Triangle T, Cochise Stronghold

On Tuesday, 2/26, together with friends Rick & Pam, we visited the Triangle T Guest Ranch for lunch. (About 15 miles east) The Triangle T is the 2nd oldest guest ranch in AZ, and was the location for Cochise & his band's summer camp for years. During WWII, the Japanese Consul General, Nagoa Kita, and thirty-six of his staff were held as war criminal detainees for their direct participation in spying and planning the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Other items of note: A fairly well-preserved guest book (c. 1930) found in 1996 lists as references the home addresses of the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, and other contemporary socialites. Many diplomats and dignitaries including President John F. Kennedy, General John J. Pershing, and Dr. Leon T. Silver, a director of NASA (who had his Cal Tech geology students complete their thesis at the ranch each summer) were among the ranch's distinguished guests.

The immediate area has served as the location for many motion pictures and television productions including the TV series, "Young Guns," and the movies, "Geronimo" and "Tombstone." Western films featuring John "Duke" Wayne and the film "3:10 to Yuma," which starred Glen Ford and Van Heflin, were filmed on location at the Triangle T.

Since we were so close, we then drove to Cochise Stronghold. There is a GREAT little campground there, but too small for our rig. The picture is on the interpretive walk at the end of the road. No, we didn't do any rock climbing, waiting for Cindy & Joe. :-) Yes, Joe, we know we were close to your Aunt & Uncle's, actually within a mile or so at one point.

The Pool Champ!

In most of the RV parks we visit, they have Pool tournaments, for the last couple of years, I have joined in, but never managed to win anything. Tuesday, Valley Vista had a "mixed" pool tournament, I asked Laura/Mom/Grandma if she wanted to go - well ok. Twice as many guys as gals, so each gal had 2 partners. As luck would have it, in the FINALS, she had to play against HERSELF (2 different partners), and WON both 1st & 2nd place! I need a drink! :-)

Benson update

We have seen snow flakes, but nothing sticking to the ground. But we can see fresh snow on mountain tops in the distance - good place for it. I'm including some pictures taken while in Bullhead City. 2 are of Grapevine Canyon (on the way to Christmas Tree Pass) where there are many petroglyphs. Yes, that's me having climbed up the rocks to see the other side, I hope to post additional pics on the web site soon. The other pic is one of two roadrunners building a nest in the tree next to our trailer. Who knew they made nests in trees?

Benson, AZ

We are now in Benson, AZ, having stopped overnight in Casa Grande Tuesday. Made a stop in Tucson to get estimate for damage done to the trailer by the blowout, $1900! And probably 4 weeks before they can get all the parts needed. Weather has been nice, breezy, but in the low 70's. But, forecast is for snow! tomorrow with some rain, low tomorrow night of 28! We are at about 3700 feet elevation here. We are parked near friends Rick & Pam, have had dinner both nights with them. That's all for now.

Bullhead City, AZ

Have now moved to Bullhead City, AZ, across the river from Laughlin, NV. We are at Ridgeview RV Park, and as you can see, we are parked on the ridge. These pictures are what we see out our back window! Several casinos, and look to the right, ALL desert!

Unfortunately, the trip from Salome had it's problems. 20 miles south of Lake Havasu, a trailer tire blew. So we sat along the Hwy for 45 minutes, waiting for a service truck. We did have a spare, so only delayed a couple of hours.

Quartzsite

We currently are in Salome, AZ. Temps in the 60's, near 32 at night. So today, we went to Quartzsite to visit the HUGE RV Show. All kinds of RVs, booths, swap meet areas, etc. Spent money. For anyone who is not familiar with Quartzsite, it is a fairly small town (1700), which grows to nearly a million people in January. Most of the population is dry camping in the desert on BLM land, as you come over the mountain pass, all you see is RVs throughout the desert! They have a mineral & gem show, as well as the week long RV show, and upwards of 2000 vendors of ALL kinds. You can find ANYTHING.

One of our Christmas presents from Rich is a Photo Scanner, which scans pictures AND slides. So we have been busy sorting & scanning our many prints & slides, so they will be digitized and saved on the computer. The comments about the temps brought back memories, and this picture came to mind. As we continue to sort & scan, you can expect that some of the "past" will get posted on this Blog as well as on our web site. Hope you enjoy it. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Leaving Vegas

Visited cardiologist today. His advice, "I'll see you next Winter". YEA!! So tomorrow, we will get the trailer from storage & park it in front of the house to load up. Wed. morning, we will "Be back on the Road".

We've been in Las Vegas 14 weeks now, much longer than original plan. So much has happened. We just feel so blessed that everything worked out so well. We must say a special Thank You to Rich, for being there when he was needed. And Thank You to Cindy, Deb, & Joe for your visit. We also need to say Thank You for the support we got from Rick & Pam, Bob & Dottie, Dave & Gail, Leslie & Amanda, and any others we may have missed.

One worry we have in leaving is the effect it will have on Frankie & Dutchess! They seem to have become good friends.

More later.