20201117 - 20210409 Arizona - Florence and Apache Junction

Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park, Florence, AZ 

20 November 2020

Where the heck are we? Does this look like the Arizona desert? Southern Arizona suddenly in bloom. The bougainvillea (probably San Diego Red) were in full bloom on the outside corner accompanied by the 3-tier water fountain, grassy areas and huge saguaro cactus create a spectacular display along the main street.

21 November 2020

Using the Douglas plaid blanket as a sun-screen for tiny outdoor viewing of the OSU vs Indiana football game. 

23 November 2020

Tori developed a bad cough, sounding like a honking goose, so we made a trip to the local Veterinarian. Thankfully after some blood work, we were glad to hear that she did not have Valley Fever which is very difficult to treat. 

Apache Junction KOA, Apache Junction, AZ

26 November 2020 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner. Cornish game hens, homemade rolls (Bob's specialty), potatoes and cranberry relish (my specialty).

01 December 2020 

A drive up Apache Trail Hwy 88 to Canyon Lake. Last year when we drove here there was a white band above the water line. It was indicative of how low the water level was due to the ongoing drought which has been going on for years. Ninety-nine percent of the state is experiencing some level of drought. 

01 December 2020 Phon D Sutton Recreation Area

Phon D Sutton Recreation Area on the Salt River in the Tonto National Forest. Along drive north of Phoenix but well worth it for the peacefulness. 

Hiking with the dogs under overhanging tree limbs along sandy and rocky paths with peeks of the flowing Salt River when we find an opening in the foliage to discover wild horses standing in the stream. So calming. 

Wild horses were observable several times as we walked the path.  

20201112 - 20201116 Clifton Arizona

 North Clifton RV Park, Clifton, AZ - 12 November 2020

Good job of backing into that tight space. Watch out for the tree limbs. This is a City of Clifton RV Park along the San Francisco River. 

We could see these Desert Big Horn Sheep as we looked out our door and across the river. 

In a group of 20 individuals this male seemed to be the dominant animal. We were told the entire herd routinely wanders right through the campgrounds, but we only saw them up on the cliffside. There are two bridges in town they can use to access the slopes across the river where we saw them.  

3 Males chasing a female.  We won't show the "R" rated picture. The male on the right was the chosen one. 

Hike around our campground area. The area is home to several copper mines, all but one having closed. The Morenci Mine is still in operation, representing one of the largest copper reserves in the United States and the world with an estimates 3.2 billion tons of ore.

I'm glad we didn't have to cross this one-lane bridge with our RV. It could handle our weight but the width would be questionable and it is obviously too short. The Morenci Mine keeps Corporate housing in Clifton for use by visiting executive from the Sumitomo Group which owns the mine. The two pictures on the right is a retired mining shovel. The Morenci mine, like many in Arizona, is an open pit mine.  

Clifton Cliff Jail. Blasted from living rock in1879. Local tradition says the first inmate, in 1881, was the miner who built the jail. He went to the nearby bar, got drunk and fired off a couple shots from his revolver. The bar owner was a deputy sheriff who arrested him and took him to the new jail. The jail is below grade of the town so during the flood of 1891 the prisoners had to be rescued through a ventilation window. Closed due to Covid.

Clifton visitors center was originally the train depot. Closed due to Covid.

 

A few more sights around our campground. 

 Catwalk Recreation Area, Glenwood, NM - 13 November 2020

A daytrip back to New Mexico. Entrance to Catwalk Recreation Area which began, as many places in the southwest, as a mining area. The name refers to the original wooden plank-board walkway placed atop the steel pipe that was used to bring water to the ore processing plant, ruins of which can still be seen near the parking area. 

Part of the Gila National Forest

Carol pointing out some of the original anchors for the pipeline. 
In 1889 silver and gold was discovered in these mountains. The town of Graham was founded in the mountains, and water was needed to operate electric generators. It came from a pipeline reaching up into the canyon, and was held onto the rock walls of the canyon with timbers and iron bars that were in constant need of maintenance. Hence the need for the wooden walkway.

Workmen dubbed it the Catwalk. Today it is the site of the one-mile Catwalk National Recreation Trail, a universal access walking trail which follows the route of the old pipeline, clinging dramatically to the side of Whitewater Canyon above Whitewater Creek.

Remnants of the 18 inch pipeline which replaced the original 4 inch pipe. Pipe used in the water line was delivered to the site on wagons drawn by teams of up to 40 horses. This is very rugged terrain with switchback roads and rising and falling elevation. On our way back home, we passed a sign for a local hot springs but we were loosing our light and needed to get out of the back country before dark. 

A couple of the birds which flit around the rocks and water. A small Canyon wren and the always entertaining American dipper that is America's only aquatic songbird. It catches food along the stream bed by swimming and walking on the bottom. 

 North Clifton RV Park, Clifton, AZ - 15 November 2020

Washing the truck, what fun! 

North Clifton RV Park, Clifton, AZ - 16 November 2020

Crossing one of the bridges over the San Fransisco River we were walking the dogs down the road and suddenly came upon this Shrine. It was very well built and maintained but had no identifying plaque. We asked the Campground manager who said it was built by the families of the townspeople who had been killed during the flood of 1983. The waters of the River sped through town at 90,000 cubic feet per second.Over 700 homes were destroyed. It wasn't until 1994 that floodgates were built and installed.

20201107 - 1117 New Mexico

Town & Country RV Park, Roswell, NM - 04 November 2020 

Our neighbors at the Town and Country RV Park. We think they are long-term RVers. 

USO Museum, Roswell, NM - 05 November 2020 

UFO Museum, Roswell, New Mexico. The artwork on the right is to commemorate the finding of the debris from the crash in Area 51. 

The Aliens are coming to get Bob though they seemed to be so friendly at first. 

We come in peace. That's a really big alien. The cartoon is Major Jesse Marcel catches scent of a cover-up...."With respect, sir, the foil I came across in the desert didn't smell of roast chicken...."

Such big eyes you have. The better to.... According to the information in the museum the aliens were not standing as the craft had crashed. The bodies were scattered on the desert floor and at least one alien was still alive. 

Very detailed

History goes way back as reflected in various petroglyphs and pictographs depicting aliens. The museum included many witness statements of the government wanting to make it clear to the locals that any discussion of "UFOs or aliens" was not in their best interests. 

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Roswell, NM - 06 November 2020 

We love finding wildlife refuges on our trips, especially if they have one of our favorites, Sandhill Cranes.  

An early morning return trip for some better light to photograph the current residents. We heard gunshots but since we were in a parking lot we weren't too concerned. Suddenly, we had pellets falling around us and on several parked vehicles. Hunters tracking something in flight was shooting right over our heads. Guess we were lucky it was shotgun pellets pinging all over. 

Lots of Snow Geese overwinter at this refuge in the desert. 

The “Blue Goose” is the dark morph of the Snow Goose. The body is blue-gray in color while the head and most of the neck are white. 

Sandhill Cranes. Not sure who was the noisy neighbors as both the cranes and geese are almost constantly gabbing.

Time to wrap it up as the day comes to an end. Beautiful sunsets in New Mexico.

20201012 - 1030 Texas

Upgrading Kitchen and Bathroom faucets, Mount Pleasant, Texas - 12 & 13 October 2020

Two handle bathroom faucet that barely extended into the bowl was replaced with a single handle with a longer spout.

Kitchen faucet was leaking and was replaced with one a little more stylish. But underneath the sink was the real challenge. 

Under kitchen faucet pex pipes with only one shut-off to the ice maker. That didn't make sense. Installed shut-off on each supply line. The ice maker has a separate shut-off. 

 LIBERTY HILL (Navarro Mills Lake), Dawson, Texas.  15 - 17 October 2020

Our campsite at this Army Corps of Engineers has four camping areas and one day use area surrounding the lake. The most popular is the Liberty Hill Campground with 100 sites, a marina, two boat ramps, a fishing pier, swimming beach, playground and dump station. Easy pull-through site with a great view of the lake right outside our door. 

Around the park keep an eye out for the ant hills. This is Texas and some of them will give you a nasty bite. The fishing pier was a little scary for the dogs. It was very breezy coming across the lake so the floating pier was rocking and rolling.

Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas.  22 October 2020

Dedicated in 1990 to promoting environmental conservation and rehabilitation of the wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico. Due to Covid, there were fewer visitors on this gorgeous day. 

There are exhibits for the Jungle overlooking the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and its colorful and varied inhabitants. Angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and other brilliantly colored species inhabit the reef below. 

Seahorses are always fascinating to watch.

Spotted moray always give me the creeps so I'm very glad they are behind lots of glass. 

The lionfish is an invasive species from Indonesia with 18 venomous spines used defensively against predators. 

One hall showed some extinct shark species. If you think it's scary at the beach now imagine meeting a megalodon, the largest having reached 60 feet.  

We could hear our favorite acrobats way before we actually found them in their outdoor exhibit. These two were very active chasing and playing with each other on both land and water. So cute and fun to watch. 

Bottlenose Dolphin Basketball, even upside down. This guy was really putting on a show right in front of the underwater glass while clicking and squeaking. 

The ubiquitous front yard decoration. 

Adding Halloween decorations throughout the aquarium gave a festive feeling to the exhibits.  

Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas.  24 October 2020

Enter the Third Coast Beach Company at your own risk by the huge shark for water shoes and new swim trunks for Bob before heading to Padre Island National Seashore. 

This is located on North Padre Island dedicated to preserving nature and the long beaches. While both dogs usually enjoy wading and sometimes swimming in bodies of water, the movement of the waves was very disconcerting for them to do more than just walk through ankle deep water. 

Just beyond the Ranger Station and picnic areas the "longest stretch of barrier island in the world" becomes devoid of crowds and returns to nature with many wading birds and herons hunting in the shallows. There is even some camping spots available above the dunes that seemed very popular. 

How can anyone watch these birds and not think "majestic"?

On our way home, we came across a small pull-out that had a bird blind next to a small pond. I had read a little about the animals we might see in this area since we were unfamiliar with Texas wildlife. But we were shocked to find a Crested Caracara taking a break for a drink. This bird is protected by the Endangered Species Act. It looks like a hawk with its sharp beak and talons, behaves like a vulture (i.e., eating carrion), and is technically a large tropical black and white falcon. I thought it was an osprey until I noticed the orange face. A great ending to a wonderful day. 

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park, Stonewall, Texas.  26 October 2020

Notice the lowered head and pawing the ground. I had gotten out of the truck just to get a couple photos of these Texas long-horns. I was not expecting the reaction of being charged by this one. Need to work on my reaction to danger signs. Fortunately, he came to a sliding halt right at the edge of the barbed wire fence. I didn't dare stare at him because the strands didn't look all that tough but he did. 

In a conversation with the volunteers at the LBJ State Park I asked if all the long horns were that aggressive. She just laughed noticed our cowboy hats and asked if we drove a truck. Seems the rangers drive trucks and wear cowboys hats (imagine that in Texas). Every day as they are out checking the fencing, they get out, walk up to the fence, get charged and then give out handfuls of feed pellets. So it's a game they play - good to know. 

A throw back to a turn-of-the-century German farm which is still run without upgrades. Park rangers and volunteers wearing historical clothing work the farms daily chores. 

Cotton growing through spinning and weaving. Canning of many fruits and vegetables raised on the farm. Raising hogs, chickens, goats and cows. Churning butter, making sauerkraut, baking breads, weeding the gardens. Yes there is sauerkraut in some of the jars.

The outside of the house is covered in tin made to resemble bricks. The inside is decorated with family heirlooms from the Sauer and Beckmann families. 

Windmill and water tower. A sorghum press attached to a pole to be powered by a horse or mule. 

On the LBJ Ranch is a "dog trot" style house renovated and used for guests who were not staying at the main house. "Dog trot" historically means two cabins connected by a breezeway, all under a common roof. Typically, one side is sleeping rooms while the other side is cooking and dining. This has two bedrooms on each side. 

The Johnson Family graveyard under the massive expanse of a Live Oak which are very common on the ranch. 

The newer landing strip was installed after LBJ became President. The original strip was not long enough to accommodate the new plane. LBJ began flying his own plane as a Congressman. 

The original house was added on to throughout LBJ's life. Behind the sprawling house are several metal buildings which were brought onsite and then expanded to house the Secret Service agents on duty and the additional security, telephone and television needs.  

Keep your eyes open as you drive around for the hundreds of deer that call the ranch home. Covid prevented us from seeing the inside of the house but the building housing the his-and-hers Continentals gave us a good look through floor to ceiling windows. 

International Waterlily Collection, San Angelo, Texas.  30 October 2020

In San Angelo, we discovered a different kind of garden. Below the Rose Garden at the top of the hill stands the huge concrete pools for the expansive International Water Lily Gardens. 

Free to the public, this display is open year round with flowering displays from April to October. 

A lovely display of dozens of different water lilies.

Even at this late date, we could still enjoy blossoms, turtles and small fish in the containers. 

Two turtles, maybe looking to catch some rays if they can just figure out how to get up on the lily pad. 

Variety of shapes and sizes. 

Buddy Holly, Lubbock, Texas.  30 October 2020

We had no idea that Buddy Holly had been born and raised in Lubbock. A non-descript building for his museum but the giant black rimmed glasses outside provided confirmation that we had arrived. 

Across the side street is the Memorial Park and Statue of Lubbock's well known native son. The plaza is called the West Lubbock Walk of Fame where the plaques are tributes to other creative talents of artists from the region.

Windmills, Lubbock, Texas.  30 October 2020

In the same area of the Holly Museum is the American Windmill Museum housing over 160 American style windmills established in 1993. Some are rare, all are of historic design, many outside are pumping water or making electricity. One windmill provides all the energy needed (660kW) by the museum facility.  

Silent Wings, Lubbock, Texas.  30 October 2020

"The Legacy of the World War II Glider Pilots", the museum is housed in the South Plains Army Air Field, where glider pilots were trained between 1942 and 1945.

Plaque denoting the European and Pacific locations utilizing the glider program. 

Gliders flew soldiers and equipment behind enemy lines largely undetected because they had no engine noise. Jeeps and howitzers were packed into the glider through the flip up front nose. 

Inside sure looks comfy. Without any insulation, the interiors soon became deep freezers once cruising altitude of 14,000 feet was attained. 

Patches and flight jackets.