April 8, 2023
And yet another busy day today at the Lakes. From 8:00AM until noon there is another yard sale. We have nothing for sale and are not really going to do anything. So we got up and headed to Tombstone. Today is the Tombstone Rose Festival. We could not find any time postings for the parade or other events so we just took a ride. We arrived in Tombstone around 10:30AM and as we thought parking was not easy to find. We finally found a spot on Fremont St. and walked 3 or 4 blocks to Allen St. Amazingly we found an empty bench and decided to sit and try to figure things out. We overheard someone say that the parade should start at 11:00AM. We saw several groups assembling when we walked up but we were unsure if they were forming or preparing to leave.
The parade was short but neat. Of course it was awesome to see all of the folks dressed in period clothing. After the parade we walked down Allen St. and looked into a few shops. We have been there several times so we were looking for something new. We walked down to City Park and decided to get some lunch. I saw a sign on the OK Cafe that they served buffalo burgers. Our lunch decision was made. We each had a buffalo burger. They were very, very good. After lunch we walked back to the truck. It took us past City Park where just a couple of weeks ago, a bronze statue of Edward Schieffelin was unveiled. The artist lives in St. David. Ed Schieffelin was the founding father of Tombstone as he discovered silver in 1877 and 1878 in the area.
We arrived back at The Lakes in time to get Bree and our chairs to attend the afternoon concert. The band was Kiri Mariposa Band. We started sitting around the koi pond but the weather was sunny and hot for the afternoon show. Several of us found some shade and while sipping on our favorite beverage, we enjoyed the music. Michael, one of the Lakes managers, even regaled us with a tune or two. This will be our last patio show here. They have all been great.
April 7, 2023
Nancy gets a much needed vacation today. I am going to take a trip to Tucson to the Pima County Air and Space Museum. It is very large and they sell a two-day ticket. At one time you could tour the “Boneyard” also. Due to Air Force security changes, those tours are no longer available. The Boneyard is where you will find hundreds of older aircraft that can be used for parts, displays, etc. From the roads it looks awesome.
I arrived at the museum around 10:30 AM. As I entered and saw more of what was there I decided to go with a two-day ticket. I also opted for the 1:00PM Tram Tour. After I made my purchases you enter directly into Hangar One. You get a two-sided map/guide. You need it! There are acres of aircraft. There are four hangars, a 309th AMARG (Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Group) museum, a space gallery, and over 150 aircraft outside sitting on the 80 acre site. Generally there are aircraft from all of the US armed forces and from many other countries and from enemies from previous wars with the US. It is truly an amazing and awesome collection. It is second to only the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
In the photos I have included the map that I was given. Between my phone and my Nikon I took over 200 photos. The museum is not all airplanes and helicopters either. There were ship models and displays regarding uniforms, historical battles. They provided multiple items for children also or the child at heart. There were videos playing in various areas and the aircraft were just not on the floor of the hangars but many were suspended from the ceilings. A very overwhelming place. I have been to several air museums and hopefully see many more!
I planned out my day in my head. I had about an 1 1/2 hours before my tram tour so I decided to roam through Hangar 1 and then see about time. When I had wandered through Hangar 1 I still had some time so I walked over to Hangar 3. Hangars 3, 4, & 5 are smaller than 1. I made my circuit through Hangar 3 and decided it was time for some water and a snack. The Flight Grill is in the same area where you board the tram so it worked out.
The Tram Tour takes about 45 minutes and winds 1.5 miles through the outdoor exhibits. It stops briefly to explain certain aircraft, their significance, etc. The grounds are organized into sections. They are US Air Force fighters and others, commercial and civil aircraft, transport and utility aircraft, tankers, electronic aircraft, NASA aircraft, Presidential and VIP aircraft, bombers, trainers, helicopters, early US and foreign fighters, US Navy fighters, fire fighters, and miscellaneous.
After the tour I decided I needed some nourishment. After I ate my lunch I continued my tour to Hangars 4 and 5. The museum closes at 5:00PM. It was now about 3:45PM and I was about done for the day. I definitely got my steps in for the day. So I decided to head home and come back next weeks to finish up my tour.
So what was Nancy doing all this time? Glad you asked. For Christmas Santa Claus brought her a travel size quilting/sewing machine. She missed sewing and wanted to do some projects for Victory Junction. Victory Junction is a special needs camp about a mile from our house. It was started by the Petty Family in honor of Adam Petty, who lost his life in a New Hampshire accident. NASCAR is a huge sponsor. Adam was Kyle’s son and Richard’s grandson. Each camper receives a stuffed teddy bear and a blanket. She got the pattern from Victory Junction and a lot of fabric from Joanne’s. For a while now she has been cutting out the patterns and today she did a lot of sewing. She enjoys doing this and we both have been involved with Victory Junction in some capacity since we moved in. Great cause.
April 3, 2023
We had a great day today. We drove to Tucson for a couple of errands and while there with a little extra time, we decided to play a little. We ventured to Casino Del Sol. We arrived and spoke with a security person. She suggested we enroll in the Club Del Sol and as a new comer we would get $10 free cash. We did just that. The $10 is on a card. We walked around a little and scoped out the place. We were getting hungry so we walked into Mosby’s for a bite to eat. Nancy had the California Turkey Wrap and I had the Philly Cheesesteak with a Dos Equis. After lunch we found ourselves in the Video Poker Room. We played for several minutes and we didn’t loose all of our money.
We then ventured into another part of the casino. We found the 3-card poker table. At first Nancy sat and played. She was holding her own. It looked like a lot of fun so I found a seat and decided to play. We went back and forth as far as winning and losing. We had to leave by 2:00 PM to get back in time for work. We had a great time and after we cashed out we determined that we were up about $40. Not a bad day! And had a good time.
April 2, 2023
Robert has spoken of our neighbor Lowell. He lives in a house behind our site that is landlocked by the campground. He has a rescue Great Dane that I have walked for him on days that he is going to be away from home for extended periods of time. Both his son and mother have come to visit him while we have been here. One of the common events is going 4wheeling in the mountains. Having never done such I asked if he would take me on an adventure. Well today was my day. He had bought a brandy new one that we got to break in today.
He loaded the 4wheeler into his truck and off we went. We went to the Dragoon Mountains which are on the east side of St. David and in the Coronado National Forest. We drove the truck down the dirt road to the entrance of the CNF. He unloaded the 4wheeler and off we went. Ten miles further on the dirt road….. and then…. trails. They were a combination of rocky, narrow, wet, high incline….. On the motorcycles we are used to leaning with the bike… well here we had to lean in the opposite direction to counter balance to avoid going down the cliff. We passed areas that people have camped leaving behind their rock fire pits. What an awesome place to watch the sunset and wake up to a magnificent sunrise.
Much mining was done in these mountains. This mine was founded in 1895 and worked off and on until the 1950’s. It was known for copper, zinc, silver, gold, lead molybdenum and tungsten.
Once we got as high as we could on the 4wheeler we reached one of the abandoned mines. The past two times Lowell had been up there he was able to enter the mine. This time there was a good deal of water preventing our entry. There is much evidence left behind to include cables and windmills.
In addition to the history in the mountains the view is priceless. This adventure that Robert and I are on has allowed us to experience this breathtaking country.
Time for the trip back to the truck. As rough as the ride was I am amazed that my back tolerated the roughness with no more pain than usual. Being a brandy new vehicle probably helped. On the way back I thought to myself…. self, this was great fun but I don’t think I would do it on a regular basis. Now as I sit here writing I am totally ready to do it again. Thanks Lowell.
March 31, 2023
Mixed feelings today. Our friends Dennis and Jane are leaving. The good news is that we will see them in September. Before we left for our adventures today, we went up the hill to say adios. They were walking their dogs, Tater and Charlie, and were with Ron and Janice. We all stood in the roadway and talked a while. After a couple of pictures were taken it was time for us to head out for our adventures today.
The first stop is Chiricahua National Monument outside of Wilcox. On the way to Wilcox on Interstate 10 there are some beautiful rock formations around Dragoon Road. Our first stop is the Visitor’s Center. The scenic drive started once you got off the main road. It is a two mile drive to get to the center. On our way we actually saw some wildlife. There were 5 young deer grazing along the road. While at the visitor center we sat and watch a short video on the eco system in the park and how it was formed. It is home to a very diverse flora and fauna populations. Again, we learned a lot.
From the visitor’s center we had another 6.2 miles to get the best views at Massai Point. There you could take a couple of trails to get great pictures. One trail was dog friendly and was all concrete. The views were magnificent. Once we were walked out and pictured out, we got back on the main road and headed to our next destination, Fort Bowie National Historic Site.
We reached the turn off from the main road and according to Apple Maps, we had 10 miles to get to the fort. We that 10 miles was on a dirt road. As dirt roads go, it wasn’t too bad. We finally reached the parking area. The thing is from here you still had a 1.5 mile hike to the Visitor’s Center. We were not going to do that. Since I had read about the park on the National Parks app, I knew that you could get closer. We followed the Handicap Parking signs. That route took us another 5 miles, mostly dirt roads, to a spot where the rangers and maintenance people park. Then you only had to walk, up hill, another 350 yards to get to the Visitor’s Center. We made that hike. We got there just in time to walk around the displays for a few minutes before they closed. We did get the chance to talk to one of the ranger volunteers. He was very knowledgeable. It was cool to see what was left of a fort that was abandoned 150 years ago. When the fort was abandoned, people in the area would come salvage what they needed. The fort never received any maintenance until 1960 when it was declared as a national historic site. Since then the efforts have been to maintain the ruins as is. Wind, rain, harsh sunshine have all played a part in the formation of the ruins. We walked back to the truck and hit the dusty trail. Pun intended!
We stopped in Wilcox for fuel and found the Double S Restaurant for dinner. Dinner was good but not outstanding. As we had the night off from work, we had taken our time today. It was after dark by the time we got back home. Time to rest our weary legs.
March 29, 2023
We only have a few items left on our list of To Do for Arizona. Today we will be going to Tucson. Our first stop is Saguaro National Park - East. There is another park on the west side of Tucson. If we have a chance we may find our way there but the east park is closest. We arrived at the park and went into the Rincon Mountain Visitor’s Center. We talked to a ranger about what to see and do and picked up a map. We also learned about trails and which ones might be dog friendly. We had Bree with us. We drove the scenic route and found a couple of short hikes. It was a very scenic drive and we drove through the Cactus Forest. It was awesome to see so many saguaro cacti. We also learned a lot too.
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK PICTURES
We left the park and headed to the Barrio Brewing Company. It produces my favorite local brew, Barrio Tucson Blonde Ale. The great thing is they also serve food. So we thought we would try it. They had outdoor seating so we could take Bree with us on the patio so she wouldn’t have to sit in the truck. Since I knew about the blonde ale, I decided to try different brews. They have a flight of 4 - 5 ounce pours. I chose to try Viva Vienna Lager (seasonal), Belgian Tripel, Copperhead Pale Ale, and Santa Rita Jefeweizen. I can say I enjoyed each of them. So much so I had to pick up a six pack of the Vienna.
As for food, Nancy had a Veg Head Panini which is eggplant, fire-roasted red bell peppers, sweet fried onions, braised spinach, walnut basil pesto, and Havarti Cheese on ciabatta and pressed. For me I wasn’t in the mood for normal bar fare. So I looked at the South of the Border section. I found the Carne Tacos. I added some sour cream and they were absolutely delicious. After lunch it was time to head home as we had to go to work. Another good day in southern Arizona.
March 28, 2023
Today we went with Jane and Dennis to Tombstone. Jane wanted to get a hat and we knew where the stores were. The plan was also to get lunch at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. The weather was perfect. Dennis drove and we parked by the Bird Cage Theater. We walked Allen Street, stopping in several stores that sold hats. At this point, nothing was purchased at this point. We walked the length of Allen Street and crossed it a couple of times. Nancy and Jane tried on a lot of hats and some looked good on them, and some not so much. This trip was all about the girls. After having gone through the shops once it was time for lunch.
We got seated at Big Nose Kate’s just in time. People were waiting outside. We ordered and Jane and I had a large beer. I had my Arizona normal, Barrio Blonde Ale. Nancy had a Rueben and I had a pastrami sandwich. It was very good. We enjoyed good conversation and good live music. After eating we went down The Shaft to check out the gift shop. The Shaft is in the basement and requires descending a metal spiral staircase. There wasn’t a lot down there and definitely nothing we couldn’t live without but there were a couple of really neat items.
Now the process of returning to the store to possibly make a purchase. The store that was chosen was The Branding Iron. This is the store where I purchased my palm hat when we first arrived in Arizona. Dennis and I found a bench and sat. After several minutes I got up to check on their progress. And by this time Nancy had chosen a nice white summer hat and found a black straw hat on the 50% off rack. I also got a new hat band for my brown leather hat. I paid for everything and rejoined Dennis on the bench. Nancy continue to help Jane find something she was looking for. A few minutes later Jane appeared with her purchases. It was time for a drink and bathroom stop. We went next-door to the Longhorn. Nancy and Jane had a Prickly Pear Margarita. Dennis also ordered the Apple Cobbler. The four of us shared that large dessert. By now it was time to come home as Nancy and I had to work. Jane and Dennis will be leaving Friday so this will probably be the last adventure with them until September. They will be passing through North Carolina then so we’ve made plans to meet up with them in Wilkesboro for a week. Its going to be a lot of fun. We’ll have the chance to show them around the area.
March 25, 2023
Busy, busy day. The day started with a Yard Sale here at the park. The sale went from 8:00AM until 12:00 noon. Nancy played hostess, greeting people as they entered the park and directed them to other levels of the park where people had items for sale. April and Karl also had set up a breakfast menu for sale. Nancy found a couple of cacti to purchase. I was going to help Nancy but I wasn’t needed.
After the yard sale, the rock / blues trio The Black Hole, was back. We listened to their music on the patio from 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM. They put on a great show again. The weather turned out to be fabulous. Sunny with a slight breeze and temperatures in the upper 60s. After the show we made our rounds and I proceeded to smoke and cook the shotgun shells for the evening’s activity.
The boys, John and Chris, were throwing a party at their place. We attended one when we first arrived here at the park. Nancy went to the party and I stayed home finishing up the shotgun shells. Once they were done, I went to the party. Most people had departed as they stopped on their way home. A couple of people stayed just because they wanted my shotgun shells. I made two varieties, one mild and one I tried to get spicy. To me they had a little spice but not much. They went over very well. I sat down and had a little to eat and talked with some folks. A long but enjoyable day.
March 23, 2023
Good day all! Our adventure today is to visit the town of Bisbee. About a mile south of Bisbee is a little ghost town of Lowell. It was actually incorporated into Bisbee several years ago. Our first stop is the Bisbee Breakfast Club. It is in Lowell. Lowell looks like a town from the 1950s. I think the only business open in Lowell is the Bisbee Breakfast Club. We had a very good breakfast and walked around town for a few minutes. Last night we decided to make reservations for the Bisbee Queen Mine Tour and we had some time until we needed to get there. We left Lowell and headed into Historic Bisbee. We were actually looking for a small haberdashery called the Desert Diva. Historic Bisbee is small with small parking areas with small parking spaces. Not made for a one ton long bed 4X4 pickup. It was tight but we found a spot. We found the store and they had some great hats. It was a good thing too. I had spotted a nice hat band and a nice leather top hat.
We arrived at the Queen Mine and they also had a small parking lot. It was actually still in operation until 1975. They mined silver, gold, and copper. Silver and gold were discovered there in 1877. Bisbee at one time was the largest town west of the Mississippi River. What was really cool was that our guide was a former miner in that very mine. We checked in and received a red metal tag. It was part of their accountability system. There were several people waiting and the group was divided into the red group and the blue group. They called the groups to gather around for a brief safety talk. Then you were to pick up a vest and walk around the counter to get your hard hat and then down the line to get a light. The tour actually takes you into the mine on a rail car that you straddle like a bike. They take you in about 150 feet and stop. This gives your eyes a chance to adjust and if anyone is not feeling like they can continue, the assistant can take them out. We did not lose anyone from our train. You continue on until you get into the mine about 700 feet. You are actually on level 3 with 2 levels below you and 4 above you. The passageway is just wide enough for people to travel in with about a foot on either side. The next stop you have to get off the train and climb several stairs. At the top of the stairs you are in a wide open room. They explained how they mined the ore and what to look for. One example of rock you could see the silver, the gold, and the cooper ores. We were in that room about 20 minutes.
Neal was very knowledgeable as he actually mined there. Then you got back on the train and went about a thousand feet further into the mine. Again, you got off and walked but no stairs. Along the way they showed you the mining equipment from various eras and told how they would get the ore out of the mine. It was very interesting. You walked further into an area and you could see an elevator of sorts and even the potty car. Once you were at work, you stayed there for your 10 hour shift. You used a special two seat car. Some unlucky fool had to empty and clean it at some point. You even ate in the mine. The goal was to earn money and to do so, you had a minimum tonnage to meet the company’s goal and then you received bonuses for anything above that. Once that part of the tour was done you got back on the train after depositing your metal accountability tag in a coffee can the assistant had and rode out of the mine. You then reversed your path and returned all the equipment. It was a very cool tour.
After the tour we went to the Old Bisbee Brewing Company. Nancy had a root beer but did not care for it much. Had a little sarsaparilla taste to it. Yuck! I had to have a taste of everything. Most were very good. I had 3 ounces of Classic Pilsner, Cooper City Ale, Double Hopped IPA, Mayan Stout, Salut, Celebration Pale Ale, El Trigo, and Bisbee Blue Gin. The one that I could not finish was the Mayan Stout. I could taste too much of the coffee and chocolate. Did not care for that. The one that truly surprised me was the IPA. It was very good. I’m not normally an IPA drinker but this one did not have that bitter hoppy flavor. So after my tasting, I gave the key to Nancy and she drove us home. Another good day of adventure.
March 21, 2023
This afternoon, Michael and Christ are hosting a work camper pizza party in the clubhouse. This would be the last get together as most of us are leaving in the next few weeks. Some will be returning next winter. We will not be. Michael and Christi provided soft drinks, pizza, and salad. Michael and Christi gave us an update on the progress of things in the park. They relayed all the positive comments people have told them about the park and thanked everyone for all the work put into making the park what it is. We have met and worked with several great people. It has been a good winter. Despite the cold weather. They gave each couple a couple of chocolate bunnies and a card. Inside the card was a gift card for Love’s Truck Stops in the amount of $100. Awesome gift.
March 19, 2023
Our neighbor, Lowell, has been working the last couple of weeks for a gentleman by the name of Dell. Dell has the 4 Ever Ranch in Benson and has planned on starting a music festival this weekend at his ranch. Because of all of Lowell’s hard work he was able to obtain passes for Nancy and I for the Cochise County Music Festival. The festival will host various vendors and food trucks, beer sales, and of course music. Various local artists will perform all throughout the day and then there will be headliners. Friday was Joe Nichols, Jake Jacobson, and Kentucky Headhunters. Saturday Tyler Haverson, Bri Bagwell, and Sawyer Brown. Tonight we are going to see The Cole Trains, Doug Stone, and Clay Walker.
Before the show, we walked around and found some very nice items. We did not buy anything but saw some nice stuff. Of course, it was dinner time so we had to scope out the food trucks. We saw one, Big Tex, and have had their BBQ at their restaurant in Wilcox. It was good. Then one of the security personnel, whom I had a conversation with early, saw us and pointed us to Bam Bam BBQ. He said they were the best and he had eaten their 3 days in a row. We viewed their menu and they had a few dishes on display. Then I noticed that they were selling and using Killer Hog products. Killer Hog is one of our favorites for rubs, seasonings, and sauce. They are made by Malcolm Reed who has the YouTube channel HowtoBBQRight. We chose two options, the Cowboy Sundae and the STFU Nachos. Nachos had a choice of pulled pork or brisket. Of course our choice was brisket. The Cowboy Sundae was a bowl of potato salad, with baked beans, cole slaw, brisket, and drizzled with BBQ sauce. It was tasty but I would prefer not to have the potato salad in the mix. The STFU Nachos were nacho chips smothered in cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, brisket and topped with BBQ sauce. It was extremely good. Some friends of ours were working as volunteers there and had a couple of beer tickets. I just had to get an age verification bracelet. So I had a Barrio Blond Ale.
We didn’t know what to expect so after walking around for a while, Nancy ran home to get our chairs and a blanket and sweatshirts. It tends to get cool after sunset but we had a great time. We sat with Lowell and his Mom, Val, and saw a great show. The music was great!
March 18, 2023
The plan today is to head south and cross the border. Shortly after we arrived here in St. David, AZ, another couple came in to spend the winter. After talking with them for a while we found out they spent a week in Fort Welikit in Custer. They came to Game Night and we found some new friends. Their names are Jane and Dennis. We made plans to cross the border into Mexico. We had heard of a gentleman in Douglas, AZ that would do tours into Mexico. He was highly recommended. We called him to arrange a tour. His price was reasonable but because of his vehicle, he could not take 4 passengers. He did suggest a safe place to cross was Nogales. He also recommended that you stay in the “tourist” area. It encompasses about 2 or 3 blocks in and about the same from side to side also. That area is dependent on the “tourist trade” to stay in business. We felt comfortable so we decided to leave around 9:00 AM. We got to Nogales, AZ a little after 10:30 AM. We had been on the road about 10 minutes when Dennis and Jane had an epiphany, they forgot to pick up their passports. So we turned around to get them. We had no clue of what to do or where to go. We thought that there would be a large parking lot at the Port of Entry and we could just walk across. We drove around for a few minutes until we saw some workers renovating a building. We pulled into the parking lot and talked to them.
The workers were from Texas and weren’t sure about the local area. They did offer us to park there. They were going to be working until 5:00PM. As it was only around 11:00 AM and our plan was to spend just a few hours in Mexico, we thought it might be the best idea. Jane and Dennis handed Nancy some cash and she took it to the workers. They were hesitant to take the money but Nancy was finally able to give it to them. From here it was about a 10 minute walk to the crossing. On the way we had to take a one block detour to the McDonalds for a restroom break. We talked of getting some food but decided to get something once we crossed.
It was so easy to walk across the border. No ID checks, only saw one or two official looking people and we just walked on into Mexico. You go through a long tunnel with a few gates and turnstiles and upon exiting we were in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. We were on cobblestone streets but it was limited to foot traffic. There were multiple shops on each side of the street and vendors in the middle. Each trying to sell their merchandise. The vast majority of shops were either dentists or pharmacies (farmacias). The merchants would approach and ask if you wanted whatever they were selling. We had been told that you never give handouts to anyone on the street as then everyone will prey on you. Jane and Nancy did go into one farmacia to check out the prices. Many people without insurance go into Mexico for their medications and/or dentistry. We walked a couple of blocks and saw a restaurant on the corner. We Googled it and it was rated very well. Time to eat.
We entered Leo’s Cafe and it was very clean and nice. We were seated and handed a menu. We looked at the menu at drinks and then I noticed a price, $65 next to a beer. When the waiter came over we asked him if this was pesos or American dollars. Fortunately it was pesos. I did not realize that they both used the same symbol. This particular day 1 peso equaled 0.053 American dollar. This put the cost of the beer around $3.50. Very reasonable. Jane and Dennis and Nancy each ordered a margarita and I had a Tecate, a Mexican beer. Nancy and I both ordered a Combinación Mexicana. That consisted of an enchilada, tostada, taco, tile relleno and beans (y frijoles). Everything was wonderful.
They brought us some chips and pico de gallo and some “spicy” salsa. Of course I had to try the salsa. It was good and had a little bit of bite to it but not bad at all. The pico was fresh and wonderful. And just before the food was brought out, they brought out a little tray with four shots of tequila, 4 small lime wedges. So we enjoyed a shot of tequila before we ate. It was very tasty. I have found a new libation!
After we ate we walked down the street. I had to go into a leather shop. They sold boots, hats, belts, etc. I believe it was called Cuevas. I loved the smell in there!! Nancy and Jane found a shop that had metal flower decorations displayed on the sidewalk. The shop also sold shawls and blankets, etc. While the ladies shopped and haggled over prices, Dennis and I found a bench to watch the people and traffic. A person approached us and was asking for a handout. We said no and basically ignored him. He went away. Dennis got up and walked across the street to peak into other shops. I sat there and a gentleman came up to me and started talking to me. I did not feel uncomfortable at all. We had a nice but brief conversation about Nogales. He asked me what I thought of his little town. The ladies had concluded their transactions. Nancy did not buy anything here. We decided that we had branched as far as we felt we should so we crossed the street and slowly headed back to the border crossing.
Along the way there were a few more shops to browse. Since SD, Nancy had wanted a metal lawn art piece. She saw some in Hill City, SD but the prices were very high. Here in Nogales, the prices were more reasonable. Nancy found a piece she liked. After haggling, she got the price down to $40. She called me in to the store as she needed a little more cash. As the piece was being wrapped the shop owner treated us to a shot of tequila. I like how they do business. Then Nancy went into another shop. I had mentioned that I was due for a new belt. She found one and called me into the shop for my size. I thought if the price were right, I’d get a brown and a black belt. The price started at $130 … $80….. $110…..$80…..$100….and $80 it was. He turned away and mumbled something Nancy didn’t understand :) He changed the buckles on both belts and moisturized them with oil. No tequila though. Nancy found a shop that had very colorful ceramic sinks They were very neat looking. I found a hat for her in the same shop. After Nancy bartered she wound up with the hat but not the sink. We had reached our spending limit. We continued to head toward the border. Nancy and Jane went into one last shop and wound up haggling over tumblers and Nancy got me a surprise! It turned out to be a metal stand that held 3 tequila shot glasses. Awesome.
We got to the crossing and finally found the back of the line. I think we waited in line about an hour to get back to the USA. While standing in line we saw cars that were being searched by the Federales. Interesting to watch. You could also see the wall that ran up the hill separating the two countries. Once we finally got to actual crossing, you approach the station. I handed them my passport card and they took my picture. He asked me why I was in Nogales today. I responded for lunch and shopping. Ok. All done. Dennis and Jane had crossed just ahead of me so we were just waiting for Nancy.
According to Nancy, she had a tougher time to get back home. “Where are you going?” um um um um “St. David” …”you don’t know where you live?” “I’m a tourist I’m just staying there!”……”And you came to Nogales?” “well it’s the closest crossing to where we’re staying”……”But Nogales?”….. “Have a good day”. We finally walked up the hill to our truck. We stopped for a potty stop and a drink at a fast food place in Nogales, AZ called Filbertos.
Earlier in the day Dennis complained about being short of breath but we kind of chocked it up to the hill climbing we did. As I was also breathing heavy. Once we crossed back into the States and started walking toward the truck, Dennis was again complaining about being short of breath. Nancy and I went to get the truck and Jane stayed with Dennis as we were going to pick them up. On the ride home Nancy quizzed Dennis and felt his pulse. She was not comfortable with just going home. She recommended that Dennis go to a hospital. As I’m driving and listening to this I kind of stepped on the right pedal a little heavier. Our route took us to a crossroad where Benson was a left turn and Sierra Vista was a right turn. Dennis and Jane decided that a left turn was necessary. We dropped Dennis and Jane off at the Benson Hospital. Later that evening Dennis was air lifted to Tucson to a larger hospital. He spent 5 days(?) in the hospital with the first 3 or so in ICU. He had multiple pulmonary emboli in his lungs. Nancy picked Jane up from the hospital and we waited each day for an update. Fortunately he is doing very well and they used a vacuum to remove the PE. All in all, today was a very interesting experience.
March 17, 2023
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!! Happy Friday! There is an event planned for this evening, a pitch-in dinner and an entertainer. Down the road about 2 minutes is the Holy Trinity Monastery. The grounds are very nice with lots of trees, ponds, wildlife, benches, and trails. There are multiple peacocks on the grounds. Holy Trinity is a Benedictine Monastery. The purpose is to provide a place for retreats or for people to find a peaceful setting for reflection. I sat on a bench for a while also and it truly was a peaceful experience. On Fridays they hold a bake sale from 10:00 AM to noon. They also do lunch from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We figured that today would be a great day to visit.
We got to the bake sale and they had several homemade items for sale. We purchased a few items. One of our favorites was Benedictine Bread. Very healthy and very good. We also found out that they no longer serve lunch. It was a monetary decision. They had some good days and some not so good. We strolled the grounds and went into the Chapel. Small but beautiful. We had been debating on what to take to the pitch-in so we bought an extra loaf of Benedictine Bread.
The pitch-in started at 5:00PM. The park provided corn beef and cabbage. Had I thought earlier, I should have picked up a Guinness to celebrate. There were lots of great dishes and everyone walked away full. Nancy and I both wore green shirts and I had Nancy paint my beard green. She even put a couple of green streaks in her hair. Of course I had to wear my top hat! At 6:00 PM a young lady, Lacy Antonio. Lacy dressed the part and entertained us until 8:00 PM She has a very good voice and is a very good entertainer. She is actually starring in a local theater production of Destry, a Gal, and a Bad Guy. Should make for a fun evening. I hope we get the chance to check it out. On a high note, we won $30 in the 50/50 raffle. Usually at these events, they have a raffle and the money goes towards activities at the park. All in all, it was a fun evening with good friends and good food.
March 16, 2023
Tonight is Karaoke Night at the Clubhouse. We decided to go tonight. It was a lot of fun. I had never entertained singing karaoke. I don’t feel I have a good voice. We were sitting there listening and Nancy wanted to know what song I had sung the other day as she thought i sounded good. I could not remember the song. I searched the books and finally relented. I decided to try and sing Boot Scootin’ Boogey by Brooks and Dunn. I can now say I have done karaoke. Then Nancy got up and did Momma Mia by Abba. It was a fun night. Additionally a resident, Janice, was having a birthday. We helped her celebrate.
March 15, 2023
We decided today we would take a ride to Wilcox. The first stop was the Rex Allen Museum / Wilcox Cowboy Hall of Fame. It was a neat little place. Across the street is the Wilcox Park. They have a statue of Rex Allen there and it is the burial ground for Rex’s horse Koko. They also have a really cool swing!
The museum is dedicated to a hometown boy who made it big in country music and the old western movies and TV shows. He was an interesting individual. The museum held a lot of his outfits, posters, and other artifacts. It was nicely laid out. They give you a guide so you can walk through and it explains each section. At the back there is a large room which is the Wilcox Cowboy Hall of Fame. There are pictures on the wall and each is numbered. There is a large book with facts about each picture. I found it very interesting.
After the museum we went to Big Tex BBQ. It was rated well. We found it okay but not outstanding but good. Still much better than Puny John’s BBQ. We chose a combination platter, The Big Tex Super Barbecue Plate, so we could try each of the meats. It consisted of smoked sausage, pulled pork, bone-in chicken, brisket, and pork rib. It also came with 3 sides. We chose potato salad, pinto beans and corn nuggets. Corn nuggets are little pieces of creamed corn, breaded, and deep fried. Very creamy and very good. Again, we brought a little bit home with us.
We had picked up a magazine from the Benson Visitor’s Center on attractions in the area. The magazine suggested two other places to visit in Wilcox. The first was Bakester’s Pastries. We picked up a cannoli and a couple of cookies, a cupcake and a pecan cinnamon roll. Our last stop is Apple Annie’s. They were supposed to have the best apple pie. They have 3 locations. Two of them are the farm where you can pick your own apples and tour the farm. They were closed until the summer. The last place is right off Interstate 10. It is a quaint little country store that sells pies and many other local gifts and food items. Mostly local. We bought a frozen apple crumb pie as they did not have any fresh slices. They only thing they had was a strawberry / rhubarb pie. Besides, we had goodies from Bakesters for tonight.
March 14, 2023
We have been invited to Lowell’s house for dinner this evening. Lowell lives in a rental house that sits behind us. He has a wonderful Great Dane, named Grace. He and Grace walk each night to get the mail. We’ve befriended them and enjoy talking to him. Nancy will take Grace out if Lowell is going to be late or gone for any length of time. Lowell’s mother, Val, is in town and they have invited us to dinner. Venison ribs is on the menu. Baked potatoes and salad and several other goodies were on the menu. It was a very enjoyable evening. Lowell has spent about a week working for a gentleman who is putting on the Cochise County Music Festival. Lowell will check to see if he can get some tickets for us. It is a three day event with major names highlighting the end of each day. Friday is the Kentucky Head Hunters, Saturday is Sawyer Brown, and Sunday is Clay Walker. Time will tell.
March 12, 2023
This afternoon we attended a small gathering at Ron and Sally’s. I smoked some Shot Gun Shells to take. He had a cookout with burgers and dogs and lots of great food. I also made a batch of brownies. Everything went over very well. Only brought 2 brownies home. Met a lot of nice folks that Ron rides bicycles with. There were also a couple of folks there from the Lakes. We sat and talked for quite some time. Then it was time for us to go to work. Plans were made to head south of the border with Jane and Dennis.
March 11, 2023
Today’s event is a tip and a chair concert by Vital Signs. Vital Signs is Michael and Christi and Tanya and Rod. They played New Year’s Eve. Very good. The show was going to be outside on the patio but due to being very windy it was moved indoors. Had a great afternoon of listening to music.
March 8 & 9, 2023
The first day we traveled through Texas. Our first time. We left Carlsbad, NM and headed toward El Paso, Texas. From El Paso, we headed north west and spent the night in Las Cruces, NM. We had a pull through site which was fairly level. We never unhooked. Put the jacks down for stabilization, hooked up water and electric. Makes things a lot easier in the morning. We did take some photos of scenery along the way.
We arose wrapped everything up and hit the road. By 3:00 PM we were back at the Lakes at St. David RV Resort. We’ll be here now until the 15th of April. Then we will head west to California to see friends. Then back to Grand Canyon to spend more time with friends. Then somewhere around the first of May we are due to report to Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We are supposed to work camp there for May and June. We will only be about 30 minutes from our daughter and four of our grands. Sometime in July the plan is to visit some friends in Colorado and then work our way east. We should be home around the first week in August.
March 7, 2023
Today we are visiting Carlsbad Cavern National Park. We have a 1:30 PM. We have one hour to start our tour of the cavern and have until closing at 4:00 PM to finish. We arrived at the Visitor’s Center and checked in. We have two options to reach the big room. The first is to take an elevator down 750 feet to the Great Room. The second option is to walk a paved trail that is 1.25 miles long and drops down the 750 feet but at a 20% grade.
We decided to have a look at the nature trail down to see if we wanted to try it. We could always walk back up an take the elevator. As we were taking the trail down to the opening we came upon a ranger and a worker. After a brief conversation we were told the trail down into the cavern was not much steeper than the one we were on. We later found out that was wrong! We arrived at the entrance and had to sit for a few minutes and listen to the safety talk by a ranger.
We descended into the earth! It seemed very long and very steep. Towards the end of the walk, my knees were feeling the burn. It was a very neat trip down. Several very cool things to see and a few descriptions. Also, along the way there were places to sit and rest. Most of the descent had handrails which made it a little easier. I think it took us about 2 hours and a little bit to finally reach Great Room. Once we arrived we found out something that we were not clear on. The decent on the Nature Trail is 1.25 miles long. Once you reach the Great Room you still have a couple of options to walk around the Great Room. The shortest was 0.4 miles and the longest was 1.25 miles. I asked the ranger if the Great Room looked similar to the area we were in. She replied that it did. My knees said No Mas! We walked about another 100 feet and rode the elevator up. We explored the gift shops and walked back to the truck.
I decided that we did all that walking and nobody was cooking, we would head to The Lucky Bull. It was suggested as a must eat place in the campground reviews. I figured we earned a good BBQ meal and a beer or two. The first thing I did was order a local cold beer. It was delicious. For dinner I ordered the Hand Battered Country Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy. As another side I ordered Dirty Chips. The chips are homemade chips topped with quest, K.A. Chili, bacon, cheddar cheese and jalapeños. They were wonderful. Nancy got a Bohemian, which is turkey and bacon on ciabatta with swiss, orange cranberry chutney, spring mix and red onion. She got a half order of Pecos Valley Poutine. Poutine is french fries topped with gravy, bacon, green chile and cheddar cheese. She enjoyed her meal also. The first beer was so good that I needed another one to finish our meal. We went back to the RV and was very tired. Tomorrow is another travel day. We will be heading back to St. David, Arizona.