Gypsy & The Navigator

High, High, High In The Mountains

After leaving Albuquerque we took Highway 550 heading to Durango, Colorado.

It is a nice four lane highway with diverse scenery.

 

We pass through San Ysidro.

 We stopped in Cuba for gas.  A really small town but quite a bit of evidence of new construction. 

On through Bloomfield and Aztec and into Durango with the stunning view from Gypsy at our site in United Campgrounds.  What a fun place.  The Durango-Silverton train runs right through the park and we get to hear the whistles in the morning and again as they return in the evening. 

The Trolley stops at the Campground.  We took it into downtown Durango.  It is a convenient and inexpensive way to get around.  It has several stops and you never have to wait more than 20 minutes.

What a pretty downtown.  It is bedecked with flowers everywhere.

 Sa Wa Dee means Hello or Welcome.  Durango is a very welcoming place.  However, its altitude of 6,512 ft would take a little getting used to. Walt felt it more than me.  He was somewhat short of breath and had no energy.  The energy thing hit me too but there is so much to see and do that we just kept on going.

 

 

 

We had brunch at the Strater Hotel.  The Strater Hotel opened in 1887 after an expenditure of $70,000, and placement of 376,000 native red bricks and hand-carved sandstone cornices and sills.

Most interesting to me is the fact that the Strater Hotel became a popular winter retreat as the Durango townsfolk would close their own homes during the cold winter months and move into the hotel.  Lots of card games going on there during the long cold winter. 

Our brunch was in the Diamond Belle Saloon that is on the street level on the corner.  Western author Louis L’Amour always asked for the room directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon, Room 222. He said the honky-tonk music helped ‘set the mood’ for his novels of the Old West.

 Through a few different owners the hotel has gone through extensive renovation and the hotel’s collection of American Victorian-era walnut furniture has grown into the largest of its kind in the world.

There are so many interesting bits of architecture.  I think they should have put the padlock beneath her nose like a nose ring. 

We drove up to Fort Lewis College to have a look at the campus and to take in the incredible view.  The college is located high up on a mesa above Durango and the Animas River.  The mountain above is Smelter Mountain.  While in operation there the smelter smelted 1 million pounds of silver, lead, gold and copper.  

Quite a view from up there. Wonder what it looks like covered with snow. Walt said "Can you imagine having a 7 am class in January at this college?"  Weird..............since I took him to 7 am classes at Utah State in Logan, UT with plowed snow higher than our car.  Not so different I would think. 

As we descended there was a rain cloud and we thought we might get a nice cooling rain for the evening.  No such luck.  A quick shower and it was gone. 

The Animas River Trail runs 7 miles through neighborhoods in Durango.

In places the Durango-Silverton train tracks run between the trail and the river. 

Miniature Railroad Crossing sign for bicyclist and walkers.  

The river runs quite smooth on the portion of the trail that we walked. 

The trail is used not only for recreation but as a way for residents to get to school and to work. Between it and the Trolley they have a nice transportation system. 

There were lots of rafters on the river.

Good times, lots of laughter and frequent splashes as someone went into the water.

Now, this looks like the way to go to me.  

Very enjoyable time spent in Durango.   Next up the train and Mesa Verde.

Where are we going from here?  Don't always know.  But that way we can't get lost. 

 

A Celebration And On To Albuquerque

We went to Las Cruces to get to go to a surprise 50 year Anniversary for friends Nancy and Shelton. 

Their daughter and son-in-law did a marvelous job of surprising them and putting it all together.

They had it at Josefina's Old Gate in Mesilla Park.  It was a lovely location and the buffet was delicious as well as colorful.

It was fun congratulating Nancy and Shelton and visiting with old friends.  

Then on to Albuquerque to see a few sights and visit with Joyce and Paul.

When we go to Albuquerque a trip to Old Town is bound to be on the schedule.

It is always so pretty and colorful.

We had a late lunch at Hacienda.  Great New Mexican food and to die for sopapillas. 

The plaza was chock-full of bright blooming hollyhocks.

When we were having lunch we kept seeing people in Navy uniforms.  We asked the server if she knew why they were there and she laughed and said "No, we don't have any water here."  When we left and headed to the plaza we found that they were part of the Navy Band that were performing on the plaza. They had several different groups that were to perform but we only stayed and listened for a few minutes.  Nice duty if you can get it! 

This is a sign on the Warpath Trading Post.  Loved its bright colors. 

 Whenever we drive down Central Avenue I love seeing this colorful old theater.

The KiMo Theater was built in 1927 in the short-lived Art Deco-Pueblo Revival Style architecture. It is still showing movies and other types of performances.  It fell into disrepair after a fire in the 60's but in 1977 the citizens of Albuquerque voted to purchase it and put it back to its original glory.

The bright colorful terra cotta native shields are above the third floor windows.  The interior has been restored keeping as much of the original as possible while meeting todays codes.  I hope the next time we are there we can see a movie or performance so I can see the interior.

Native American motifs appeared in only a handful of theaters; of those few, the KiMo is the undisputed king.  The swaztika like symbol on the shields is an original Navajo symbol for life, freedom, and happiness that was applied to the KiMo long before Nazi Germany adopted the symbol. 

 

Across the street is an original Kress sign.  Who remembers the "five and dime" stores?  The building has a curved plate glass front window but is empty at this time.  Hope someone comes in and restores it keeping the architectural details.

There is no shortage of bright, colorful sights in Albuquerque.

 We stayed in an RV Park in Tiejas that was convenient to Joyce and Paul's house where we enjoyed several delicious meals and rousing games of Canasta.  Paul was not feeling well but got better day by day.  It wasn't the meds that made him better it was the Canasta.  We appreciate their hospitality.  It was good spending time with them.

"No matter what your circumstances are in life, a simple card game can make you feel special and give great joy, if only for a few fleeting moments."

Anonymous

 

 

 

A Visit in Silver City

We left the Roper Lake Campground on a blue sky morning amid the perfectly straight rows of cotton.

 We took the back roads to Silver City.

Highway 78 through Three Way and Mule Creek.

Up, up, up the Navigator had to pull Gypsy.  Walt sometimes questions my route choices but in the end he is glad we went the "hard" way.

Twists and turns take us  up and over the mountain.

Whew!  Top of the mountain.

What goes up must come down.

There were some pretty astounding views.

 Then on down Highway 180 through Buckhorn and Cliff.

Into Silver City to visit with Tresa and Jerry and see the sights. They generously gave their time to take us sightseeing and Tresa made delicious dinners for us.  And we enjoyed some fun games of Canasta.

After a nice visit at the Museum in Silver City Jerry took us on a sightseeing loop around the area. First stop the Santa Rita Copper Mine.  

It is a huge open-pit mine and is one of the oldest continuously operating mines in the West.  It just grows and grows into the mountainsides.

We stopped at this amazing little place for lunch.  Owned and run by a family that are incredibly friendly.  The building and everything in it were built by the family and their friends.  $6.50 for a buffet full of a large assortment of good healthy food.  Green chile stew, salad bar, sandwiches, quesadillas, and just so much more culminating with pecan sticky buns.  Then the decision has to be made as to which freshly baked loaf of bread to buy to take home with you.  There must be a dozen varieties.  If you are ever in the Mimbres Valley this is a MUST stop.  

Jerry drove us around Bear Canyon Lake and Lake Roberts.  Nice to see water but there is not enough in New Mexico.  They suffer from the drought.  Too much rain in Texas, not enough in New Mexico.

What a great rock formation.  Looks like an oven with the chimney above.

Isn't this the best fence ever?  Bottle art!  This is the home of the Hummingbird Lady.......I think her name is Joan.  They have a Hummingbird Festival each year in July up here at Lake Roberts.  That is on my wish list to attend someday.

We went to the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

 

Puebloan people lived in the Mogollon area over 700 years ago.

They built a village within five of the natural caves of Cliff Dweller Canyon.

It was a hot day but most of the trail up to the Cliff Dwellings was in the shade.

The steep sided canyon where the caves of the Cliff Dwellings are located looks like a painted sculpture.

The ruins of the dwellings are interlinked between five cliff alcoves.

 They estimate that they were occupied between 1275 and 1300 AD.

It is believed they were occupied by 10 to 15 families.

It is not known why the dwellings were abandoned.

It must have been considerable work to construct the buildings.  It is a long was down from the cliff to the Gila River and water would have been needed to make the mortar that holds the rocks together.

There are many of the original posts that were used to construct buildings and roofs still in place. Tree ring dating determined that the wood used in the dwellings was cut down sometime between 1276 to 1287. 

The caves are very large offering good protection from the elements with several rooms constructed within.  The cave roof is very blackened from the smoke from their fires.

Tresa enjoying the view down into the canyon from one of the cave openings.

The people were hunters and gatherers who also incorporated farming into their daily lives.   But I think artist should be added to that description.  Look how beautiful their dwellings were. 

There is a steep drop off from this walkway.  Both Walt and I walked very carefully.  Another milestone for me in overcoming my fear of heights.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that once over there was no other choice but to go back the same way. 

While it was hot outside inside the caves it was nice and cool.  

There were a few pictographs to view.   Dancing???

This lizard was on the trail on the way down.   Such a pretty mosaic pattern.

This was a sign we definitely obeyed.

Pretty wildflowers on the return trail.  

 We drove by the Hearst Methodist Church in Pinos Altos.  

It was built in 1898 by the Hearst family.  The newspaper Hearst family that also built the Hearst Castle in California.

The gold used in decorating the Hearst Castle in California came from the Hearst Mine in Pinos Altos.

During the summer months, the church is transformed into an art gallery, featuring arts and crafts created by about 50 local artists.

We had such a good time in Silver City.  Thank you Tresa and Jerry for your hospitality.  

"Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second."

Mattie Stepanek

Roper Lake Reflection

We had such a nice stay at Roper Lake State Park.

It was so pleasant to wake in the morning to the birds singing and to look out at a mountain and water view.

 

For the first few days we had clouds that softened the sky and kept the temperatures cool.  

Many nights those soft skies continued.

Misty mornings made the mountains seem transparent.

The water was still enough to reflect the cloud images.

 Toward the end of our stay the heat came roaring back.  Good thing our road trips were done.  We had leisurely days watching movies and playing cards.  My main drawback to our Roper Lake stay was the BUGS.  Ranging from little tiny ones so small that a window screen does not even slow them down to cockroaches bigger than any I have seen since we were in Florida to 5 inch long centipedes.  And many more too numerous to try to figure out what they are.

We saw this sign when we were up at Riggs Flat Lake and my thought was Roper Lake needs a sign too.

WARNING

HIGH BUG ACTIVITY AREA

PERSONS SWATTING, SLAPPING AND STAMPING 

WILL NOT BE CITED

We enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch at Casa Manana.  The landscaping called me several times as we drove by and I was happy when Walt suggested lunch there.  The food equalled the landscape.

While we were there we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  Walt treated me to a spa day at Kachina Mineral Springs Spa and oh, how relaxing that was.  He knows what I really like.  Then a wonderful dinner that he set up with the Manor House Restaurant.  Pretty tablecloth, fresh flowers and Shrimp Scampi.  

 He has been a kind, patient, generous and caring partner on our journey through the years.  So glad I found the love of my life.

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”  Dr. Suess
 

Along The Mountain Road.........Mount Graham

The mountain called and we answered.

Soon we were on the road.

Mount Graham towers 10,720 feet over the Gila River Valley.

The settlers in the valley needed lumber so they hacked a rough trail into the mountains.

This trail was eventually widened into what would pass for a road.

 

It was finally enhanced into what would pass as a Highway in Arizona.  It is numbered 366 but is commonly called the Swift Trail Parkway.

The road is paved for the first 20 miles.  It has more tight hair pin turns than any other drive we have been on.  

By the time you reach the 8000 foot level there is a drastic change in foliage.  You are really in the forest.

The views are awe inspiring and after much climbing, twisting and turning we were at the 9000 foot level.  

Uh oh............the pavement ends.

We hadn't done any research so we didn't know what lay ahead.  We pulled into a campground to decide if we would continue on or turn around.  

We were pulling out the maps and a Boy Scout Troop and one of their leaders came hiking down the road.  They said we would have no trouble getting to the end of the road where we would come to a lake.  Forward ho! 

This beauty ran across the road in front of us.  I didn't have my camera ready.  The windows were down so I asked if she would wait until I grabbed my camera, turned it on and got a photo.  She stopped, turned, and posed.  The camera clicked and she was gone in a flash.  

At over 9000 feet Riggs Flat Lake is supposed to be great trout fishing.

It is encircled by towering firs and pines and as we sat and watched the lake surface was being constantly broken by fish jumping.

We ate our picnic lunch by the lake and then it was time to head back down the mountain. 

 On the way up I was on the mountain side.  Going back down I had the cliff side valley view.

So glad we met very few cars and Walt didn't  have to drive close to the edge.  It is a long way down.

We could see this compound way down below and had no idea what it was.  It is miles and miles away from anything out there.  We were doing a lot of guessing.   Cult, secret government facility,  boarding school for troubled teens???????????  When we got back we looked it up and found that it was the former Fort Grant now a state prison.  

The mountain is also home to the Mount Graham International Observatory.  It is the research arm of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona. It has three huge telescopes.  The only way to see the Observatory is by a tour that needs to be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.  And the entire top of the mountain is off limits.  Not only because of the Observatory but because of an endangered red squirrel and the Native American community considers it a sacred location. 

Mount Graham is a giant, very impressive mountain rising out of the desert.

 There were a handful of scenic pullouts so I could take advantage of photo opportunities.

 There were even wildflowers I hadn't seen anywhere else.

It was a nerve tingling, hair pin turning, over the edge looking, dangerous route up and down but it led to the most amazing views.

 From the top of the mountain.........................

 to the valley floor makes for an extraordinary day. 

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! 

Black Hills Country Byway

We woke up in the morning and looked out our window to the mountain view.  Time for a back country trip.  But, not to the mountains this day.

No, we are going to the rocky desert of the Black Hill Back Country.  The backroad begins off Highway 191. 

Pioneer ranchers and farmers eked out a living in these hillsides starting in the 1870s. 

A copper deposit of great significance was discovered near Clifton and in 1872 mining began.

As the mines grew, settlers in the fertile Safford/Thatcher valley supplied wood and vegetables to the miners, traveling over treacherous mountain trails.  

Prisoners toiled from 1914 to 1920 to construct the Safford-Clifton Road -- now the byway -- greatly enhancing travel between the agricultural Safford valley and the mining communities of Clifton and Morenci.  If this is what the road is like now I can only imagine what those early settlers traversed before this road was completed. 

Copper mining was not the only mining done in the area.  These are the remains of a pumice mine.  I wonder why they stopped mining it here.   We still need pumice to scour our sinks, scrub calluses from our feet and stone wash jeans.  

This is an abandoned cinder pit.  Wonder why it is no longer in operation.  We still use cinders in landscaping, on roads to provide better traction in snow and as the rocks on our gas Bar B Q grills. 

At the lower elevations of the road it is a typical desert environment.

As you climb the plant life becomes more abundant.

 

At the higher elevation there are a few shrubs and trees. 

From the top you get expansive views of the mountains that have been ever changed by the copper mining.  

There are many water storage tanks along the way but this one had seen better days.  

The copper containing rocks are so pretty.  There is a side road that leads to the Black Hills Rockhound area where you can dig and collect rocks to your hearts content with no fee or permit needed.

Walt heartily agreed with this ranchers sentiments.

Beware.....................soon you'll be on someone's dinner table. 

Down into the valley again, crossing the Gila River.

Not the most scenic river but it was alive with birds.  Water, trees, fish & bugs.  What more do birds need? 

Back to Highway 191 and on into Clifton.  Seems the mining towns look pretty similar.

The first explorers came here looking for gold but instead found rich copper ore.

Numerous severe flooding of the San Francisco River has caused much damage to the town of Clifton. 

Arizona's first narrow gauge railroad was built in Clifton to bring ore from the Longfellow Mine five miles up the canyon to the Chase Creek smelter.

The old Clifton Jail, a rock bastille blasted out of the side of the mountain was built in 1878. Many of the West's real badmen were incarcerated in it at one time or another.  Clifton also claims to be the birthplace of Geronimo.

 The only restaurant in town we could find for a very late lunch is exactly what Walt would have chosen.  Real Texas Bar B Q Brisket.  

 

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman

Today we found the potholes but they were worth it! 

Time For A Change Of Place

We had been parked on concrete, next to an asphalt road, for a month.  It was time to get on the road again. 

 Every time we head out Willie Nelson's song runs through my head.  

"On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again"

"On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way and our way"

 The part about "making music with my friends"  is usually left out because neither Walt or I have inherent musical talent.   

 This days trip brought us to Roper Lake State Park near Safford, AZ.

The park has a lake and stunning views of Mount Graham.  We have already enjoyed a soak in the natural stone mineral water hot tub. 

 We have had a rain storm accompanied by a power outage.  Really dark out there.

 The only TV channels on air TV are a Spanish Channel that looks like it has pretty good movies but we need subtitles and a religious channel that has a Tammy Faye Baker look alike.  The radio works well and we have plenty of books. 

 

 Met a nice couple from St. Augustine, FL who are in the west for the first time and they LOVE it.  

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

Graduations, Ball Games and More in Arizona

We were happy to be able to be back in Arizona for Brianna and Bailey's high school graduation.  Class of 2015.  Congratualations!

Brianna graduated from Mesquite High School.  Her graduation was held at the Wells Fargo Center at Arizona State University.

Bailey graduated from Higley High School.  Her graduation was held outside at her high school.  It was a perfect night.  Nice cool evening. 

Brianna had a open house for friends and family on Friday evening.

Bailey's open house was on Saturday afternoon.

Lots of good food and Congratulations to the graduates.  Both are headed to college in the fall. They are bright, talented, beautiful young ladies and they will do well.   We are very proud of them. 

We were able to get in a Diamondbacks game or two while we were there. 

Walt follows them wherever we are........................There are aps for that.  

But, nothing beats being there in person.

This little fellow got blown out of the nest on a gusty day.  After lots of eye droppers full of sugar water and mental encouragement he was able to build up enough strength to fly away.  Interesting that he didn't seem to be frightened of us humans at all. 
 

We got to watch Sammie play volleyball.  She has quite a serve.

 We enjoyed cloudy, cooler Arizona weather.  It didn't last for our entire visit though. 

Kevin and his family & friends went camping at Christopher Creek.

Yes, camping in tents.   They are still young.

 They invited us to drive up and spend a day with them.

We can't resist a road trip.

We head north on Highway 87 to Payson.   From there it is about 20 miles east on Highway 260 to the Christopher Creek Campground. 

It is at 5600 feet so it is cooler than the triple digits that are now starting down in the valley.

There are trout in the creek.

Isaac is the only one who caught fish.  Much to the disappointment of the others.

It was very green and the gentle breeze made it feel so much cooler.

A path follows along the creek and although the campground is pretty full we don't meet many others along our way.

Watching the water in a tumbling creek is so relaxing.

There are warning signs that there are bears in the area.  No large animal sightings for us.  This dragonfly reminded me of the clusters of them I had around my pond in Wheatland.  Every imaginable color.

 

There are lots of blue jays.  If you don't see them you can certainly hear them.

 

 

 

 

Butterflies were everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few games of hearts going on.  Suffice it to say true to the norm I was the big loser of the day. 

Delightful day among the towering Ponderosa Pines.

 

A pleasant drive back to Gypsy as the day faded away.

Time spent in Arizona means awe inspiring sunsets.

Spectacular sunsets happen just about every day in Arizona. 

The combination of clean air and frequent high clouds make conditions perfect for stunning sky views.

They say the bluer the sky during the day the redder the the sky at sunset.

"There's a sunrise and sunset every day. You can choose to be there for it. You can put yourself in the way of beauty."

~Cheryl Strayed