Last post.........

This will be my last post to the blog for this trip - we will be in Big Bear tomorrow, drop the trailer, pick up the mail and head to Long Beach before I have a chance to get hit by my altitude sickness.  It has been a fun journey and I hope you've enjoyed traveling with us (vicariously).  Chuck and I were looking through our pictures and deleting those that didn't make the grade - just before I hit delete I looked closely.....................

This was taken on the bridge crossing the Mississippi River from Natchez, Mississippi to Vidalia, Louisiana.  At first, I thought it was just a picture of a girder that I had snapped accidentally since I was shooting as fast as I could to catch the river while Chuck was driving at 50 miles an hour.  Looking more closely I thought I saw a reflection of something or maybe a painting of some kind - a beautiful blue sky, old historic buildings with the lush riverbank in the foreground and the waters of the Mississippi.  Now though, I'm sure it is a peek between the girders of the Natchez - Vidalia Bridge, maybe a peek back in time (just a little) to old Natchez?

Sunset over the desert last night in Tonopah, AZ

Thanks for following along - we've had fun - until next trip...

Still on the road......

We decided since Chuck had added a few vacation days to his original schedule, we could take our time getting home.  Next stop St. David, AZ.  When Jen and Bill were at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista we were surprised to find this part of South East Arizona to be cooler than Phoenix.  We also didn't expect lush green areas and vineyards in the desert.  This trip, we thought we would enjoy staying in St. David for two nights, but liked it so much we made it three.  What a treat not to have the air conditioning running and to sleep with the windows open at night (even needing a blanket in the early morning hours).  We found a great lakeside campsite where we could watch the fish jump, momma duck and ducklings swim by, and great sunsets.  We took time to explore Tombstone and Bisbee, both of which have their own unique history.  Tombstone was one of Arizona's most renowned mining camps, nicknamed "The Town Too Tough To Die".  It got its name when prospector Ed Schieffelin left Fort Huachuca and his comrades told him that he would find his tombstone rather than silver.  So, in 1877 Schieffelin named his first claim "Tombstone", and his rich strike made a boomtown of the settlement.  Bisbee shows its heritage as soon as you round the corner and see the rich copper colored hills above town.  During the 1880's mining rush the discovery of the Copper Queen Lode made Bisbee internationally famous.  The Bisbee mines have produced over $2 billion in copper, gold, lead, silver and zinc.  By the early 1970's most of the mines had closed and the town became home to more than 100 resident artists and artisans.

This Georgia wine went into two glasses, the two glasses went to the two chairs in the background and two happy people enjoyed the view and the wine.

Tombstone Courthouse built in 1882 and used until 1930 when the county seat was moved to Bisbee

The hills above Bisbee

Next leg of the trip.......................

Sunday we left Odessa and decided to only stay on Interstate 20 as far as Pecos.  We then took Texas State Highway 285 up to Ranch Road 652 and over to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a remote rugged wilderness park located in Western Texas.  It was a beautiful drive, if we saw 20 other cars the entire day I'd be surprised.  We thought that we might be able to camp there overnight, but were disappointed to find out that there were no electric hookups.  Now, this wouldn't normally be a problem (we've boondocked many times), we had plenty of water, a generator if we needed short bursts of electricity and a full refrigerator.  The reality was it wasn't as cool as we thought it would be at 6000 feet where the campground sits, and the thought of trying to sleep in a trailer that was 88 degrees inside just didn't fly.  We made a mental note to come back in the spring sometime.  We pushed on to Anthony, New Mexico, just over the border from El Paso and stayed there instead.

The overpass at I-20 & Hwy 285 - the other side is the Texas Flag

Farm to Market & Ranch to Market roads, first opened in 1937

Guadalupe Mountains National Park - over 80 miles of hiking trails

The behinder I get.........

If I'm relaxing it means I'm not getting on the computer and if I'm not on the computer I'm not blogging.  Therefore the more I'm relaxing the behinder I'm getting on my blog :-)
I left off with the north of Dallas adventure, which actually turned out to be really nice.  We stayed on the shores of Lake Bridgeport overnight and had a delicious "fish fry" dinner.  The next day we put our destination of Odessa into the Garmin and were treated to another "off the beaten path" journey.  We took two lane roads past ranches, the town of Graham, across the beautiful Brazos river, through Breckenridge and into Albany, the oldest town on the Northwest Frontier of Texas.  The courthouse, built in 1883 out of native stone, still stands proud.  The town has a restored main street rich with historic buildings and quaint shops.  We meandered from there past Hubbard Creek Lake, back into the civilization of Abilene and Interstate 20 then to our destination of Odessa for the night.

Lake Bridgeport

Brazos River, the longest river in Texas - love the color

Beautiful Courthouse

 

Decoration Day

Memorial Day, as we know it now, is the first long weekend marking the beginning of summer and an opportunity to enjoy the beach, lake, river or local park.  It had a different purpose, altogether different, when General John Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed on May 5th 1868:

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. "

So I ask you today, please share the story of Decoration Day, now called Memorial Day, with your family and friends and remember the cost of a "free and undivided republic" and honor those "who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes".

God Bless America and those who sacrifice to keep us free......................

I think I'm catching up now.............

Well, I have served as the concierge of sorts on our trip - maps and tour books in my lap and the Garmin on the dash, barking out orders (the Garmin, not me).  Most of the time I am happy with the results, yesterday was not one of those times.  I seriously overlooked how far we would have to drive in "getaway Friday of a long weekend" traffic and the distance on the map had no relation to how far north of Dallas we actually ended up.  I have apologized to my dear husband who has unlimited patience and says "no problem".  After 284 miles traveled Thursday in 9.5 hours (Natchez Trace Parkway day) and 390 miles in 9 hours yesterday, he casually mentioned to me his left knee is killing him.  So today was a short day - 6 hours and 308 miles traveled, arriving before sunset (for a change) and a chance for him to stretch his legs out.  Obviously we won't be home as soon as we planned.  It has given me some time to catch up on my blog today though....
At the southern terminus of the Natchez trace lies the charming city of Natchez, an odd pairing of southern and french influences.  It has more of that amazing old architecture we love and a lively attitude.  Across the Mississippi lies Louisiana where, without a doubt, they have the worst roads.  They do however have the friendliest people and they will go out of their way to accommodate you.  We arrived late at Jimmy Davis State Park and found ourselves a camping spot, when we left yesterday morning and tried to pay they wouldn't take our money - the computer showed there were no spaces available that we could have stayed in.  "This one is a free one - ya'll come back though".

Choctaw House 1837

Natchez, Mississippi

If only this gas station had been open.............

The view didn't change...................

Natchez Trace

Chuck and I decided some years ago that we would like to visit all the National Parks, after all they became National Parks for a reason.  We've seen the amazing Grand Canyon at sunrise and beautiful Kings Canyon at sunset as well as many others.  Soon we found that it wasn't just the National Parks that held our interest, but also many of the other areas overseen by the National Park Service.  When we were planning our trip to the South in 2008 we talked then of traveling on part of the Natchez Trace Parkway, time constraints didn't allow it.  This time we vowed we would at least travel the section from Jackson, MS to Natchez, and we did.  We started at the Information Center in Clinton, MS and entered the parkway there.  You don't hurry when you're on the parkway and there are no concessions, not even gas. Your only stops are at the many historic sites along the way and each one shows you a piece of the history of the "Trace".  The Natchez Trace Parkway spans 444 miles from Nashville, TN to Natchez and roughly follows the 500 mile footpath used by seasonally migrating American Indians along with Ohio Valley farmers that floated their goods south and then journeyed back home again. 

We both hope that you have the opportunity to visit some of "America's Best"

Rocky Springs portion of the original trail

Mount Locust, a stop along the trail for weary travelers