Our 2011-2012 winter trip

NOVEMBER 2 2011.

     We left Cadillac, Michigan on Friday October 28 at 1:30 pm. Arrived in Fishers IN. on Sat. the 29th. Spent the week-end with Terri (my daughter) David and Kyle. We had a great time with them. We left on 10-31-2011 headed for the Chattanooga west KOA campground in Trenton GA. near Lookout Mountain. We arrived here on November first. This campground is in the mountains, lots of trees, and wild life. A very clean, peaceful area. ($275.00 a month with full hookups, and 50 amp service) It was 67 degrees yesterday, and the sun is shining brightly this early morning. There is some snow on the very top of the taller mountian across the valley from us. Today is Doctor day, I need to have blood tests taken to keep up with how my kidney is doing. Peggy found a doctor near by and got an appointment for today.

HOW ARIZONA GOT ITS NAME.

       In October 1736 a Yaqui Indian prospector stumbled on a 1 1/2 ton chunk of almost pure silver in the mountains twelve miles above a ranching community by the name Arizonac. Hundreds of prospectors rushed to mine the rich, bolas y planchas de plata (balls and plates of silver) and word of the legendary mine traveled around the world. Does the word "Arizona" still remain a mystery or do the Basques hold the key to its real meaning? Military reports, diaries, maps, and artistic reproductions guide audiences through the story of the settlement of  Spanish Colonial Arizona frontier in the eighteenth century.

Bisbee, AZ. March 2011

BISBEE ARIZONA March, 2011
      Bisbee is a quaint little mining town in the Mule Mountains, and it got there by accident. In the fall of 1877, army scouts and cavalrymen found good looking rock in Tombstone Canyon, where the heart of the old town is now located. A few claims were filed as has always happened, prospectors, speculators, schemers, and connivers descended on the area. Claims were staked, traded, bought and sold. Digging started all over the hillside, and even a small smelter was built. By 1880 the camp of Bisbee was declared the town of Bisbee, complete with its own official Justice of the Peace and Post Office.  Many good ore bodies were found, but it wasn't until 1892 that the real production began. That year Phelps Dodge Co. built a railroad into town, and that changed everything. After WW2 a new residential suburb was built four miles from the old town. By 1970 a lot of the town residents moved out of the canyon and the town was falling into disrepair. Then later in the seventies there was a strong influx of young people, hippies is what they called them. They bought up some of the old buildings and started restortion of the old part of town. And "Old Bisbee" was declared a Historic Site.

BREWERY GULCH.
      Most of the fine old brick buildings on Brewery Gulch and main street were built in the early 1900's. Well built and set on solid rock, they are still basically sound buildings. Brewery Gulch was once considered the hottest spot between El Paso and San Francisco. In 1881 A.B. Seiber had a small adobe saloon by his brewery. He cooled his beer in a large vault dug into the mountain. In a short time the population of 400 grew to thousands and Brewery Gulch became famous. At one time there were 64 bars in Bisbee. Deeper up the Gulch was the red light district. The girls became a legend. There was Crazy Horse Lil, who was called wildly immoral. Red Jean, could fight anyone, any size, and win. There was Black Jack who dressed like a man. Kate Elder was Doc Holliday's mistress. Ma Reilley ran a dance hall, and men killed over her. Brewery Gulch saw a population of 25,000 people. The gulch managed to survive the economic changes, but the 'catastrophe' which forced a change was, Arizonia becoming a dry state, in 1914, enacting prohibition before the rest of the country.
      The gulch is still alive today, offering it's history to anyone who cares to look and listen. As the old timers say: 'The ghosts of the past are still there remembering the days gone by." Their existence was to real to ever die.

Fort Huachuca AZ. March 2011

We arrived at Fort Huachuca on Feb. 28. The RV Park here on the Army base is called "Apache Flats RV Park" and we will be here until at least until March 12. Peggy has a military ID card that allows her to come on the base, be able to stay at the RV Park, and also to use all the facilities on the base, like all the other people that live on the base in military housing. This first morning on base we awoke to a very sunny morning, so our stay is starting out well.

There are two museums here. The Fort Huachuca Museum takes up two buildings, the annex is across the street of the main one. It tells the story of the U.S. Army in the American Southwest.

The second museum is the U.S.  Army Intelligence Museum which takes for its theme the evolution of the intelligence art within the U.S.Army. As a formal organization, Military Intelligence made a late appearance in the U.S.Army, waiting more than 100 years. It would have to wait another three decades for the demands of the 20th century warfare to validate Military Intelligence as an equal partner on the War Department staff. It took the leadership of many officers to sell a simple idea, "Intelligence is for commanders." Today that principle is the cornerstone of U.S. Army intelligence doctrine. How that idea has evolved over the last 200 years is the subject of a new museum at Fort Huachuca. The museum was established in 1960 to tell the story of the U.S.Army on the Southwestern frontier. Starting with the Army of the west in 1846. Fort Huachuca had its beginnings in March 1877. Its location was so well situated along Chiricahua Apache escape routes into Mexico that it was decided by the War Department to make it a permanent fort in 1882. In the latter half of the 20th century, the post has been a proving ground for electronic weaponry, a home station for the U.S. Army's major communications command, and most recently the center for all military intelligence training.

Two towns that are near the fort that we are going to visit are Tomestone and Bisbee. We will post later about our visit to them.

Sedona AZ. Feb.2011

We are now at "Sedona Pines Resort" located 2 miles outside the city of Sedona, on the way to Cottonwood AZ.  Peggy's friends Dan and Barb Humbarger are friends that lived in Naval housing in San Diego CA. where she and Vern lived. The Humbarger's  have stayed friends with Peggy all these years.  They invited us to spend a couple of weeks with them at the resort in the RV section at the resort. This is one the best RV sites we have ever been in, or know of. In short, all I can say is that this is a high roller place. The Humbarger's  treated us like a King and Queen. The following are some of the places that they have taken us to see.

Fort Verde, life through the eyes of a frontier soldier at the Fort Verde State Park. The fort was a base for General Crook's U.S. scouts and soldiers in the 1870's and 1880's. Fort Verde was the home of Officers, doctors, families, enlisted men, and scouts. The buildings left are all furnished in the 1880's period. There are many interpretive exhibits, period artifacts from military life, and history on the Indian scouts, and Indian wars era.

Montezuma Castle. Southern Sinagua farmers began building this five story, 20 room dwelling early in the 1100s. It stands in a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. Early settlers marveled at the structure and assumed that it was Azetc origin, hence the name Montezuma Castle. 

Montezuma Well has all the surprise of a lake and fairly lush vegetation in the mist of desert. Between 1125 and 1400 about 150 to 200 Southern Sinagua people lived here.

Tuzigoot (Apache for "crooked water") is the remnant of a southern Sinagua villiage built between 1125 and 1400. It crowns the summit of a land ridge that rises 120 feet above the valley.

The town of Prescott AZ.  Founded in 1884 on Granite Creek, early source of placer gold. Former territorial capital of AZ. now a center for ranching, mining, health, especially asthma relief. Located here on site of old Fort Whipple is Whipple Veterans Hospital. Seat of the first Governor's mansion. and Arizona pioneer's home. Frontier days oldest rodeo in the west started here. Its locality places it in the middle of the natural beauty of north central Arizona. Rock and mountian formations such as Thumb Butte, the Granite Dells and Granite Mountian are nearby, and the towering San Francisco Peaks of Flagstaff are easily seen from Prescott. The period 1890-1920 may have been the most dynamic in Prescott's history. The stretch of Montenuma Street along the western of Courthouse Plaza was becoming known as Whiskey Row, due to the many saloons where a glass of "Old Popskull" could be had. Behind Whiskey Row were the Chinese and brothel districts. As many as 500 Chinese immigrants passed through Prescott between 1870 and 1930. Prostitutes and Opium dens were plentiful in those times. We did make a tour of Whiskey Row, but there are more shops, and restaurants then bars now. Prescott is one of the top five places to retire to.

We visited downtown Sedona a few times, a nice town, but a little to crowded for us. One reason it was so crowded is that the yearly Film Festival was going on during our stay. Some of the movie stars that were there were, Nicolas Cage, Gary Sinise, Johathan Winters, Rita Rudner, Rip Torn, and a few others. We played a few rounds of Putt Putt golf on the Resorts 18 hole course, which was is very nice one. Every night we went to the "Lagoon Spa" there. I would guess that there is enough room for at least 25 to 30 people in it. There is also a fountain that the hot water flows back into the spa from. (adults only, and drinking was allowed in the spa :>). We left on Feb. 26, heading down to the Tombstone AZ. area. We will be staying at the Apache Flats RV Resort, in Fort Huachuca AZ.

Williams AZ.

We stopped in Williams on the way to Sedona AZ. we both were glad that we picked this town to stop in.
The Williams area was first settled in 1874. Elevation of the town is 6,770 feet. It has just 3,000 people living there. The average summer temperatures are in the 80's while most of Arizona simmers at over 100 degrees. Downtown Williams is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings were constructed in the1900s. The town is the headquarters of the Kaibab National Forest. The area around Williams have produced several state, national and world records. The area northeast of Williams has produced the first, second, and third place world records for elk.Route 66, the Historic road, goes through the town. Williams was the last town located on Route 66 to be bypassed by I-40. Bearizona a North American drive thru wildlife park is surrounded by the largest ponderosa pine forest anywhere. The 160 acre wildlife park is the only park of its kind in the southwest. When driving through the park you can see black bear, bison, arctic wolves, and more. While strolling along the winding paths viewing the smaller animals, and  enjoying the antics of bear cubs, as well as bobcat, wolves, fox,and javelina, makes for a enjoyable time. Well worth the time spent there. The town itself is a very interesting place to visit. While we were there all the mountain tops and also the south side was covered with snow. But the weather was nice.
This town may be known nationally as the gateway to the Grand Canyon. But locals know it as the home of that restaurant with that weird quirky restroom. The food is actually pretty good at "Cruisers 66 Cafe." And the beer brewed right next door, is even better. But, when you gotta go cause the beer's gotta go, that's when the odd meter starts ticking away. Tail gates from classic pick-up trucks and car doors serve functions Detroit never had in mind. Nuf said, what to know more you will need to see it for yourself.

Oatman AZ. Feb. 2011

One of our favorite old western towns is Qatman. A trip you'll never forget, with natures glorious beauty, historic landmarks,  and a great old western gold country. The town is 24 miles west of Kingman AZ. on U.S. Highway 66, in the Ute Mountains, one of natures grandest viewpoints and  home of the richest gold lode in the west. It is the heart of a great western gold mining region. The discovery of gold was made at the famous Moss Mine on Silver Creek in 1863. The first pocket of gold produced two tons, netting $114,000.00 in gold, at the 1863 prices. And produced $18,000,000 in gold in three and one half years. Three motion pictures have been filmed in Oatman. "How The West Was Won" "Foxfire" "Edge of Eternity". Near by is Sitgreaves Pass which has a 100 mile view of three states, Arizona, California, Nevada. From there the Silvery Colorado river can also be seen. One of the attractions beside the many old building, with shops, restaurants, and the old "Oatman Hotel" is the burro's that roam the streets looking for the tourists to feed them carrots, which can be bought at many of the stores. The Oatman Hotel is now a restaurant, and a must see place, where the food is great. On the walls it is said that there are over $70,000 dollar bills that people have signed and stapled on just about every flat place there is. The most famous people too have stayed in the hotel are Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. There are gun fights every day that are some what real looking. Stage coach rides are available, offering a tour of the area. But the best way is to start at one end of town and walk down one side then back on the other side. Allowing you to enjoy all that there is to see. I feel that so far this is the highlight of our trip.

Lake Havasu Feb. 2011

The land that is now Lake Havasu was purchased by Robert McCulloch Sr. in August 1963. (the founder of McCulloch Co. Which is known for its chain saws) Original purchase was 26 square miles and was sold to him for $73.47 per acre. The abandoned Army Air Corps landing strip on the land that he bought provided McCulloch the airport necessary to bring in prospective land buyers, and this, along with the lake provided a perfect testing site for his small engine business. The population of Lake Havasu City in Dec.1975 was 15,500 and in 2000 it had increased to 41,938 and is now above 55,000. The Colorado River runs through Lake Havasu. and is backed up by the Parker dam, creating the town. It was formed in 1938, with the completion of the Parker Dam. Which is the deepest dam in the world with 73 % percent of its structural height of 320 feet being below the original riverbed. The main attraction of the city is the London Bridge. Which has a 2,000 year history.Some of the highlights of the bridge are mentioned several times in history from about 1,014 on as the site of resistance to Viking invasions. Later the Vikings laid cables around the pillars and then rowed swiftly downstream, dislodging the supports. This is where the origin of the poem, "London Bridge is Falling Down". From AD 1066 on there are numerous mentions of London Bridge. The great fire of 1135 burned it down. In 1163 a new bridge bridge of elm was built. It was to last for 699 years.

On July 4, 1823 John Rennie's design was accepted for a new bridge. It opened August 1, 1831 and the old bridge was demolished. The Rennie bridge is the one now at Lake Havasu. Some interesting facts about the bridge. The Bridge was purchased on April 18, 1968 for a bid of $2,460,000 from the City of London by Mr McCulloch. To avoid taxation, the bridge was declared an antique and has been identified as the world's largest antique by the Guiness Book of Records. The 22 million pounds of granite (10,276 pieces) were shipped from London through the Panama Canal to Long Beach CA. and then trucked to Lake Havasu, a 10,000 mile journey. Total reconstruction time was three years, from the laying of the cornerstone in September 1968 to dedication October 1971. The Bridge measures 952 feet, while in London it was 1,005 feet long. During World War two the Germans attempted to blitz London with air attacks. Although the bridge never sustained heavy damage, it was strafed by machine gun fire.A one mile channel was dredged to form the Island Due to the weight of solid granite, the interior section is concrete and allows a way to provide several different utility services to the Island.
The Parker dam spans the Colorado River between Arizona and California, 155 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Built between 1934 and 1938 by the Bureau of Reclamation, Parker Dam is operated with Hoover and Davis Dams (Did you know that there was a Davis dam?) to bring water and power benefits to residents of the lower Colorado River Basin. Parker Dam's primary purpose is to provide reservoir storage for water to be pumped into the Colorado River and central Arizona Project Aqueducts. Lake Havasu, the reservoir behind Parker Dam, is about 45 miles long and can store nearly 211 billion gallons of water. Lake Havasu provides clear, desilted water for the Colorado River Aqueduct and serves central Arizona Project.
Lake Havasu is home to more lighthouses than any other city in America. These 1/3 scale replicas are actual functioning navigational aids, built to the specifications of famous East and West coast lighthouses. There are currently 19 that dot the shores of the lake, with several others planned. Lake Havasu has worked to place the lighthouse replicas on both the Arizona and California sides of the lake. Not only are they decorative, but they provide valuable navigation tools for boaters.

Quartzsite AZ. Jan 2011

Quartzsite is west of Phoenix at the junction of Interstate 10 and U.S. 95, near the Colorado river. The community has a Mohave Desert setting. The nearby Kofa, New Water, and Plomosa Mountains provide topographic relief while the Coloado River lies only 17 miles to the west. Quartzsite was established in 1867 on the site of old Fort Tyson, a privately uilt structure constructed in1856 by Charles Tyson for protection against Indian raids. Named Quartzsite because quartz was found in the area, the name evolved toQuartzsite throygh an error in spelling.

Tourism is the major contributor to Quartzsite's economy. There are more than 70 mobile home and RV parks in the area. Nine major gem, mineral, and 15 general swap-meeting shows. Attracting approximately 1.5 million people annually. There are also 6 very large BLM area campsites. Which has hundreds of spaces in each of them available for the cost of $40.00 for 14 days. That is the longest anyone can stay in one place at a time. Just move to another one and you can stay another 14 days.

A rock hunters paradise surrounds Quartzsite with agates, limonite cubes, gold, and quartz being just a few, the Hi Jolly Monument honors the Arab camel driver, Hadji Ali, who took part in an unsuccessful 1850's U.S.War Department attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the desert. To the south rise the Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include the Spanish Wall, Crystal hill, Tyson Tanks, and Tyson Wells Museum. South in the Kofa Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona's only native palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb. Father south is Castle Dome Peak. There are many points of interset including the world's largest Saguaro catus with 47 arms, historical sights, day trips and many off road ATV trails.

January ave. low is 36.8 with ave. high 65.6 February ave. low is 41.4 with ave. high 70.8 This year I belive that all temps were a little lower then ave.

One of the great things about Quartzsite, beside the hundreds of venders of fles market type of goods, is the desert that surrounds it. That desert is filled with trails to hidden canyons, histortic sites, stone cabins, and mines. The trails have some of the greatest desert scenery you will ever experience, and each trail ride or hiked is an adventure of its own.

Quartzsite's show season brings vendors and visitors from all over the world. The gem and mineral shows, craft shows, car shows and RV shows draw thousands of people each year to shop and to buy. There are many other sites to see in the area, Joseph Cone's cabin, Alamo Lake,Harquahala mine and cemetery, Indian Springs, Swansee Ghost town, Kofa Queen Canyon, The Great tree (it is 1050 years old), Hi Jolly Monument and cemetery,Dripping Springs, Grinding holes and petroglyphs, Palm Canyon, Tyson Wells stage stop, The Cabin at Goodman mine. Just to name a few places.

But one of the things that we did that I enjoyed (and Peggy also) was our climb to the top of "Q Mountain". Something neither one of has ever done before. Every morning as we sat at our kitchen table drinking coffee and looking out the window as the sun came up, we saw the American and MIA flag flying on the top of Q Mountain. One morning I said to Peggy we should climb up there. We had seen a couple of people climbing up now and then. As we watched them we could see them climbing up and they looked rather small from the bottom near where we we camped.  So we knew it must not of been to hard to do.  After a couple of minutes she said OK lets do it. Two days later we drove through the desert to the bottom of Q mountain. With some snacks and water we started on up a faint trail. On the way up there was the remains of and old mine and some out buildings. After looking at the mine site we started on our way to the top. Peggy got a little nervous when getting close to the top and she looked back down and seen our car. It looked like a Hot Wheel car sitting there. With no more looking down we climbed on to the top. What a nice view it was, well worth all the effort. We sat there and had our snack and rested for awhile. We looked things over and decided to go down another way. On the way down we found some quartz laying near another old mine, we did pick up a few pieces to bring back with us. After we returned back to Speedy we were so very glad that we went on this adventure, and I know that we will never forget our climb to the top of Q mountain. What a great ending to our time spent in Quartzsite.

Big Bend TX. Jan.2011

After about a 72 mile ride from Fort Stockton TX. we were at the north entrance of Big Bend. We registered at the entrance then went to the camp ground and picked out a sight then settled into our spot. I am writing this with my not so great memory so it may not be in order but will do my best to remember everything of interest.

The next morning when we woke up and were having our coffee as the sun was coming over the mountain it started to warm up, and fast. At 0630 it was 47 and by 0800 it was 61. We decided to take a hike to the end of Boquillas canyon. It has a very steep climb up, then descends by a sandy rocky path to the bottom of the canyon where the Rio Grande runs through canyon. The river is the boarder between the USA and Mexico. The path along the river was mostly rocks and gravel with lots of sugar cane patches. the canyon walls are very high and too steep to be able to climb. It was like that to the farthest point of travel allowable due to the walls coming right down into the river, with a large sand dune in front of them. It is about a one hour hike to the end. At the start of the canyon entrance along the trail in many spots there were walking sticks, trinkets, and other things for sale. They are put there by the Mexicans from across the river. We looked around but could not see any body around at all but us two. After a short walk we then saw the Mexican men sitting on the other side watching their goods. They were somewhat hidden in the cane and beside very large boulders. There were jars at all spots to put money in to pay for their things. Don't know what they would do if someone didn't pay. But, we did hear of some shooting from the Mexican side on rare occasions from the Rangers. It is against the law to buy anything from the Mexicans. If caught doing so it would be taken away from the buyer and if they could catch the people who were selling it they would be jailed then returned to Mexico. Coming back from the end of the trail there were three Mexicans on horseback who rode across the river, (it is shallow enough to wade across only a couple of feet deep and about 100 feet across) they were selling hand made trinkets. The boarder patrol does not bother them unless they cause any problems. They said we should not buy their stuff, but I wondered why. The walking sticks were $6.00, but in the park stores the same walking sticks were selling for $18.50. I think I now know why. Protecting the boarders in this area is a joke. They leave the Mexicans alone because there is no place for them to go if they do cross, it is empty flat land for over 50 miles or so north of the boarder. Ok back to the canyon, after a long walk to the end and back we went back to Speedy and rested while having a welcomed lunch. The park has over 200 miles of trails in it. They range from somewhat easy, short walks to very strenuous and primitive routes through rugged desert back country. Emory Peak is the highest peak in the park at 7,832 feet. The trail was difficult, rising 2500 feet on five miles of trail.

Not for everyone that is for sure. We went to see just about everything there was to see and do on the east side of the park. Then we moved to just outside of the west entrance of the park and stayed at a RV Resort in the town of Terlingua TX. We spent time in the old Ghost town outside of Terlingua, and enjoyed all of the things in that area. When we went to leave that area is when we had the trouble with Speedy. Which led to a $200.00 bill to a local rv repairman, then a  $2,700.00 towing fee to El Passo. Spending 4 days at the Freightliner dealership and a $763.69 bill to pay. All of that for a $93.51 part. There is just to many things we did, and things we saw to tell them all here. Many fond memories that will last a lifetime. (and some not so great) If any of you get a chance to go to Big Bend National Park do it, you will not be disappointed, of this I am sure.

update

Ok time to catch up on what has been going on with us. We are in Mojave Valley AZ. which is 3 miles east from Needles CA. 13 miles from Oatman AZ. 6 miles south of Bullhead City AZ. We are in a RV Resort next to the Spirit Mountain casino. The first evening here we went next door to play a little. Well Peggy picked out a slot machine she wanted to play, sat down and put in $20.00 and started to play. She thought it was 25 cents a play, but it was a two credit play. (50 cents) on her fifth play the bells went off and she wondered what went on until two people came over and counted out $444.00 into her hand. Needless to say it sure brought a big smile to her face. I on the other hand was glad that I didn't lose any of my money, but did take home $48.00. But like a nice guy I gave that back the next time we played with a little interest included and Peggy gave back very little of what she won. We are leaving tomorrow after being here 8 days. During that time we went to Oakman, Needles, and Fort Mahave.

I have jumped from Big Bend TX. to here, but, will this very day, (maybe) post the events from Big Bend to here. We have had nice weather from the lows in the mid 40's to highs in the low 70's, with sunshine everyday. On the down side, if there is any down side, would be that for the last week it has been windy every day. That does make it feel cooler at times. Next stop for a week at least will be in Sedona AZ. Visiting with friends of Peggy at the Sedona Pines Resort.

notice

I am way behind on our posting, We are not in big bend now. We are in El Paso TX.The reason for that is when we went to the west side of Big Bend we went to a campground in a very small town called Terlingua TX. Short story, (long one later) we had trouble with the air brakes and suspension. there are no rv dealers near where we were. We had to have a wrecker come from El Paso and tow us back to El Paso TX. to a freightliner dealer to have it fixed. That is a total of about 300 miles. Now I hope that you are sitting down for what it cost.....$2700.00. Yes that is twenty seven hundred dollars. Got to go now will post about Big Bend area and what happens later. Also what was wrong and hopefully it will not have four numbers in the total price to have it fixed.

More later.

Fort Stockton TX

We have stopped in Fort Stockton for some sight seeing before we head into Big Bend Nat. Park.

We were somewhat disappointed with what was there. We visited the U.S. Army Fort and The Annie Riggs Museum. The Fort was built on the Chihuahua Trail. The springs which once flowed over 80 million gallons of water daily, served the Fort and later the town with all the water they needed. It was widely known as a way station along several well traveled routes. The Butterfield overland mail route, and the Great Comanche War Trail, and many others used this stopping point. Fort Stockton was founded in 1858. In 1912 the railroad came, in 1926 oil was discovered, the fourth largest oil reserve bringing many boom towns to the area. The seven year drought of the 50's coupled with increased irrigation brought an end to the famed Comnanche Springs, as the water table dropped and the springs ceased flowing. On to Big Bend area tomorrow.