Monday April 25, 2016

 Hi everyone,

Today Jim and I took the Apache Trail which encompasses Superstition Mountains,  Goldfield Mountains, Goldfield Ghost Town, Old Dutchman Minds, Tortilla Flats and Canyon Lake.

The Superstition Mountains are a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona area.

The mountain range is in the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area, and includes a variety of natural features in addition to its namesake mountain. Weavers Needle, a prominent landmark and rock climbing destination set behind and to the east of Superstition Mountain, is a tall eroded remnant^[1] that plays a significant role in the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Peralta Canyon, on the northeast side of Superstition Mountain, contains a popular trail that leads up to Fremont Saddle, which provides a very picturesque view of Weavers Needle. Miner's Needle is another prominent formation in the wilderness and a popular hiking destination.   This is all part of the Tonto National Park.  

The legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine centers around the Superstition Mountains. According to the legend, a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz discovered a mother lode of gold in the Superstition Wilderness and revealed its location on his deathbed in Phoenix in 1891 to Julia Thomas, a boarding-house owner who had taken care of him for many years. Several mines have been claimed to be the actual mine that Waltz discovered, but none of those claims have been verified.^[1] The legends and lore of the Superstition Mountains can be experienced at the Superstition Mountain Museum on the Apache Trail where artifacts of the Lost Dutchman are on display.  Some Apaches believe that the hole leading down into the lower world, or hell, is located in the Superstition Mountains. Winds blowing from the hole are supposed to be the cause of severe dust storms in the metropolitan region. 

Have a great evening,
Jim and Debbie 

 

Saturday April 23, 2016

Happy Saturday,

Today's  adventure took us to Earth Day in Patagonia.  The RV place recommended Patagonia yesterday and Jim remembered that in the Big Jake movie with John Wayne this town being mentioned so we had to go check it out.  Come to find out John Wayne heirs still own land near Patagonia as well as the heirs of Stuart Granger. 

We then went to Elgin which has several wineries.  We were amazed that grapes would grow in such an arid place but they do.  Jim loves wine and so we visited 4 of the best wineries.

 We have enjoyed out stay in the Tombstone area.  We will be back as there are so many more little towns to visit.  It is on to Phoenix tomorrow.

Love to all,
Jim and Debbie

Friday April 22, 2016


Hi Everyone,

Today we got up early as we were told there is the best little breakfast place in Bisbee called the Breakfast Club and it lived up to its reputation.  It was set in the older part of Bisbee.  The street housed several old cars on the road along with some historic buildings. 

Bisbee is an another old copper mining town and gets its name from Judge Dewitt Bisbee from San Francisco who was a major financial backer of the mine.  This rough and tumbling mining camp boasted nearly 50 saloons and almost as many brothels.  Once considered the wildest streets in North America, it was home to Crazy Horse Lil, Irish Mag, Katie Elder and Red Jean.

Although the mines closed in the 70's, Bisbee has entertained millions of visitors ever since.

The many old buildings standing house fine dining establishments, coffee houses, bookstores, antiques shops and numerous art galleries. 

Happy trails,
Jim and Debbie

Thursday April 21, 2016


Howdy,

Had a wonderful drive from Las Cruces, NM to Tombstone, AZ.  We went through the Texas Canyon which boast the biggest rocks we have ever seen.  We got an early start and gained an hour so we arrived here around 12:30.  No trip to Arizona could possibly be complete without a visit to the historic town of Tombstone.   The shops still have the old board walk sidewalks that graced the town in the early days.  The Bird Cage Theater and the Crystal Palace Saloon are among the original buildings still standing today.  Also standing is the 1882 Tombstone Courthouse and the Epitaph where the famous paper was published regarding the fight at the OK Corral (we were given a copy of the original paper that was printed that day). 

We saw a reenactment of the gun fight at the OK Corral and went through museums that housed the saddle of Wyatt Earp that was used in the movie with Kurt Russell.  It also housed the hearst that carried the Clanton Gang to Boothill Cemetery.  

The RV park where we are staying is remote and so the sunset last night was beautiful and the Moon was gorgeous.  It is surround by sagebrush and wilderness, so we have to be careful of rattlesnakes and coyotes.   On to tour Bisbee tomorrow.

Love to all,
Jim and Debbie