After the last pups went to their new home we headed for Florida and the Russellmania trial.
All the kids Kate, Judi and Omen did very well.
Also Willoughby, Tobias, Splash, Woodley and Beckie were there and got so many ribbons Rob and Deb had little room for the dogs on the trip home. Most notably (for us), Tobias won the perpetual trophy for best family and we are proudly displaying this beautiful trophy on the dash of the motorhome.
Don't want to brag on their accomplishments here but will do that later in another page (Its a PDF file).
After the trial we moved to Liz and Eddies place and took advantage of their hospitality for a couple of weeks.
We all went to Sea World for a day and had a great time. Had time to squeeze in 5 major shows and it was a full day.
Before we left we got to see the Space Shuttle return. Mrs JRRanch saw the much more spectacular launch a week before.
Thanks Liz and Eddie it was a great time!
December 11, 2009
About a 2 week gap since the last entry. Stopped in Beaumont TX for a couple of days then Boerne for a week. Visited a couple of days with Ian and Carol in Ozona Tx. Played golf with Ian and ate one of his great steaks. Mostly cold and rainy weather since Florida and no pictures taken.
Spent 3 days in Davis Mountain State Park. We were greeted by a large deer that nibbled on Mrs JRRanch's hand until we fed her a piece of bread. Then a pack of about 10 Javelina's wandered through our site and thank goodness the dogs were inside because they looked mean and are known to eat pets.
The first day we had lunch at the Indian Lodge and got some pictures. It was built in 1933 by the depression work gangs and is a great adobe structure with excellent period furnishings.
Next day we took a scenic drive around Davis Mountain with camera at the ready.
The deer crossed the road in front of us and were in no hurry to let us by. Every mile or so there were cattle guards because the road goes right through working ranches. We found one ranch nestled in amongst huge boulders. What a beautiful sight. The road took us by the McDonald Planetarium so we had to drive up to see the view from there.
The morning we left we went on a walk along a ridge on Davis Mountain. We could hear a dog barking and a hound baying in the field below. Eventually we spotted what was going on about a mile below. A boarder collie and a hound were about 100 yards behind a deer but couldn't close the gap and they were getting real frustrated. After about 1/2 hour they gave up and restored the quiet of the mountains.
Great view of Fort Davis from the Davis Mountains.
Dec 15-28 2009
Arrived at Cochise Terrace RV Resort in Arizona and got the motorhome spruced up for Christmas. The roadrunner dropped in to see what was up. Had fun making the kids apartment Christmasy with a tree and decorations.
When the kids arrived on Dec 22 it was snowing! Excellent, they get to see a rare occurence here. It was cool for a couple of days but was warm when the sun shone.
The weather didn't stop us from seeing the sites though. The first day we took a tour of the Kartchner Caverns and it was very impressive. They keep the place as a living cave with massive doors to keep the atmosphere constant. Very humid and a constant 73F. Cameras were not allowed. Quite a story on how they kept the spot secret until they got the backing to protect it properly.
The next day we went to Bisbee and toured the Copper Queen Mine. Will post pictures of Bisbee from another trip we made there in the new year.
Next day trip was to Tombstone. It is a neat town with lots of shops and many staged gunfights. We started at the Bird Cage Theatre tour, then wandered the streets shopping and had lunch and were entertained by a gunfight.
We didn't have time to go to the animal show but Granny admired the JR on a donkey advertizing the next show.
Sad to see the kids leave and hope they had a good time in Arizona.
Jan 3, 2010
Took a drive to Lake Patogonia Park because Grumpy missed it with the family trip due to illness. Here are some pictures around the park and the park headquarters. Their pet didn't like being photographed. On the way back to the highway we took a road that wandered through the hills and had lots and homes for sale with large properties. Stopped for lunch at the Wagon Wheel bar which seemed to be the hangout for the (old) bike gangs.
Jan 4, 2010
Took a day trip to Coronado National Memorial. Very exciting drive up to Coronado peak trailhead (very steep, windy road with some ice and no railings). Then the most exciting walk we have ever been on to the top of Coronado Peak. Granny was tired when she got to the top because she had to pull Grumpy all the way up. Grumpy got weak knees but the views overcame the apprehension. They had a bench and plaque in many places up the climb. Great to sit down, read Coronado's account of his travels and catch a breather.
We didn't take the dogs for fear of tripping on them and we needed sure footing. The dogs weren't impressed they just wanted to pee on the place and get back in the car for a nap.
The last 2 pictures are from the trip down the other side of the mountain. Not as steep a road but the worst gravel road we have been on. About 20 miles of severe washboard and bumps at no more than 10mph. Won't do that road again.
We drove by Sonoita and stopped at the Dos Cabezas Wineworks. Tasted all their wines and bought a couple of good ones. Too bad it wasn't open when you were there Steve. This looks like the best winery in Sonoita and the owner is the President of the Sonoita/Elgin wine association. I could drink a couple of their wines but they are very expensive.
Jan 7, 2010
Bisbee revisited.
Granny needed to go to Bisbee to buy more AJ Jance novels. This is her home town and the little book store here has lots of her stuff. Granny even got a signed copy of one of her novels. It must be worth twice the $7 she paid for it.
We approached from the south and stopped on the Mexico border to get a picture. Pretty depressing.
Anyway... after grannies shopping we had lunch at the same place and had time for a picture this time. We also wandered around the town and saw some really interesting buildings. Every time we go there we find something we haven't seen before. Got to be our favourite town so far.
Jan 15, 2010
Found a new location between Phoenix and Tucson just outside Casa Grande. Much warmer here 45F at night and 70+ daytime. First picture is from the new park Desert Valley RV Resort.
Lots of things to do here also. First trip was a short one to Casa Grande Ruins. This was the first site named a US National Monument.
On the way back we took a picture of the sheep in new pasture. They mound around small fields to keep the scarce rain from running away. It doesn't soak into the caliche soil of the desert so the mounds keep the rain where it falls to nourish the crops as long as possible. Seems like a lot of effort to grow hay.
Jan 17, 2010
Ever since we got to this campground we could hear planes climbing hard. Discovered it was Twin Otters climbing as quickly as they could to 13,000 feet so they could kick out their 23 passengers and then go back to get more suckers.
Sky Dive Arizona is a couple of miles away at the Eloy airport. They have the largest fleet of sky dive aircraft in the world. They have 4 Super Twin Otters, 4 Skyvans, 1 DC3, 1 Beech 18 and 1 Pilatus Porter.
Teams of skydiver from all over the world go here to train. Even saw some Canucks. The teams practise maneuvers on the way down. From 13,000 feet they can fall for about 60 seconds before opening their canopies.
They also offer newbies to fly tandem with experienced divers.
Spent a couple of hours there and it was unreal just how many people do this sport. Bodies were dropping from the sky every few seconds then they would run to get their chutes folded for the next jump.
Notice on the wagon full of jumpers that not all are young. Lots of silver haired folks there also. Don't worry Grumpy has no desire to tempt fate... besides Granny would kill me if the fall didn't.
We got to Tortilla Flat in time for lunch at the restaurant there. They have almost 100 thousand dollar bills tacked to the walls by patrons.
Shortly after Tortilla Flat the road turns to dirt and gets steep and windy. Granny handled it well though and it was a fun drive. Amazing scenery.
The dirt part of the road was over 20 miles and ended at Roosevelt Dam. This is the primary source for water storage for the Salt River Project.
The rest of the trip was on good paved road but we didn't get home until dark. We didn't get time to see Tonto National Monument so will take the paved road back there later because it looks interesting.
Jan 21 and 22 we had a lot of rain and severe winds causing dust storms. The dust got everywhere in the motorhome and we are still cleaning up.
Locals say they have never seen this much rain in January. Lots of flooding and roads out. Things should be turning green after that deluge.
Jan 26,2010
Finally took the short trip to Picacho Peak State Park today. It is only 10 miles away and we can see it from our campground.
This is a nice little park and it is a shame it will be closing in June.
We took a trail that was about 1.5 miles round trip and half of it was a pretty steep climb. There was a little bench at the top to catch our breath. The dogs were puffing hard. They must be out of shape becuse they don't get much opportunity to run free like at home.
Jan 29, 2010
We tried to go to the Tonto National Monument today but the road was blocked for an investigation of a shooting death of a police officer. We had to turn back but found the Boyce Thompson Arboretum on the way home. What a lucky find. This is a very impressive place. We took a great 3 mile walk with the dogs.
Who would think a tree exhibit would be this interesting. Trees from all over the world thrive here. They even have some huge Aussie trees (eucalyptus?) planted almost 100 years ago. We will definately return to walk some of the different areas here.
Jan 31, 2010
Visited a Bluegrass festival at the Pinal County Fairgrounds a couple of miles away. Caught a bit of the good music and Granny bought some more stuff.
Then we stopped for the Doggies of the Wild West show and were blown away. The show was great. The dogs were very talented and the humans weren't bad either, very proffesional.
Had a lot of fun and Granny got to pat the dogs and talk to the folks running it. Quite a show for a little rural fairground.
They also had a Civil War battle with lots of old guns banging away.
Steve, next weekend they have a gourd festival so we will stop in and see what that is about. May get some ideas for a fall weekend on your farm.
Feb 6, 2010
The Running of the Gourds festival. Can't believe the number of people who showed up for this. It is a huge craft attraction and apparently a large pastime for many people. Anyway it was fun for us and the kids loved walking around so many people getting oohs and ahhs and lots of pats.
