WILLCOX, CHIRICAHUA NAT'L MONUMENT and Bisbee Lunch

CLEO:
My days are spent mostly watching dogs walk their people by. The other day I watched an older dog just stop and no matter how his person tried to encourage him to move, he had clearly made up his mind he had gone far enough. She gave up and told him to sit and stay, while she walk a bit further to a trash container. Yeah...like that dog was going to walk away anyway! Ignoring the sit command, he laid down for a nap and waited for her. When she returned, she had to coax him to get up. However, as he knew he was headed for home, he kept the pace she set! Humm...I think my people should get a bird feeder so I have more birds to watch.

Well...that's all folks!

E and J:

Sandhill Cranes:
Had a nice drive last Tuesday. Traveled north on Hwy 80 to I-10 and then East to Willcox, a town of about 3,800. We ate at Carters, the local place to have hamburgers. Hamburgers were good and of course came with fries! Our intended destination was to visit the wildlife preserve to see the Wintering Sandhill Cranes. The preserve is a vast area and we visited only one location. Didn't see any cranes, but did see several species of ducks. However, we certainly did HEAR the cranes and saw several flocks on the wing in typical V formations. The locals were preparing for their annual event, “Wings Over Willcox,” which celebrates the preserve and wintering birds. Sandhill Cranes are large birds that stand 3 to 5+ feet. Wintering cranes in the Sulfur Springs Valley number over 35,000 and come from as far away as Alaska and Canada. Last year a crane from Siberia even wintered here. We may still get an opportunity to see them at a closer location. They are truly Arizona's “Snow Birds.”

Chiricahua National Monument:

Leaving Willcox, we headed south on Hwy 186 to Chiricahua Nat'l Monument. President Coolidge set aside this “Wonderland of Rocks” in 1924, to preserve and protect the pinnacles and balanced rocks. However, those who once called this area home, range from the first Paleo-Indians to Cochise and the Chiricahua Apache, as well as settlers, ranchers and the Buffalo Soldiers from nearby Ft. Huachuca. The park road begins in the grasslands and climbs 1600 feet to Massai Point, which offers a 360 degree view of snowy mountain peaks, other mountain ranges and various valleys. Looking eastward, you can see mountain ranges in New Mexico. Snow remained in protected areas and at Massai Pt. (6,870 ft) where it was cold and breezy. The sun was shinning, so when protected from the breeze, it was quite nice. The many park trails are all rated for time and difficulty and one could hike for several days as the park pass is valid for 7-days. Needless to say, Tuesday's day-trip was a full day, and we arrived home just before the 5:33 sunset.

Bisbee:

Wednesday afternoon found us heading to Bisbee for lunch at the Copper Queen Hotel in Old Town. Had lunch there in 2007 and remembered fondly the Mango Chicken Salad on a Croissant, which was still on the menu, and as good as we remembered! After lunch we visited a few shops before heading for home. Of course, we had to stop at The Market Place (where the locals eat) for some cookies, desserts and scones. You say, “Bakery!” We say, “Where?”

Sierra Vista:

Oh, by the way, grocery shopping here is a nightmare. We can no longer complain about 'Senior Tuesday' at Fred Meyer! Grocery shopped at Fry's (a Kroger market) on Thursday, thinking it wouldn't be busy. WOW! Brookings has us spoiled when it comes to congestion with traffic and people. We so appreciate where we live!

Both of us are doing well and enjoying our respite, but find it hard to believe it hasn't been a month yet and there are still many places to visit and things yet to do.

Enjoy the following photos:

Heading toward the Chiricahua Mtn's and the Nat'l Monument

Do you see aTeddy Bear?  (look at middle rock formation)

Organ Pipe rock formations

Mushrooms? (look at side)

Awesome!

More rock formations.

Massai Point - 360 degree view from building - Elevation 6,870 ft.

Cochise Head - North view from Massai Point (do you see the nose?)

West view from Massai Pt. - Overlooking more rock formations, only accessable by trails. 

East view from Massai Pt. - Looking into New Mexico

South View from Massai Pt. - Overlooking Turkey Creek Volcano (dormant)

Bisbee, Arizona

One of many stairs to access homes located on the rocky hills.

Old Town Buildings

Old Town Bisbee Street

Lodging - Old Town (note stairs)

Interesting Bird Houses - Old Bisbee

Prickly Pear Cactus - Among hill side rocks in Old Town Bisbee

Hotel and Restaurant, Old Bisbee