Spring
SW CHRPA Trek (via
Albuquerque)
March-April
2018
Tuesday,
2.27.18
Baker
City to Ogden, UT
426
miles
Brrrr!
It is hovering around 6 degrees when we pack up the trailer and pull
out of Baker City at 6am in the morning! We have a long day ahead of
us with the time change and Salt Lake basin traffic! (Which we are
trying to avoid if at all possible!)
 |
| The sun begins to light the hills of Burnt River Canyon. |
The
trailer is streaked with ice on the north side from the snow melting
off the top. School was cancelled on Monday due to the 8” of snow
that fell late Sunday night. An auspicious start to our Spring
Soiree South! Usually the snow has melted by now, not just begun to
fall!
But….it
is smooth sailing, a beautiful sunrise on the snowy hills, and
crystal clear skies over southern Idaho. Rick drives to Mountain
Home and I take the wheel until the first rest area as we start south
toward Sweetzer Summit. I don’t want to drive in possible frosty
conditions! As we near Utah, the clouds begin to gather more and we
lose our blue skies. A few flurries of very light snow over the top
and then down past Tremonton to Odgen and our night’s reservations
at Sleep Inn. Large parking lot in the back for the truck and
trailer, and Uncle Lew’s Cafe next door where we get a Breakfast
Dinner for a VERY reasonable $17.25 including tip for the two of us!
Gotta love a bargain!
Early
to bed right after NCIS (MT zone earlier!). Which was nice because
the alarms are set for 5am AGAIN to slip through SLC before traffic
builds up.
Wednesday,
2.28.18
Ogden,
UT to Cortez, CO
326
miles
A
restless, but restful night. (Does that make sense?) We finally
turned the fan on for a little white noise because it was so quiet
and a little stuffy! That helped. Our phones must be in sync
because they both beeped 5am within 3 seconds of each other! Pleased
to find that breakfast was already out on the counter, so we could
grab coffee and a bagel to go!
SLC
is never fun – except maybe at 2am in the morning on a weekday! We
drove in the dark with a yellow fullish moon sinking into the western
horizon. Rick found a truck going 60 and just stayed with him all
the way to Spanish Fork. Only had one slow up down south of downtown
for the whole 90 miles to Route 6. But sleety snow was lightly
falling, it was dark, and the moisture was freezing on the
windshield. Traffic was still heavy, but not impossible. However,
still a tense two hours for Rick. He could breath a sigh of relief
when we pulled off in Spanish Forks and gassed up for the drive over
the mountains to Price.
Hills
are snowy with the bare winter trees and evergreens dotting the
landscape. Good roads though in spite of clouds and spitting
moisture in places. We pull over in Wellington at the little city
park for a potty stop and to switch drivers. Clear skies and dry
roads. My turn to take the wheel for the 110 miles down to Moab. I
don’t mind this stretch at all. Not particularly scenic, but
tolerable – and mostly downhill!
We
park on a side road in Moab, arriving around 10:30 am. Wander
downtown in search of somewhere to eat and find the Peace Tree Cafe –
a funky little place celebrating the Iroquois Indians Peace Accord
(they buried all their weapons in a tree well and then plant the
“peace tree” on top). Organic smoothies with ecclectic
ingredients! I had green eggs and ham, which meant scrambled eggs
with spinach and pesto, tomatoes and feta cheese with a chunk of ham
on top. Rick had whole wheat blueberry pancakes which he said were
very tasty!
Gas,
and then down the scenic route toward Monticello and Cortez! LaSal
Mountains behind Moab are gorgeous with snow, and peaks west of
Monticello misty in the clouds.
We
arrive in Cortez around 2 – I think the only ones in the hotel at
this point! Privacy! Relaxing afternoon and we dine on stuff in the
trailer later on.
Thursday,
3.1.18
Cortez,
CO to Edgewood, NM
311
miles
What
a beautiful day of driving! (Of which, Rick did it ALL! I didn’t
even work needlepoint today – just sat and looked at beautiful
mountains and took pictures! )
 |
| Mesa Verde Entrance peak |
We
pulled out of Cortez shortly after 8am, having breakfasted on
waffles! Headed east on US 160 toward Pagosa Springs. Up and down,
cresting the ridges that separate 4 different river valleys as they
descend from the San Juan Mountains to our north. We gas up in
Durango. As we pass Chimney Rock, we begin to reminisce of our first
build in Pagosa Springs back in fall of 2012.
But
the view of the Continental Divide range of peaks as you drop into
Pagosa valley is breathtaking. The peaks are a little lean of snow,
but still spectacular. Pagosa truly does sit at the crossroads of
Colorado mountains.
 |
| Continental Divide peaks from Pagosa Springs, CO |
Top
off the tank and then head down US 84 the final 30 miles to the New
Mexico border. A few miles further and we cross the Continental
Divide near Chama. Elevation
7800’. Just a skiff of snow alongside the road here.
 |
| Old barn and rimrock near CO-NM border |
 |
| Echo Amphitheater |
Past
Ghost Ranch and on down past beautiful mesas, lined with red rimrock,
strata, and pinnacles. A stop in Espanola to gas up and wash the
trailer in a car wash (it was filthy!)
Through
Santa Fe and down the backroads to Randy’s, arriving around 3 pm.
We get set up and then head into Walmart to pick up some groceries
(including that to replace what I accidentally left in the fridge at
home!)
Run
into Rachael leaving who informs us the whole house has been sick
this week. Doesn’t make us eager to go inside and visit! Ryan is
still sick, as is Regan. Patty went back to work today, Randy
yesterday. I guess everyone was down on Tuesday. Wow. Around 6 we
went in – Patty had dinner ready for us! Meat loaf, taters, and
veggies. So we ate! Rachael had left to take Regan to the ER –
she has been working in spite of not eating for days.
Back
out to trailer around 7:30 to chill (literally) and wind down. We
will head into town tomorrow and take Luke his treasure trove of
goodies!
 |
| Echo Amphitheater |
 |
| Redrock country near Ghost Ranch |
Friday,
3.2.18
UNLOAD
Day!
After a brisk night, we take off for town around 9:40a to
unload all of Luke’s stuff from the truck. I drive into town since
Rick drove all day yesterday! We move the boxes to the car to be
taken to the office and the trunk and its treasures up the stairs to
his condo. A little chit chat time and then off for Mom’s.
We
finally decide on ABC Chinese for lunch and enjoy Korean entrees for
the three of us, while Grandma had a more typical chinese menu. It
was good.
 |
| Trying to get more volume on my Cube, we discover it will take remote pictures! |
Back
to Three Fountains to visit for awhile. Luke helped answer phone
questions for me and delete some of the stuff on my phone hoping to
help storage issues and battery problems. I am in the market for a
new phone!
Around
4 Luke takes off and I head down to Dollar Tree and JoAnn’s for
some shopping.
 |
| Rick and Weston |
We
leave Mom’s at 6:30 for the drive back out to Edgewood. The
full moon is just cresting the Eastern horizon as we drive out 344.
Big and orange and almost flat at first. So awesome!
An
hour of interaction with Jaxon and Weston before everyone is ready to
head to bed! Yawn! Me too!
Saturday,
3.3.18
Play
time with Jax and Weston!
 |
| Soaking up some sunshine at the park! |
A
beautiful spring day in Albuquerque with temps reaching 70 in the
city! It felt soooo good!
 |
| Luke and Jax on swings |
We
head into Mom’s around 9:30 and just visit and relax. Luke comes
over around 11:00 and helps me with a few computer issues. Then off
at noon to meet the Edgewood gang at a local park for some play time
before we head to Golden Pride BBQ for lunch. The playground is
great fun with ropes, education, climbing walls, and all sorts of
swings, slides, and such. Luke and Jax played hard! Grandma and
Patty watched and soaked up the sun! Ran and Rick chatted. Rachael
had primary care of Weston, although Rick and I got a few chances to
hold him! He is warming up to us. Jax is obviously very fond of his
big cousin Luke! Fun to watch.
 |
| Weston |
Golden
Pride was delicious and simple. Family friendly place! Afterward we
headed back to Grandma’s and the gang went shopping before heading
home. We are promised ice cream cake when we get back tonight! Yum!
Rick brought Mom and Luke a piece this morning and put it in her
freezer.
Just
chilled at Grandma’s. Luke and Rick talked football draft and I
finished another needlepoint nativity figure, as well as cutting out
the plastic canvas for donkeys and sheep. We set a rendezvous time
for the morning hike before parting around 5:30pm.
 |
| Jaxon |
Saw
Regan tonight! Ice cream cake and family time before holing up in
our trailer for the evening!
 |
| Rick tickles Weston from the safety of Patty's arms! |
Sunday,
3.4.18
Jimez
Hike, Glass Etching, and… Whew!
 |
| A proper sunrise to begin a great day! |
 |
| Battleship Rock - the trailhead |
 |
| Wandering along the trail |
Off
to Luke’s at 8:30a for a day of exploration and hiking in the Jemez
Mountains northwest of Albuquerque. We veer off 550 toward Jemez
Pueblo and Jemez Springs. Beautiful red rock strata cliffs on either
side, pueblo houses, and old churches. We wind up the canyon to
Battleship Rock picnic area and the start of our 3.5 mile hike. Luke
hadn’t been on this hike before and we THOUGHT it was going up the
creek, but discovered a bit more climbing was involved! Our
destination was McCauley Warm Springs (not HOT!) located on the
ponderosa hillside above the canyon. Views across the canyon to the
rocky cliffs, and a thick red-barked forest of ponderosa pine,
juniper, and some cedar. We even found some Douglas Fir trees!
The
springs were about 1 ¾ miles UP the trail (I am out of shape!) with
three large pools linked by small gurgling water and tiny falls. We
had the place to ourselves while we were there, altho we passed
several other groups of hikers coming and going. Time for a lunch
break and then we had to head back out – we have a date with the
YAVs later this afternoon!
 |
| Rick pauses by the springs. |
 |
| Luke at the Upper Spring |
 |
| Mini waterfall of warm water between the pools. |
 |
| Warm water greens up the area! |
 |
| Ginger near Upper Pond. |
 |
| Family picture with Battleship Rock on far right. |
 |
| Colors of Battleship Rock in afternoon light. |
 |
| Another view of Battleship Rock |
The
predicted winds have picked up as we drive back into town – dust
swirls out in the flat lands kicking up all over. Everything is so
dry because they haven’t gotten their usual winter moisture (snow
levels are
down as well!)
 |
| Menaul - Teacher's Hall |
Showers
for all at Luke’s and then we head down to Menaul School.
Communication error – we arrive and find the YAVs have left for
Luke’s place! Oops! Luke calls them and they drive back down to
meet us -in the meantime I get my quick tour of the Menaul campus.
The school is 7-12 grades, with about 20% of the students
international and boarding. The rest are pulled largely from the ABQ
area. Nice sports facilities, library, dining hall, etc. Faculty
houses and the “Teacher's Hall” for volunteers. The YAVs have
rooms on one floor and access to the common area kitchen. Other
residents are VIMs (the adult kind!)
 |
| The Menaul School Dining Hall |
 |
| Taylor cuts her stencil |
 |
| Claire shows off her etching. |
So….tonight
is a first for me in my lifetime. I ordered a beer. Yes, you read
that right. Ginger Rembold drank an 11oz glass of beer. It was
called Elephant’s Head – a blend of fruits and a wheat ale. It
didn’t taste like beer at all, but not as bubbly or sharp as hard
ciders. My
first beer. Wow. The food was delicious – I had three street
tacos, all different kinds. Unfortunately, I didn’t know the last
one I had was going to be the spiciest, so I had to steal a few fries
from Rick to get the spicy out of my mouth! It was a fun, relaxing
evening of conversation after a full day. The pub is right down near
the University so busy even on a Sunday night. (PS...I'd post the picture of me and my beer, but Luke hasn't sent it to me yet!)
Forecast
is for possible teens at night so Rick and I stop at Walmart to see
about finally purchasing an electric blanket for the trailer.
But….they just put all their blankets and mattress pads away!
(Kinda like when we tried to buy a heater another time!) So….Rick
retrieves one of the heavy blankets from the couch downstairs and
brings out to the trailer. The wind is howling and the trailer
fabric flapping up a storm as we cozy down for the night. Heater
turned up as it is 46 degrees inside when we get back.
Monday,
3.5.18
Mom
Chores Day
Not
a terribly exciting day, but we got some stuff done for Mom. Cooler
with a good wind still blowing, although it died down during the
night and then switched to a north wind. That was good because the
shop protects the trailer abit then! 43 degrees when I arise this
morning in the trailer.
 |
| A very happy Weston! |
We
head in to Mom’s around 10 and spend the morning doing the laundry.
I walk over to JoAnn’s and Walmart for a few purchases (no more
mirrors!) and to check on an electric blanket. No luck.
I
work on labeling my photos from Sunday most of the morning. Then
some window washing, while Rick puts cheesecloth in from of Mom’s
vents. We aren’t sure it is going to work as she pictures it, but
we did it for her!
Luke
arrives around 5 and we head over to Walmart to get dinner:
rotisserie chicken, pasta salad, and sweet potatoes, plus bread.
Quick, simple, and cheap! And tasty as well!
We
head back out to Edgewood around 6:45, hoping for a little time to
play with the boys and visit before Regan comes to take them home.
As it was, we never saw Regan – we went to bed first! But boys
were in great form and Weston, especially, was fun to play with.
 |
| I actually stole this picture off Mom's shelves - trying out the telefoto lens on my new camera! |
Tuesday,
3.6.18
Lazy
Day
Relaxed
morning and into Mom’s around 10. We didn’t do much (I organized
needlepoint and drew on a steeple picture!) Lunch we brought – the
soup from fridge and hummus, etc and veggies. The soup may have been
a mistake for me anyway…. Luke came over at 5:45 and had a pizza
with us. Mom got a haircut and did some shopping at Walmart. NOT
too exciting an afternoon!
Back
to Randy’s in time to play with the boys one final evening.
Wednesday,
3.7.18
Old
Town
I
did not sleep well last night with intestinal issues, so took it easy
this morning and eventually felt well enough to go in with Rick as
today was our day for Old Town with Luke as well! I think it was
the chicken sausage soup I ate yesterday that had been in the fridge
for over a week. :(
We
met Luke at BackStreet Grill around 11:30. I didn’t eat much...at
all. But everyone else had a good meal! Rick even got sweet tater
fries!
 |
| Mom and Rick cruising Old Town. |
Luke
came back over to Grandmas and helped me with my phone, Instagram,
etc. We couldn’t figure out linking the computer and new camera
via wifi. Will save that for Jed when he comes to Tucson! Luke also
presented me with a birthday present! He bought a ristra – one of
hanging red pepper creations, only this one is shaped like a cross!
It will be a challenge to get home, but lovely!
Rick
picked up some Klondike ice cream bars and I ate a third of one.
That was enough! Back out to Randy’s and an early evening to
turn in!
Thursday,
3.8.18
Chores
and Goodbyes
We
have work to do this morning! Laundry! Plus Rick wants to close up
the trailer, move it over into Randy’s driveway, and empty the
black water. We checked with Patty and she doesn’t need her car
for the evening, so we can stay parked in the driveway for the night.
It will make for a fast get away in the morning!
We
get two loads of laundry done and the trailer readied and are headed
into town by 11:30. Rick has the address of a car wash Luke uses on
San Mateo, so we head there first. It is a drive through one and we
get the works done for $15. Then to a Smiths for some cheap gas
(although not as good as the $1.98 we paid Sunday night!) and on to
Mom’s.
We
go to Olive Garden for my second birthday lunch. The good news I
have a much better appetite today and thoroughly enjoy my soup and
salad lunch special (as well as three breadsticks!)
Leisurely
time afterwards at Mom’s. I pick up some bubblewrap at Dollar Tree
and packaged my ristra for the trip. Then I worked on some of the
glass etching stuff while Mom napped in her chair! By 6pm we were
saying our goodbyes with hugs until October!
Some
visit time with Randy, Patty, and Rachael and goodbyes as we head out
to the trailer around 9pm. Back on the road again tomorrow!
Friday,
3.9.18
Edgewood
to Camp Shalom, Tucson
475
miles
 |
| We have a sunrise to send us on our way! |
A
long day, but a good one! We were up at 6 to enjoy an Edgewood
sunrise, pulling out of Randy’s place at 6:40am. With the early
start, we decide to brave the Albuquerque traffic and take the
freeway all the way down, rather than heading East to Moriarty and
then down to 60 and over to Socorro. It proves to be a good
decision, as we encounter a little traffic, but not too bad and are
in Socorro at Sophias in under two hours!
Breakfast
burritos at Sophia’s, gas, and a switch of drivers. Rick really
doesn’t like the stretch from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, so I
usually take this up and down section of freeway.
 |
| Parked at Sophias with M Mountain in the background. |
For
a downhill run of the Rio Grande, the highway certainly has a lot of
uphill!
Into
Hatch, where we switch drivers again as we wait for a one-way bridge
construction entering town. The shortcut from Hatch to Deming is
filled with power generation – windfarms and solar farms, as well
as a huge dairy farm!
A
stop for gas in Deming, then Rick drives on to Lordsburg, where we
gas up again just to make sure we can get all the way into Tucson.
We are fighting a head wind as we go west, so gas mileage will not be
great. In Lordsburg, I drive again into Arizona. We stop at the
Texas Canyon rest area, just 20 miles outside of Benson, and Rick
takes us the rest of the way into Tucson. We arrive at CHRPA
headquarters around 4pm.
 |
| All set up at Camp CHRPA |
 |
| Our new trailer sign! |
We
de-winterize the trailer and set up camp. Rick takes off for a quick
grocery run, dinner, and then I enjoy a long birthday phone call with
Liz! Another long visit with Lorene at their trailer while trying
to get the current internet password. (Since I am on a new computer,
I have to re-insert all these passwords!)
A
beautiful sunset closes out the day – always a good ending to a
Tucson day!
 |
Saturday,
3.10.18
Happy
Birthday, Ginger!
 |
| Eerie shadows from sun and cactus spires |
 |
| Vegetation of Sajuaro NP |
We
take off up the trail network at 9:30am. The trailhead is a jumble
of cars – this is obviously a very busy part of the park. But we
seem to pick sections of trail that are off the beaten path, and
other than a group of boy scouts, and a busful of school children, we
encounter only a few others as we hike. (Oh, one group of horseback
riders!) We are higher up the slope of the park, and the views to
the Catalinas and west are beautiful, even though the sky is not
particularly blue.
 |
| I think this looks like real Christmas Cactus - red and green! |
 |
| A birthday picture! |
I
love the many facets of Sajuaro cactus. They all seem to have a
personality! We don’t have our identification books with us, so
will have to remember some of the plants later. It is always a
challenge when we return to Tucson to remember all the birds and
desert plants by name. We do identify ocotillo, which is erupting
into green leaves and blooms due to the rains a couple weeks ago.
Prickly pears and multiple types of cholla. This upper section of
park was once the site of a weekend ranch, with tanks of water, mini
dams on the streams flowing down from the Rincon Mts.
We
hike about 4.2 miles total. The cloud cover is beginning to
dissipate and it is getting warmer. Time to get out of the sun!
Back
into town and a stop at Walmart to do some grocery shopping. I have
decided to cook my own birthday dinner to guarantee that I get to eat
what I want! The menu includes sauteed shrimp and broccoli, bread
and wine, plus chocolate cake!! But first a lazy afternoon editing
pictures, watching basketball (that would be Rick) and showering!
Dinner
is GREAT! And before we eat our cake, Jed calls and we visit for an
hour or so. Answered prayers! Jed has a contract for next year! It
is for one credit less so a slight decrease in pay, but still
benefits. He will sign, but up the search for a more permanent
position. Margaret calls shortly after, and then Luke! Family love!
A
good birthday. I received multiple good wishes via Facebook and
emails. Conversations
with family and friends. A beautiful hike. Thank you, God.
 |
| Rick, the trail, the sajuaros, and the Catalina Mts. |
Sunday,
3.11.18
Shalom
Worship – Sweet Tomatoes!
I
love waking up to the sound of the birds! And there are some
distinct singers around here! The skies are overcast...no sunrise of
glory, but welcome rain fell in sprinkles again during the night.
Needed moisture!
We
walk over to the doors of Shalom Mennonite Church and are welcomed by
many. Most with the declaration, “we didn’t know you were
coming!” Apparently Scott doesn’t share much! Only three songs
to really sing harmonies with, but I so enjoy singing with this
group.
At
noon we headed over to Sweet Tomatoes to join the group of Soopers
for lunch. Nothing better in my mind than a salad and soup buffet,
but they have added some desserts, pasta dishes, and tasty breads! A
good meal and good conversation as we sat with Walter and Lorene and
Peter and Viola from Manitoba. The group totaled about 14 in
number!
Lazy
afternoon. I prepared some needlepoint canvas to be worked, and
etched four more ornaments, plus finishing up the ones I did at
moms.
We
will wander over to the SOOP Lounge around 6 to play some games, work
the puzzle, and have popcorn! (Reminder….SOOP stands for Service
Opportunities for Older Persons!) Tomorrow we go to work!!
Monday,
3.12.18
CHRPA
Day 1
 |
| We had to drive through Sajuaro West NP to get to the job. |
Oh
boy...6am comes early when you really have to be up and “at em!”
But we are ready to roll on time and gather at 7am in the finally
finished new CHRPA meeting room in the back. Mondays are lean days
for volunteers, and a couple of MVSers are gone. But we meet a few
new employees and get big hugs from Abi and Josh!
 |
| Our client had 10 giant sajuaros in her yard |
 |
| We had to build a base for the window swamp cooler. |
Rick
goes out with Vern and they have a successful day installing a shower
wall unit (pebbleboard) and then installing a new hot water heater.
Vern and his wife have been here since the first of the year and he
knows what he is doing, so Rick said it was an easy day for him!
I
went out with Dan Wilhelm and got to enjoy a beautiful drive through
Sajuaro NP West on Picture Rocks Drive! We installed a window swamp
cooler, patched two holes in the floor, repaired a frayed electric
line, and patched the flashing on a porch roof. I mostly used the
circular saw and drilled holes and screwed in screws!
We
gave Abi and Josh their wedding present. Hamburgers for dinner, a
little puzzle time for me, some TV, and then to bed early!
Tuesday,
March 13
CHRPA
Day 2
We
are beat. The weather was warm again today – mid 80’s. Not
horrible for Tucson standards, but warm when you just left winter!
 |
| Vern put his leg through the hole in this roof last week. |
Rick
and I went out together today in a team of four – up in the mobile
home suburbs north of town. Roof repair,
bathroom repair, sink
repair, cooler repair. You name it – the place could use some TLC!
 |
| OSB all installed over old roof. |
Rick
ended up with the smellier, stuffier, and dirtier part of the job: he
and Vern tackled a major bathroom floor repair, plus they fixed the
leaky sink. The toilet is salvageable, but will need some new inner
parts. As we left today it was sitting on the front porch! (They
have another bathroom!)
 |
| A leaky swamp cooler supplies plenty of water for cactus growing in the gutters. |
 |
| Rick and Vern put in a new floor in the bathroom - to be vinyled tomorrow. |
I
had the sunnier, hotter part of the job – up on the roof! I made
two trips to Home Depot with Josh to purchase OSB (we found more soft
spots and hence had to go back for more!) and then spent most of my
time screwing the OSB down. My knees were sore to kneel, and I ended
up with a bottom full of splinters from scootching around on the OSB!
Unpleasant!
The
client brought out colas and water during our lunch break. Much
appreciated. Josh and I stopped enroute home to pick up the roofing
material for tomorrow, and then all four of us helped cut and load it
into Josh’s truck. Don’t know if Rick and I (or one of us) will
be on the job again tomorrow or not.
Showers,
rest time. Whew.
Wednesday,
March 14
CHRPA
Day 3
Same
crews as yesterday, same place – we had a job to finish (or rather,
jobs!) Rick and Vern stopped at Home Depot to pick up some supplies,
while Josh and I drove up the non-freeway route to make sure nothing
blew out of the truck!
 |
| Rick and Vern plan out the pebbleboard for shower. |
 |
| Palm tree growing in backyard. |
The
bathroom job involved pebbleboard around the tub today, a new shower
head, and then linoleum flooring installed. Toilet then rebuilt (the
guts were not good). The bathroom looked great by the end of the
day!
 |
| Josh and I finish up the edging of the roof. |
Josh
and I enjoyed a wonderful morning on the roof, with overcast skies
blocking the sun and a nice breeze blowing. We got the TPO (a heavy
vinyl roofing compound) spread out and I began the process of using
the impact driver to screw in the plates holding down the vinyl. All
exterior edges had a metal strip that was installed – screws every
6”. By the end of the day, I had probably put in over 175 screws,
over a hundred of which involved reaching around the edge of the roof
and holding the impact driver towards me. I’ll feel it in my
stomach and arms! Josh heat sealed the overlapping edges, and then
caulked along the metal trim. He will probably be replacing the
shingles portion of the roof in April, so some of which we did was
temporary.
The
sun can out full force around 11:30am, so the afternoon was
definitely warmer than the morning!
 |
| Our pretty white roof. |
 |
| A blackberry sangria at Applebee's |
Back
to the trailer around 6p to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Over to the
office for some internet action in prep for the weekend’s
adventure east of town.
Thursday,
March 15
CHRPA
Day 4 – CHRPA School!
Ah...a
cooler night! So nice! The CHRPA office is full this morning, as it
usually is on ‘School Day’! Dan Wilhelm presents on installing
new plumbing in shower or bathtub work. I still could not do it on
my own!
Rick
and I are again together today with Vern. Ann was scheduled to work
with us, but we didn’t need that big a crew, and Abi was
short-handed, so Ann went with her. Scott asked me to write up the
story, so I will use my write-up for my blog as well!
Gloria’s
Floor
On
a delightfully cool spring day, our team of 3 has been sent to the
north side of town to replace portions of the bedroom floor for 68
year old Gloria. Her old, somewhat rundown mobile home is situated
in one of the nicer parks in town, with green grass, tall trees, and
well-manicured lots. Gloria is so happy and proud to live here, but
struggling with the maintenance of the trailer itself.
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| Vern and Rick work to clean off the floor joists. |
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| The holes in Gloria's floor |
She
takes us to her bedroom in the back of the house. The metal lid of a
popcorn tin marks the first of two major places where the floor has
broken through under the carpet. For four years Gloria has stepped
over the lid, only to remember a second hole just a foot away. The
posts of the bed have made four more smaller holes in the flooring.
 |
| Sistering in support for the floor patch. |
Our
first task is to move the furniture out of the way. The double bed,
dresser, mirror, and door are removed. Gloria tries to help as much
as possible as we somewhat invade her privacy as dresser drawers must
be removed and contents exposed. She is so grateful for our help.
We
roll back the carpet and padding and begin the process of peeling
away the broken pieces of sawdust based particle board that have
disintegrated beneath the carpet. Rick and Vern pull out staples and
with the saws-all level the joists of old flooring and glue. I haul
all the debris out to the truck.
Half
the bedroom floor must be rebuilt. New joists are sistered to the
old to provide anchor points for the boards inset and screwed down.
Gloria comes to inspect and laughs as Rick tells her she will be able
to dance on it now!
 |
| A photo-reluctant Gloria on her rebuilt steps with railing. |
While
Rick and I screw in the new boards and re-lay the pad and carpet,
Vern strengthens and stabilizes the back stairs to the trailer, and
adds a handrail to make it safer for Gloria. He sees a water leak in
the cooler line and replaces a valve. The back door is repaired.
Little jobs that take only minutes, but combine to make the trailer
safer.
We
vacuum the carpet and move the furniture back in. The highlight of
our day comes as Gloria goes to walk out of the bedroom and
automatically steps over the spot where the tin lid used to be! She
laughs with us with the joy of knowing her bedroom is now safe, but
it might take a little time to undo four years of habit!
With
a hug and multiple ‘God bless yous’, we leave with warm hearts on
a beautifully cool day.
We
ate lunch in the park right across from Gloria’s trailer and are
back at CHRPA HQ shortly after 1pm. An easy day!
I
use the opportunity to return to the office for internet and to send
my pictures in as per Scott’s request! Vern and Shirley are
leaving this weekend, as are Viola and Peter. Slowly the SOOPs begin
to leave.
We
take the Dragoon Road exit from I-10 near the Texas Canyon Rest Area
east of Benson. There isn’t much in the little town of Dragoon
itself. We cut across the grassland desert and find Cochise
Stronghold Road heading south. I wasn’t sure about this route, but
the road is paved. The only memories I have of going to the
Stronghold in 1994 are a 12 mile stretch of bumpy gravel dirt road!
Maybe we have saved ourselves a little nonpaved with this route!
The
last four miles into the Stronghold, after turned west into the
Dragoon Mts. are unimproved, passing old private homesteads
grandfathered into the National Forest. The Stronghold is where
Cochise is buried in an unknown rock crevice, the rocky, convoluted
pass where he could hide out from the military for long time periods.
History
note. Cochise initially was at peace with the white man, until
unjustly blamed for a raid and kidnapping. He
was imprisoned for the act, then escaped while 4 members of his
family were hung. So much for a peaceful existence. Twenty years
after his death (from stomach cancer) the young boy kidnapped
surfaced, reporting it was the Western band of Apaches who took him.
So much violence on both sides from unjust blame and the desire for a
quick answer.
We
drive to the end of the road at Massai Point,
elevation 6900’. The view is terrific across to the Dragoons and
to the next mountain range and San Simeon Valley to the east. We can
see the Cochise Head to the NE – his profile in rocks as he stares
upward at the sky, a huge Roman nose pronounced.
We
take the Echo Canyon Loop Trail DOWN into the canyons of columns,
pillars, balanced rocks, and formations of gray pinkish stone all
decorated with bright neon green lichens. Much like hiking in the
Sajuaro country, each rock formations seems to have its own
personality. We give many names, most of which I can’t remember
when I go back to caption my photographs later! Grottos, and what
seem like mini slot canyons as we wind through it all.
A
fire went through the canyon in 1994, later in the year after we
visited with the boys and Rick’s folks that spring. The remains of
charred and dead Ponderosa Pine still mark Echo Park and the
hillsides.
Out
of the National Monument and heading up 186 toward Willcox and our hotel for the night! Willcox was a major cattle center at the turn
of the 19th
century, located on the railroad. We check into the hotel and get a
recommendation for a Mexican restaurant in the old-town section,
Isabelle South of the Border.
It proves to be a good meal, as Rick enjoyed the Carne Asada Platter
and I had Shrimp Tacos. I
couldn’t touch the salsa that came with the chips, but everything
else was mild enough for me! YUM!
Bowie,
AZ, is a dead little town (or so it appears) out in the desert. The
railroad was it’s boon, and now its one gas station boasts one of
the highest prices in the state. It does advertise fresh jerky for
at least 100 miles in either direction on roadside signs!
South
on paved road for 11 miles and then 1 mile of gravel to the Fort
Bowie Trailhead at the east end of Apache Pass. This is a unique
National Monument in that the Visitor Center is located 1.5 miles of
hiking trail away (non-mobile visitors can make arrangements to use
the service road into the maintenance buildings). While I envisioned
a relatively open flat pass area, Apache Pass is marked with ravines
and canyons, ridges and hills. Like Chiricahua to the south it is a
mix of Rocky Mountain and Sierra Madre, Chiricahuan and Sonoran
desert ecosystems. We don’t see any sajuaros, but plenty of sotol
and agave, prickly pear, mesquite and cholla.
Apache
Springs was a key site for the native people, and as a water source
for the stage lines. The railroad route further to the north around
the end of the Dos Cabezas Mts. did not have a water source. The
pass was one of many springs used by Cochise’s band of Apaches.
While relations were friendly at first, when Cochise was unfairly
accused of kidnapping, constant conflict erupted for the next 10
years. The fort was initially proposed to counter a perceived
Confederate infiltration from the East, but the Indian wars
guaranteed its presence for the next 30 years.
The first Fort Bowie (very small) and the main fort are located on the broad flat area above the springs, with views back down into the valley east of the pass and into the convoluted hills and ravines of the main pass. Many of the old stone walls have been preserved with a thin coat of adobe plaster, so it looks like pueblo ruins.
We
visit the Visitor Center first and find our volunteer hosts have
worked up at the dredge in Sumpter and were very familiar with Baker
City. They were eager to talk (I don’t think the park has a heavy
influx of visitors, so conversation is highly anticipated!) They
answered some questions as well and eventually we went out to explore
the trail around the fort ruins itself. By 1894 when it was closed,
Fort Bowie was a thriving little city. The Indian Wars had ended 8
years earlier and life was pretty posh! Hospital, school/chapel
combo, bakery, in addition to all the officer’s quarters, calvary
and infantry barracks, etc. Pretty well maintained and good
informational signs.
Rick
drives us back up to Willcox, completing our circle for the morning.
We stop at McDonalds for McFlurry or Smoothies and I drive us back to
Tucson. A GOOD WEEKEND ADVENTURE!
Evening
spent in the SOOP lounge with a full group as we say goodbye to
Walter and Lorene who hope to leave on Monday (after Walter gets a
bad tire fixed on his car!) We encourage them to reminisce about the
early days of CHRPA, as they have been coming for 20 years, longer
than Scott has been here, longer than the CHRPA office building or
the trailer hookups, etc. Afterwards, Lorene asks me if I have
written any more books, so I take the opportunity to take down the
five I have with me and explain what I’ve been doing for the past
year. She ends up buying 3 of them!
We
don’t end up leaving the job until 4:15, back at the office by 5 to
have a short conversation with Scott as to the day. I suspect we
will be back tomorrow to finish the bathroom vinyl, the closet, AND
another section of flooring under the bed, as well as plumbing issues
for both toilets. OH BOY!
It’s
a return to Carol’s house today for Rick and I. We have bathroom
vinyl to finish, a closet to floor, and holes under a bed to deal
with!! Fortunately, we complete all tasks by 3pm, so our return is a
little earlier today. Had to make a trip to Home Depot for toilet
handle and a sheet of OSB. Otherwise, another days of trips back and
forth through Carol’s living room as we made measurements and cuts,
fitted boards in place and put in a hundred screws. I worked on the
closet while Rick finished up the bathroom. Then after lunch we
worked together to get the old floor ripped up and new boards in
place under the bed. We had to be creative in installing some new
joists along the wall to support the board.
Carol
and her daughter were thrilled with our work. Rick noted that she
especially enjoyed my presence as a female volunteer. I tried to
chat with them each time I trekked in front of them between bedroom
and truck! Got hugs both days we worked!
Otherwise
a warmer day, but not as bad as it is supposed to get on Thursday –
record breaking temps forecast in the 90’s! UGH!
I
teamed up with Josh for the day and we made several stops, mostly
assessments! Our only ‘fix’ was to a leaking water line in a hot
water closet – turned out to be the swamp cooler line that had pin
hole leaks in it. A trip to Naughton’s and we replace a section of
copper line. But our access was tight….Josh ended up in the
neighboring half of the duplex where we found an attic access hole
in a bedroom closet. Josh could then reach down while I was reaching
up from a perch on a half opened step ladder. We got it done, and
the 80 year old lady who owned the duples was thrilled.
I
got to work with Clay, the MVS volunteer, today. NICE young man. We
had multiple conversations about our travels and work, his goals and
dreams, family, etc. Our jobs today were to check out a bad hot
water heater in a mobile home park. We determined that it needed
replacement – at least 30 years old. Then off to pick up a 35x77”
pane of tempered glass to install in a family room in place of a
broken one. A BIG SHEET OF GLASS! We felt successful to have
transported it in the truck without breaking it! Got the old glass
out and the casing cleaned up, but then had to come back to the CHRPA
office to look for molding (we were close by). No such luck, so a
trip to Home Depot was in order. Clay picked up another job in case
we got done early which was by the HD, so we went there first. It
was a swamp cooler service, but had more problems than we thought and
we didn’t have pads with us. Back to the window install, which
went fairly smoothly. But the client also had a water leak. By the
time Clay found where the leak was, it was too late to do the major
work to replace piping, etc. Maybe next week.
Today
is Jack Ho’s birthday, and when I was looking at Facebook to send
him birthday greetings, I found my FB memory was from the day we
first worked at CHRPA with Luke back in 2011. We were cleaning a
swamp cooler. Found the picture as Clay and I were enroute to the
swamp cooler job! Deja vu!!!
Friday,
March 16
Rest
and Chores!
A
lazy day of laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and thrift stores!
Successful finds for jeans for both of us, clean clothes. For dinner
I cooked up the ‘mystery’ meat Mom gave me from her freezer. She
insisted we had left it there last year. Discovered it was chunks of
pork, so I used the last of my onion and stir fried it with a bag of
broccoli. A little VeriVeri Teriyaki and we dined in elegance!
Evening
Rick watched basketball. I went over to SOOP lounge and worked on a
puzzle and quilled a hummingbird! A beautiful sunset!
Saturday,
March 17
Chiricahua
Adventure
We
are off around 8am this morning to explore east of Tucson. Our
night’s lodging at the Days Inn in Willcox has been reserved and we
have cooler weather in which to hike. Windy
and cooler!
 |
| Sign at entrance to Stronghold Canyon |
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| Rocks above Cochise Stronghold |
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| Mescal, the top of the agave plants, was a food staple for the Chiricahua Apaches. |
The
campground is full on this spring weekend, filled with a large family
gathering or a youth group or both. Games and songs fill the air!
The area is a lush pocket in the rocky hills, Dragoon Springs
providing a source of water for the adjoining valley. Oak, sycamore,
pine, juniper, manzanita all grow on the hillsides. We take the
Interpretive Walk which details much of the Apache life, and then the
half mile Nature Walk which explains much of the flora in the area.
There are longer one way hikes available, but not for today! A
primitive campground and picnic area, but an oasis!
Driving
out we stopped at the Shaw House, one of the early residents of the
canyon and valley. We were surprised to find that some of the
orchards in the early 1900’s were growing peaches! Not the fruit
I would instantly think of for this region! There are MANY nut
orchards in the Sulfur Springs Valley now (the valley between the
Dragoons and the Chiricahuas).
Out
across the valley heading east toward the Chiricahuas and the
National Monument established in 1924 to protect the rhyolite
pinnacles or “Standing Rocks” as the Apache called them. We stop
at the Visitor Center and eat lunch. On a Spring Break Saturday, the
monument is busy! (I’m sure the visitor count is much less in the
summer months when it is HOT down here!)
 |
| Echo Canyon Pinnacles at Chiricahua Natl Monument |
We
take the Echo Canyon Loop Trail DOWN into the canyons of columns,
pillars, balanced rocks, and formations of gray pinkish stone all
decorated with bright neon green lichens. Much like hiking in the
Sajuaro country, each rock formations seems to have its own
personality. We give many names, most of which I can’t remember
when I go back to caption my photographs later! Grottos, and what
seem like mini slot canyons as we wind through it all.
 |
| Ginger at the Grotto |
 |
| It was like walking in a slot canyon at times. |
We
head back up the Hailstone Trail, well graded and along the backside
of a number of columns, and then cut across on the Ed Riggs Trail and
back to our start at the point. Walk part of the Interpretive Trail
on top back to the truck, stopping at the stone house. The stone
house was my only memory of our visit from ‘94 – I didn’t
recall the pillars at all!!
 |
| Required picture on Echo Canyon hike |
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| The bright green lichens added a touch of color to the rock formations. |
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| Brightly colored serapes decorated the windows at Isabellas South of the Border Restaurant! |
Evening
relaxing as Rick watched some basketball and I edited the 100 plus
photos I took for the day! We keep checking the weather as the
forecast isn’t great for tomorrows visit to Fort Bowie.
Sunday,
March 18
Fort
Bowie National Historic Site
The
morning is sunshine and cool, but if we get going we can beat the
threat of rain and the highest afternoon winds! We eat at the
continental breakfast and are on our way east on I-10 towards Bowie
and the road south to the fort site. It is only 7:45a as we leave!
 |
| At the trailhead parking area... cold and breezy! |
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| If the picture were big enough, you could see the silver Honda tucked into the background! |
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| Apache Springs |
 |
| Gravesite of Geronimo's 2 yr old son |
The
trail wound through draws and dry creeks, up to the ruins of the old
Butterfield Stage station, the fort cemetery (with the grave of
Geronimo’s 2 year old son, Little Robe), and the Indian Agency
building. A replica of a native ramada (open roof shelter for summer
heat) and a wickiup (grass covered conical structure for winter) next
to the trail helped one picture the native villages. We finally
came to Apache Springs itself, nestled in a lush ravine of ash and
pines.
 |
| Native wickiup and ramada |
 |
| Fortified walls of the munitions building |
The first Fort Bowie (very small) and the main fort are located on the broad flat area above the springs, with views back down into the valley east of the pass and into the convoluted hills and ravines of the main pass. Many of the old stone walls have been preserved with a thin coat of adobe plaster, so it looks like pueblo ruins.
 |
| Rick surveys the ruins of the cavalry barracks |
We
hike out the same way we came in, avoiding the ridge return trail due
to the high winds. Back to the truck just before noon. We drive on
out Apache Pass to the west – all very good gravel road, stopping
at the site of a wagon train massacre and the pass. We eat lunch at
the latter, overlooking the Sulphur Springs Valley.
 |
| Pink Prickly Pear Plants! |
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| Not much of the Butterfield Road is left...mostly a hiking and horse trail now. |
Monday,
March 19
CHRPA
Day 5
Rick
and I are teamed up today to install some vinyl in a bathroom and fix
a closet floor up in North Tucson off Prince. Well, that ends up a
10 hour job, and unfinished to boot!
 |
| Floor 4 hours later, now vinyl ready! |
 |
| Floor as we found it patched, but not ready for vinyl! |
When
we arrive at the mobile home of Carol, an 84 year old lady living
with her 48 year old daughter on disability, we find the bathroom
floor is NOT ready for the vinyl. We spend most of the morning
leveling and re-installing new floorboards.
A break for lunch and we finally are able to start cutting the
vinyl. Rick is the expert for this, I have never even been WITH
someone on this kind of job before. As Rick works on the vinyl, with
minimal help from me, I begin to tear out the carpet in the walk-in
closet in order to discover just what we are facing there. Big hole
right in the entrance, another midway, but the rest of the floor
appears to be ok. Will patch the hole and then overlay the whole
thing with OSB….tomorrow.
 |
| My closet project for tomorrow - I got the carpet ripped off today. |
 |
| Rick making his cuts around the vinyl. |
Beautiful
sunset tonight. A little puzzle time, blogs, etc.
Tuesday,
March 20
CHRPA
Day 6
 |
| Closet patch in place! |
 |
| Rick's beautiful patch job with limited vinyl left! |
 |
| Just about done in my closet - screwing down the OSB! |
 |
| Our creative addition of some floor joists for the bed. |
 |
| Anchoring our joist supports |
 |
| Finish flooring under the bed! |
Showers,
dinners, an hour of puzzling, and a little TV, then bed.
Wednesday,
March 21
CHRPA
Day 7
A
full day, especially for Rick, who didn’t get back until 5 pm
again! He was teamed
up with Rob, the Jesuit volunteer to do some window work way out west
of town. Ended up having to do a lot of driving to track down places
to get the plexiglass as well as his glass. Rob was heading off to
Boston once again for an orientation to the grad theology program he
has been admitted to. In order to make his connections, Rick dropped
him off downtown to save him the long bike ride home before catching
a bus for Phoenix and his late night flight.
 |
| Rick and Rob's bright new windows! |
 |
| Rob works to remove broken glass. |
Then
we assessed MULTIPLE problems at the home of a gal about my age who
had MS and just couldn’t keep up with maintenance. Front doors
broken in (burglary), swamp coolers not working, leaks in ceilings,
bathroom sink with no drain pipes, etc. The house could keep people
busy for ages.
Lunch
and then two more assessments that basically will result in new water
lines from the meter to the house. Still done a little early!!
I
showered and went over to work on the puzzle for 45 minutes. Rick
pulled into camp around 5 once again, in time to get a shower before
our dinner date!
YES!
Today was Scott’s birthday, and he and Alene had invited a number
of us over to the house for dinner! We stopped and picked up some
beer for Scott, a bottle of wine, and a birthday card. Kat (visiting
from Seattle and a former CHRPA employee), Carrie, and Abi joined us.
Josh would have come, but he is coaching a high school baseball team
and they had a game. It
was a wonderful evening, and Alene had made lasagna (both sausage and
spinach varieties) .
Peace Crisp for
dessert! All delicious and we were FULL as we drove home. Kat made
Scott tell us 5 impactful events from the year, which spurred great
conversations.
 |
| Birthday party dinner at Scott and Alene's - Carrie and Kat on left, son Brandon on right. |
Thursday,
March 22
CHRPA
Day 8
 |
| Broken floor to ceiling window to replace! |
 |
| Clay removes final section of molding. |
 |
| 2011 Swamp Cooler repair! |
 |
| 2018 Swamp Cooler Repair |
Rick
arrived back at the office again at 5 today! He was paired with Bob,
one of the winter volunteers from Kansas. They had a good day
together doing a shower replacement. It went well, just took awhile
to complete!
We
headed over to BJ’s Brewhouse for dinner – discovered they had
good Happy Hour prices for mini deep dish pizzas, craft beers, and
wines. Crowded, but very good! Home to work the puzzle after the
SOOPS had finished their bible study time. Warm evening….we never
put the sleeping bag over us, just our light blankets.
Friday,
March 23
Lunch
with CAVs
A
warm night! And a lazy morning...Rick actually went back to sleep
for an hour or so. Around 11 we left for Lee Wilson’s house. Lee
had signed up for the Kalispell build, and then dropped out when she
was able to return to Alaska for the summer. But I had already made
contact, especially when we realized she wintered in Tucson! She
also is in contact with Kit and Brenda (CAV Team Leader coordinator)
and Dyana Todd, who we have worked with both in Las Cruces and Libby.
They are down in Benson at the Escapees Park (where the folks were!)
and drove up for lunch.
 |
| Kit, Lee, Brenda, and Dyana - a great CAV Lunch! |
Lee
lives in a cute little brick house down near Aviation and Broadway,
near downtown, but the yard is so nicely landscaped and fenced, that
you could forget where you were! She has a pond, beautiful native
plants, and lots of yard art. But what I noticed right away was the
wall poster of the same picture we just finished a puzzle of last
week! I asked about it and Lee said they were Charley Harper prints,
one of her favorites, which was evident as we looked more about the
house! One for me to remember and investigate more!
 |
| Big clusters of palm trees line the center median of Broadway |
Kit,
Brenda, and Dyana then arrived and we enjoyed a wonderful meal out on
the patio. Manicotti (Rick has died and gone to heaven with lasagna
and manicotti in the same week!), spinach salad, fresh bread, and a
sweet dessert entree called quesadilla salvadore. Brenda gave us one
Team Leader t-shirt (she only had one size large, will send the other
later!)
 |
| I used the new camera to get a telefoto of two palm trees WAY in the distance! |
Heading
back to the east side of town, we decided to get our Bookman’s
shopping done. I wanted to hit the children’s section and purchase
all my birthday books for the year to come, starting with Everett on
Sunday!! A profitable stop – we got 10 books (including a Spanish
English for Amilio), 3 puzzles, and a DVD for $83.00! When the gal
heard they were for birthday presents for kids, she gave me a 10%
discount! Hurray!
We
got a phone message from MaryJo Grove while at lunch about a possible
property up for sale, so we spent some time when back at the trailer
looking through the offerings on the web site. I emailed the office
back of four we might be interested in.
A
little puzzle time and a light dinner. I sat outside and watched
the sunset develop as fighter jets were flying circles around us
overhead. That was a bit noisy for an hour or so! But a beautiful
sunset!
 |
| Before the colors really came along the horizon, the clouds were a swirl of light! |
Saturday,
March 24
Laundry
and Chores!
We
spent a relatively relaxed day today, laundry done, groceries
purchased. Rick bought a new pair of Brooks shoes at Fleet Feet –
it is hard to find shoe stores that sell Brooks and they have worked
for his feet. While finishing the laundry, I finished up the puzzle for the week.
 |
| Second puzzle finished! |
Mostly
we tried to get ahead of the game and plan for our days after we
leave Tucson. We sadly discovered that parts of Utah have Spring
Break AFTER Easter and all the campgrounds and parks in the area
around Zion were full. So….change of plans! We now have
(hopefully – I don’t have confirmation yet) reservations in
Cottonwood, AZ just west of Sedona. We’ll explore that area
instead and head home via Nevada instead of Utah. It pays to be
flexible!
A
little stir fry for dinner. That twice now we have used the electric
grill, and THREE times I have turned on the stove top to stir fry.
Must be a record, but after eating out nearly every day while in
Albuquerque we could stand to cook for ourselves a little.
Cleaning
up after dinner I had a run-in with a cholla cactus hiding at the
base of the bush I was throwing some dirty water on. First it got
stuck on my tennis shoe. I got it off of that without problem, but
when I went to pick up a clump that had fallen and toss it into the
bushes, it stuck to my fingers. As I tried to pull it off, more
spines found their mark. Rick got a pair of pliers and scissors out.
He cut the spines off the plant one by one, and then I was able to
use the pliers to pull them out of my left hand one by one. I had
about 6 spines in the fingers. Painful process! I will be MUCH more
careful next time!!!
I
went over to the CHRPA office after dinner for a couple hours to
catch up on some financial stuff, using the secure internet there.
Missed the sunset. Grrr….(my own fault!)
Sunday,
March 25
Worship,
Lunch Guests, SOOP Fellowship
A
cooler morning in the trailer with all the windows still open for the
night! It was 50 and I bundled up a little more to sit and
draw/write! But the sun begins to warm things up gently by 9am.
We
head over to worship at Shalom, figuring I needed to put our RV space
money into the offering and not knowing for sure if we would be here
or elsewhere next Sunday. After Rick heard that a huge potluck
breakfast would be PART OF Easter worship, I suspect we will be at
Shalom! :)
I
enjoy Tina’s sermons more, at least I figure I get more out of them
when I can walk out with a visual image in my mind. Today was a
goodbye to one of the Congolese families that have been here for over
a year. The gal is one of the main singers and musicians and she was
visibly sorry to be leaving, but their hopes are for better
employment up in Ohio. THAT will be a climate shock for them! But
where else can you go to worship and have songs sung with Spanish
words, and then translated into Swahili!? Plus we sang one of my
favorites today, “Lord Listen to Your Children Praying” after
EACH prayer request. Service ended with a long Swahili benediction
song with all of the Congolese families and kids up front, drums,
congos, you name it.
We
opted not to eat out with the other SOOPs today, hoping to hit Poco
and Moms little breakfast place, but it was closed when we drove
past. We thought then drove past Oink! And thought to give it a
try….packed with crowds outside waiting. Went to Baja Cafe and
found a crowd. Finally ended up at Biscuits Cafe and decided we
would WAIT the 15 minutes! Chatted briefly with a couple behind us
in line, and then when we were seated at a table for 4, Rick asked
then if they would like to join us rather than wait longer for a
private table. We are always blessed when we do this!
Dave
and Carol are 6 year Tucson residents, having lived all over the
country, but most recently moving from Plano, TX just north of
Dallas. They were interested in our CHRPA work, Dave having done
similar work through his church for awhile. The breakfast meal was
excellent and it was fun talking with new people and new
perspectives! They had scoped out the restaurant because it
advertised giant cinnamon roll pancakes and Dave wanted to compare
them to another place in town...(Side note: Biscuits won the
competition!) Dinner will be light tonight, perhaps just what is
offered at the SOOP Fellowship time, for which I have another
pineapple to cut up.
 |
| Finished! Cathy and Marj, with Elinor, Viola, ?, and Bruce |
 |
| Don |
Back
to trailer to relax, use the secure internet, Rick talk with Mom, and
to chat briefly with Jed making final arrangements for tomorrow. He
arrives in town late tonight and will go directly out to Sean’s.
I
take a new puzzle over to the fellowship time, just a 500 piecer that
I figured I could finish during the week. Well, Don, Cathy, Marj and
I did the whole thing in just 1.5 hours! I have already found all
but one of the borders and laid all the pieces out in the little
trays, so it was relatively easy going. A ‘doable’ puzzle and
fun.
Back
to trailer to find another text from Jed about possible changes but
he will let us know. We are ON for tomorrow, just not sure exactly
when and where we will pick him up!
Good
conversation with Luke who sounded quite tired after his weekend
retreat with the YAVs, a visit and shopping with Grandma, and then a
YAV community day tomorrow up to Jemez. He flies out to Indonesia
tomorrow at midnight – he’ll sleep the whole way!!
 |
| Quick sunset view before starting the puzzle! |
Monday,
March 26
Kitt
Peak with Jed
A
great day spent with Jed! We met he and Sean around 10:30 at
Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea off Speedway on the north side of
the UA campus. Sean was going to study for awhile before class, and
we chatted briefly and then took off for Kitt Peak, about 60 miles
away. We will see Sean and Jessica on Wednesday night for dinner.
 |
| Eating our Subs in the picnic area outside the VC - the wind was NIPPY!! |
 |
| Beautiful tile mural of Mayan astronomy by Mexican artist |
We
picked up our tickets for the 1:30
tour of the 4m telescope (second largest in the world at this point,
but that will soon change). Jed operated on the 2.4m on Magdalena.
We had a huge group on the tour and split into two sections with two
different docents giving the tour (as in 70 people!) And I thought
Monday would be a low count day! Ate lunch and perused the Visitor
Center and gift shop while waiting for our tour to start. Rick and I
had picked up Subway sandwiches for everyone enroute to getting Jed.
(We also had time to stop at Walmart and get more coffee and toilet
paper! Essentials!)
 |
| Walking down to 4 meter |
 |
| Inside the telescope |
 |
| The dark areas on infrared are cold (plus it doesn't go through plastic hence the glasses) Jed is obviously warmer blooded than I!!! |
We
were the last ones out of the building, getting our full 2 hours
worth of tour! In fact, we only had 15 minutes to walk back up to
the Visitor Center and do our shopping before they close down at
3:45! But we made it and headed back down the mountain and into
town. We stopped once so I could take a picture of some beautiful
pink wildflowers growing alongside the road. Also noted the ocotillo
was blooming all over the place!
 |
| The view of Kitt Peak complex from the deck of 4m telescope. The Sun Scope is on the left. |
 |
| Baboquiviri Peak behind the 2.1 m telescope. This is the sacred mountain for the Todo'ohom People |
Dropped
Jed off at Panera Bread to meet Sean at 5:30 when he got out of
class. Rick and I
headed back to CHRPA land!
It
rained tonight! Honest drops of rain that even were sustained for at
least 10 minutes!
Tuesday,
March 27
CHRPA
Day 9
 |
| Our completely glazed windows. |
Rick
and I worked together again today! This must be a record for our
CHRPA visits! Six days together out of 9 worked so far! We were out
west of Tucson off the Ajo Highway, first to finish up the glazing on
the windows Rick and Rob installed last Wednesday. They ran out of
glazing compound. We stopped at Home Depot enroute out to the job to
pick up two containers plus some ‘perhaps’ supplies for our
second job (which we never touched – they’ll go into the supply
room). So I got my first lesson in glazing newly installed windows
this morning! We didn’t have much left to do so it only took about
a half hour to finish up the work.
 |
| Rick uses saws-all to remove old floor. |
 |
| Our beautiful systems of supports. |
Then
off to the other side of the highway and into the Tucsan Estates area
to the manufactured home of Dixie. What a sweet lady whose mom was
raised in Kalispell area and who grew up herself in Oregon! We had a
lot to talk about as we worked, especially since Dixie watched
probably half the time from a chair out on the deck.
 |
| A secure, stable floor! |
 |
| Water damage to the wall next to door. |
Then
we tackled the reason for the hole: water-damaged exterior walls on
either side of the door. There is very little overhang and hence the
water sits on the deck and seeps wherever it can go. We pulled off
the porous board on the exterior to reveal a holey mess. Cut a new
piece of 3/4” plywood to fit and caulked and screwed it in place
and then ran caulk ALL around it. Did the same on the other side.
In the
meantime, while Rick was caulking I was screwing Dixie’s
deck back together and sinking loose screws back down. The boards
are very weather worn and were splitting a lot. We also stabilized a
little table she had on the deck and Rick strengthened most of the
railings with additional screws. Much of what we did wasn’t on our
work order, but it needed to be done and Dixie sure appreciated it!
I asked Dixie if I
could take a picture with her and she seemed pleased. She also gave
us some hand crocheted items as thank yous “to remember me by”.
 |
| Patched and caulked! |
 |
| Typical nails in decking. |
Disconcerting
to find all the texts from Luke today who was to be flying to
Indonesia last night. Flight cancelled, rediverted today to LA, then
Doha (Qatar) and then back to Jakarta. But flight in LA was delayed,
so may miss his connection to Jakarta. He will be ‘in the air’
for the next 24 hours, so we may not know for awhile if he has made
it to see Kady.
NCIS
on tv, blog writing, and drawing round out the evening.
 |
| Dixie and I on the front deck. |
Wednesday,
March 28
CHRPA
Day 10 – Dinner at Tomlinson’s with Jed
After
a relatively light day yesterday, Rick and I both drew 4-5 jobs each
today. Rick was with Rob again and they had some tough plumbing jobs
to handle. Didn’t feel totally successful with it all, but managed
to install some sinks and a hot water heater.
 |
| Dan patches a roof! |
I
was with Dan Wilhelm and we were all over the east side near CHRPA
headquarters. Some relatively simple jobs early in the day, some of
which ended up more assessments. Dan took time between jobs to
contact Naughton’s and Fergusons, plumbing places, and his contact
at Tuscon Water arranging for the purchase of supplies for swamp
cooler season which will start soon as the weather begins to heat up.
Today was the last day of sub 80 degree temps predicted for…..5
months??? We ended the day at Reba’s house to fix a leaky shower
and figure out why the electricity in the kitchen didn’t work. Dan
troubleshooted for two hours while I fixed the shower (after Dan
showed me how) and then switched the circuit breaker on and off for
Dan. We finally found the problem, but too late to fix and it was
really a job for Claire, the resident electrician!
 |
| Beautiful palm at a client's house! |
I
got back at 3:30 and got my shower. Rick rolled in at 4:30. We were
rushing somewhat to get out to Sean and Jessica’s in Marana – for
our dinner invite! But as it turned out, their hike ended up longer
than anticipated and they only beat us home by about 20 minutes!
(They tackled Finger Rock Trail, which climbed about 4000’ while
they logged about 8-9 miles. Needless to say, a tired group! But
happy!)
 |
| We found our wedding gift right inside the front door! |
We
found the home without incident, having stopped at the Cortaro
Walmart to pick up a bottle of wine. They bought in a nice
residential development at the base of the north end of the Tucson
Mountains. A relatively small 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a nice
office space as well, small backyard with a pool and hot tub attached
– all built in. A few palm trees and cacti in the backyard. Tiled
floors throughout so cool! We had burgers, salad, corn, and potato
salad – a feast – and enjoyed great storytelling. Jed had spent
Tuesday at home with Jessica, grading some papers, etc. before they
all went out to dinner meeting Sean. Jed will fly home tomorrow
afternoon. We left around 9 with a quick trip (just over a half
hour!) back to CHRPAland. Quickly into bed for our last day on the
job.
 |
| Sean, Jessica, and Jed |
 |
| Jess takes a picture of Sean and the 3 of us. |
Thursday,
March 29
CHRPA
Day 11 – Final Day
Rick
and I are teamed up once again for our final day on the job...and
bound for Three Points area! Our third trip out the Ajo Highway this
week! That makes 7 out of 11 days that we have worked together this
year. Amazing!
 |
| Rick is smiling for the camera, but he doesn't really care for plumbing all that much! |
Our
first job is north of the highway about halfway to Three Points.
Paved road, and then rough dirt road until we find the “red truck”
at the Stop sign, directions Don had given us as he was at the place
the day before fixing the back door. Don said it was a little ‘rough
on the edges’ which was an understatement. It is hard to imagine
how people can live in some of the conditions we encounter – often
not of their own chosing, but sometimes just different priorities.
We have to keep reminding ourselves to ‘judge not’ and just do
what we can to make their lives a little better. We were to install
two faucets here, repair a leaky shower, and replace an outside hose
bib. Two and a half out of four isn’t bad, right? In cramped and
slightly unsanitary conditions (rat poop) Rick got both faucets
installed, but discovered another leak in the drain in the process.
We didn’t have the materials or where-with-all to fix that one, nor
did we have the tool needed to replace the shower washers. We got
the hose bib done! But between the cluttered, cramped quarters, the
hacking coughs of the residents, and the strong residual smoking
aroma, we were glad to be done with that job!!
 |
| Creative cooler stand at a Three Points modular |
 |
| A different kind of prickly pear! |
Coming
home, we stopped to pick up drinks as we neared town, which was good
since we got caught in a traffic back-up due to an accident on Golf
Links which made us a half hour later in getting back to the office.
Carrie ran off some pictures so we could make comments on them and we
briefed Scott on the situation.
Goodbyes
to Scott and Carrie. Just as we got back, Dan Wilhelm brought me a
puzzle to do over the weekend. I must share the one the SOOPS helped
me with last weekend!
Rick
and I went back to BJ’s for the Happy Hour specials, enjoying
mini-pizzas, the Dodgers game, some tennis, and a college basketball
competition on the multitude of TVs behind the bar. When we got back
I went over to the SOOP lounge for an hour and half to start the
puzzle – I needed something brainless to do!
A
very pleasant evening with a big almost full moon rising. I missed
sunset cause we were in the bar!
Friday,
March 30
A
Little Painting and Alot of NOTHING!
Sadly
to say, my ‘cold’, allergies, or whatever seems to be getting
worse. I am congested and blowing my nose constantly. Good thing we
have nothing on the agenda today other than finishing a little
painting at CHRPA HQ!
 |
| Repainting on Yvonne, the pelican. |
Dan
Wilhelm is in the shop making some bins for his truck. Rick and I
head over around 9:30 (before it gets too hot!) and I pull out the
black gloss paint and my tiny brushes, while Rick searches for the
light yellow used to paint the office addition last spring. The
molding transition between the two rooms is just as we left it last
year – mudded and sanded, but never primed and painted. Rick
shall finish that job!
 |
| Rick paints office transition. |
I
visit each truck, repainting lines that are chipped or fading and
sharpen up the details of the names and pictures. I must have used
better paint for the ones I painted in 2014 (Walter G, Finn, and
Rosie) because they are in good shape other than a scratch mark
through Finn’s fin! But Maya and Yvonne really needed a little
work, and Dan appreciated that I fixed up Bones a little also!
 |
| A puzzle full of gas pumps! |
While
Rick finishes the inside painting, I head over to the lounge and in
an hour and half I finish the puzzle from Dan. He was right – a
fun, quick one to put together! I will give it back to him Monday
morning with my thanks.
 |
| Almost a full moon!! Tomorrow night! |
After
that….I did nothing all day. Feeling a little punk, I ate some
lunch, read, took a nap, read some more, ate
dinner, finished the book, you get the idea. Rick took a walk mid
afternoon!
It
was a warm day in the mid-80’s, but the next two are forecast even
warmer. We had the awning out for awhile. BEAUTIFUL big old moon
coming up that I took a picture of with the new camera telefoto –
wow!
Saturday,
March 31
Blood
Donation – Taco
Giro!
 |
| New growth on prickly pears next to sidewalk at CHRPA |
 |
| Rick paints green on cupboard ends. |
After
laundry, we headed over to Taco Giro for lunch/dinner. We hadn’t
hit either of our favorite little Mexican places yet! I had shrimp
tacos and Rick a chorizo burrito. Neither of us finished our meal,
saving the rest for dinner tonight!
 |
| Stormy sky sunset |
Lazy
rest of the day – reading, drawing, etc. No sunset as too many
clouds circled in. Maybe we’ll get a blazing sunrise in the
morning to welcome Easter! Might not even see the moon rise tonight!
Sat
out for abit watching the rabbits hop around and the birds flit from
mesquite to cactus. Cooled off nicely, but will be a warmer night
with the cloud cover.
Sunday,
April 1
Easter
Sunday
“Every
morning is Easter morning from now on!” I always wake up on Easter
with this song rolling through my head! It
was a cloudy morning, but forecast to be very warm. The clouds will
hold the heat in!
Shalom
is having a feast during worship, so yesterday we bought a pineapple,
mango, and some strawberries to put together a little fruit salad. I
cut everything up and had it ready to go.
 |
| Tina welcomes all to the Easter feast! |
 |
| Finished trimwork |
Bob
and Marj, Peter and Viola, and we drove out east of town to Luckie’s,
a Thai and Asian restaurant. It was very good! Interesting area
with broad sights across town, to the Rincon Mts, and up to the
Catalinas. New housing. Good time visiting together as all of us
are pulling out in the morning. Got contact info for Havens up in
Alberta, just in case we are ever ‘in their area’!
Back
to trailer to catch most of Jesus Christ – Superstar, a live
production showing on TV. It was very well done.
Monday,
April 2
Tucson
to Cottonwood, AZ
225
miles
 |
| Today's travels |
So
we turned off the truck, Luke called, and I got my laptop out of the
trailer and went over to the secure internet in the CHRPA office.
Fifteen minutes later (and a second call because the connection was
bad), we had Luke re-enrolled in his healthcare plan! Evidently when
he went to do it in Indonesia, the website wouldn’t give him
access! (What? People in Indonesia shouldn’t be signing up for a
New Mexico health plan???!)
 |
| Picacho Peak south of Phoenix |
 |
| Rick overlooks Verde Valley from top of ruins |
We
camp at Rio Verde RV Park just east of Cottonwood. The price is on
the upper end at $36 (that’s WITH our Good Sam) but nothing else
was any cheaper! We have to wait 10 minutes or so until the office
gal gets back and can tell us our site number – which ends up RIGHT
across from the office! Just fine. Full hookups, although Rick
doesn’t get the cable TV I thought he would have in order to watch
tonight’s NCAA Finals. :( We grab leftovers from yesterday for
lunch.
Around
3 we head back into town to find the Visitor Center and gather some
reading materials for the evening! Then we have enough time to find
Tuzigoot National Monument and take a stroll around the ruins of this
ancient pueblo (circa 1000 to 1300 AD). Over 100 small rock lined
rooms have been excavated from the hill. It is an interesting area –
most of the rooms were accessed via a roof ladder.
 |
| Tuzigoot Ruins |
 |
| Tuzigoot Ruins |
Gas and groceries at Fry’s and back to park. Rick calls his mom. Dinner. Figuring out our plans for the next three days!
PS.
We are right on the highway. I am hoping traffic will die down a
little as the evening dies down. Otherwise not much quieter than
Tucson!!
Tuesday,
April 3
Change
of Plans? No! Prescott and Jerome After All!
 |
| Verde River near RV park |
 |
| Mallard |
 |
| Merganser |
Along
about 1pm, after taking some drugs and another nap, Rick said he felt
‘human’ again! With the agreement I would do most of the
driving, we took off for Jerome.
Jerome
is set on the edge of a hillside, and was the location of a major
copper mine back in the 1800’s. When copper died out, the
depression, and a major earthslide swept away many downtown buildings
perched on stilts, the town died down to around 50 permanent
residents (a long way from its 15,000 heyday!) But through the 60’s
and 70’s, as a refuge for counterculture artisans, etc., the town
slowly built back up and now has 500 residents.
 |
| Townsite set high on the hillside |
 |
| Old stamp mill headworks |
 |
| Old building...never found out what it was! |
 |
| Former hospital, now hotel |
Jerome was hopping with tourists today (it MUST still be spring break in
plenty of places!), enough that we had no desire to find a parking
place and explore. At the state park, we switched drivers and Rick
took us over the top of Mingus Summit (circa 7000’), twelve miles
of hairpin curves through rocks and old mining claims. We
are NOT taking the trailer this way on Friday!! (Actually getting
through Jerome would be worse than the summit road!) But the sight
of forested pine slopes was welcome!
On
down into Prescott Valley and the town of Prescott itself. Granite
dell rock outcroppings, lakes, and mini peaks mark the broad grassy
valley. A call from Candy Arledge led to a brief respite in the
parking lot of the local college. We checked out the downtown strip,
with an impressive courthouse and park, changed drivers once again,
and I drove us home via Route 69 and 169, to check out the route we
WILL take on Friday!
 |
| Heading west over Mingus pass, looking back to Verde Valley |
 |
| Granite Dell rocks of Prescott, AZ |
 |
| Beautiful man-made pond near up-scale housing! |
 |
| Neat underpass art in Prescott |
 |
| today's travels! |
So,
in spite of a quiet morning, we were still able to take the drive we
hoped for today! Tomorrow, plans are to head up Oak Creek Canyon to
Flagstaff and then visit Walnut Canyon National Monument just east!
Wednesday,
April 4
Flagstaff!
Lowell Observatory and Walnut Canyon National Monument
 |
| Just north of Sedona...a stop for a view! |
 |
| Ging overlooking the canyon |
Oak
Creek Canyon is filled with budding trees and bright green new
growth, red rock cliffs on one side and the creek on the other. At
the far end the road abruptly begins a series of hairpin curves to
climb to the top of the mesa. We stop at the viewpoint at the top
where Native Americans are displaying handcrafts. We end up
purchasing a Christmas tree ornament made of pottery with horse hair
décor and a metallic thread dreamcatcher woven in the front. Very
unusual!
On
up 89A on a relatively flat plateau to the city of Flagstaff where we
find the road up to Mars Hill and the Lowell Observatory. Percival
Lowell, a multi-millionare at the end of the 19th Century,
built the observatory in 1894 with the purpose of researching and
discovering life on Mars. He was sure aliens were digging canals on
the planet. While his reasoning may have been a bit off, his
millions have funded a hot-bed for research in the hundred years
since. It was here that Clyde Tombaugh, a 23 year old Kansas farmboy
with a love for the stars, got a job as a groundskeeper in the late
1920’s and ended up ‘discovering’ the planet Pluto in 1930. We
were able to see both telescopes, the original Clark scope and the
later one used exclusively for photographic plates which Tombaugh
used. The domes are all wood structures with a series of pulleys to
open the ‘windows’. The Clark scope weighs over 6 tons yet is
easily moved by the touch of a hand the balance is so precise with
the counterweights. The dome at the Clark moves on 1950’s car
tires, but is now electrified. We were awed by the precision of
these old ‘scopes, predating the digital age and computer run
programming. An excellent tour guide for both tours, a young man
with a degree in geology who works at the observatory while
researching planetary geology.
From
the observatory we head east toward Walnut Canyon, stopping at a
Denney’s for some lunch!! Good meal.
Walnut
Canyon National Monument is located about 4 miles south of I-40. It
was the home of the Singua People for about 400 years from 1000-1400
AD. The canyon is narrow and filled with a variety of vegetation,
including a profusion of Arizona Walnut trees! We took the Island
Trail, which drops about 200’ below the mesa edge (or about halfway
down into the canyon), and then circles around a mesa located in the
middle of a huge horseshoe bend in the ancient creekbed. (Little
water now flows in the canyon due to dams upstream providing water
for the city of Flagstaff.) We were able to see multiple cliff
houses tucked into the canyon walls, both along the trail and across
to the walls opposite. Fascinating.
Two-hundred
seventy three steps back UP to the top of the mesa! (Not counting
all the steps on the island path as well!) Well worth the exertion,
however.
We
drive back into town to the observatory again, hoping to perhaps
catch one of the evening programs, or at least spend a little more
time in the exhibit hall and grounds. The exhibit hall concentrates
on asteroid research, and we take the galaxy and universe ‘walks’
out through the ponderosa pines. Like the Solar System walk we took
earlier to get to the Pluto telescope, these are scaled. The solar
system walk was 1 inch to x number of miles, the galaxy walk was more
1 inch to 5 light years, and the universe walk was 1 inch to 2
million light years! Whoa! All walks displayed bronze busts of the
pillars of astronomy, ranging from Capernicus, ancient Arab
astronomers, to recent modern scientists. Well done. A visit to the
gift shop and we decide we had better head home, an hour’s drive
away!
I
drive us back down I-17 and then across County Road 30 in the back
way to Cottonwood and our RV park. Rest of evening filled with
pictures and journal. Time for bed. We are hiking tomorrow!
Thursday,
April 5
Cathedral
Rock and Soldier Pass Loop
7+
miles of redrock trail!
Whew!
I suspect I will be sore tomorrow (both of us!) We headed back out
Cornville Road this morning shortly after 8am to connec t with Beaver
Flat Road to Hwy 179 that heads north into the Sedona area from the
south. Quick route – Beaverflat cut off 3 sides of a square!
Through
the multitude of traffic circles that mark Oak Creek Village and on
to the dead end road through residential homes to the Cathedral Rock
trailhead. Packed and it is only 9am!! We try the overflow parking
and find ONE spot, kinda not on the pavement, but within the
boundaries and we TAKE IT! There is a large group of foreigners who
have parked 4 large Class C motorhomes along the road. (I couldn’t
tell from where, just knew they weren’t speaking English!)
This
is advertised as a 1 mile UP (600’
elevation gain),to the
base of the sheer tower of Cathedral Rock and
then 1 mile DOWN.
The cairns marking the trail are not your little duckpiles, but
massive pillars of stone wired together. The trail is also marked
with white slashes on the rock in many places. The hillside is
dotted with multicolors of clothing as little bodies work their way
UP.
Eventually
we wound up into the gap between two rock walls and came to the END
of the TRAIL sign. Our view west to the mountains of Jerome and
Verde Valley was marred somewhat by the low layer of smoke lingering
in the valley. When we left this morning we were concerned that we
wouldn’t get any good views today because HAZE was the forecast.
But deep blue skies surround The Cathedral – it is more in the
distance or toward the sun that colors are muted.
We
followed a path south from the END and found another slot to climb up
for a great view of a single pillar, The Bell (a Sedona famous rock
formation), and the Courthouse. The birds were darting all over the
place – cliff swallows with homes in the rock walls.
The
way back down was actually easier than I feared. I didn’t even get
my shorts TOO red from sliding down certain passages! In places we
followed the marked trail, in others we found routes more desireable!
Glad we did this hike early in the day as the sun was getting warm
by the time we finished and you are exposed for most of the way.
We
then continued north on 179 into Sedona. We had heard from CHRPA
folk that the Wildflower Bread Company right in the heart of ‘UPTown’
was THE place to eat, and any restaurant with ‘bread’ in its name
has got to be good! However, finding a parking place in this section
of town was laughable. Rick finally drove several blocks up a side
street and found a little spot in which to tuck the truck. We walked
back down to the “Forest Square” and found the cafe. An eclectic
menu of healthy foods, sandwiches, salads, etc. I went out on a limb
and ordered a Roasted Sweet Tater Sandwich with goat cheese, arugula,
fig confit (I still don’t know exactly what that is!) and tomatoes
on herb foccocia bread. Rick ordered Chicken Parmesan sandwich,
which he said was good, but not as adventuresome as mine! My serving
was so big that Rick ended up eating a fourth of it anyway!
Our
afternoon hike is a 5 mile loop out of the Soldier Pass trailhead.
This little trailhead only fits 14 cars at a time – any more and
you risk being towed. Thank God someone was leaving shortly after we
pulled in! We were
also grateful that within the next hour more clouds drifted in and
blocked some of the sun. VERY welcome relief when you are starting a
hike in the heat of the day!
This
loop trail begins at the base of THE SPHINX and then heads up through
manzanita, cypress, juniper and agave forest between two redrock
walls to a pass on Bryn’s Mesa. Near the beginning we came to a
massive sinkhole – part of which collapsed a hundred years ago, and
another part within the past ten years! The hole is about 50’ deep
average. Once on top of the mesa we had views to more walls of
strata rock north of Sedona. This area is a wilderness area. The
mesa was a broad section of terrain, dotted with small bushes and
agave plants. But the trail DOWN from the mesa was not of the
quality coming up….and we were getting tired! The views weren’t
quite as good.
The
last two sections of trail – Cibola Pass and Jordan Trail – were
a little more interesting and brought us back around to some of our
original views. One rock formation Rick and I named The Router,
because it looked like the tool. We met a couple from Maine up on
top of the mesa – they were heading back down Soldier Pass Trail,
while we were continuing the loop. Amazing that we both finished up
our hikes at the same time back at the SinkHole! We had a good visit
with them and I shared some of our watermelon when we got back to the
truck.
Back
to Cottonwood, enjoying a phone call with Margaret until I lost
reception. We found a little Mexican Food Truck set up next to the
RV park, so Rick got a breakfast burrito and I a shrimp taco for
dinner! Good!
We
close up much of the trailer with plans to get an early start in the
morning. All hitched up and ready to roll!
Friday,
April 6
Cottonwood,
AZ to Wells, NV
680
miles
Whoa….this
was a LONG day! We got our early start around 6:45am as we pulled
out of Cottonwood. We pulled into the motel in Wells, NV, at 8:30pm,
680 miles later! We passed Pickett’s RV at 2:30pm in Alamo, which
was our intended destination. With heavy rains all day Saturday and
west winds predicted Sat afternoon, we decided to push ahead and put
the miles behind us. I will say Rick found the final 75 miles into
Wells in the dark a challenge and credits God’s travel mercies for
guiding us in. I just knew I was glad I wasn’t driving once it got
dark!
 |
| Lines of strata north of Vegas |
Otherwise, nothing particularly amazing about the day. We went the southern route via Hwy 169 into Prescott and Chino Valley, enroute to I-40 at Ash Fork. I took the wheel there and drove to Kingman. We picked up dollar items at the Mickey D’s there. Rick drove us to the Pilot on the north side of Las Vegas. I will note that the wildflowers between Kingman and Vegas were beautiful, especially just south of Hoover Dam – purples, yellows, and reds. North of Vegas we hit a long stretch of road construction, including a brief stop to wait for a pilot car. In Alamo we gassed up (AGAIN….6 times today we filled up with gas!) and switched drivers. I drove another 100 miles, but Rick took over again before we got to Ely. Subway sandwich while I made reservations for us in Wells at a motel – we decided if we drove this much we could spring for comfort tonight!
I
drove for about 40 miles out of Ely, but stopped at the rest area to
let Rick take over as it was getting dark. All in all….a day of
many miles and many blessings for safe travel!! Home tomorrow!
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| Our route home |
Saturday,
April 7
Wells
to Baker City
365
miles
Up
at 6am to try and beat the switch of the winds from SE to W later in
the day! The clouds were low and a light drizzle was falling, but we
were coffee’d up at the Love’s and on our way by 6:50.
Rick
drove through some good rain the 120+ miles into Filer, ID (just west
of Twin Falls). We like this little cut-off that saves going into
Twin and brings us up to the interstate 20 miles to the west.
Shortly after getting on the freeway, the rains had stopped and I
drove us about 90 miles to the rest area just east of Boise. Might
have gone further, but I NEEDED the rest area!!! We had a GREAT tail
wind pushing us along as we headed northwest toward Boise!
Rick
cruised us through Boise, but just before Ontario we saw a black line
across the skies and DARK clouds. We drove into a wall of rain just
before crossing the Snake River. If the rain had been that heavy the
whole way, we would have been in trouble! As it was, it only lasted
about 5 minutes and we drove out of the downpour and into regular
rainfall. A quick gas up in Ontario and we now face more of a
headwind enroute to Baker City (the winds are starting their shift!)
But blue skies overhead most of the way up the Burnt River Canyon.
Springtime
in the Burnt River is gorgeous and today is no exception. The hills
are green, the light is highlighting all the rocks, the colors
deepened with the dampness of the recent rain. Fields of tiny purple
flowers in places. No yellow balsam root yet, but the willows are
turning their beautiful shades of orange and deep red. We catch
glimpses of the snowy Elkhorns in the distance.
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| Not a clear Elkhorn view, but enough to say HOME! |
Home
around 1:30pm, a full day ahead of schedule, but we avoided MOST of the
storms! We shall pretend we aren’t here and rest up! Trailer
unloaded and we are taking a short ‘stretch the legs’ walk by 3:30pm along the pathway….watching the dark clouds of the next
storm gather to the north!
Thanks to Liz who loaned me one of her audio books last fall. We listened to the book from Kingman on and it sure helps the miles go by. Unfortunately we didn't finish the book before we pulled into Baker, so now we need to wrap it up!
TOTAL
TRIP MILES: 4271
Total
Trailer Miles: 2868
Total
Nights: 39
Nights
in Trailer: 36
Average
Cost per Day: $73.31
