBRQ4oEyxPGvWNAm-VGY5rBer0JLvKu73Ps/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOCm0-6S07EiF50YQqXtbag7XHRCVlgA0mW2XbmNEZ_MK-B6aSJ0y7ByiSDUXMH-Sfjo42tSO-PH3papNSZijvq-VJ0oMys14u2Oezy7KQBRQ4oEyxPGvWNAm-VGY5rBer0JLvKu73Ps/s640/DSC_0108.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alien Research Center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at the ET Highway sign for a quick photo and then drove a few miles to the Alien Research Center Gift Shop. We thought the center was closed because the doors were locked but Fred knocked repeatedly (he wanted in) and someone let us in. Somehow the door had locked by itself! Or did it........</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqgMFhGkv9vgy2fHfY2LVLIBkct5cVGrF56mCSJMtoHLdJFIkHhBMi7s5kHJ5XXp3HpYSe00STLn-tTKolioJKKBI-ric2vKqstDIIKgQV5UIVWZs3Jfm1Nebgj0_0gB2D71aij5wbS0/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqgMFhGkv9vgy2fHfY2LVLIBkct5cVGrF56mCSJMtoHLdJFIkHhBMi7s5kHJ5XXp3HpYSe00STLn-tTKolioJKKBI-ric2vKqstDIIKgQV5UIVWZs3Jfm1Nebgj0_0gB2D71aij5wbS0/s640/DSC_0110.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred was determined to get in.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gift shop was fun and quirky. The best part was the giant alien statue crafted of sheet metal. It looked amazing in this isolated environment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are a few points of interest along the road. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GIMtVW2K3tZhMxaoGISx8DL7OW3p8da9cjYkA5gxVvbL3kZ8K3CIJZV2khlahV0JJfRK2UjNFEC5u2fu2g_fn_Eq_bO0lPqjLOQPrDzwBTP1iMF9zy5gTDfjXnkbo1ydzVvBQTtwDeg/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GIMtVW2K3tZhMxaoGISx8DL7OW3p8da9cjYkA5gxVvbL3kZ8K3CIJZV2khlahV0JJfRK2UjNFEC5u2fu2g_fn_Eq_bO0lPqjLOQPrDzwBTP1iMF9zy5gTDfjXnkbo1ydzVvBQTtwDeg/s640/DSC_0122.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The black mailbox in the middle of nowhere.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are not many landmarks on this deserted stretch of highway. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The "Black Mailbox" in the middle of nowhere has served as a meeting place for UFO hunters for many years. The mailbox has been replaced many times due to theft and other vandalism. Nearby rocks are graffiti covered and the sign for Mailbox Rd is covered in travel stickers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our destination was the little town of Rachel, Nevada and the Little A'le'Inn diner. The cafe is a funky place that embraces alien culture. The parking lot features a very tall self parking sign for visiting UFO's.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoEhf20FnrlBi_MxbBjsyF9O-mzOzXSZUaMc07YzDV5pW1fhrqd0e5Nzedjgpa9JmRdlIvxfDuDopouBpIm5dt6sI_6HBgN6SnTnkZzZbtByqR0pdyYmieTqZw1hUFKCUmhZPrl2hi6w/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoEhf20FnrlBi_MxbBjsyF9O-mzOzXSZUaMc07YzDV5pW1fhrqd0e5Nzedjgpa9JmRdlIvxfDuDopouBpIm5dt6sI_6HBgN6SnTnkZzZbtByqR0pdyYmieTqZw1hUFKCUmhZPrl2hi6w/s640/DSC_0125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were warmly welcomed with a "where have you been all day? We've been waiting for you" from Betty who seated us and took our order with a smile. We wandered around the restaurant while waiting for our alien burgers to arrive. The walls are covered with photos of close encounters and UFO sightings mailed to the Little A'le'Inn from all over the world. We enjoyed our burgers, gathered up a few souvenirs and left our autographed dollar on the ceiling for ET to find. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was one more stop on our way back to base. The staff at Little A'le'Inn gave us directions to the Area 51 Boundary on Groom Lake Rd. The dirt road is not marked. Our directions included a mound of dirt with a water tank and a corral but we found it. There are a few clues that you are getting close. A stop sign with warning not to proceed, a grey truck on a nearby hilltop and a surveillance cameras warned us that we had gone as far as was safe for us to travel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We headed back to Nellis with smiles on our faces even though our only close encounter was with a warning sign.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Little A'le'Inn</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9631 Old Mill Rd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Alamo, NV</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-21246131955471843982018-04-14T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-14T04:00:11.999-07:00Las Vegas: A Walk on the Wild Side Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who goes to Las Vegas and never even sees a casino? It wasn't our plan but that's what happened when we realized how close we were to some of the countries most naturally beautiful places and weird wonders.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fred and I stayed for a week at Nellis Air Force Base. We usually enjoy our military FamCamps and Nellis has a nice one. We enjoyed watching the Thunderbirds practice early in the week and hearing Taps on a Friday evening is always such a calming experience. I must admit that I don't enjoy Reveille as much.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had quite a list of things to do that included some major Las Vegas attractions, then we realized how close we were to Grand Canyon West and that their new zip line was operational. We mapped it out and found that the drive was doable as a day trip at 125 miles one way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are only service animals allowed at the Grand Canyon so we found a doggie day care for Rascal. If anyone is looking for day boarding in Las Vegas we had a great experience with the Petsmart Dog Day Camp on North Rainbow Blvd. They are open from 7am-9pm giving us plenty of time for our adventure.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxWCIrN-eatSzJV50BHqUYjknu_jGMsx7UAmD2QvAW6Lk3BbnPqTPVMaY93xJxShqgDPd_RnNkNbhCD0KUBZL9SRcRH7P9Vo1etMe-ij4ySJ1j-t-kWt6ZOkgjy6W6LTgHCL_CVbdwKM/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxWCIrN-eatSzJV50BHqUYjknu_jGMsx7UAmD2QvAW6Lk3BbnPqTPVMaY93xJxShqgDPd_RnNkNbhCD0KUBZL9SRcRH7P9Vo1etMe-ij4ySJ1j-t-kWt6ZOkgjy6W6LTgHCL_CVbdwKM/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred on the Zipline.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Vegas traffic is snarly, especially in the morning. There was a lot of road construction that added to the mess but once out of the city we had a smooth ride. We drove through Boulder City on the Way and got some great views of Lake Meade before driving across the Hoover Dam. I was disappointed to realize that you can't see the Dam from the road but not so much that I wanted to delay our arrival at the Grand Canyon by stopping. There is a large Joshua Tree forest to drive through, a few miles of open range (with cattle pretty close to the road) and The Hualapai Reservation. Grand Canyon West is privately owned and operated by the Hualapai people.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGDcwYF0HH3hcYvyUkZt08r3aHyeXtTXhjtKawtDqy3cybcoZJZU_bn_aV5wNN_BG3jab2UNmSFRwVwyug1PNCebp0LWCtySaTAkFtLig0DPdX1VcyDXwuDf9lRxg-cvXpWtCDWwKC8M/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGDcwYF0HH3hcYvyUkZt08r3aHyeXtTXhjtKawtDqy3cybcoZJZU_bn_aV5wNN_BG3jab2UNmSFRwVwyug1PNCebp0LWCtySaTAkFtLig0DPdX1VcyDXwuDf9lRxg-cvXpWtCDWwKC8M/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Hualapai Ranch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at the visitor center and where a gracious information desk host helped us decide which tours we wanted to participate in. There are many to choose from including air tours by small plane or helicopter, and water tours of the Colorado by raft, pontoon or river boat. Fred was there for the Zip Line and we both wanted to enjoy the Skywalk.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Once through ticketing we boarded a shuttle for Hualapai Ranch. The ranch is set up like a small western town with wood framed buildings and wooden sidewalks. There are gift shops and restaurants and a wonderful Coffee Shop that serves ice cream. There are cabins overlooking the canyon for overnight guests. Some folks were practicing their bull riding and cattle roping skills while others prepared for a horse back ride. Hualapai Ranch is where the Zipline Center is located. Fred got ready for his instructions while I wandered the wild west drinking coffee. I was able to get a distant photo of him swinging out over the canyon. We didn't plan very well. I should have had him wear a bright orange shirt so he was easier to pick out.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR08jdoVxlU3vsghZYanWbHrvKjLPF-yiMPmFPVK6zUTIOEQ2dcXEAWlC8UrbVvR4-NeC-DOjHeMFmrfK2mNsQQ0cwRzepHgNPW3glJBIn_K0fuWelgj2HdHYzFy748K7zE5Io43Rvji8/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR08jdoVxlU3vsghZYanWbHrvKjLPF-yiMPmFPVK6zUTIOEQ2dcXEAWlC8UrbVvR4-NeC-DOjHeMFmrfK2mNsQQ0cwRzepHgNPW3glJBIn_K0fuWelgj2HdHYzFy748K7zE5Io43Rvji8/s640/DSC_0097.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred at Eagle Point </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once he returned we got back on the shuttle for Eagle Point and our first good look at the canyon. It was breathtaking standing so close to the edge. The stop is named Eagle Point for a rock formation on the opposite side of the canyon. It looks like an eagle with its wings spread, soaring straight up to the sky. Eagle Point is the location of the Skywalk. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeOUKnmZ21q09o92LP1_EFRSKwzfpozkwseCW2EYRd7cRh5YwmPv83pnZm536RZwMc8Qsn0ZDJ03Uu-I5d9rL8v0qZiM9R2syRFstuYclmjMMcy3byQqruK93RzzlYQEvVT-4lCH1lEo/s1600/4T5A2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeOUKnmZ21q09o92LP1_EFRSKwzfpozkwseCW2EYRd7cRh5YwmPv83pnZm536RZwMc8Qsn0ZDJ03Uu-I5d9rL8v0qZiM9R2syRFstuYclmjMMcy3byQqruK93RzzlYQEvVT-4lCH1lEo/s640/4T5A2265.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views to the bottom of the canyon were fantastic.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I never thought that I would find myself standing on a glass platform 4000 feet above the floor of the Grand Canyon but we did it! It helps that there are strong railings and photographer/tour guides that help to explain the vast distances. I'm not saying that vertigo didn't occur but it was an exhilarating experience and one that I wouldn't have missed. It was absolutely thrilling to be able to look down into the canyon and to try and feel the enormity of the space.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We thought that after the exhilaration of the zip line and the joy of the skywalk stop 3 called Guano Point would be a let down. We couldn't have been more wrong.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEME2DfzbGVDtLNJnpn1mQntX8ZXqLdnq1o9FZrDCkTanmEAbDPaFSW1TN9VBvi4YA5Ok2Ziq0xJXahNWlXrfdu7LG_HaTwoocYuCFApn9EgTQjrBbG7hOiRBZzI12qhSfXTK9q9ODpnc/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEME2DfzbGVDtLNJnpn1mQntX8ZXqLdnq1o9FZrDCkTanmEAbDPaFSW1TN9VBvi4YA5Ok2Ziq0xJXahNWlXrfdu7LG_HaTwoocYuCFApn9EgTQjrBbG7hOiRBZzI12qhSfXTK9q9ODpnc/s640/DSC_0114.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guano Point</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There used to be a bat cave across the canyon. During the 1950's the guano in the cave was mined for fertilizer. The project was short lived due to the expense of running the operation. You can still see the remnants of the tram that was used to transport miners and guano across the canyon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guano Point has a trail that allows you to climb to the Highpoint for 360 degree views of the canyon and surrounding landscape. This is the most picturesque place at Grand Canyon West and we are glad that we took the time to stop there. When you visit wait to eat lunch at Guano Point the food choices are great and the outdoor dining area has wonderful views of the canyon. Hualapai vendors offer handcrafted native American jewelry and crafts at this stop as well.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ravens at Guano Point were huge<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grand Canyon West</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5001 Diamond Bar Rd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Peach Springs, AZ</span><br />
<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-64686826950474299442018-04-10T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-10T04:00:18.841-07:00Death Valley National Park<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road through the Mohave Desert</td></tr>
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The road took us north out of Twentynine Palms and soon we were driving Kelbaker Road through the Mojave National Preserve on our way to Death Valley. The preserve is an enormous 1.6 million acres, about half of which is designated wilderness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinder Cone in the Mojave Preserve.</td></tr>
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There are Cinder cones in the lava fields along both sides of the road and we had our first sighting of the large sand dunes that are part of the dramatic landscape of the Mojave.<br />
The Kelso Depot was a good halfway point to stop for lunch and to stretch our legs. Rascal looks forward to these breaks as much as we do. The depot is where the old Salt Lake Line of the Union Pacific Railroad had a stop. The depot building is home to the Mojave Preserve Visitor Center.<br />
There is a lot history in this small stop in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The depot and clubhouse building was built in the 1920's with adobe walls, red roofs and high ceilings in Spanish Mission style. The lavish architecture was intended to attract passengers who liked traveling the Santa Fe Railroad known for its tourist friendly Harvey Houses.<br />
This was a busy place during WWII years. Three shifts worked round the clock freighting iron ore from the Vulcan Mine located just south of Kelso to the steel mill in Fontana California.<br />
General George S. Patton's troops travelled through the station on their way to Desert Training prior to deployment in North Africa. The Mojave was the closest environment to the conditions they would endure in combat.<br />
At wars end the mine closed and diesel engines required few workers to maintain them. The railroad town of nearly 2000 became a ghost town. The depot and old Post Office buildings were preserved through local efforts before becoming part of the National park system.<br />
We found ourselves driving part of old Route 66 as we passed Baker and continued our journey.<br />
There were no vacancies at the campgrounds in Death Valley National Park so we had made plans to stay a short distance away in Amargosa Valley Nevada.<br />
The RV park was interesting, located right across the street from the Area 51 Alien Center which is a combination diner, Gift Shop and Bordello. The camp host also worked at the diner and encouraged us to try the breakfast menu. The omelets were as good as he promised.<br />
Death Valley National Park has been on our list of must see places since we started this journey 3 years ago. I don't know whether it is from growing up watching 20 Mule Team Borax commercials during episodes of Death Valley Days or a desire to see desert sand dunes but we were happy to have arrived.<br />
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We spent 3 days touring the park.<br />
The first day we decided to explore the southern corner of Death Valley National Park. This is a huge site covering 5262 square miles on the border of California ans Nevada, 91% of which is designated wilderness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Badlands of Death Valley from Zabriskie Point</td></tr>
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We drove in from the Nevada side via rte 190 and made our first stop at Zabriskie Point. This is one of the most popular viewpoints in the park. It overlooks a spectacular area of badlands in golden colors that draw you into the landscape. The overlook is at an elevation of 950 feet. By the time we got to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center we were at 190 feet below sea level.<br />
I was disappointed to learn at the Visitor Center that the wilderness areas were off limits to us, even with the Jeep. Minimum recommendations for visiting remote backcountry areas are 10 ply tires with 2 mounted spares. The sharp volcanic rock surface of Death Valley is deadly to the sidewalls of tires and the service fee for a tow or rescue is $2000. We sadly decided to leave seeing the magical moving rocks of the Racetrack for another visit.<br />
We consoled ourselves with a picnic lunch and headed for Badwater Basin, the lowest place in North America at 282 feet below sea level.<br />
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Badwater Basin is an incredible sight. I walked a mile out to the end of the salt flat trail and it seemed to go on forever beyond me and I didn't feel any closer to the mountains that ring the valley.<br />
We felt tremendous respect for those early explorers that survived this desolate place. I can't imagine trying to navigate over the sharp volcanic rock on foot or horseback. The sharp irregular lava stone is too big to provide stable footing but is not large enough to use as stepping stones. Walking on it in worn leather shoes and moccasins must have been like wading in broken glass. By the way that glass would have been covered in a crust of salt making the inevitable injuries even more painful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rough lava rocks of the salt flats.</td></tr>
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Fred and Rascal met up with some climbers while I walked the salt flat (dogs aren't allowed on the trails). The young couple were very enthusiastic about their planned climb and were searching for the remains of a plane that had crashed many years ago. We wished them luck and headed back out toward Artist's Drive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A distant view of the salt flat</td></tr>
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The 9 mile scenic loop was named after the pooled colors on an artists palette. The one way road is narrow and winds between rock cliffs that hand out into the road in places. There was a new view of mineral stained rock around every turn. We stopped at a pull-out and climbed a hill to enjoy the colors of the rock on one side of the road and the vast salt flat on the other.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Palette</td></tr>
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There was one more road on our agenda for the the day, 20 Mule Team Canyon. The canyon's dirt road is only 2.7 miles long but is very steep and gives you an idea of why it took 40 mules to pull a wagon load out of the valley to the train station.<br />
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Day 2 found us heading to the Nevada portion of the National Park.<br />
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is designated a Wetland of International Importance. It is a desert oasis with 7 natural springs and numerous seeps. This unique environment is home to several threatened and endangered species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Spring</td></tr>
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We enjoyed a walk through the visitor center and a guided tour on the Crystal Spring boardwalk trail where the volunteer guide pointed out several species of birds and native fish. We were lucky to see some of the brilliant blue Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish in one of the refuges springs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny sliver of Devil's Hole visible through the mesh.</td></tr>
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The deep cavern of Devils Hole is the only known home of the Devil's Hole pupfish. Devil's Hole, surrounded and protected by the wildlife refuge, is part of Death Valley National Park. We drove a little deeper into the refuge and climbed a rocky trail to access it. The spring is very deep, divers have not found the bottom. A small rock shelf near the surface of the spring is where the entire population of the Devil's Hole Pupfish lives. These little fish were made famous in 1976 when the Supreme Court ruled that groundwater diversion be limited enough to protect their rock shelf. The water was being extensively redirected to a local farm in an attempt to grow corn commercially in the desert environment.<br />
The rock shelf of Devil's Hole only gets direct sunlight for a couple of hours a day. Our timing was right but even with binoculars we weren't able to spot any of the elusive swimmers.<br />
We completed our tour with a short hike on the Point of Rocks Boardwalk. I love how the boardwalks at Ash Meadows let you the fragile ecosystem with minimal impact to the environment. We were able to see another spring and also get close to the rocks where there are caves to explore and desert bighorn sheep to spot in the peaks.<br />
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With one more day to enjoy the park, and restricted from wilderness areas we decided to start our tour with a visit to Rhyolite Ghost Town near Beatty Nevada. Quartz with gold inclusions was discovered in the these hills in 1904. It didn't take long for miners to arrive and for camps to be established. By 1906 the town of Rhyolite was thriving. The downtown included a school, a 3 story bank, a stock exchange, a hotel and a number of retail establishments. The Opera House held weekly musical events and shows. Baseball, Tennis and Basketball were played. There were dances and parties and even a symphony all paid for in gold from the 2000 mining claims in the nearby hills.<br />
The bank Panic of 1907 had a big impact on Rhyolite. Mines started to close, the banks failed and newspapers went out of business. People dwindled away. The largest mining operation and only employer left in town, the Montgomery Shoshone Mine closed in 1911 and by 1916 Rhyolite was completely abandoned.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhyolite Ghost Town</td></tr>
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The foundations and walls of some of those buildings remain. A once grand Hotel at the top of the main street is mostly intact. Beyond the ruins you can still see boarded over mines in the hills.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boarded over gold mine.</td></tr>
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It's an interesting place. We found ourselves trying to imagine it as part of a bustling old west story but all I could think of was No Name City from Paint Your Wagon and how it all fell apart.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall of the Bottle House</td></tr>
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There are some interesting bottle houses in Rhyolite. Tom Kelly and enterprising man and former miner wanted to build a home in Rhyolite. Wood was scarce but the town was home to 50 saloons and the saloons all had an excess of bottles. In 1906 Mr Kelly collected 50,000 of them and used them as building material. He stacked the bottles, mortaring them together to create enough space for 3 rooms. There are a few broken bottles but the house made of glass is the most well preserved home in Rhyolite.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Dunes</td></tr>
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We drove back into the California side of Death Valley to walk the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These rolling drifting sand dunes are what I always pictured the desert would look like. MIles of soft hot sand with shapes that change from day to day. They were as impressive as we had hoped and look amazing with the Panamint Mountain range behind them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred and the borax wagon</td></tr>
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Our last stop of the day was Harmony Borax Works. The plant was in operation for about 5 years in the late 1800's, processing up to 3 tons of borax a day. There is a display at the borax works of one of the double wagons that would have been pulled to the train station in Mohave by mules. You can still see clumps of Cottonball Borate ore in the flats near the plant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild burro on the road home.</td></tr>
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Fred and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Death Valley. It has been high on our list of unusual places to see and it lived up to our expectations.<br />
When you visit be aware that Scotty's Castle is closed due to flash flood damage and is not anticipated to be open this year. The road to Dante's View is under construction and will not be open until the end of May this year.<br />
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<br />
Death Valley National Park<br />
328 Greenland Blvd<br />
Death Valley, CA<br />
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Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge<br />
610 E Spring Meadows Rd<br />
Amargosa Valley, NV<br />
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Rhyolite Ghost Town<br />
Beatty, NV<br />
<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-88103328087627121462018-04-03T04:00:00.000-07:002018-04-03T04:00:10.591-07:00Joshua Tree National Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Jy2v0WquV9IrN6lwmhEzqBtKMHDfZ1WYCkUI5xWKU5xochlR5R4venc2GY7W1oAJ7s4YZZdPTN0UHMuRWkGr0FV3CwwqAj8ArFs1NWZonrr844lBRUdOvj3r5PJifTyXSEDJVSu3PM/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Jy2v0WquV9IrN6lwmhEzqBtKMHDfZ1WYCkUI5xWKU5xochlR5R4venc2GY7W1oAJ7s4YZZdPTN0UHMuRWkGr0FV3CwwqAj8ArFs1NWZonrr844lBRUdOvj3r5PJifTyXSEDJVSu3PM/s640/IMG_7867.JPG" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another State on the Map.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We pulled out of the Boondocking Rally Site on Monday morning and turned the Behemoth west. Time to put another state on the map. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed the drive through western Arizona and eastern California watching as the desert landscape changed from volcanic rubble to yellow sand dunes. The Saguaro's disappeared and we started to see more yuccas, California fan palms and the occasional Joshua Tree. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had an interesting encounter along the way. These roads are sparsely traveled and don't have rest stops or service areas. We came to an intersection of 2 roads with a clearing big enough to park in and took the opportunity to stop for lunch. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDeShh-1x1XNLixpe2puE5sw2DsvojsMzkEAUXQSth4_Zw9rClk4f0GcniVRFvlLrqm8FhyphenhyphenKOFERlM78rOaucacmjD7z2giJwwXmTPAVM7T8lja3DZZiuyaIgIzZAQ-_0P12cb76rKpc/s1600/IMG_7871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDeShh-1x1XNLixpe2puE5sw2DsvojsMzkEAUXQSth4_Zw9rClk4f0GcniVRFvlLrqm8FhyphenhyphenKOFERlM78rOaucacmjD7z2giJwwXmTPAVM7T8lja3DZZiuyaIgIzZAQ-_0P12cb76rKpc/s640/IMG_7871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The behemoth met her sister at a roadside pull off in the California desert.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we pulled into this unofficial rest stop Fred pulled right up beside a Tiffin Phaeton that looked just like the Behemoth. The couple that owned it were from Yucca Valley, California close to our destination. They are part time RVers on vacation, starting a trip to Arizona. We enjoyed talking to them and all took photos of the "sister" coaches side by side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left the Sonoran Desert behind passed through the Colorado Desert and ended up in the Mojave at Twentynine Palms RV Resort. We planned this stay to experience the Joshua Tree National Park and were happy to see the changing landscape.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oasis Visitor Center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The National Park has 3 Visitor Centers. The closest to our park in Twentynine Palms is the Oasis Center. It is used less than the entrance in Joshua Tree and we were advised that there would be less wait time. This Center sits on the edge of the town of Twentynine Palms and marks the place of the Oasis of Mara. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Scc5xQJ_1XvpQHL6Pe_h3_cD7Smy0J8qPP9Y7-ALnMVuiVqkJR6fKkIZ_y_WZJLl7ewEhp1TDUdYyPnaZM336MvQ1PfUA1VtMu7SJL2oGuuKJ_7ZJbPfIDrWOWDslomIy_8REODNgY/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Scc5xQJ_1XvpQHL6Pe_h3_cD7Smy0J8qPP9Y7-ALnMVuiVqkJR6fKkIZ_y_WZJLl7ewEhp1TDUdYyPnaZM336MvQ1PfUA1VtMu7SJL2oGuuKJ_7ZJbPfIDrWOWDslomIy_8REODNgY/s640/DSC_0153.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spring at Oasis of Mara</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Oasis was settled centuries ago by the Serrano people who farmed the area surrounding the life giving water and planted the original 29 fan palms in celebration of the 29 boy children born in their first year in the settlement.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a short nature trail through and around the oasis that is enhanced by plantings of Deergrass, Burro bush, Creosote bush, Mesquite and Barrel and Cholla cactus.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed listening to the Cactus Wrens as we walked the trail. Gambel's Quail, Hummingbirds, Roadrunners and Chuckwallas were all enjoying the lush environment.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Oasis Trail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was sad to learn that two weeks after our visit the oasis garden was destroyed by an arson fire.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD1qndoh-__3ILuq2inqUPf6V-HqdU4IZrew4ZiSD6QAR_GpDW_U7wTXU8-nMJUF09HGvKVLS-gOe693dNM2ZAM2quWab-S8G9P0BZwxS7SCA6hm-k_WBVwj-XnDiiUeVnW7h2h06xh8/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD1qndoh-__3ILuq2inqUPf6V-HqdU4IZrew4ZiSD6QAR_GpDW_U7wTXU8-nMJUF09HGvKVLS-gOe693dNM2ZAM2quWab-S8G9P0BZwxS7SCA6hm-k_WBVwj-XnDiiUeVnW7h2h06xh8/s640/DSC_0196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joshua Trees are odd looking other worldly botanical specimens.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rangers told us where to find the most extensive groupings of Joshua Trees in the park and we set out in the Jeep to see some of them up close. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Trees are actually a large form of yucca. They grow tall and have twisted arms with spiky green growths on the ends of them. The "bark" is pointy and uncomfortable to brush up against. The trees lean in many directions seeming to follow the direction of the wind and the weight of their branches. The tortured shapes are otherworldly. They would seem at home in a Dr Seuss book or on a remote planet in an episode of Star Trek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was pretty amazing to see so many of them in one place. They seem to thrive in this protected environment of huge rocks and sandy desert soil.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-7Cy0udERINlzYxRS0UHOnSQnQH-l6sQIygBB9s5X3aifl5FsuOOEpoY3llDbIncfU_oj0uDFVu2MWUWk2Vkp9lzSt0MO3y6MLeNBQLV6Squ-_gJQvafsR1COE_eWD2Ppb1qvVNSHUY/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-7Cy0udERINlzYxRS0UHOnSQnQH-l6sQIygBB9s5X3aifl5FsuOOEpoY3llDbIncfU_oj0uDFVu2MWUWk2Vkp9lzSt0MO3y6MLeNBQLV6Squ-_gJQvafsR1COE_eWD2Ppb1qvVNSHUY/s640/DSC_0187.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skull Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree National Park has some impressive rock formations. Our favorite was the aptly named skull rock, a popular stopping spot on road. It is reachable via a short trail and a bit of climbing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpfD99fDqXUvaQJ6BoQa53dEFjCDKuBM1Eahdsmi589TAGgmF3lMOw91Umt3ue6STa-LCh_moic-DJIvzBimlDrBqCCHRrSlYJiaOKjOwNHOSKZqBiRPvbpVSqaIQuQ4a5Ct488jh94k/s1600/IMG_7876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpfD99fDqXUvaQJ6BoQa53dEFjCDKuBM1Eahdsmi589TAGgmF3lMOw91Umt3ue6STa-LCh_moic-DJIvzBimlDrBqCCHRrSlYJiaOKjOwNHOSKZqBiRPvbpVSqaIQuQ4a5Ct488jh94k/s640/IMG_7876.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed the scenic drive through the park and ended our afternoon's explorations at the Joshua Tree Saloon. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5JqsU4saFgokzKO-oTLJdtILu_-VkPdahPBXgBmQc2npss0ZEuWJClCwndpAvW2J10MOlP4DjZF4x2T8-vPdMOa3aLP-hPTEpQYEmyN9k-AmeICA6q4fdiqzTOoQTBZcK9NBiyfri10/s1600/29176734_10211599286482041_2466572840187461632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5JqsU4saFgokzKO-oTLJdtILu_-VkPdahPBXgBmQc2npss0ZEuWJClCwndpAvW2J10MOlP4DjZF4x2T8-vPdMOa3aLP-hPTEpQYEmyN9k-AmeICA6q4fdiqzTOoQTBZcK9NBiyfri10/s640/29176734_10211599286482041_2466572840187461632_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We observed a long line of traffic waiting to get into the Park via the Joshua Tree entrance making us happy to have taken the drive from the opposite direction.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-koIHn2SaIh2IBMAEw4A-g5f9Od5pt5o8ifUNnv84eOraymtXgdeIp0M1VUzTnW3kUQ-v1AJl5k_emO7UNAhgnRDuzELr2GIxi1Weqs-Z8v8OMK4SAYfLspA4a3VksNn5k1LYr9Jo4zQ/s1600/IMG_7904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-koIHn2SaIh2IBMAEw4A-g5f9Od5pt5o8ifUNnv84eOraymtXgdeIp0M1VUzTnW3kUQ-v1AJl5k_emO7UNAhgnRDuzELr2GIxi1Weqs-Z8v8OMK4SAYfLspA4a3VksNn5k1LYr9Jo4zQ/s640/IMG_7904.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish we had been lucky enough to spot a desert tortoise.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree is a small artistic city with an active downtown that takes advantage of the tourist trade stimulated by the park. There is a a unique gift shop that has a shower house. Seven dollars for a 10 minute shower must sound like a great deal after rustic camping in the dusty desert of the National Park for a week. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy6c_6DnGQTaqO1jwoGqOeRKrGPVhdJafVc1wf4XD66tZk8McbttvmabXn_JSTZFkvL7wBuI1mzNDmVOLVlttfL6hRF3xUy6IIMfG8djvhMBokiwe2kJgX1bsiveK6Kgxq9ofVmTc9gM/s1600/IMG_7891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy6c_6DnGQTaqO1jwoGqOeRKrGPVhdJafVc1wf4XD66tZk8McbttvmabXn_JSTZFkvL7wBuI1mzNDmVOLVlttfL6hRF3xUy6IIMfG8djvhMBokiwe2kJgX1bsiveK6Kgxq9ofVmTc9gM/s640/IMG_7891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The World Famous Crochet Museum used to be a Foto-mat.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed coffee at the Joshua Tree Coffee Roasters and were amused to find a small building that had been converted into a Crochet Museum. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdSxlqRLE7qbQIwiqTkzJ2iqWwfWRalVLO9Ckwq-AuMyr6dPKkB0u3Akdvu4Eykb0bgGY-jWDsFrDU_hGeYoySgVrZQVS9yJbYZiGfvX6ZwFWwCTCBOfAJBYdzLnfTSCln8LydswHAtY/s1600/IMG_7900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdSxlqRLE7qbQIwiqTkzJ2iqWwfWRalVLO9Ckwq-AuMyr6dPKkB0u3Akdvu4Eykb0bgGY-jWDsFrDU_hGeYoySgVrZQVS9yJbYZiGfvX6ZwFWwCTCBOfAJBYdzLnfTSCln8LydswHAtY/s640/IMG_7900.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reclaimed glass window at the Joshua Tree Coffee Co.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their are murals to enjoy, fences adorned by iron work and glass bottles, and beautiful stained glass windows. I appreciated all of the recycling and reuse of materials in the original design elements.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwksuMJPqX-hCraxzOFd4xZcyNvFXaLfVid970FgTTYtMhzK3BnWWCZI891nKczkyvFF7X5kwji7LEGopf245R19tZn3Bp10H-J6gvV2o4hazK9xBCEZHmBUse6a1uIOiUP30GCy5f2w/s1600/29249218_10211612063401456_5572739217819172864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwksuMJPqX-hCraxzOFd4xZcyNvFXaLfVid970FgTTYtMhzK3BnWWCZI891nKczkyvFF7X5kwji7LEGopf245R19tZn3Bp10H-J6gvV2o4hazK9xBCEZHmBUse6a1uIOiUP30GCy5f2w/s640/29249218_10211612063401456_5572739217819172864_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred and Rick Groff at Cafe 247. Rick is wearing his Malta Ridge jackey!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fred's friend Rick lives in southern California. Rick and Fred served together in the Malta Ridge Volunteer Fire Company for many years before they both retired and left New York. We were close enough to meet for lunch in Lucerne Valley at Cafe 247. I found this little cafe in a google search of the area. Rick wasn't familiar with it either so it was an adventure for all. The burgers didn't disappoint and I really liked the sweet potato fries. They were doing a brisk business in ice cream mid afternoon. It was great to catch up with an old friend and to share a new experience with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Twentynine Palms was a great stop as we ease back into travel mode. Headed deeper into the Mojave Desert now, next stop Death Valley.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGGiFg45GTG7ZVXZL_0Sa8US3I28JcxxTs7BxdNaZ3FKauarTsC3EYGS0n-mpQIQrbxDeNrIEgFAeFnvUdUKVGvHyi3TPjU5if9RLDJJrBIb6bXOuULmD8Gbk1Zn_R7NhMpez38V1_RQ/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGGiFg45GTG7ZVXZL_0Sa8US3I28JcxxTs7BxdNaZ3FKauarTsC3EYGS0n-mpQIQrbxDeNrIEgFAeFnvUdUKVGvHyi3TPjU5if9RLDJJrBIb6bXOuULmD8Gbk1Zn_R7NhMpez38V1_RQ/s640/DSC_0182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree National Park</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oasis Visitor Center- less crowded option</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">74485 National Park Drive</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Twentynine Palms, California</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree Visitor Center</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6554 Park Blvd</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree, California</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree Saloon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">61835 Twentynine Palms Hwy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree, California</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree Coffee Co.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">61738 Twentynine Palms Hwy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree, California</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">World Famous Crochet Museum</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">61855 Twentynine Palms Hwy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joshua Tree, California</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">go though the gate at the Art Queen Galley and follow the sidewalk to the back garden</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-63817345573515061482018-03-30T04:00:00.000-07:002018-03-30T04:00:20.894-07:00Quartzsite: An Adventure in Boondocking<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03pEYWv2ercirmkC1uQ9WfBHX2jX1xVu5ugGB6XxV_INhkVIii2BEjU-e39xvU52Xv_n9_0bPQSAlgz9dQpb3HTAF2qf-0jl5VFl_JQ1iCN8EZQGVNxdJ0sZCcLPpHMtIqYUH6H1U_As/s1600/IMG_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03pEYWv2ercirmkC1uQ9WfBHX2jX1xVu5ugGB6XxV_INhkVIii2BEjU-e39xvU52Xv_n9_0bPQSAlgz9dQpb3HTAF2qf-0jl5VFl_JQ1iCN8EZQGVNxdJ0sZCcLPpHMtIqYUH6H1U_As/s640/IMG_7772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very large campfire circle.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">March 1 we left our Winter home in Picacho Peak and headed over to Quartzsite. We have heard a lot about this place over the last couple of months as the big RV show went on and the towns population grew with Winter Residents. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BLM land around Quartzsite is a destination for boondockers-intrepid RVers that live for extended periods of time without hookups. We are fascinated by the lifestyle and wanted to experience a bit of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are here to attend a Boondocking Rally hosted by Howard and Linda Payne of RV-Dreams. We met the Payne's in 2014 at an Educational Rally they presented in Elkhart Indiana. The information that we learned from them helped us to get started in full-time RVing and we were confident in our ability to learn boondocking skills from them as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our first 4 nights in Quartzite were spent at La Paz RV Park-with full hook-ups before moving to the Rally site. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Those few days gave us the opportunity to explore this community and to learn a little bit of the history of the area.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosmdWs-eF2ZgWKFMcrsQs5P2nHKUfIxdOYeTTxCeImWF5RAPIhMOch9KdPk20izfj7qcJBag6PqN1rBb0brC9q9MeiklDrVlt4nzT40bHOZwCf3vO5X8OeBWAjzhH6-hTnMo7iRKiRGs/s1600/IMG_7751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosmdWs-eF2ZgWKFMcrsQs5P2nHKUfIxdOYeTTxCeImWF5RAPIhMOch9KdPk20izfj7qcJBag6PqN1rBb0brC9q9MeiklDrVlt4nzT40bHOZwCf3vO5X8OeBWAjzhH6-hTnMo7iRKiRGs/s640/IMG_7751.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The welcome to Quartzsite sign has camels on it. It is an interesting clue that camels are an part of the history of the American west. The experiment began in the 1850's by order of Jefferson Davis who at that time was secretary of War. Seventy-seven camels were brought to the southwest territory and utilized as pack animals to build a road from Fort Defiance to California across the Arizona desert. The experiment was moderately successful and might have continued had it not been for the Civil War and the loss of Davis's support. The camels were released into the desert when the program was abandoned and lived there for many years. Tales of camel sightings and of ghost camels have become local legend.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hqeMW1zgVzoQig3hP1mO7_w5I6rIls1zv8KdeI5YHWrmqT7diR1LGmeoxxt6pQ13UM8Qb1W68bb6QnIKi56B0BSpPb_IeRaeHyNjuCCREY-9lz3DigfwPvjnPTgc_3GmvQy2kdgrGeY/s1600/IMG_7735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hqeMW1zgVzoQig3hP1mO7_w5I6rIls1zv8KdeI5YHWrmqT7diR1LGmeoxxt6pQ13UM8Qb1W68bb6QnIKi56B0BSpPb_IeRaeHyNjuCCREY-9lz3DigfwPvjnPTgc_3GmvQy2kdgrGeY/s640/IMG_7735.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hi Jolly's Tomb.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The camels handler Haiji Ali (Americanized to Hi Jolly) lived out his life near Quartzite and is buried here. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lost pilot sign is still providing direction in the desert.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Out in the desert in a fenced area of sand and cactus is a 100 foot long series of letters that spell out Quartzsite and an arrow with an N pointing North. The Quartzite Rock Alignment also know as the lost pilot sign was fashioned in 1945 for flyers of Patton's Army Air Force who became disoriented in the never changing desert landscape. The arrow pointed to the airfield to guide the novice pilots back home. 73 years later the rocks remain as a testimony to those airmen and their ingenuity.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1ffrFGwABl_aETk_TMZ8-eTKa9RwHI8RDlGO8HivlnXcjeayGyhCATp6WhzfsAQFv0RjOJLLWzZ5OMsoghUR70Yi1RPBg6Lz1U1Qc7jpKE0_H7ilbZQsn1rh_ofiECkpyHjFnM6u-JI/s1600/IMG_7753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1ffrFGwABl_aETk_TMZ8-eTKa9RwHI8RDlGO8HivlnXcjeayGyhCATp6WhzfsAQFv0RjOJLLWzZ5OMsoghUR70Yi1RPBg6Lz1U1Qc7jpKE0_H7ilbZQsn1rh_ofiECkpyHjFnM6u-JI/s640/IMG_7753.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Internment Camp Monument</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Postun Arizona is home to a more somber point in our history. Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation land is where 3 of the 10 WWII Internment Camps for Japanese Americans were located. The camps were torn down and all that remains to mark their place is a monument dedicated in the 1990's by the camps survivors and their families. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3rg_CEEj4JEqq2T0VSWVL61Km4GYqTug1LUD-QRfA9f37MUErxy5Vis_0qlhf7wzIY8mCqvRfp_hn7i-DBY89SEZvJE1rekLfnjP0L_dNqLgcn9uePHq-i18X_EWoEq9dvpAzce1p40/s1600/28783318_10211547624070513_7371714144799584906_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3rg_CEEj4JEqq2T0VSWVL61Km4GYqTug1LUD-QRfA9f37MUErxy5Vis_0qlhf7wzIY8mCqvRfp_hn7i-DBY89SEZvJE1rekLfnjP0L_dNqLgcn9uePHq-i18X_EWoEq9dvpAzce1p40/s640/28783318_10211547624070513_7371714144799584906_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred with an Air National Guard friend Jeff Harran</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fred has a friend from his Air National Guard Days that lives in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. We were able to meet up with Jeff and visit for a while. He was kind enough to give us a tour of one of his Fire Stations and to tell us a bit about the history of Lake Havasu. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed lunch in the shadow of the London Bridge.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jeff suggested a great cafe for lunch with outdoor seating that overlooks the London Bridge. We enjoyed burgers at Makai's and walked over the bridge. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was fun to see all of the British flags and London Bridge signage as we walked across the river.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boondocking site on Plumosa Rd</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Monday morning we packed the Behemoth, emptied our holding tanks, filled our water tank and headed over to Plumosa Rd where the Rally was being held. We stopped to get a 14 day permit and found the Rally site where Howard was directing incoming rigs to positions on the perimeter of the clearing facing inward. We felt like we were circling up the wagons for the night. Some earlier arrivals had made 3 fire pits in the center of the circle and there were big stacks of wood waiting for the sun to go down. Fred and I set up camp and went out for a walk to meet the neighbors. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">We found that most of the Rally attendants were pretty experienced at dry camping and felt like the novices we were at our first rally.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">The schedule was pretty loose. Seminar's by Howard and Linda on 3 of the mornings, one on one walkthroughs of our unit to give individualized advice and a lot of conversation with others about the problems and pitfalls that can arise if you don't manage your tanks and electrical systems prudently. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">We had a hotdog and hamburger night, 2 potluck dinners and 1 potluck breakfast during the week. There were campfires and field trips and caravans to the grocery store. The desert sunrises and sunsets were spectacular and the night sky the brightest I have ever seen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">We met some great people and hope to see some of them again later in the month at the Reunion Rally. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was a great week. I don't foresee that we will ever be living off the grid for extended periods of time, but it is nice to know that with a little pre-planning we can pull into a remote or rustic campground and stay for a week or so.</span></span><br />
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-26786680876952977532018-03-27T04:00:00.000-07:002018-03-27T04:00:22.852-07:00Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjmFba7bedkHfi-kiwqFWpwD3dcZlW1Yrb_8JmBA-EvfpQRnwNd6jMnA_viNJOnUI5cmFefDQMB9YHg-W4NlKJW14bfG4RH0F7A5NS0JmUFYuyhxxS1_v8DeCIBM4pQg4f4KB0QH-ia0/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjmFba7bedkHfi-kiwqFWpwD3dcZlW1Yrb_8JmBA-EvfpQRnwNd6jMnA_viNJOnUI5cmFefDQMB9YHg-W4NlKJW14bfG4RH0F7A5NS0JmUFYuyhxxS1_v8DeCIBM4pQg4f4KB0QH-ia0/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdwatching on the Palo Verde Trail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Organ Pipe cactus thrive in the southern portion of the Sonoran desert. They are not often seen in the United States but 120 miles southwest of us, sharing 31 miles of international border with Mexico is the National Monument dedicated to showcasing their prickly beauty. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to make a day trip of discovering these unusual cacti so we packed a lunch, grabbed the dog, gassed up the Jeep and headed south.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipe Cactus.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Much of the drive was through remote desert landscape and on Tohono O'odham Reservation land. We were happy to spot another crested saguaro on the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at the Visitor Center to pick up a map and trail recommendations. It is a lovely building surrounded by a nature trail that showcases the cacti and other plants commonly seen in the area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A small Spring provides water for migrating birds and desert </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">dwellers. We were able to watch the rapid movements of Costa's hummingbirds as they enjoyed the garden. Their purple crowns were so different than the Anna's and Black Chins we have been seeing up at Picacho Peak. There were cactus Wrens, Gila Woodpeckers and some really big ravens. We spotted some small lizards near the water but none of the larger animals were obvious in the heat of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Organ Pipe cactus is large, almost as tall as Saguaro. Its long branches have the same kind of corrugated structure. They grow on warm slopes with Southern exposure in order to collect the most light. They can have crested tops like some of the rare saguaro. The Organ Pipe Cactus got its name for the sound made when the wind flows over it's needles and between it's branches. It kind of made me wish we had gone on a windy day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are 2 trails in the Park that allow dogs. The Palo Verde Trail connects the Visitor Center and the Campground, and the Campground Loop follows the perimeter of the campground looking out over the desert and the mountains beyond. Many of the parks other trails branch off from them heading out into the desert via old paths that miners used when they were digging silver out of the hills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The RV Park has a fantastic location. We were thrilled to learn that our 40 foot rig will fit here and plan on visiting it sometime in the future. It is rustic camping with designated generator hours that I'm sure we will be adequate to keep our batteries charged.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I would love to spend more time in this remote wilderness, exploring the desert trails.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Wren on an Ocotillo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our day was made sweeter by a beautiful sunset as we drove north back to Picacho Peak and dinner at the Cactus Cantina when we got there.</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-92111179781706476742018-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:002018-03-24T04:00:25.406-07:00Arizona Road Trips:Apache Trail Scenic Drive<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5cHWWST2e2aXV5pxyYgh2dY81Oek6pEUixD6f3ef65DFngc4OhDKdzoyTHa6FqdZXpu7vs8TEOI2BF576hEo3uAHQrrM5S8g5aEkwFlOf0a6B7aWDLdeP66BqJ6wmYY9qcQQdhELVU8/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5cHWWST2e2aXV5pxyYgh2dY81Oek6pEUixD6f3ef65DFngc4OhDKdzoyTHa6FqdZXpu7vs8TEOI2BF576hEo3uAHQrrM5S8g5aEkwFlOf0a6B7aWDLdeP66BqJ6wmYY9qcQQdhELVU8/s640/DSC_0113.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Superstition Mountains from Apache Flats</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Picacho Peak neighbors Gail and Ed suggested the Apache Trail to us saying that it was a beautiful drive through the Superstition Mountains. It is a full day trip from the RV Park so we packed a lunch, extra water and the dog and headed out for an adventure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The trail starts on Rte 88 in Apache Junction which is close to Phoenix, an hour north of where we are staying.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rascal liked the ghost town but not the sound of gunfire.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made our way through Apache Junction stopping at Goldfield Ghost Town, an old mining camp turned tourist attraction. The towns buildings have been refurbished into restaurants and gift shops. We enjoyed walking the dirt main street and wooden sidewalks up hill past the bordello to the back of town where the views of the Superstitions were fantastic. We found a fun little coffee shop and got swept up into the crowd watching a gun fight reenactment. Rascal took exception to the sound of gun fire so we headed back to the Jeep and made our way up the mountain.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittzPdapuh0TGS0Va6HJJ6QU-7HNlR4xZ-44Y4rddjnSWj_7K0t6MjVjkp8xFE0nDpSoVnfiFK1cPpWkb4yDl9zBVaq2Y7ntMz5UYWXKQQJPkLTIFxL94BeP6UWwF_OUsJWjSl_sCpIFs/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittzPdapuh0TGS0Va6HJJ6QU-7HNlR4xZ-44Y4rddjnSWj_7K0t6MjVjkp8xFE0nDpSoVnfiFK1cPpWkb4yDl9zBVaq2Y7ntMz5UYWXKQQJPkLTIFxL94BeP6UWwF_OUsJWjSl_sCpIFs/s640/DSC_0125.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apache Trail runs through 40 miles of desert landscape.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Apache Trail is well traveled on this portion. We encountered a variety of vehicles from motorcycles to RV's on the paved road. There are a number of formal pull offs and in several other places the road is wide enough to allow you to get off the road to take advantage of photo opportunities. The road is named after the people who created it, using the path to travel through the rugged landscape. It was later adopted by Stagecoach Drivers and in the 1930's it was widened and improved enough to bring in supplies and equipment to build the Theodore Roosevelt Dam of the Salt River.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QOXhFkQw6Z5s-9nWphvVFdd52nbrPleFmoUlVuoW-mkW5DhXuuSK_3HMXUasNbVU2c0AGm3ggDbJXntO1xEHrLAD8AVUCPc8VGTk9Dpld4UcjrQtwrUEcNIHZIV61ovMss7CBGkioMU/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QOXhFkQw6Z5s-9nWphvVFdd52nbrPleFmoUlVuoW-mkW5DhXuuSK_3HMXUasNbVU2c0AGm3ggDbJXntO1xEHrLAD8AVUCPc8VGTk9Dpld4UcjrQtwrUEcNIHZIV61ovMss7CBGkioMU/s640/DSC_0137.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Canyon Lake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We passed the Superstition Mountain Museum and Lost Dutchman State Park on our way to Canyon Lake. There were stands of tall Saguaro and Ocotillo were surrounded by cholla and prickly pear cactus around every turn. Four lakes are created by the dams on the Salt River. Canyon Lake is the first to come into view. We have seen many boats this Winter and no big water so it is great to finally figure out where they were all heading. Canyon Lake is home to the Dolly Steamboat which offers tours and dinner cruises in this beautiful setting between the mountains. Kayakers were paddling the quieter edges of the lake and fishermen had their poles in the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been an unusually dry year in Arizona and we could see evidence of that in the exposed high water line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The small own of Tortilla Flat, which was once a Stagecoach stop is a few miles further up the road. It marks the halfway point of the drive and is the only remaining stagecoach stop on the Apache Trail. The restaurant there was standing room only with a line waiting to get into the parking lot. It seems to be a destination for many travelers who stop here for a meal and then turn around and return to Apache Flats. There were a lot of desert dune buggies in the parking lot. I imagine it is a nice place to stop when you are hot and dusty from off roading. There is a gift shop, a Post Office and a couple of houses in addition to the restaurant. I read somewhere that the population of Tortilla Flat is less than 10 people.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MSTNi3zPohkubTdF9nAgF_EN96oT7y7CmWqnTKTBGF4XbK92cWv1CtagJh6CQb_-Ad77i5hANtgoRUlbkRVNglO5bP7DpsB5hp10WRqY4Ij23bOJ6yxj1eN5ptC93heqjnFiIadLm80/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MSTNi3zPohkubTdF9nAgF_EN96oT7y7CmWqnTKTBGF4XbK92cWv1CtagJh6CQb_-Ad77i5hANtgoRUlbkRVNglO5bP7DpsB5hp10WRqY4Ij23bOJ6yxj1eN5ptC93heqjnFiIadLm80/s640/DSC_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just after Tortilla Flat the road becomes a dirt trail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The road turns to washboard dirt a couple of miles past Tortilla Flat. It is narrow and winding, full of steep drops and blind curves cut into the rock face of the mountain. It is just wide enough for two vehicles to pass except for on the one lane bridges where you wait your turn to cross. It's not a fast drive but well worth the effort because there is something unique and beautiful around each hairpin turn. It was a bit unnerving to meet another vehicle coming around one of those bends. i was glad to be on the side of the road that hugged the mountain because the guardrails don't look very sturdy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did fine in the Jeep and also saw several passenger cars on the unpaved portion of the road. 4WD is not necessary but I wouldn't want to drive it in a very low clearance vehicle. That portion of the road is not recommended for RV's, large vans, SUV's, or motorcycles. The desert dune buggies did great. We later learned that General Motors once used this road to test the suspension and maneuverability of their vehicles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FNHutNeKKGZjyosaxXNs6YHFi7QJdUfF7k2IOu5TOXT2oBvXoX9h1R5odWdvwmReppYhLx8CCbcihYwzjjXE2JV1exsfDUTKHa7-X4YWCOStqZeQISUNB38RvZ0YBtDQ3SJT-kDAvT8/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FNHutNeKKGZjyosaxXNs6YHFi7QJdUfF7k2IOu5TOXT2oBvXoX9h1R5odWdvwmReppYhLx8CCbcihYwzjjXE2JV1exsfDUTKHa7-X4YWCOStqZeQISUNB38RvZ0YBtDQ3SJT-kDAvT8/s640/DSC_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theodore Roosevelt Dam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 40 mile long Apache Trail ends at Roosevelt Dam. We drove home through the Tonto National Forest stopping at the Tonto National Monument along the way. The monument is part of the National Park system. It preserves cliff dwellings of the Salado culture. There are two sets of cliff homes. The lower house is easily accessed by a short steep 1 1/2 mile trail. To visit the upper dwelling you must attend a Ranger guided tour on the weekend. We didn't do either since dogs are not allowed on the trails.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great time exploring the Superstition mountains and are grateful that Ed and Gail told us about the drive. If you are near Phoenix I would put it high on your list of things to do.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCYDP1N6ZFp_IEHZ6w4HQYgCYtlEqlcXwXES6z7z4NyWE5TBN1Yj-mjr51DhOTym65S5HkLqFk2gJWx6n2559YZowVZu-GjApicXMdofPphuDCc_e0HmsCNhYNjge3YN-I3IJrh0ecOU/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCYDP1N6ZFp_IEHZ6w4HQYgCYtlEqlcXwXES6z7z4NyWE5TBN1Yj-mjr51DhOTym65S5HkLqFk2gJWx6n2559YZowVZu-GjApicXMdofPphuDCc_e0HmsCNhYNjge3YN-I3IJrh0ecOU/s640/DSC_0148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Cliff Dwelling at Tonto National Monument.</td></tr>
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-13924357597981636572018-03-21T04:00:00.000-07:002018-03-21T08:16:08.961-07:00Arizona Road Trips: Mount Lemmon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUmjteg93c0dhUiHLpoLC-K_Fm0ArC6eW2BYIEDfDDbAdIdKY6HFyfQWfFbzSCL-hdUfnYscazHcKN2-swTekfMIAGplbQK79mtII32PWDuHmje_YMEQyjNPSwhkKNC0O-NzZidURivM/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUmjteg93c0dhUiHLpoLC-K_Fm0ArC6eW2BYIEDfDDbAdIdKY6HFyfQWfFbzSCL-hdUfnYscazHcKN2-swTekfMIAGplbQK79mtII32PWDuHmje_YMEQyjNPSwhkKNC0O-NzZidURivM/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We put a lot of miles on the Jeep this Winter. Arizona has some beautiful places to see and we did not want to miss anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Several people suggested to us that we had to go to Mount Lemmon so we headed to the Catalina foothills in Tucson and the Sky Island Scenic Byway.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuOh8G2UwYm-mvrVh2yWRZ5bHbjXjcpWQicz7CsYJynJxxJIHra_yAGDA-yyyDrbt9_vuACJM2cQ0Xk5R8xKoP0IGAUg2UjNvy4cM9oB0jz3jQ91fq0YtrQxvuy3zpnbQ8XT8EikEL1M/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuOh8G2UwYm-mvrVh2yWRZ5bHbjXjcpWQicz7CsYJynJxxJIHra_yAGDA-yyyDrbt9_vuACJM2cQ0Xk5R8xKoP0IGAUg2UjNvy4cM9oB0jz3jQ91fq0YtrQxvuy3zpnbQ8XT8EikEL1M/s640/DSC_0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saguaro cactus love the steep slopes of the Catalina Mountains.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The scenic drive starts on Tanque Rd in a typical Sonoran Desert landscape of tall Saguaro cactus. It was amazing to see them clinging to the side of the mountain as we started to climb. They did not look secure in the steep rocky landscape but from the size of them had been thriving for decades on the rocky slopes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The road began to climb very quickly and we were treated to expansive views of the city of Tucson as we wound around the mountain.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuSBN01ysOEylArApLJrfY5mATi7FiKqSK5PoT8Vin_iuSOTuO_gxiUecZuLUWkl4WwvjpUKKb3Dx-nHJVPczHVPSgg-slvvMpeWIhKvRv2nsVCAiU12Tk6Db4zHvvZr_2lsNVzDfan0/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuSBN01ysOEylArApLJrfY5mATi7FiKqSK5PoT8Vin_iuSOTuO_gxiUecZuLUWkl4WwvjpUKKb3Dx-nHJVPczHVPSgg-slvvMpeWIhKvRv2nsVCAiU12Tk6Db4zHvvZr_2lsNVzDfan0/s640/DSC_0129.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cacti gave way to shrubs and low lying bushes.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The cacti disappeared and were replaced by shorter bushes and impossibly balanced rock formations that reminded us of those in Chiricahua National Park.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There were many parking areas that allowed us to pull off the road and really enjoy the views.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The signage at the pull outs was great describing the plants and geology that we were looking at.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Their were several intrepid riders on bicycles struggling up the mountain. We were astonished at their ability as they kept moving around the switchbacks and the long steep grade.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-wECHasVRNjzqEl2pALGRhIP-H9rFCcU2k-2biS71vVxzDf7lDKUEgAOFUwMH_G-87S9i26bm2td0AadOYNxv17s1TraNL0zkb5YtQrpd0b2ciU1TZA_pDaBvdykAAnXBjpUuntv7pM/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-wECHasVRNjzqEl2pALGRhIP-H9rFCcU2k-2biS71vVxzDf7lDKUEgAOFUwMH_G-87S9i26bm2td0AadOYNxv17s1TraNL0zkb5YtQrpd0b2ciU1TZA_pDaBvdykAAnXBjpUuntv7pM/s640/DSC_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rock formation at Windy Point reminds me of an Easter Island Moai.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Windy Point at mile marker 17 was one of our favorite stops. Hikers and rock climbers can be seen from the lookout platform, and we saw many people walking out onto the rock formations toward the trails. We are told that this is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and I can see why. Windy Point is where we started to see bicycle riding daredevils flying back down the mountain road.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWG2cXSumrE3QHG2fa4XU7plN4rvQVK_pB74FGPJbFsWUTqap1yo2A-5szNp-QyiTGxdkz9GXsQ7Ejvcuuh-EDOAT8x8Mnku3S_cEKo04uykMg0oaR8Bw3hGgJCGWUZQ9eEGpcYapIxc/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWG2cXSumrE3QHG2fa4XU7plN4rvQVK_pB74FGPJbFsWUTqap1yo2A-5szNp-QyiTGxdkz9GXsQ7Ejvcuuh-EDOAT8x8Mnku3S_cEKo04uykMg0oaR8Bw3hGgJCGWUZQ9eEGpcYapIxc/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road climbs around the sides of the mountain in a series of switch backs.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The road continued to climb and we began to feel the temperature cooling down. There are trees toward the top of Mount Lemmon that make you feel like you are way North of Arizona. Aspen, Maple and Ponderosa Pines dominate the landscape.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpyY7rg2PRItWeo75jcHA4aJAGxOTU8TBDCYei7vrsEMuKc6moQTMFo1klFAzpJA7RQCgxNocr0twL73SoFXtUaS_uQX3G_QCQQEG8LWycOcgcafwLkksFYH7BemN0kBezj9jY-923-0/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpyY7rg2PRItWeo75jcHA4aJAGxOTU8TBDCYei7vrsEMuKc6moQTMFo1klFAzpJA7RQCgxNocr0twL73SoFXtUaS_uQX3G_QCQQEG8LWycOcgcafwLkksFYH7BemN0kBezj9jY-923-0/s640/DSC_0158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper regions of Mount Lemmon are often covered in snow.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We began to see patches of snow in shady crevices and then rounded a corner and found ourselves in a winter wonderland of several inches of the white stuff on a north facing slope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We soon arrived in Summerhaven, a tiny town and as far as the road would take us. The appropriately named destination has a coffee shop, pizza parlor and a couple of gift shops. The Mount Lemmon Ski Area is located nearby.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DH1hf2LnTVkobiLR6wfHs-eg4YFjXDScITJpKDwmLmXhqwsD1l2X81ty3-BHYRhhOV0cFOHhtcl3z7ETFjQEJkhG0WreYWbFQSrOWp6_Iw35o_-VaTY1_wN7ydka066dTkEy8fxuTsU/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DH1hf2LnTVkobiLR6wfHs-eg4YFjXDScITJpKDwmLmXhqwsD1l2X81ty3-BHYRhhOV0cFOHhtcl3z7ETFjQEJkhG0WreYWbFQSrOWp6_Iw35o_-VaTY1_wN7ydka066dTkEy8fxuTsU/s640/DSC_0162.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocks have interesting shapes and are precariously balanced</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mount Lemmon's peak is at 9,171 feet and Tucson sits at 3000 feet, so our 27 mile drive gained 6000 feet in elevation. The temperature in Summerhaven was 30 degrees cooler than that on Tanque Rd where we started.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We learned that the road passes through 6 distinct ecosystems from Sonoran Desert to Subalpine Forest. There is even a Mount Lemmon Science Tour app that you can download to learn as you drive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great experience and fantastic way to spend the day. We highly recommend the experience to anyone visiting Tucson.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ4d6uxs4bi5TEBMlr-X_artjPP2THzyU_dvy6HcWRp2wsfnDsO6qFj7GcBWC1JOKvEW0T_MQ75WzU1Vkhuuzd5k97F4Ok3c2BXPVr6-unHg5y4QMeLcV8fq8S0f3iuiRH-1Tv_l40D0/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1030" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ4d6uxs4bi5TEBMlr-X_artjPP2THzyU_dvy6HcWRp2wsfnDsO6qFj7GcBWC1JOKvEW0T_MQ75WzU1Vkhuuzd5k97F4Ok3c2BXPVr6-unHg5y4QMeLcV8fq8S0f3iuiRH-1Tv_l40D0/s640/DSC_0123.JPG" width="412" /></a></div>
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-72074990748675976032018-03-10T11:29:00.000-08:002018-03-10T11:29:22.522-08:00Arizona Road Trips: Ironwood Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAx9lC_Nnmn55u0Gm4qSXGjvUErqiuP7Xb9cj5M_MqXDqwP14Dg49poVmfJutfoSIbYxpz2LbRnXyvaCRzjWnGZPz9jbaAewQ6BbrNDRAGAZFjeK30lPngK1RHZmxwJwA2NL0JbfU2U/s1600/IMG_7649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAx9lC_Nnmn55u0Gm4qSXGjvUErqiuP7Xb9cj5M_MqXDqwP14Dg49poVmfJutfoSIbYxpz2LbRnXyvaCRzjWnGZPz9jbaAewQ6BbrNDRAGAZFjeK30lPngK1RHZmxwJwA2NL0JbfU2U/s640/IMG_7649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have enjoyed road tripping in Arizona. Those adventures are even more enjoyable now that we are driving a Jeep Wrangler. The Silverado got us everywhere we wanted to go but was less maneuverable and we had fewer opportunities at parking, especially with the bike rack adding to its length. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr31nDi3UJXTNz_w4RuX56xtH0R-xt5jSeJoo6lm_q08zqQv10L0wbz9KKHJkPeR9IQ6fyzKWIaQP_Yu0VI7HFyl76MjTnwDtxDu0CFP75VDzUqeQfKUKbH8bL4a26SGHczULXI4nMYU/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr31nDi3UJXTNz_w4RuX56xtH0R-xt5jSeJoo6lm_q08zqQv10L0wbz9KKHJkPeR9IQ6fyzKWIaQP_Yu0VI7HFyl76MjTnwDtxDu0CFP75VDzUqeQfKUKbH8bL4a26SGHczULXI4nMYU/s640/DSC_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To be honest he Jeep is just more fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have done a lot of driving here but 3 of the trips were spectacular. We recommend them to anyone spending time in Southern Arizona.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Ironwood trail is a 33 mile long road through the Ironwood Forest National Monument with starting and ending points close to I-10. Part of the road is unpaved with little maintenance. A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ironwood trees are the king of the Sonoran Desert. They live for hundreds of years providing shelter for small animals and act as nurse trees for young Saguaro Cactus. Their dark grey back and silvery leaves make them stand out amongst the all green Paloverde trees. It is one of the densest known hardwoods, so strong that even when the tree dies the wood can take 100 years to decay.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xS2m5bxU7-8t8_H_7HfoclATD2duPbG3hCfMKn8OohhU8wnJBHomPKcp1F07dJYRpEK9hO82E9_xyNHoj15jSMf73zIGdXghuMq88_kKBuFSk4bDfmc2gdQTH1mm2gk1BEAl3mz7g8I/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xS2m5bxU7-8t8_H_7HfoclATD2duPbG3hCfMKn8OohhU8wnJBHomPKcp1F07dJYRpEK9hO82E9_xyNHoj15jSMf73zIGdXghuMq88_kKBuFSk4bDfmc2gdQTH1mm2gk1BEAl3mz7g8I/s640/IMG_7648.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Saguaro near Sasco Ghost Town</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started the drive at Red Rock, on Sasco Rd (exit 226 of I-10). The first 13 miles were washboard dirt road with some deep ruts and rocks. There was only one shallow water crossing. We saw a few ironwood trees among the Saguaro's and passed the old Sasco ghost town where there are rock foundations and a few standing stone walls of some buildings. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhObYKsY6N6QrKofTuH29YPdf3jyG3qDuV0MMzDRo9rMdOhLKjCKR1GPxEtXSYE9XzTLVaCij6Kz-7cLP82M8h13Lss0UXUmdXaSBO8o4rw9-YqzT2C3F0Su6TMeRldGGfN2-xSmLLqk/s1600/IMG_7638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhObYKsY6N6QrKofTuH29YPdf3jyG3qDuV0MMzDRo9rMdOhLKjCKR1GPxEtXSYE9XzTLVaCij6Kz-7cLP82M8h13Lss0UXUmdXaSBO8o4rw9-YqzT2C3F0Su6TMeRldGGfN2-xSmLLqk/s640/IMG_7638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasco Ghost Town foundation</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The town was active in the early 1900's when the smelter for the Silverbell mine was located here. Once the mine stopped producing the smelter shut down and the town dwindled away. Sasco's Post Office closed in 1919. We enjoyed walking around the old ruins and trying to guess what type of business or home each foundation represented. If you go walking around wear closed shoes and watch out for broken glass.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a beautiful Crested Saguaro visible from this part of the road. These crowned cacti are quite rare, occurring in approximately 1 out of 10,000. We have been lucky enough to spot 5 of them in the wild and it has been a thrill each time...kind of like that feeling you get when you find a 4 leaf clover.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Continuing on Sasco Rd we started to climb in elevation and get closer to the Silverbell Mountains and a very distinctive formation called Ragged Top. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bcPeHAD8c9KC7ed2r2GUVaCI0gBsMqe0aKZAmWd7v6PDYI-mTN_3V3P4XQ8JrvpXUu8VamN4Y5DgT7moqw654Cm6Uc9J7K7kPbU-N_b7U9DTGRHSm7G26lHuwW6BiuhSK-qDpISU9yk/s1600/IMG_7640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bcPeHAD8c9KC7ed2r2GUVaCI0gBsMqe0aKZAmWd7v6PDYI-mTN_3V3P4XQ8JrvpXUu8VamN4Y5DgT7moqw654Cm6Uc9J7K7kPbU-N_b7U9DTGRHSm7G26lHuwW6BiuhSK-qDpISU9yk/s640/IMG_7640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragged Top</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The jagged points on the peak are made of Rhyolite which was left when molten lava formed a plug. We also saw the west side of Picacho Peak for the first time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Once we reached Silverbell Rd the rest of the journey was on paved roads. The Ironwood Forest is BLM land and we saw several rigs set up in the desert enjoying the peaceful environment. The night sky must be spectacular out there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are many more Ironwood trees on this part of the road as well as Ocotillo, Saguaro Cactus and Prickly Pear Cactus. Silverbell Road runs for 13.9 miles intersecting Marana Rd which leads back to I-10 at exit 236.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Ironwood Trail is a great short day trip if you are staying near Tucson for any length of time. The views of the Silverbell Mountains, Ragged Top and Picacho Peak are pretty spectacular and the off roading is fun. Our only disappointment was that we didn't see any rock climbers scaling Ragged Top.</span><br />
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<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-61446323749533436892018-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:002018-02-21T04:00:19.987-08:00Birthday Gift - ATV Tour Ride <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgE3PI6uFwFoifiOltvl7B0zbRa2XYGvm7h5uPDDpesj0Gy56wUYQQJ6HJW9hVn4VwxUfxoydGGoXGdS1_wyB-ryPqlt-yrAd7gPCvK5NqgFtdtIkuYh6hBSmUT7GNWWPUc1Bm1lxv6c/s1600/IMG_2847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgE3PI6uFwFoifiOltvl7B0zbRa2XYGvm7h5uPDDpesj0Gy56wUYQQJ6HJW9hVn4VwxUfxoydGGoXGdS1_wyB-ryPqlt-yrAd7gPCvK5NqgFtdtIkuYh6hBSmUT7GNWWPUc1Bm1lxv6c/s640/IMG_2847.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred geared up for the ride.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Friday, January 19, 2018 Bonnie and I went to enjoy a half-day guided ATV Tour ride in a Box Canyon in the desert northwest of us. The trip was Bonnie's Birthday gift to me. We drove to the starting point of the ATV Tour in Florence, AZ about 45 minutes from our campground.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi18auqxR6TWBI6MxLm9d4PCLGrgVRvTOJ8ZXdog6NwzEWkc-CnjACrAxNxlkH6f99Yoo_jQf2keFXtpBxBh0lPbaFBOZJhutTRSd2HB_fvleM8Bk-D_hlPEJRWHHzTsZkymxVwgCgXh0/s1600/IMG_2861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi18auqxR6TWBI6MxLm9d4PCLGrgVRvTOJ8ZXdog6NwzEWkc-CnjACrAxNxlkH6f99Yoo_jQf2keFXtpBxBh0lPbaFBOZJhutTRSd2HB_fvleM8Bk-D_hlPEJRWHHzTsZkymxVwgCgXh0/s640/IMG_2861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We followed an old mining trail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tour was a 37 mile loop following a old abandoned mining trail with a gain in elevation of 1500 vertical feet. We had stops at a old Gold Mine camp, we saw ancient indian rock art called Petroglyphs, and we also discovered an old adobe ruin</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">at the bottom of the Canyon. The building</span><span style="font-size: large;"> was once a waystation for the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Company and a stop on the Butterfield Route of the Pony Express.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5kJaDDt1ZZN_zyhh70JCeYr-LInvfsdJwgV-2jBT7CeA3IkbgHrdKAOOLfyvdvdjNqviCLtXZwDemE4dz46RnCpdNDGvHj5pBxA7er75wyL5lXcqAMnXfTQvbpGzGAdBhzn77soNNvE/s1600/IMG_2901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5kJaDDt1ZZN_zyhh70JCeYr-LInvfsdJwgV-2jBT7CeA3IkbgHrdKAOOLfyvdvdjNqviCLtXZwDemE4dz46RnCpdNDGvHj5pBxA7er75wyL5lXcqAMnXfTQvbpGzGAdBhzn77soNNvE/s640/IMG_2901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Butterfield Stagecoach stop.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Box Canyon itself was about six miles long and at the center it is called a slot canyon. The trail was only 15 feet wide with cliff face walls reaching 1500 feet high at that point.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZjyYP_Q04N4XJrJn1C2KEZNQI6iAS7SHratJPS35eMgy0iJRBt-546d4HjKeqNDAEEJ82SOMrRqZ9sdZTWwt5DjJQoUrsKLOjJeZ99ZX6Bmn3L7zRed5uqV3nOKhIUY88yyEr1xS2QY/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZjyYP_Q04N4XJrJn1C2KEZNQI6iAS7SHratJPS35eMgy0iJRBt-546d4HjKeqNDAEEJ82SOMrRqZ9sdZTWwt5DjJQoUrsKLOjJeZ99ZX6Bmn3L7zRed5uqV3nOKhIUY88yyEr1xS2QY/s640/IMG_2938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the Box Canyon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could feel the temperature drop about 10 degrees when the walls were so close and no sunshine could reach us.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIczLg9W3IgJe-hHfJfe4ujfldWFmHFDH_xb-bQmiQTTJiJiSRrcYjwBzi_FXpLzjatkIWbU0XMGif7pV2moWkcCfSyvALW4gbqsruiPDRXHfPUdcs_cB1tf9utEJ7vYLLJXaZbCRT78/s1600/IMG_2915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1096" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIczLg9W3IgJe-hHfJfe4ujfldWFmHFDH_xb-bQmiQTTJiJiSRrcYjwBzi_FXpLzjatkIWbU0XMGif7pV2moWkcCfSyvALW4gbqsruiPDRXHfPUdcs_cB1tf9utEJ7vYLLJXaZbCRT78/s640/IMG_2915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petroglyphs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was our first time riding ATV'S as part of a tour out in the desert. We had a Vehicle & Tour Safety briefing. They had all safety items for the ride including helmets, goggles, gloves, & bandanas. You needed the bandanas to cover your nose and mouth because of the dirt/dust from the ride. Plus cold bottle water and assorted candy bars too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You are riding within the Sonoran Desert with Saguaro & Ocotillo cactus. We had a "Yamaha Grizzly" 350cc ATV code named "Gibbs".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great time and we would do it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are in this area this is something you should plan to do and enjoy too! Good ride, lots of history items, and great views within the desert.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHAIrHYdc8dFKivjZuh57B4a6K5bXhjHvA30sxRlbspCa5IBSAFfvKJekUk7p7e2-h587tcklXZgELaxVvGTZadhongy4QNTcwaxx3_-NzgcK7xWU-Ep4DYPOHIHgBYX17_bEHyubrow/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHAIrHYdc8dFKivjZuh57B4a6K5bXhjHvA30sxRlbspCa5IBSAFfvKJekUk7p7e2-h587tcklXZgELaxVvGTZadhongy4QNTcwaxx3_-NzgcK7xWU-Ep4DYPOHIHgBYX17_bEHyubrow/s640/IMG_2948.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Web Site: azatvfun.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Phone # : 800-242-6335</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cost: Two Rides on One ATV - $160 for about 4 hrs of fun!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13495163048544040654noreply@blogger.com1Florence, AZ, USA33.0314508 -111.3873431000000132.8185513 -111.7100666 33.2443503 -111.06461960000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-37388847497328755312018-02-17T10:43:00.000-08:002018-02-17T10:43:12.530-08:00Arizona Festivals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7zMaDph1O6_iwt7CQbp7zfXWoTNzgqLPn9wAiFEhcOIs2jlFIc8Qq9GgDV4fKu0Tgixw4b8ofx2GyMNfOTlh6AO9bStmJDbHX3TSOKShNKrp7w0AIF78_Kvcv-NzgpAP2UZg3I4wq30/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1600" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7zMaDph1O6_iwt7CQbp7zfXWoTNzgqLPn9wAiFEhcOIs2jlFIc8Qq9GgDV4fKu0Tgixw4b8ofx2GyMNfOTlh6AO9bStmJDbHX3TSOKShNKrp7w0AIF78_Kvcv-NzgpAP2UZg3I4wq30/s640/DSC_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arizona is a busy place this time of year. The weather is perfect, there are lots of visitors and everyone wants to be outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed 2 outdoor festivals this weekend and had a wonderful time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday we drove a short distance West to the Pinal County Fairgrounds where Wertz Farms was holding its annual Gourd Festival. Gourds are a cash crop here in Arizona. The long hot growing season is perfect environment for them. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bins of gourds for sale.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gourds are planted in April and grow through early Fall when farmers stop irrigating them. Once the water source is shut off they are left to dry in the fields and are harvested in February-March in time to plant the next crop.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LMweoDt_9lJW1cKmBsQNFl3jkU1d9hyphenhyphen_Bknad-gIKi2faV798-UkD5o5YCABEVUpREZ4kJhvmMZNOd0loANl7twKhgS7e1C62dOJKKKNb02exvDAoJO2PgjT1D7r64mjsGK2luSaiic/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LMweoDt_9lJW1cKmBsQNFl3jkU1d9hyphenhyphen_Bknad-gIKi2faV798-UkD5o5YCABEVUpREZ4kJhvmMZNOd0loANl7twKhgS7e1C62dOJKKKNb02exvDAoJO2PgjT1D7r64mjsGK2luSaiic/s640/DSC_0103.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken gourds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The folks at Wertz Farms put a lot of work into the festival. There are Gourd decorations throughout the Fairgrounds accompanied by funny signs and gourd related displays.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4lhz9VzPOX3i1QvLbcU9eTWG3YzTdayjzYPZL0yXJOdzgHtdOGK0zXxov55MX5_ZLFWZrScKLjXoib3lW0iJSs76e78zxEudc7igd0xBq8Sx2QSh77Ng8cYPb-3ehNgnA2ytRclmfcQ/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4lhz9VzPOX3i1QvLbcU9eTWG3YzTdayjzYPZL0yXJOdzgHtdOGK0zXxov55MX5_ZLFWZrScKLjXoib3lW0iJSs76e78zxEudc7igd0xBq8Sx2QSh77Ng8cYPb-3ehNgnA2ytRclmfcQ/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gourd-geous decorations.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The festival includes a fair type competition for ribbons as well as a barn full of vendors showcasing their wares.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked the grounds admiring the seasonal displays while checking out the food offerings and then headed over to the Vendor Area.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBWLgV5rvbfUdQyoMLQbY3MGfr5ccCkOfI1OWjaF7hGCM4u-k1xu9OGI6P0yhXCyQ5F0AgUUnN4L_XtDKyZjeeXXvoNTy7BkHmkUrej2kYpfaRfsjnwc8TYOHx7LcsUf1-RFqpkIPmSY/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1014" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBWLgV5rvbfUdQyoMLQbY3MGfr5ccCkOfI1OWjaF7hGCM4u-k1xu9OGI6P0yhXCyQ5F0AgUUnN4L_XtDKyZjeeXXvoNTy7BkHmkUrej2kYpfaRfsjnwc8TYOHx7LcsUf1-RFqpkIPmSY/s640/DSC_0107.JPG" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The National Gourd was on duty</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their does not seem to be a limit to the number of things that can be created from gourds.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We saw birdhouses and bowls, Thunder drums and lamps, jewelry and vases.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They were painted and wood burned and dremeled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some were adorned by beads and fossils, some had edges woven from pine needles and we even saw one man that edged his gourd basket with horse hair leaving a long trailing edge on one side that resembled a mane.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GXfMgjMeA1pEuP6MYyTJJItWYMf9eEgJRbwjcvhubj9H_4DbQ8zPZQqRtsz5dCwUBHU-8DWAKKR5Bcih3nMU5dxzN4OGw4YL5NvgxiDN8fTUUctLkc0T1VyzCI51yFFyuAHjcaFYPag/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GXfMgjMeA1pEuP6MYyTJJItWYMf9eEgJRbwjcvhubj9H_4DbQ8zPZQqRtsz5dCwUBHU-8DWAKKR5Bcih3nMU5dxzN4OGw4YL5NvgxiDN8fTUUctLkc0T1VyzCI51yFFyuAHjcaFYPag/s640/DSC_0121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gourd Jackrabbit and cactus.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We worked up an appetite with all the walking and stopped for lunch from the fair type offerings. There was a great truck brewing coffee so we treated ourselves to iced Americanos. Fred enjoyed a sausage and pepper sandwich while I couldn't resist the smell of the smoked brisket and a homemade barbecue sauce that used cherries as its base.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Before leaving the fairgrounds we picked through the raw gourd bins and brought home 3 specimens that will be turned into Summer projects.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a great way to spend the morning.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3PUUYlVZH_x5t76ffSJQwWeTsIiCjH7FdVw_oeH3YLGHlg3TFr5S4-LMl6NMtbuiwVLW_Z_NEk-LpvdCUT6VfOURpQhNmiJAJl2vEJo1VNojuKc5BjL7sIdpoqFyGWx4naPEWWcnR0g/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3PUUYlVZH_x5t76ffSJQwWeTsIiCjH7FdVw_oeH3YLGHlg3TFr5S4-LMl6NMtbuiwVLW_Z_NEk-LpvdCUT6VfOURpQhNmiJAJl2vEJo1VNojuKc5BjL7sIdpoqFyGWx4naPEWWcnR0g/s640/DSC_0140.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music by the Steven P. Project</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday we had made arrangements to see Fred's cousin Heidi who is in the Air Force and stationed in Phoenix. We planned to meet at 8 Acre Park in Surprise as they were hosting a Food Truck Festival as part of their Second Sundays in the Park series. The park was a lovely grassy space...probably the greenest we have seen in Arizona outside of a golf course. It was filled with picnic areas, games for children and a bandstand where musicians were warming up. The Steven P. Project were performing. The entire outer edge of the park was lined with food trucks. There were the typical burgers and fries, cupcakes and ice cream mixed in with more diverse choices like Greek Gyros and Spanakopita, Mustache Pretzels, and the Maine Lobster Lady (I will get my lobstah closer to the Atlantic thank you). Southwestern foods were well represented offering, tacos, burritos, queso and fry bread. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fred and Heidi went for the burgers while I browsed for a while before deciding on ZPotes who specialized in Salvadoran cuisine, specifically Pupusa's a tasty flour tortilla with the stuffing cooked inside. I settled on the Pupusa de ayote, a tortilla filled with zucchini blossoms and cheese. We were all delighted with our choices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our only disappointments of the day were that there was no coffee vendor and that we were eating lunch too early to enjoy the libations at the State 48 Brewery truck. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was great to see Heidi and to catch up with her. We are going to try meeting up at a Spring Training Game before leaving Arizona in early March.</span><br />
<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-70257243025351021522018-02-13T04:00:00.000-08:002018-02-13T04:00:40.298-08:00Casa Grande Ruins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmf7J5DuEio6nMcc1CfofgBGC9VmZcpaVDxdK0Uw8I7pPeid0iCYqIsJcXXdQKdbTAACXxwZCC9dRgE7Auxd8XmNxAmqAyY4JZSfUe7zUWWwMfcNHSi-3fOl0ieStzaUjEbQtZs3RbnwQ/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmf7J5DuEio6nMcc1CfofgBGC9VmZcpaVDxdK0Uw8I7pPeid0iCYqIsJcXXdQKdbTAACXxwZCC9dRgE7Auxd8XmNxAmqAyY4JZSfUe7zUWWwMfcNHSi-3fOl0ieStzaUjEbQtZs3RbnwQ/s640/DSC_0295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Casa Grande Ruins are located 30 miles west of our RV Park at Picacho Peak. We discovered them by accident when we noticed a National Park sign on I-10 as we were driving to the grocery store. A 20 minute detour to Coolidge took us to the Visitor Center and to the ruins beyond it.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived just in time for the last volunteer led tour of the day and were glad to participate in it to hear the stories and personal details that bring a place to life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Minnesota born docent was happy to point out that ribs of the Saguaro tree form a natural hockey stick.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTudzSRWmHoK2XoJGZqHQ9rvJ0mjhayObsLNO9byL5em-zxxQhjkVH2ywaV3op3UH8W1RQBExeAEhNqTb9GYkk4zI-szevQIAPziznOCqivewQVwBgQrD1rRUtc0g7qcfJpwHxD_UMiwQ/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTudzSRWmHoK2XoJGZqHQ9rvJ0mjhayObsLNO9byL5em-zxxQhjkVH2ywaV3op3UH8W1RQBExeAEhNqTb9GYkk4zI-szevQIAPziznOCqivewQVwBgQrD1rRUtc0g7qcfJpwHxD_UMiwQ/s640/DSC_0296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Saguaro Hockey Stick</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ruins of Casa Grande (the Great House) have stood since approximately 1350. It is the largest known structure of the Ancestral People of the Sonoran Desert. There is archeological evidence that a vibrant culture lived here farming and irrigating nearby fields with a large system of interconnected canals. Casa Grande was a trading center too, sitting along a natural route between California and the great plains with relatively easy access to the Colorado plateau region and what is now northern Mexico. Remains of copper bells and jewelry have been found here as well as shells from the Gulf of California and flint from the great plains region.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRk3g2OQM3JPIbOy2ak_KqKgglVitZNZtnhrFWcTCGP381XXFHDkUdG03RsumO7FRUzBcocoZGk-SxeXdlBNeVSZTyF-GV3UjINn-5QB61VONSqKDFLHDIY3XJg8IxLwOM6e0ZwknQ0I/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRk3g2OQM3JPIbOy2ak_KqKgglVitZNZtnhrFWcTCGP381XXFHDkUdG03RsumO7FRUzBcocoZGk-SxeXdlBNeVSZTyF-GV3UjINn-5QB61VONSqKDFLHDIY3XJg8IxLwOM6e0ZwknQ0I/s640/DSC_0302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobe covered caliche was used as building material.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Squash, beans and corn were grown near Casa Grande as food crops. Cotton and Agave for garments. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LlFFPpIwMPOki8bRTkEOJM9o53PFYNh8IWMlPtpFErx-UHb1vQh5flzY0sw68OpIGUBbxRgPSfGmjcrHlm9XBqjHg2uIrwJK7J3SiwyxKV5WodYeUj8JFHTNV6pk2FlD9Hp3lE-zBm4/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LlFFPpIwMPOki8bRTkEOJM9o53PFYNh8IWMlPtpFErx-UHb1vQh5flzY0sw68OpIGUBbxRgPSfGmjcrHlm9XBqjHg2uIrwJK7J3SiwyxKV5WodYeUj8JFHTNV6pk2FlD9Hp3lE-zBm4/s640/DSC_0297.JPG" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agave needles like this were used as threaded needles to fasten hides together.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tobacco was grown and probably traded. The desert provided fruit from the Saguaro and Prickly Pear. Other plants and cacti were collected as a food source and for their medicinal properties. The nearby Salt and Gila Rivers were full then and provided fish, waterfowl and turtles.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaODmOOOhl3qqWAf6USD5ZF61Xi1xHJoSls73WHF7plPtoJJ8WAMDOvcV44KmaapGMmbB2kJQCGLnRit-BbDNTsJgyuafpqqS9TzUcCfWxwZwktKeEqPfYe-z-wfflTiwv_F9u9YVpI0/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaODmOOOhl3qqWAf6USD5ZF61Xi1xHJoSls73WHF7plPtoJJ8WAMDOvcV44KmaapGMmbB2kJQCGLnRit-BbDNTsJgyuafpqqS9TzUcCfWxwZwktKeEqPfYe-z-wfflTiwv_F9u9YVpI0/s640/DSC_0306.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great house was 4 stories high.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Great House itself is an impressive structure measuring 60 feet long and 4 stories high. They appear shorter in our photos as several feet of fill has been added at the base to stabilize the foundations. The building material is caliche covered by adobe. Caliche is a concrete like mix of desert sand, clay and limestone that lies under the desert surface. It was up and cut into brick shapes, set into place and mudded over. The base of the Great House is 4 feet thick and gradually tapers to about 12 inches at the top. Wall anchors made of whole trees gave the building stability and the roof was supported by ribs of the Saguaro cactus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are several smaller structures as well as a game court on the grounds that are maintained by the National Park Service. Portions of a boundary wall are recognizable.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKScVJDG5bhyphenhyphenJlf8VqRzmbEsnen_pg3STflNk1ER5Co97Go3WQFa1lXF9hx2vG3hArGJmVb906f9EqkR_oGXvDmXA5RWGPhUHY_7SPK-6p3bDs0Td2qMGunA59-qqVoJEO67uAaR_Ch0/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKScVJDG5bhyphenhyphenJlf8VqRzmbEsnen_pg3STflNk1ER5Co97Go3WQFa1lXF9hx2vG3hArGJmVb906f9EqkR_oGXvDmXA5RWGPhUHY_7SPK-6p3bDs0Td2qMGunA59-qqVoJEO67uAaR_Ch0/s640/DSC_0298.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls of an outbuilding.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story of Casa Grande Ruins is pretty amazing. They are the countries first archeological preserve, achieving that status in 1892. Spanish missionaries documented Casa Grande in 1694. By that time it was already a ruin having been abandoned at some point in the 1400's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were few european visitors to the region before the railroad reached the nearby town in 1879. At that point the ruins became a tourist destination where visitors carved their names in the side of the great hall and carried away chunks of the building as souvenirs. Enterprising merchants with shops at the site even rented out picks and shovels to make it easier for them to do so.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh6H_v26SgTeZ62Atyjv69rFzUBriXjCwcGpxLxO4UQX2bTrOOGhgL5KV3H7nMluVQoZf7X4QMPQhecenjZl13bIpCzFih9cDgU0f9eWvOe37qasl6zRCXahyphenhyphenDdHyRGSc-xyHVharNfA/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="567" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh6H_v26SgTeZ62Atyjv69rFzUBriXjCwcGpxLxO4UQX2bTrOOGhgL5KV3H7nMluVQoZf7X4QMPQhecenjZl13bIpCzFih9cDgU0f9eWvOe37qasl6zRCXahyphenhyphenDdHyRGSc-xyHVharNfA/s640/DSC_0314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were pleasantly surprised to discover that a pair of Great Horned Owls roost in the rafters of Casa Grande's protective cover. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had a perfect vantage point for hunting the pigeons, lizards and small creatures that roam the desert at night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Casa Grande National Monument</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1100 W. Ruins Dr</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Coolidge, AZ</span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com1Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, 1100 W Ruins Dr, Coolidge, AZ 85128, USA32.9954589 -111.535528199999996.2466779000000017 -152.8441222 59.744239900000004 -70.226934199999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-85368179033688451842018-02-10T13:55:00.001-08:002018-02-10T13:55:25.337-08:00Saguaro National Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDgdmR-rsONw-lqHtmkecbKWEw4LF30lUZtyPOoJr-9IqTvkcUstV4XZ076rDwYyCs0iJ3S1x8Gu5nuqEksXM4yym7R3_BRLHK0hahJRu0FyoHuw5J59NMp0jZnyDZXwrvkZqa3UsCe4/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDgdmR-rsONw-lqHtmkecbKWEw4LF30lUZtyPOoJr-9IqTvkcUstV4XZ076rDwYyCs0iJ3S1x8Gu5nuqEksXM4yym7R3_BRLHK0hahJRu0FyoHuw5J59NMp0jZnyDZXwrvkZqa3UsCe4/s640/DSC_0229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saguaro National Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sonoran desert of Arizona is home to the most iconic cactus of all, the Saguaro. They are the shape that Americans think of when picturing a desert cactus. We were pleased to start seeing them as we left the low lying sage, prickly pear and chollas of the Chihuahuan desert and started spotting these giants of the Sonoran desert. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">They are so much bigger than I had remembered from childhood. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUCTwhYGboUVy1171JNQcG3Cu3tgQIG6lKqFd1D2D13I7TiIM2yhq_NkszojR3blsilyBhCxlpBJkrnPp2rfTwUjuFN051XSzmF9dGdd5nO3ZoE_Zn4Fr_qm-4_wx0-_LreD4nuIkQEs/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUCTwhYGboUVy1171JNQcG3Cu3tgQIG6lKqFd1D2D13I7TiIM2yhq_NkszojR3blsilyBhCxlpBJkrnPp2rfTwUjuFN051XSzmF9dGdd5nO3ZoE_Zn4Fr_qm-4_wx0-_LreD4nuIkQEs/s640/DSC_0243.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Saguaro's are taller than any desert tree</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tall and straight they rise up from the desert sand like trees.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some have so many arms they are difficult to count and some don't have any at all. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I prefer those with just 2 arms since they often look like they are frozen in humanlike postures, embracing a nearby cactus or preparing to dance. We even saw one with its two arms curved down in front of it in a weight lifters pose!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg394nz5-nthymdnLfQtelQQfxtR_PHQdFlCfvOOmL6BCKZ8I_w2xBXp0lv4F1cTxpNzy3nZlXUFKqDKn8T33pUGBKCNgAefR6fHdZ2acOBkfL-SEHlBGmsIaxraoH37vnJMeo9yV5bz9k/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg394nz5-nthymdnLfQtelQQfxtR_PHQdFlCfvOOmL6BCKZ8I_w2xBXp0lv4F1cTxpNzy3nZlXUFKqDKn8T33pUGBKCNgAefR6fHdZ2acOBkfL-SEHlBGmsIaxraoH37vnJMeo9yV5bz9k/s640/DSC_0247.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A many armed Saguaro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeb0sFJPf1nDBYTKw1iTqq9up08ZsLiTQzkOknN4cH8anTTyymeFCeH5V2g2rinuOG1i7Q8PTnmLJLP8uow5xK_UiCYghgmBMwIfEE0H7HtWMe5gdilwyTLYB02isRCWZBZp6xU75Dvc/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeb0sFJPf1nDBYTKw1iTqq9up08ZsLiTQzkOknN4cH8anTTyymeFCeH5V2g2rinuOG1i7Q8PTnmLJLP8uow5xK_UiCYghgmBMwIfEE0H7HtWMe5gdilwyTLYB02isRCWZBZp6xU75Dvc/s640/DSC_0264.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And one with no arms at all.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were fortunate to spot a couple of the rare crested Saguaro with ruffled top's appearing like a crown. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuEvUK5o8Lk1d_rB8AZ7Vap4oOEPuXL761-PVxNjpI-kVYnAFQxNEvTLvaCKVevfE4P6hv_NIbG6CyCGeEnulKBsxoIJZWcgI0Fwd2g5NNb1iiKLysFo0_didERMzx6NRbNynt1hroc8/s1600/IMG_7607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuEvUK5o8Lk1d_rB8AZ7Vap4oOEPuXL761-PVxNjpI-kVYnAFQxNEvTLvaCKVevfE4P6hv_NIbG6CyCGeEnulKBsxoIJZWcgI0Fwd2g5NNb1iiKLysFo0_didERMzx6NRbNynt1hroc8/s640/IMG_7607.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only 1 in 10,000 Saguaros has a crested top.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tucson is home to Saguaro National Park whose mission is to protect and preserve these giant specimens in their natural environment. We are happy to have been able to spend time in the West portion of the park learning about the Saguaro.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at the Visitor Center to stamp our National Park Passport and to pick up a hiking trail map. Saguaro West’s Visitor Center has exhibits that introduce you to harsh environment of the Sonoran desert and the life forms that thrive here. We enjoyed a short film that spoke of the Spiritual nature of the desert and of how the Saguaro were regarded by the ancient native american people who lived here. I was happy to learn that i was not alone in imagining human characteristics in the postures of these desert giants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHj3-q-aZqYjtayOhNiMwN-JPljuhuYJE0hQxIig7rwdnKWXuSpNSKsbk8FsgqeVPJikpO9ywdtJYmAsC3DA_x7IGCjkkFzX-4zfl1eEvIBq9TNz6UQmzIQLD7UZHFTPfob_yW3mpPbQ/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHj3-q-aZqYjtayOhNiMwN-JPljuhuYJE0hQxIig7rwdnKWXuSpNSKsbk8FsgqeVPJikpO9ywdtJYmAsC3DA_x7IGCjkkFzX-4zfl1eEvIBq9TNz6UQmzIQLD7UZHFTPfob_yW3mpPbQ/s640/DSC_0239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tiny Saguaro still sheltered by its nurse tree is probably 10-15 years old.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We learned that like many other plants Saguaro seeds are planted by birds. The tiny black seeds grow best under a nurse tree that shelters it for the first several years of its slow growing life. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">It takes a Saguaro 5-10 years to reach an inch tall and 20-45 years to reach a height of 2 feet. The cacti do most of their growing during the Summer rainy season. They don’t begin to grow arms for 50-100 years and can live to be 200 years old.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">A full grown Saguaro can weigh 16,000 pounds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rainfall, temperature and soil conditions all play a part in the growth process.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q-oOpgVEOOTOvC8A0xICjP8cc_CUGGe2gLF3dEgh73gv8H_q-fXvIb9a_2rW9GHP31TSNDERlFfMZKZhUAH9BU8zYECbJwI2L_p4urhDVyMByVjH2ga7mjPrhfw5wp4fNK471fre84Q/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1027" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q-oOpgVEOOTOvC8A0xICjP8cc_CUGGe2gLF3dEgh73gv8H_q-fXvIb9a_2rW9GHP31TSNDERlFfMZKZhUAH9BU8zYECbJwI2L_p4urhDVyMByVjH2ga7mjPrhfw5wp4fNK471fre84Q/s640/DSC_0277.JPG" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saguaro Skeleton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not uncommon to see damage to the stately cacti. Saguaro are susceptible to lightning strikes and to freezing. Gila woodpeckers and Gilded Flicker’s make holes in them for single season nesting cavities. Some are sickened by fungal and bacterial infections and others become so heavy with water in the Summer monsoon's that their shallow netted root systems can no longer hold them. In unprotected areas people have used them for target practice. When you walk in the desert it is common to come upon skeletons of fallen Saguaro's. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These cacti flower in late Spring and produce their fruit in the extreme heat of Summer. The Saguaro fruits in the National Park are harvested by the Tohono O'odham using the traditional methods of their ancestors.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TBOs9Rhve5B4nuyccWCmAfYa3lfLDgHja4NnggkCjpoPVspGTtvS9yhXGYuhIwHLfZL__7pl6BrLGwkoubjp3M04CQ3Y3gZYWbyRBdoPEUkriRKhP9fYBAGayzUedBdTegKKRn4_l1Y/s1600/IMG_2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TBOs9Rhve5B4nuyccWCmAfYa3lfLDgHja4NnggkCjpoPVspGTtvS9yhXGYuhIwHLfZL__7pl6BrLGwkoubjp3M04CQ3Y3gZYWbyRBdoPEUkriRKhP9fYBAGayzUedBdTegKKRn4_l1Y/s640/IMG_2955.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening hike</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have done some hiking at Saguaro NP. The Valley View and Signal Hill trails rewarded us with expansive views from their ridgetops. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibufwCcfGmx7_f3I-xfVqC2nsePL8g-fZffJv4zTH30anS3XSn5TSHfCIzRJ87hLJd0IvacFqL0B6FvYSOtv9z1hKbctTTtr0MTeWqonfeEUN6HjEZkv_USDotK7q4EwFfUYGyS5XBjw4/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibufwCcfGmx7_f3I-xfVqC2nsePL8g-fZffJv4zTH30anS3XSn5TSHfCIzRJ87hLJd0IvacFqL0B6FvYSOtv9z1hKbctTTtr0MTeWqonfeEUN6HjEZkv_USDotK7q4EwFfUYGyS5XBjw4/s640/DSC_0287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petroglyphs at Signal Hill</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Signal Hill had Petroglyphs to ponder over as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our favorite so far has been the Sandero Esperanza. We were lucky enough to go on a Ranger led evening hike on the night before January’s full moon.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQWr372p2UCts1ZXJUyUPuJilcU8FQyDaLpW0dXskEyH-bmooruanKZvcJHjANmou1bJPTLNt8gbb7KTqwQZ389zIovNJG5-aTWNYUM9tIK-QbDyDRDNAUz3Jif9sWmSzpuuO2t20rY8/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQWr372p2UCts1ZXJUyUPuJilcU8FQyDaLpW0dXskEyH-bmooruanKZvcJHjANmou1bJPTLNt8gbb7KTqwQZ389zIovNJG5-aTWNYUM9tIK-QbDyDRDNAUz3Jif9sWmSzpuuO2t20rY8/s640/IMG_2976.JPG" width="598" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonrise</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The path leads across the desert on an old sandy mining trail before climbing steeply on switchbacks to the top of the ridge. The moon rose on our walk in and we reached the top in time to enjoy an amazing desert sunset walking back out by the light of an almost full moon. The tall posing Saguaro looked even more lifelike in the moonlight.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2M3YEjLRe5MHLWawp5tl4Zh7YpdQFTGaZXr7hFRfydJQ3RczFzVr6W10zR921d8YWXNnqqbcJxmyAAtAyLxGJNy_I7UXhtzxdUaesZkRNznOlpsn1kp3ZAhuuYXKxLLRW4afYM32nRI/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2M3YEjLRe5MHLWawp5tl4Zh7YpdQFTGaZXr7hFRfydJQ3RczFzVr6W10zR921d8YWXNnqqbcJxmyAAtAyLxGJNy_I7UXhtzxdUaesZkRNznOlpsn1kp3ZAhuuYXKxLLRW4afYM32nRI/s640/IMG_2985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Saguaro National Park West</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Red Hills Visitor Center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">2700 N Kinney Rd</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tucson, AZ</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Saguaro National Park East</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Rincon Visitor Center</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">3693 S Old Spanish Trail</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tucson, Arizona</span></div>
Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA32.2967359 -111.166614999999985.547907900000002 -152.47520899999998 59.045563900000005 -69.858020999999979tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-47586079980906141192017-12-21T04:00:00.000-08:002018-02-09T16:22:01.625-08:00Fort Bowie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoLV1UZoXwIMtzDqCrz-ehO414ZSZOXPmpjYnyQKAQXafv251g-esU6P1Nx0pM4SwpRinnQNy2oeJZPhF_pM8GSknqfY_FXYR9mnyqM6lOPwNwnuKk-8xbwq3zOwfFxCs09cMPw_-p7s/s1600/24059187_10210776972044694_6790240578197427603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoLV1UZoXwIMtzDqCrz-ehO414ZSZOXPmpjYnyQKAQXafv251g-esU6P1Nx0pM4SwpRinnQNy2oeJZPhF_pM8GSknqfY_FXYR9mnyqM6lOPwNwnuKk-8xbwq3zOwfFxCs09cMPw_-p7s/s640/24059187_10210776972044694_6790240578197427603_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobe remnants of Fort Bowie</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>November 24, 2017</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today found us driving back east following the route we took toward Chiricahua a few days ago. Our original plan had been to visit Fort Bowie that same day but we lingered at the magnificent rocks for too long.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fort Bowie is a remote National Historic Site. The access point on Apache Pass Rd is a trail head with a 1 ¾ mile walking trail to the Visitor Center. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67D02SWX_7XRk4BTKzlbAEZNgfeIZSbpTHUTqigBbx9gcopy7fH4AMtQmSTIJoVmP5iChz7Qxtd1KgY_tFxrrDB6RADrOXL_XgVsvyUlVs7ta0FZVAR-SxXfH_h-Rhjfa5qxGvZ075DQ/s1600/23794999_10210776971484680_2492118226023326567_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67D02SWX_7XRk4BTKzlbAEZNgfeIZSbpTHUTqigBbx9gcopy7fH4AMtQmSTIJoVmP5iChz7Qxtd1KgY_tFxrrDB6RADrOXL_XgVsvyUlVs7ta0FZVAR-SxXfH_h-Rhjfa5qxGvZ075DQ/s640/23794999_10210776971484680_2492118226023326567_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of the Fort Bowie Hospital.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took a wrong turn through some rough dirt roads and ended up at the Ranger Station, but had a shorter trek.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apache Pass where Fort Bowie sits had long been a traveling route between the Mountain Ranges. The pass was the flattest route and also had a source of fresh water in Antelope Spring. Spanish explorers walked this road. The Butterfield stage line traversed this pass to deliver the mail. There was no military presence here until 1862 with the building of Fort Bowie. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k_EoMrkHOtzW-0y2-EIOQJUvE3t57fgrWbGXWsYyB1N0g4uad6d0xyqFC1wz7rbiNLTKtsIUjfYfgnM2t4hp7EPg-CMh-Xvz9gDTitfU0XblpsICFWRe5AQZaLljmeVsHuhBwg7jUa4/s1600/23844935_10210776969884640_5399762858075602852_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k_EoMrkHOtzW-0y2-EIOQJUvE3t57fgrWbGXWsYyB1N0g4uad6d0xyqFC1wz7rbiNLTKtsIUjfYfgnM2t4hp7EPg-CMh-Xvz9gDTitfU0XblpsICFWRe5AQZaLljmeVsHuhBwg7jUa4/s640/23844935_10210776969884640_5399762858075602852_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of old Fort Bowie</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fort Bowie was commissioned to provide protection of the pass and those using it from the Chiricahua Apache lead by Cochise and then Geronimo. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Fort was a very basic outpost for the first few years but by 1886 adobe structures had been completed with separate quarters for officers and enlisted men, a post hospital, storehouses, corrals and a commissary.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcMIGwFzKc68VUYS5BpCodi_NIrEoUo7k5hE4WE1yh9cjSw-us16RYlwFP4WPp_GKgzCb517WXYBYQStQa9RnWB24J4a-mcpa0DnDxBieJFHZcoxQJa2FvZROpcsYmFqzTCA1vXYwjuk/s1600/24058688_10210776968244599_4245927448223642690_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcMIGwFzKc68VUYS5BpCodi_NIrEoUo7k5hE4WE1yh9cjSw-us16RYlwFP4WPp_GKgzCb517WXYBYQStQa9RnWB24J4a-mcpa0DnDxBieJFHZcoxQJa2FvZROpcsYmFqzTCA1vXYwjuk/s640/24058688_10210776968244599_4245927448223642690_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowie Point, site of a Heliograph station</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The fort stayed in service until 1894 8 years after Geronimo and his band surrendered and were exiled to Florida. The fort no longer had a purpose with the Apache warriors banished to reservations.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0xPiYG113JCHAgjZjxgWBbIDQonJF1_pRBumrZpf0Tn3T316XiFA1NOmP6doAao7Xy5HpRvPk8-Ir-6OJqOF9blPXk5yBc12bntvIW1Ph6TyJsGkw1ED1ZYUgMN79wAj7PPkbeGsO2Q/s1600/23905441_10210776972284700_869876968601976681_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0xPiYG113JCHAgjZjxgWBbIDQonJF1_pRBumrZpf0Tn3T316XiFA1NOmP6doAao7Xy5HpRvPk8-Ir-6OJqOF9blPXk5yBc12bntvIW1Ph6TyJsGkw1ED1ZYUgMN79wAj7PPkbeGsO2Q/s640/23905441_10210776972284700_869876968601976681_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers have been moved to National Cemeteries but civilians remain in the cemetery at Fort Bowie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Visitor Center is small but includes exhibits about the fort, the region and about communication. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heliographs </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">were used extensively in this remote area. The US Army Signal Corps adopted the British invention to use in the American Southwest where the sun shines more than 300 days a year. The Heliograph works using mirrors to reflect sunlight and a keying system that interrupts the light flash in a series of dots and dashes that correspond to Morse Code. Arizona and New Mexico once had 23 Heliograph stations about 25 miles apart. Fort Bowie and Bowie Peak were in this chain of communication.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGq0l03xhV12BJqkhEmXnMBLv3EJAq7A1PNz5hq2SrY0Y5qGh7EeegcfXURoWdDXNtJobSkLDGa4ur2ntZTBNXBrx7A6RcELiXM9iZxqRAYvxyThoAbcwjNjbzsv7GZYM6nononvCJ14/s1600/24058826_10210776972604708_4507497575332768243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGq0l03xhV12BJqkhEmXnMBLv3EJAq7A1PNz5hq2SrY0Y5qGh7EeegcfXURoWdDXNtJobSkLDGa4ur2ntZTBNXBrx7A6RcELiXM9iZxqRAYvxyThoAbcwjNjbzsv7GZYM6nononvCJ14/s640/24058826_10210776972604708_4507497575332768243_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apache Pass</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We enjoyed visiting this remote outpost of the American West. Most of the fort has disappeared with the passing of time. Portions of adobe walls remain to show us where buildings, corrals and the water cistern once stood. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ranger at the Visitor Center recommended the Overlook Ridge Trail to give us a birds eye view of the pass. We set out behind the Visitor Center and started to climb. The views from the top of the ridge were as beautiful as described. You can still see tracks through the pass and imagine wagons and coaches trying to climb the hills. The downward trail took us past the Fort’s cemetery and by Antelope Spring in a gentle 3 mile loop.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We returned to the car, tired and dusty but happy to have made the effort. </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-24eb2c56-579c-e132-1830-8cf9f2bc1a2c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fort Bowie National Historic Site</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">3500 Apache Pass Rd</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bowie, Arizona</span></span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-55064330358271567292017-12-19T04:00:00.000-08:002017-12-19T04:01:28.892-08:00Land of Standing Up Rocks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiLbYUVHdwHr1kbX4kcAS08uBgSMumbFfN-ONESuHdO0C08kh2pi_sD0UzBAvP5iXh2bT6rOhKJNdBXHsFgQvwHHo7DXglnolW6rSFEZvVtf460zm7jaHhQp4JHjj8Im3rcwI6871qxE/s1600/IMG_7331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiLbYUVHdwHr1kbX4kcAS08uBgSMumbFfN-ONESuHdO0C08kh2pi_sD0UzBAvP5iXh2bT6rOhKJNdBXHsFgQvwHHo7DXglnolW6rSFEZvVtf460zm7jaHhQp4JHjj8Im3rcwI6871qxE/s640/IMG_7331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona Desert Sunset</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>November 19, 2017</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving week and we have made it to Arizona.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will be spending the next week in Benson, down in the Southeast part of the state. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are several National Park sites in this region that have been on our list for a while and the towns of Tombstone and Bisbee are close by.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are staying the week at the Saguaro Escapees Park. It's lovely here with a great view of the desert and mountains as a backdrop. We are at the border between the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sonoran Desert and are beginning to see a change in the landscape. Today we spotted our first Saguaro cactus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sunsets are lovely painting the sky with a pink glow for 360 degrees. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The neighbors in this large well maintained park are friendly and welcoming. They have invited us to attend their annual Thanksgiving feast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday we drove back toward the east with a plan to visit Chiricahua National Monument. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLACeNXRPM6K3iPt1fgGBrl2KWji-6BS-oT_5L-o_vM6Ti194WJ-y9I7OAvwtTtKYGw-iW6UpXeNk7wS4AbYeet62L7LePb_QRDn0JvPPSlLd4zJKaCZYZGcqmG5L-PyuRmQhR6AXNrtM/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLACeNXRPM6K3iPt1fgGBrl2KWji-6BS-oT_5L-o_vM6Ti194WJ-y9I7OAvwtTtKYGw-iW6UpXeNk7wS4AbYeet62L7LePb_QRDn0JvPPSlLd4zJKaCZYZGcqmG5L-PyuRmQhR6AXNrtM/s640/DSC_0092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once again we found ourselves on dusty back roads climbing in elevation to reach the National Monument. We stopped at the Visitor Center for a trail map and to watch a short video before driving the 8 mile scenic route through Bonita Canyon to Massai Point.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0n_Jf9vUNo7U_dPnSe0CRnwz6EnRGiaNoOtms9og8PoCKIrerd1otHVO_DknE9YJ-g0c9QDy45CknLyOSVV1H6H8JPmbfLHDwtA01y9Cn5QwbNTSzU2mm6RavNd5z6xOlf7kaH4QPs/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV0n_Jf9vUNo7U_dPnSe0CRnwz6EnRGiaNoOtms9og8PoCKIrerd1otHVO_DknE9YJ-g0c9QDy45CknLyOSVV1H6H8JPmbfLHDwtA01y9Cn5QwbNTSzU2mm6RavNd5z6xOlf7kaH4QPs/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gravity Defying rock formations</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chiricahua was named by the Apache as the Land of Standing Up Rocks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is an incredible configuration of top heavy rocks that look like they shouldn't be able to hold themselves up. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The gravity defying structures resemble stone cairns carefully balanced by the hands of a giant. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGE-KDF4HrmOGw_e6_ay53-hEvp3A-ABuzSD9NQTDJYayWdT_kA81OTN7okWjCGq4vw9o6pkhMDwDFhjCqM_I-VyTsWb2WAASdT7Bpv4_0AkkFLxoqP-3fsFIVFHDO-kJkVj_7NU6I8/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkGE-KDF4HrmOGw_e6_ay53-hEvp3A-ABuzSD9NQTDJYayWdT_kA81OTN7okWjCGq4vw9o6pkhMDwDFhjCqM_I-VyTsWb2WAASdT7Bpv4_0AkkFLxoqP-3fsFIVFHDO-kJkVj_7NU6I8/s640/DSC_0099.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiricahua is a sky island</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chiricahua is called a Sky Island. The isolated mountain range is surrounded by meadows and grassland for miles around. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">These rocky peaks, like much of the landscape of Arizona and New Mexico were formed by the ash of volcanic eruptions. The ash particles fused into a type of rock called rhyolite. Thousands of years of weathering and erosion of the weak spots in the ash formation created the individual spires that we see today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wTFs095rbr0eHUR2b2H8pAL9e9UZmBjeH3t1MP5CY_54yAoC21S5cUiYHCNqu3eR11KktPzS-UsZD8Zamh2PoYq13HeV5jswouEWXkPqLifgl081QYM-eeWvjvbv11eLxYvxDAFH1Z0/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wTFs095rbr0eHUR2b2H8pAL9e9UZmBjeH3t1MP5CY_54yAoC21S5cUiYHCNqu3eR11KktPzS-UsZD8Zamh2PoYq13HeV5jswouEWXkPqLifgl081QYM-eeWvjvbv11eLxYvxDAFH1Z0/s640/DSC_0148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Massai Point</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rock formations capture your imagination. They look like castles or cityscapes, ships and faces. Many of the prominent features have been named. Balanced Rock, Organ Pipes, Geronimo, and the Sea Captain are among them. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of a reclining Geronimo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were delighted to see hawks soaring around the peaks and to hear woodpeckers in the wind blown pines. Mexican Jays harassed us for scraps while we picnicked at Massai Point. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Blue Jay</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are miles of trails to hike at Chiricahua. We chose the Massai Nature Trail and a portion of the Ed Riggs trail for their amazing sky views.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balancing rock in Bonita Canyon.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">From Massai Point we could see the Dragoon Mountains where Chief Cochise and a small band of Chiricahua Apache lived and evaded being forced to Reservation life. We hiked into Cochise Stronghold from the State Park 2 days ago and enjoyed seeing the Dragoons with their lookout points and hidden canyons from this perspective. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipes</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chiricahua National Monument</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">12856 East Rhyolite Creek Rd</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Willcox, Arizona</span></span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-26108176708561341682017-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:002017-12-16T04:00:36.311-08:00Cliff Dweller Canyon, New Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhyphenhyphenTYWmncMUi1Uu2-2OUUR133pLLLkokF_YknL3PsqKnNVpIcJPMMa6or1X-hyc4HeCo74SgI0tC_MgzlzduAOabBbOgmfkTj6ps7UXI_qiiBu9Xr6Imy8zw0dZi9rYIirvFhVRiAcFI/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhyphenhyphenTYWmncMUi1Uu2-2OUUR133pLLLkokF_YknL3PsqKnNVpIcJPMMa6or1X-hyc4HeCo74SgI0tC_MgzlzduAOabBbOgmfkTj6ps7UXI_qiiBu9Xr6Imy8zw0dZi9rYIirvFhVRiAcFI/s640/DSC_0027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left White Sands and drove a couple of hours to Silver City, New Mexico. Silver City was founded by Silver Miners in the late 1800’s but now the only mining that we saw was for copper. Those large strip mines are quite a business in this part of New Mexico.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Silver City has an interesting downtown area. We found a great Farmer's Market and procured some Thanksgiving vegetables as well as a jar of hot spicy dilly beans. Chili peppers go in everything in New Mexico! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a couple of good coffee shops and several restaurants as well as a distillery. The city has a rough history that includes a major flood that destroyed much of the downtown. They rebuilt with elevated buildings and sidewalks leaving the old Main Street as a “big Ditch” that provides a place for water runoff in the event of a flash flood. It makes for an interesting downtown as the big ditch area has been developed into a green-space environment with elevated walkways and desert gardens.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drive through the Gila National Forest gave us spectacular views.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday we drove the 45 miles into the Gila National Forest to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The road, NM 15-N, is narrow and winding with expansive views of the mountains as we climbed higher. The drive took us about 1 1/2 hours that included a couple of stops to enjoy scenic overlooks.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScUH5jb3xQfc8gkzNmP57KTu015s41HVD59Ww97s175BbWG5tFcGO8HWgsA9fb87m8q86fNCdIT7BXwKwMilnnrnc-rs3MkqIDil4x5tpSzGPLxe2fPngX2u7caFdm3_CIqXLXcVYqpI/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScUH5jb3xQfc8gkzNmP57KTu015s41HVD59Ww97s175BbWG5tFcGO8HWgsA9fb87m8q86fNCdIT7BXwKwMilnnrnc-rs3MkqIDil4x5tpSzGPLxe2fPngX2u7caFdm3_CIqXLXcVYqpI/s640/DSC_0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started off deep in the canyon and climbed about 180 feet in elevation.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gila Cliff Dwellings are a series of caves high in the walls of a canyon formed by the Gila River. For a short period of time more than 700 years ago a group of Mogollon people used seven of the caves as their home. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped first at the Visitor Center to look at the exhibits and watch a short introductory film, then drove to the trail head.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This monument at the Visitor Center marks the location of Geronimo's birth.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is an established trail to the caves crossing a bridge over the Gila river, a small trickle after the long hot Summer. The path is well maintained and pretty easy with one particularly steep portion that could be difficult at this elevation of 6000 feet. Luckily we have spent the last 3 months at elevations of 3000 feet or higher and are acclimated to the environment. As we walked the trail we caught glimpses of the caves through the pine and cottonwood trees that line the canyon. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gila River after a long hot Summer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We reached the top of the trail and stopped to catch our breath. The caves were right in front of us rising in elevation from #1 at ground level to #7 How the heck did they get up there?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHtK4nMZ5O7lkdBCHGR7kmulHmSBn8DnXKO2O1tS-x8WTHke_rifxBBtbAp6C7659DCx9HrgTeST5AA2tw6bBLZsnbbISsbtcz3ydUKyDSa0c1gAqwE_NjLXU9qFwgwxowY5P1ZByogQ/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHtK4nMZ5O7lkdBCHGR7kmulHmSBn8DnXKO2O1tS-x8WTHke_rifxBBtbAp6C7659DCx9HrgTeST5AA2tw6bBLZsnbbISsbtcz3ydUKyDSa0c1gAqwE_NjLXU9qFwgwxowY5P1ZByogQ/s640/DSC_0045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caves from the trail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The caves are quite a combination of natural environment and adobe additions. In one place, long before the cave dwellers arrived, a large slab of rock had fallen from the ceiling. It was much to large to move so adobe was added and it became a wall that divided sleeping quarters from the kitchen and public living space.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoHS4gXpKOEy5NsnjPj1ezdyZhJKM92lCpLG_TYTxR4FenMYfyOfjlueZWY4PKHpCsEoUexBzKzJYA0Cn6hh2CK1vHk6JxXdCsKqxUbqOMJqo2gdc0VoJUhmQmATpr595CZPvect-ZCM/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoHS4gXpKOEy5NsnjPj1ezdyZhJKM92lCpLG_TYTxR4FenMYfyOfjlueZWY4PKHpCsEoUexBzKzJYA0Cn6hh2CK1vHk6JxXdCsKqxUbqOMJqo2gdc0VoJUhmQmATpr595CZPvect-ZCM/s640/DSC_0049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note how dark the sooty ceilings are.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The roofs are so blackened with soot that they resemble a night sky. We accessed the individual caves via a series of stone stairs, narrow rock bridges and wooden ladders that challenged my dislike of high places. Caves 6 and 7 are not on the tour as they are only accessible with rock climbing equipment.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPuOwKY0HcgJUGoA5pS-6-Rnybl32L1i-53gsQXxIeLL6kdWLQZWlTbKfckhJlJDZGsDtAY4jbvd8tH-vABzr8X9je6UX9oN95oeFqkDDzjT5i5D7rEpxHPKPI4LuHHs0Oq0gW_b447o/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPuOwKY0HcgJUGoA5pS-6-Rnybl32L1i-53gsQXxIeLL6kdWLQZWlTbKfckhJlJDZGsDtAY4jbvd8tH-vABzr8X9je6UX9oN95oeFqkDDzjT5i5D7rEpxHPKPI4LuHHs0Oq0gW_b447o/s640/DSC_0052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caves 2 and 3.</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We met a volunteer named Brenda who had been workamping at Gila for the last 2 months. She was a fellow full time RVer and fan of National Parks. Brenda had a lot of knowledge about the cave structures and conversation with her allowed us to visualize living in them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcIXkCYUdrCWpX92OGuwNVT92OxiSqDzrvE6c9SpaYx8BRL6mOr29x9Vj101VaTjihk1vLQ7lJkY4yvaOvyRBKCK7zRNT0tpdbPtFYZ8H23Aoo2xjP36Vvf-GqhJRnRXuDHFmU0sV9XU/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcIXkCYUdrCWpX92OGuwNVT92OxiSqDzrvE6c9SpaYx8BRL6mOr29x9Vj101VaTjihk1vLQ7lJkY4yvaOvyRBKCK7zRNT0tpdbPtFYZ8H23Aoo2xjP36Vvf-GqhJRnRXuDHFmU0sV9XU/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outer wall across the caves natural opening.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">She pointed out petroglyphs on the wall of cave 5 and was keeping notes of visitor's interpretations of them. Brenda encouraged us to explore the 46 separate rooms of the high natural homes. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8BKAKReZ5iXi-nf1BluH6v7YDrSiGW4BIgh9VlSUMh70d6dgMXnr6Kuq6A76hb5Jxt7vrdznanahB_eztKW9IqlDGlST3FjeA3PAe-heCwtJcC5uCl0g63xAwjL0M4h0zlsLGtaOkuw/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8BKAKReZ5iXi-nf1BluH6v7YDrSiGW4BIgh9VlSUMh70d6dgMXnr6Kuq6A76hb5Jxt7vrdznanahB_eztKW9IqlDGlST3FjeA3PAe-heCwtJcC5uCl0g63xAwjL0M4h0zlsLGtaOkuw/s640/DSC_0055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone and adobe were used to partition the caves into rooms.</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interestingly the position of the caves allows morning sun to warm them and leaves the entrances shaded during the hot portion of the day.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rQikWADpTPWUvwZGIvV0EvUBlW39tYU8TzsL5iAivrXooJ2x8QxuWBd5bryoiDZgDGV9yFCRnAUjkX_TLRFWcYNVZBG4su8QHn3-HxpqzJT3Xla5Q_I9NLX-eTij8SP-DLtUbeoQ4UM/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rQikWADpTPWUvwZGIvV0EvUBlW39tYU8TzsL5iAivrXooJ2x8QxuWBd5bryoiDZgDGV9yFCRnAUjkX_TLRFWcYNVZBG4su8QHn3-HxpqzJT3Xla5Q_I9NLX-eTij8SP-DLtUbeoQ4UM/s640/DSC_0066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone and adobe fireplace.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cliff Dwelling Canyon is an abundant environment for hunter-gatherers. 24 of the 32 specimens of plant remains found in the caves were wild. Pinon nuts, yucca, acorns, berries and nuts were all present. Squash, beans and corn were also found in storage caches. These crops referred to as the 3 sisters were cultivated by many native American ancestral people throughout the west.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyV5R3l-InVnEUEsI8hkQ_IJnMqshqUe9B33swNvTo7cBPARQ1JByZp2rd285WDBxo4vxsl7hNi6xfBniOwpVT5kVcXgMo35hX2LvxWhHxrURh_aT4dDo7_DrdSwWVq8ME9Vt6O2GVd8/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyV5R3l-InVnEUEsI8hkQ_IJnMqshqUe9B33swNvTo7cBPARQ1JByZp2rd285WDBxo4vxsl7hNi6xfBniOwpVT5kVcXgMo35hX2LvxWhHxrURh_aT4dDo7_DrdSwWVq8ME9Vt6O2GVd8/s640/DSC_0070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caves have beautiful views.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pottery shards and the bones of deer and small animals have been uncovered as well as the mummified remains of residents dated to that time period.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The caves are a wonderful example of life in the New Mexico High Desert 700 years ago. The 10-15 Mogollon families lived here for only 20 years, 1 generation in their culture. It is impressive that so much evidence remains of their occupation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvQfTm2dlUvcU6axDVkUFvVdz48IAthOStXl6tQWbgLLvwji9KDCX6eDSCPwFWvx15WR653DqLclaaXw2uXQSXelBao6hTPb5jugzu_eP-r1GBlcFk1NKbKSeeh_B-clncgN0ennOuVA/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvQfTm2dlUvcU6axDVkUFvVdz48IAthOStXl6tQWbgLLvwji9KDCX6eDSCPwFWvx15WR653DqLclaaXw2uXQSXelBao6hTPb5jugzu_eP-r1GBlcFk1NKbKSeeh_B-clncgN0ennOuVA/s640/DSC_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladder to cave 5.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We returned to the parking area via a second trail to complete the loop, and enjoyed a different viewpoint as we descended. This side of the canyon still has evidence of a large fire that occurred in 2011.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gila Cliff Dwellings are in a remote area but worth the effort to get there. We took a more easterly route home. It was slightly longer but took us through another part of the National Forest with different views.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YVR3m6E96-HHthDcuvSUDvLENOnVQ34vOb7Weer1gCip7EiIbETuc68PanNB914IKnSy_ELJ6dAELLo4B4aIM2oiCzUB2tkP6yD4-xM7S5MV8-vbd2zoE5QeaJ551iozbNZ1kpfuKH4/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YVR3m6E96-HHthDcuvSUDvLENOnVQ34vOb7Weer1gCip7EiIbETuc68PanNB914IKnSy_ELJ6dAELLo4B4aIM2oiCzUB2tkP6yD4-xM7S5MV8-vbd2zoE5QeaJ551iozbNZ1kpfuKH4/s640/DSC_0088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw deer on the way home.</td></tr>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-24eb2c56-4c14-aa96-1c7c-bf4dc3f75226" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">New Mexico 15-N</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s a long winding and beautiful drive, about 43 miles, through portions of the Gila National Forest. 15-N ends at the National Monument.</span></span></div>
<br />Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-26832129467666979172017-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:002017-12-13T04:00:00.488-08:00Acres of White Sand but no Waves in Sight<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQiZtZhdBb0eDl7uto4Y_1p0jtTFDqo6N9jdea5zzX44xGlyQiqQ_-kC53-q-TDhcUhVkE3rblhnW3Fg_UY9qIRFl6RlfkazULquWCPdfsrd96O2ani6w6pQVUODaeyugdbao7OEoO_A/s1600/DSC_0062-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQiZtZhdBb0eDl7uto4Y_1p0jtTFDqo6N9jdea5zzX44xGlyQiqQ_-kC53-q-TDhcUhVkE3rblhnW3Fg_UY9qIRFl6RlfkazULquWCPdfsrd96O2ani6w6pQVUODaeyugdbao7OEoO_A/s640/DSC_0062-EFFECTS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of this tree with its roots exposed by shifting sand looks like it is running away.</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have arrived at our Winter home at Picacho Peak Arizona. It is always an adventure to choose a place to stay when you have never been to an area before but we are very happy with our choice. Picacho Peak RV Resort is a lovely friendly park with a lot of amenities and active Winter residents. There is plenty of room to walk and ride bikes. Fred has met a group of Pickleballers and I am already in with the Crafty ladies. Its going to be a fun few months. We are settled in and have been busy planning for the Holidays.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finally am getting around to recording our last few stops in New Mexico and Arizona before arriving here on December 1.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Iwyi-DdSNhXZQUoj_d4opYSUuAtSYzd2DBNDPUk5copheoe7BuX0UKSxgpPzBLTTvpS_q1ElbB1dDCk_GwrdepIodderp6IB7xi_aTyby0eN4nRgWSH1oS7M3p-g7XJPZYuvru0zws/s1600/IMG_7292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Iwyi-DdSNhXZQUoj_d4opYSUuAtSYzd2DBNDPUk5copheoe7BuX0UKSxgpPzBLTTvpS_q1ElbB1dDCk_GwrdepIodderp6IB7xi_aTyby0eN4nRgWSH1oS7M3p-g7XJPZYuvru0zws/s640/IMG_7292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The few we looked out on at White Sands Missile Range RV Park.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had an opportunity to stay at New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range Army Base in mid-November. Their RV Park is only 8 sites and we were lucky to be able to claim one for a week. The pads were situated to have a lovely view of Salinas Peak and the San Andres Mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a remote outpost. The motto on base is <b>“This isn’t the end of the earth, but you can see it from here.”</b> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSPY7dObob2tIMZU3y1HLPyMzfJPKa0WNeUCf4GsJPAgaEemOpNj7glHbDLRs0wSnD-D8BqswPEa2WNTFLH678qEAUlSe-nBzjdnYTZmUOz24H-kHoxSC-GjF19MSAXCkOeYZXiGWQTQ/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSPY7dObob2tIMZU3y1HLPyMzfJPKa0WNeUCf4GsJPAgaEemOpNj7glHbDLRs0wSnD-D8BqswPEa2WNTFLH678qEAUlSe-nBzjdnYTZmUOz24H-kHoxSC-GjF19MSAXCkOeYZXiGWQTQ/s640/DSC_0077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">White Sands Missile Range is right up the road from White Sands National Monument, another of our National Treasures administered by the National Park Service. It is like no other part of the desert that we have seen. The sands of the Tularosa Basin in this part of the Chihuahuan Desert are a brilliant white in color. From a distance the dunes look like snow drifts. The sand here is gypsum and it is cool on your feet making it pleasant to walk in. A shallow seeping water supply beneath the sand supports a small but diverse ecosystem that is not found anywhere else on earth. The sands are always moving changing the shape of the dunes. Plants have learned to grow tall quickly and to dig in their roots. Animals have adapted by evolving into light colored versions of their species.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred walking across the sand.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visiting White Sands is like going to the beach, without an ocean nearby. Family's picnic here with sun shades and beach blankets and barbecue equipment. There are Volley Ball nets set up and several groups of people had brought in waxed sleds to slide down the dunes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleds waiting for riders.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took a short hike through the dune life nature trail, walked a boardwalk over and between the dunes and enjoyed a picnic lunch. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE-ggcVCyFR3WvvBIi70K_p7GLFwQBJfKdfA1DAQCSFDyc3mcPZ9CMd3IiPJYajOv8tnHP6zzUJvdbNLptVUw1gSvKW6-4N8ZtJGe-icP1ass9-wq5DWl1-1yeIZr3t5sPTL77nCtfnM/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE-ggcVCyFR3WvvBIi70K_p7GLFwQBJfKdfA1DAQCSFDyc3mcPZ9CMd3IiPJYajOv8tnHP6zzUJvdbNLptVUw1gSvKW6-4N8ZtJGe-icP1ass9-wq5DWl1-1yeIZr3t5sPTL77nCtfnM/s640/DSC_0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed the adobe architecture and decorative doors of Las Cruces.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">White Sands is not far from Las Cruces, New Mexico. We drove into the historic city twice in order to explore. Our first visit was to attend the Saturday Farmers Market. The Market turned out to be more craft fair than produce market but we did see a great Veterans Day Parade that included marching bands, representatives from all branches of the Military, local Police, Fire, EMS and Border Patrol. It was quite a spectacle and we were glad to have happened upon it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_daJV3AAEbsLNHNpHyI1wLaa2zAizt4Vd-cN3qum5VFfulvW6-Guz0ROoNsQnE5Ch5pTOyLGkKEzAu12ZzMN0xynNHKvCl-9cfWmF45bI_7FhQ6G7OKds8nbvZIuLgWYJvO-adj1O_g/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_daJV3AAEbsLNHNpHyI1wLaa2zAizt4Vd-cN3qum5VFfulvW6-Guz0ROoNsQnE5Ch5pTOyLGkKEzAu12ZzMN0xynNHKvCl-9cfWmF45bI_7FhQ6G7OKds8nbvZIuLgWYJvO-adj1O_g/s640/DSC_0003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Billy the Kid was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang but escaped after being transferred from Mesilla.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our second visit to Las Cruces was to the Old Mesilla District. We enjoyed seeing all of the historic adobe houses with stone fences guarding their gardens. Old Mesilla was part of the Wild West. Here at one corner of the Plaza Billy the Kid was jailed while waiting for trial. The old jail is a gift shop that serves delicious coffee now. Francisco Pancho Villa walked these streets. Pat Garrett, the man who killed Billy the Kid, is buried here. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Mesilla shop.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Opposite the old jail is La Posta de Mesilla a restaurant that was once a stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. The old adobe building once provided rooms for sleeping, a blacksmith shop and a stable for horses in addition to food service. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We enjoyed a great lunch of traditional southwest foods while watching restaurant employees decorate for Christmas. The restaurant has a large display of caged parrots and piranha in tanks near the entrance. It was unexpected and delightful. Thanks for the recommendation Mike and Connie Johnson!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other historic buildings around the Plaza house restaurants and gift shops that feature products from the Southwest and Mexico. Some of the buildings are adobe, others were brick and one had decorative tin siding. We enjoyed looking at all of the woven rugs and blankets whose designs are specific to individuals or families. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beautiful work. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmtC0SBT3pS7e_skVun6RpwMRsgRQSykMd8cKvosd32Pbrf1RxEvSfKoVLRqLCXNKlnP24z4idtG9q-hROtaNZAUX87CzU0oK1Inv2JaSSgcvFtlQg-0mvAFhWo669lk6wKt7OF0DDxw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmtC0SBT3pS7e_skVun6RpwMRsgRQSykMd8cKvosd32Pbrf1RxEvSfKoVLRqLCXNKlnP24z4idtG9q-hROtaNZAUX87CzU0oK1Inv2JaSSgcvFtlQg-0mvAFhWo669lk6wKt7OF0DDxw/s640/DSC_0011.JPG" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another Old Mesilla doorway</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We left White Sands Missile Range on Friday morning and were thrilled to see a missile test on that last day. I was out walking and Fred was at the RV talking with our neighbor when we each observed the missile streak through the sky and land in a puff of smoke. The sound and a contrail followed a few seconds later. It was an amazing display that we were glad to have seen. US-70 and the access road to the base close during the tests so we were a captive audience for the rest of the testing that morning. Happily we only had to travel about 60 miles to our next destination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">White Sands National Monument</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">19955 US-70</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Old Mesilla Village</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">2385 Calle de Guadalupe</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Las Cruces, New Mexico</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Farmers and Craft Market of Las Cruces</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">125 N Main St</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Las Cruces, New Mexico</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturdays 8:30-1</span></span></div>
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-16486983600363486052017-11-17T04:00:00.000-08:002017-11-18T09:56:52.518-08:00Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx7wpbgPuiLdiJtlONA_8AfIzLcv14x7jGySTlSNyxZcOwbvj5Q4gRLFvLDgc9AVi5zU7sQ_G085x_B8Mjwwfg3LIwzmRyo5RLcj3RSoGzYIltnUikqxiq-HZU2ypoF-Ic4Favf7d5p8/s1600/IMG_2397.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGx7wpbgPuiLdiJtlONA_8AfIzLcv14x7jGySTlSNyxZcOwbvj5Q4gRLFvLDgc9AVi5zU7sQ_G085x_B8Mjwwfg3LIwzmRyo5RLcj3RSoGzYIltnUikqxiq-HZU2ypoF-Ic4Favf7d5p8/s640/IMG_2397.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in September when we had to change our travel planning. And the new route was going to take us down to New Mexico. I knew we had to make plans to visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory site. Also called the "Very Large Array" (VLA).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you have seen or remember the movie "Contact" with Jodi Foster. That movie was filmed on-location at the VLA. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcqlszCP_MFGoGLMiTM1je1VGbVAaK6MMu62OgFxb9F6nV-gT38bgPMLdVKSGURkk6KKYWNmu7lFuc4sqrwDII9daa2tANXekkuwKMzG7r32rrqHxpKCRX4JSE2bPDzebOUmIpAFd1mg/s1600/IMG_2408.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcqlszCP_MFGoGLMiTM1je1VGbVAaK6MMu62OgFxb9F6nV-gT38bgPMLdVKSGURkk6KKYWNmu7lFuc4sqrwDII9daa2tANXekkuwKMzG7r32rrqHxpKCRX4JSE2bPDzebOUmIpAFd1mg/s640/IMG_2408.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The VLA is located about 50 miles west of Socorro, NM off of US-60. The site has a total of 27 dish antennas. Each antenna is 82 feet in diameter, standing about 90 feet high, and it weights 230 tons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They sit in a wide-open section/area of land around open farm land in this Y-shaped configuration when in it's maximum spacing it is 22 miles long. Which make the 27 antennas one of the single powerful telescopes in the world.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XKj-2AwmbMGbgHvCD0qrZdS1P0ipXfhFF6xJBAQWqLFBRg4B8uv0_s_7o0V9gnmmX6BNy9ktVzdhwNZwZmhbuXmMjQjxDeRAb8OXqJz0yl7WAZp4DVR4UE4co6Ncxi-BEBYulxrrkCw/s1600/IMG_2412.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XKj-2AwmbMGbgHvCD0qrZdS1P0ipXfhFF6xJBAQWqLFBRg4B8uv0_s_7o0V9gnmmX6BNy9ktVzdhwNZwZmhbuXmMjQjxDeRAb8OXqJz0yl7WAZp4DVR4UE4co6Ncxi-BEBYulxrrkCw/s640/IMG_2412.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The scientists & staff at the VLA adjust or moved the antennas to change the science capabilities every four months. So they can see and observe items out in space day & night 365 days each year. And this all begin back in 1980. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHfeSoY6sIYoQfiO0zrl_-SvtHxIvAd9WE1MHHYMO6_WvCpaE6Qn5_N_p4vbuN0LL6YzfNZz1INunJJBsZe1o1IiFSKXsnV1PUbWy5AcoI_FjlJ0wknRL0poS-oO8RBTDQcN_Jy9vHO0/s1600/IMG_2405.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHfeSoY6sIYoQfiO0zrl_-SvtHxIvAd9WE1MHHYMO6_WvCpaE6Qn5_N_p4vbuN0LL6YzfNZz1INunJJBsZe1o1IiFSKXsnV1PUbWy5AcoI_FjlJ0wknRL0poS-oO8RBTDQcN_Jy9vHO0/s640/IMG_2405.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To move the dish antennas specially-trained employees board a special transporter unit to carefully lift and then relocate the 230-ton dish to one of 72 new positions along the Y-shaped railroad tracks. The array area has over 82 miles of railroad track at the site.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkxIj5EvAzfC-ejmwLXbpGr9xWUunDrnkcdWHeWGa6sMYLf8khLSliwhz7rrV17LBFxPt5zno5YGDD59fWldk6s2a9Q37yvTJoCfTmOy7TYxGvC9QO0jKK6ODrJyrgdMjczgDwhPodt4/s1600/IMG_2424.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkxIj5EvAzfC-ejmwLXbpGr9xWUunDrnkcdWHeWGa6sMYLf8khLSliwhz7rrV17LBFxPt5zno5YGDD59fWldk6s2a9Q37yvTJoCfTmOy7TYxGvC9QO0jKK6ODrJyrgdMjczgDwhPodt4/s640/IMG_2424.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoy astronomy or outer space and are in this area of New Mexico. Then this is a must-see place to visit and explore.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLZgAEpWe32GB9GzXCgQnloT7Gzcy_WUk2eC66FpUxBd0MWrieuolLvQ-VgFSrt0efTg0RWMyLi6IhB1sTV1EHoaFHMdIRYWxI_-kvOWjuvuz667Rse-90fa2IvwZY79xqXoJh2oE1Iw/s1600/IMG_2399.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLZgAEpWe32GB9GzXCgQnloT7Gzcy_WUk2eC66FpUxBd0MWrieuolLvQ-VgFSrt0efTg0RWMyLi6IhB1sTV1EHoaFHMdIRYWxI_-kvOWjuvuz667Rse-90fa2IvwZY79xqXoJh2oE1Iw/s640/IMG_2399.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more information visit the VLA website : www.nrao.edu/index.php/learn/viave </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx7Q8Sg4-u4Or0bfYFAXLhpE8oVr-Wsgy0bHLAE-Ikum8zG3hN6fKaEzzlOW7eq_M37oDpybiSuWiWKYhKhfSvXvk2PXg9KttU_7KcY4AoW3cgoQ1NRv2uct4IR5HIv3kcyu2Hk2Fo4Y/s1600/IMG_2401.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx7Q8Sg4-u4Or0bfYFAXLhpE8oVr-Wsgy0bHLAE-Ikum8zG3hN6fKaEzzlOW7eq_M37oDpybiSuWiWKYhKhfSvXvk2PXg9KttU_7KcY4AoW3cgoQ1NRv2uct4IR5HIv3kcyu2Hk2Fo4Y/s640/IMG_2401.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very Large Array Visitor Center</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Old Highway 60</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Socorro, New Mexico</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13495163048544040654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-519914797135604898.post-89228297761039122912017-11-13T04:00:00.000-08:002017-11-13T04:00:31.944-08:00Images from the Past<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP7jBKnRjmTEIpYvbB5H0b8PEBnrJLCFa-vaBMBjF-SHqdj7B-1EP3ZSMRQkyLdmnuxkM4r_dj5iRGh3TgxQK-5VtR-R_tLLS5HS5-Te63bI07DBU8tdD63QKSOk0yChw1CHvzxnmnas/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrP7jBKnRjmTEIpYvbB5H0b8PEBnrJLCFa-vaBMBjF-SHqdj7B-1EP3ZSMRQkyLdmnuxkM4r_dj5iRGh3TgxQK-5VtR-R_tLLS5HS5-Te63bI07DBU8tdD63QKSOk0yChw1CHvzxnmnas/s640/DSC_0114.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petroglyph at Boca Negra Canyon</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the outskirts of Albuquerque, just beyond a residential housing development, you can find messages left from an older civilization. Here in the high desert there are hundreds of petroglyphs left by ancestors of the native people that live here today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFnfDWjBaMrKd1QsPb1woWvhlTqtRdZplE9KPw5csnp0-5vvO5fRGmTSeQA6cJMfqwW1Ri6NclolA1S2L_BSUu5n_z4Pv1wGz71oYGqeAQj8LpGMJPLnXFnGla83iwzTdVYu_2SGhLZE/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFnfDWjBaMrKd1QsPb1woWvhlTqtRdZplE9KPw5csnp0-5vvO5fRGmTSeQA6cJMfqwW1Ri6NclolA1S2L_BSUu5n_z4Pv1wGz71oYGqeAQj8LpGMJPLnXFnGla83iwzTdVYu_2SGhLZE/s640/DSC_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This desert lizard is pretty easy to identify but why is it holding a paddle?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">This land was formed by volcanic lava flows that have eroded over time. Five cinder cones dominate the landscape which is covered with boulders broken off from the lava caprock. The basalt boulders are covered in desert varnish, a thin dark coating of oxidized iron and other minerals deposited over time. This layer varies in color from orange to black and is only about 1 micrometer in depth..</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Petroglyphs were created by chipping away that desert varnish layer to reveal the stone’s natural gray color. The work was done with primitive stone tools. Large areas of images were made by striking the boulder with a stone in a hammer-like manner. Finer lines and detailed portions of the petroglyph were made by using 2 stones similar to a hammer and chisel. It took planning, time and patience to produce a lasting image. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFnA3QJIiMZjAtpggWqOwODB-DyG2gSs0HmZa7si_pNbGC6uMWOkMOOhkIAf_E2V-TzC4hYlY7Y_WtRzCoopGETh75FpYWFRpSu3lcJh5QZPqi717tge6TFNXz5Pa_blTdNUTf5aSpPc/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFnA3QJIiMZjAtpggWqOwODB-DyG2gSs0HmZa7si_pNbGC6uMWOkMOOhkIAf_E2V-TzC4hYlY7Y_WtRzCoopGETh75FpYWFRpSu3lcJh5QZPqi717tge6TFNXz5Pa_blTdNUTf5aSpPc/s640/DSC_0104.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a story here but I can't decipher it.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of the figures are easy to identify. Snakes, dragonflies and lizards appear frequently. Other images such as geometric designs are not so easy to interpret. Even the native people that consider this a sacred area are not sure of the meanings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBQYvFOcdnO65MMy25yxd8FTSv_lV4wiet7eJQ7mgGVRQrZpzQfdmUOs457pPzTt2cXXVRGFMPBj-f2cKlQLDSFmZOK-fp-1fHTTuLjUe9r428vSsWg7MFZxayfbvCECxH9EsT6RoniU/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBQYvFOcdnO65MMy25yxd8FTSv_lV4wiet7eJQ7mgGVRQrZpzQfdmUOs457pPzTt2cXXVRGFMPBj-f2cKlQLDSFmZOK-fp-1fHTTuLjUe9r428vSsWg7MFZxayfbvCECxH9EsT6RoniU/s640/DSC_0105.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Archeologists have determined that some of the images may be as much as 3000 years old. Most were created between 400-700 years ago. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uDKlnsxwm8EULuAU7pcnKF7PMLy7Rkfrh6mi5q_CZxAzW3Fvm_glMaErO2MuCMespge4mwdCGaeLVW_I-h5ZEPVNRGzjxJNDNpQweTBE0LxYQxXWiWnk96E2tCd24OmEiF1EMp_gy4M/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uDKlnsxwm8EULuAU7pcnKF7PMLy7Rkfrh6mi5q_CZxAzW3Fvm_glMaErO2MuCMespge4mwdCGaeLVW_I-h5ZEPVNRGzjxJNDNpQweTBE0LxYQxXWiWnk96E2tCd24OmEiF1EMp_gy4M/s640/DSC_0112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to petroglyphs carved by native people you can see pictures of crosses and cattle brands that were left by Hispanic sheep and cattle herders.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1KJNaXM-6E4MQw1HfCeG2uBdatfRrPUJUz3sYu6NPUVg__MMlZM1RYjL-J-pNP652Vgyr1vA3pttraxgZnDDNUmnkZ46Umn3XMouz3PHyBvFHEhcqXR8qRITgxh5POb_yiG7YbmALRM/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1KJNaXM-6E4MQw1HfCeG2uBdatfRrPUJUz3sYu6NPUVg__MMlZM1RYjL-J-pNP652Vgyr1vA3pttraxgZnDDNUmnkZ46Umn3XMouz3PHyBvFHEhcqXR8qRITgxh5POb_yiG7YbmALRM/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is evidence of vandalism here. Images have been scratched over and used for target practice. The petroglyphs have lasted a long time but they are fragile. Once damaged there is no way to restore them. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bZ00uR9Z5zrTgr8BEx7aZVptu9wVsceT5FlRGY5qMRjaH5XgPUITpr0z0vsNViUbE5EX7LboVs1Rsx4fOcBT86GSyhaFVJT37o8lnr-NYAsnbCLVkt_9RCN44c7wxQnovh9VWI0jebQ/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bZ00uR9Z5zrTgr8BEx7aZVptu9wVsceT5FlRGY5qMRjaH5XgPUITpr0z0vsNViUbE5EX7LboVs1Rsx4fOcBT86GSyhaFVJT37o8lnr-NYAsnbCLVkt_9RCN44c7wxQnovh9VWI0jebQ/s640/DSC_0115.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many perfect spirals pictured.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Mexico created a State Park at Boca Negra Canyon to protect the images in the 1970’s. The Petroglyph area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and by 1990 Petroglyph National Monument was created. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_9Zq6UpWhS6c4eAgAulIu6SOU1YrDd1IfhJtdLsg_J5Z1zuKE0EcnDMblxiKDQOO93ixLMXQ1ZBzAl1vuArQK_6RP0mpsLgIbE8vUReWmZdk12FyMKA8lD-k-NAt27qCGIxUYtp3Pu4/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_9Zq6UpWhS6c4eAgAulIu6SOU1YrDd1IfhJtdLsg_J5Z1zuKE0EcnDMblxiKDQOO93ixLMXQ1ZBzAl1vuArQK_6RP0mpsLgIbE8vUReWmZdk12FyMKA8lD-k-NAt27qCGIxUYtp3Pu4/s640/DSC_0146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We stopped at the Visitor Center to get an overview of the Monument, watched a short film and spoke for a while with the Ranger and volunteers that manned the information desk. The national park service area covers 17 miles of escarpment and the 5 volcanoes. There are 3 established trails that allow you access to the petroglyphs. We chose Boca Negra Canyon where a series of paved trails and one rustic uphill climb allowed us get up close to the images. Petroglyph National Monument has been high on my list of desired places to see since we started our journey and I wanted to get as close as possible to the images.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ_91SqP7WsQ6Oq5SYchUxSuRLS81AiPSkVfpGxx5jITu9Xjnc7feBywW36YRErh8PEfKHZFlOafxOxTop9p7FFQRAsZHq1Q3zV5976xXBJvkOhtBk2WiEOMaAtJ8sfsKAOW8BuKBqSw/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ_91SqP7WsQ6Oq5SYchUxSuRLS81AiPSkVfpGxx5jITu9Xjnc7feBywW36YRErh8PEfKHZFlOafxOxTop9p7FFQRAsZHq1Q3zV5976xXBJvkOhtBk2WiEOMaAtJ8sfsKAOW8BuKBqSw/s640/DSC_0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We climbed to the top of the escarpment first on a narrow steep path more suited to mountain goats than humans. There were petroglyphs on so many surfaces. We soon realized that most of them were on smooth vertical rocks facing South. Knowing where to look made them easier to spot. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The view from the top out over the city was pretty spectacular. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DigYiQkbRc9VOczuQChmBjFuEh_utHv-tN2LIz3F1c_FxcIPdW-25VsxXC6xi05ews3uYosrEgJ_pURsPBkb22_QLYY0ibc6qyW6RYnd8uuDM5cauyTYmJVk8uzzXgKy2rKfTAOCYFI/s1600/DSC_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DigYiQkbRc9VOczuQChmBjFuEh_utHv-tN2LIz3F1c_FxcIPdW-25VsxXC6xi05ews3uYosrEgJ_pURsPBkb22_QLYY0ibc6qyW6RYnd8uuDM5cauyTYmJVk8uzzXgKy2rKfTAOCYFI/s640/DSC_0140.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The high desert environment is still foreign to us. The sharp rocks and wide open spaces devoid of trees and shrubbery are a constant source of wonder. We are enjoying getting out into it every chance we get. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa5XnpoXLro03KbiY4Y2mzuIJioUb_AK7sfTCyd0FGYOitZRuiXo1gpO23BcNukKk9djLYkOBASqgDVbubjrxEu5lRdAlMI3xpqZZPS0r3Y3p33djctzzJXrq8V4g97Kosaatox7MDnY/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsa5XnpoXLro03KbiY4Y2mzuIJioUb_AK7sfTCyd0FGYOitZRuiXo1gpO23BcNukKk9djLYkOBASqgDVbubjrxEu5lRdAlMI3xpqZZPS0r3Y3p33djctzzJXrq8V4g97Kosaatox7MDnY/s640/DSC_0154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Petroglyph National Monument</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unser Blvd NW</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Albuquerque, New Mexico</span></span><br />
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Happileervinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14361910281837547801noreply@blogger.com2