1.25 miles up and eyes on us

The local owls have been putting on a good show lately.  The chicks are getting bigger and one looks to be 10-12 inches tall already.  The other chick is in a different part of the nest and it is hard to determine how large it is.  The mother owl has to sit on a branch next to the nest now since there isn't room for her in there.  The father owl hasn't been seen lately, but he must be busy finding food to feed his brood.

One thing on Grant's bucket list was a trip up to Mt. Lemmon and have lunch there.  It is one of our favorite drives and decided it would be a good day for the trip so we could rest a little after the airshow.  Ron K went with us since he also enjoys the ride so much.  
We drove 75 miles roundtrip and went from 3,000 ft to 9,135 ft, hence the 1.25 mile up part of the header.  There was still a little dab of snow in places at the top of the mountain in some ditches.  Past trips up there have ended near the ski lift area, but today the gate was open to continue the drive to the top of the mountain.  Up we went on a narrow 2 lane road all the way to the top.  My GPS said it was 9,135 ft at the turnaround area.

This old pine tree was still standing, but a large one had fallen over the years and just a 6 ft stump was remaining.  They both had been victims of fires that have swept that area the past few years.

We left the desert floor and went through cacti, scrub pine, large pine groves and other green trees.  It is neat to see the different zones on the drive up the mountain.

 Near the top we ran through some large stands of Aspen trees.  They look so white this time of the year and the buds have just started to appear.  We left the motorhome in 82 degree weather and it was 52 degrees at the top and will be much colder at night.

This is a another stand of Aspen and the buds on it are a little further advanced since it is 1,000 ft lower than the above one.  

When we pulled into the restaurant parking lot at Summerhaven, it looked deserted.  It was, since they are closed on Mondays.  Oooops.  Plan B went into effect at this time and I headed for a local pizza and cookie place.  They were open and we managed to order a 12 inch pizza that cost around $19.00.  That is what happens when you are the only game in town.  It was ok, but the bottom crust was like cardboard.

The restaurant also had Apple & Peach Cobblers but I think they were about $11.00.  Not in my budget, but a couple sitting behind us ordered one.  When it came to their table I jokingly asked if she was going to share it.  Then she proceeded to put some on a plate and had it to me.  I begged off and said I was just teasing her and didn't want it.  She insisted and then said to give it to Grant.  Wow, what a nice gesture.  He took possession of the cobbler and we thanked her and left.  Then a mountain biker gave Grant some licorice.  He must have looked hungry.

On the way down the mountain we came across some wild turkeys along the side of the road.  They didn't seem to be worried about us being there and continued eating and walking along.

Wild Tom Turkey

Two more turkeys

Another shot of the Tom Turkey

 This is a popular place for rock climbers and we see them almost every trip we make up the mountain.  The climber had a helper on the ground keeping the safety rope tight.

There are hundreds of interesting rock formations along the road. The following two shots are a couple examples.  It would be impossible to have all the rocks on the blog due to space and your ability to stand looking at all of them.  Hence, just a few for your viewing pleasure.

About 1/2 way down the mountain we stopped so Grant could get a good view of the Tucson area and the valley that it is in.  It was a hazy day, but Tucson was still visible from about 20 miles away.

Notice how balanced some of the rocks are in the picture below.  There are numerous balanced rocks in this area and I imagine they have been like that for thousands of year.  I hope they stay that way while we are in the area.

We arrived back at the RV park around 7pm and dropped Ron off and then went home and had some hamburgers for dinner.  I grilled them in  the dark with the help of a small flashlight.  It was so nice outside that I didn't want to go back inside, but duty called.

That was our exciting day, how was yours?  

Is it snowing in Illinois? 

We stayed up a little later and Gerry managed to get these last few shots of the eclipse of the moon.  It still had a way to go for full eclipse; however, we were worn out by the time of the last shot.  Not bad for a point and shoot digital camera.

Davis-Monthan Airshow

I always enjoy airshows and especially if the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels put on a show.  One other group that does very well is the Patriots as they fly in close formation and do their tricks.  The pilots of those planes are truly in a class of their own and it shows when they fly.  My hat is off to those guys.

Gerry decided she was ready for a day off and opted out of the airshow.  With all the heat and wind, I think she made a good choice.  She stayed home and did some housework and worked on cards in the air conditioning.  Smart girl.

Grant and I picked up Ron K and headed for Davis-Monthan Airbase.  It was an easy entry into the base and we were directed to parking near the entrance gate to the exhibits and planes.  Close as in 300-400 yards away.

As soon as we entered the area Grant and Ron made a beeline for the restored B-17 WWII airplane.  It's in great shape for a plane built in 1944.  It is part of the old Confederate Air Force but now named the Commemorative Air Force.  Another case of PC being carried too far.  I still refer to it by the old name.

More information about the plane can be found at this website for those interested.  For those too young to remember, Betty Grable is the pinup on the plane.

Sentimental Journey 

 It was possible to take a tour of the plane and Ron & Grant scurried up the ladder.  When it became my turn once I entered the plane, it became obvious that I would have to get down on my hands and knees to get to the back of the plane.  No way that I could do this with my new knee replacement and I backed out.  Ron had to get down on his hands and knees to make it through the port.

The ticket taker said to go to the back of the plane and enter that way.  Since it was the exit, I had to wait until people exited.  By that time Ron & Grant had made their way back to the side by side machine guns and were battling the Red Baron.

 Next up was the A-10 Warthog airplane.  It is really a workhorse and proved to be the correct plane in Iraq as a tank buster.  The A-10 is stationed at Davis-Monthan and flies over our campground every evening after their practice bombing and strafing runs.  It is the sound of Freedom for us.


They were showing the crowd how they load the various armaments that it can deliver to a target.  It is a very impressive display of it's capabilities.

Meanwhile Ron & Grant were checking the cockpit of another A-10.  Grant wanted to sit in the pilot's seat, but was unable due to the crowd waiting to see the plane.

 While we were checking the A-10, the tanker plane was refueling helicopters over the airfield.  It can fuel one helicopter at a time and this enables the helicopters to stay on duty station for hours.

 Grant found another machine gun to shoot and climbed into the gunner's seat and was ready to take out the crowd.

 What is it about machine guns and kids?  Grant wanted to try this one out and found that it was way too heavy for him.  He did look like a bad guy in this photo and nobody to mess with.

 The Model A Ford is one of the original 1931 Fords delivered to the Arizona State Police.  This one has been restored to original condition and was a beauty.

 The B-1Bomber is a beautiful plane with it's swept back wings in place.  Today it was being used as a shade tree on the flight line. 

 The main attraction of the day was the Air Force Thunderbirds who are the equivalent of the Navy's Blue Angels.  They put on a super show with their flying skills and made those F-16s perform like champs. 

This Thunderbird had his flaps down and nose up and scooted down the runway in the position.  Sure made a lot of noise since he had the engines wining.  At the end of the run he made a straight up in the air ascent for thousands of ft.  Mighty impressive.

 The Thunderbirds were sitting on the tarmac for a while and there was some concern that they wouldn't fly due to the wind.  On Saturday they didn't fly since the wind was 30mph and they don't do their maneuvers in winds over 29mph.  They did fly today even if they were a little late, but were worth the wait.

 I managed to capture a picture as they fly directly overhead.  It is very difficult to capture them with our digital camera due to the 1/2 second delay.  I had to guess when they would be in the view finder.

Once the Thunderbirds finished their flying, the crowd began to disperse.  We joined the exodus and managed to leave the parking area in good time.  All in all we had a great time, but I was worn out by the end of the day.  It was hot & windy and the low humidity sucked the moisture right out of me.

We dropped Ron off and headed back to the motorhome in time to change clothes and go to church.  It sure was cool and pleasant in church today and I could have listened to another sermon, but they made us leave.

I think I will sleep like a log tonight.  First I am going to take some Advil to help ease the soreness in the legs and knees.  Wish me luck.

That was our day, how was yours?

Tombstone & some excitement

The next thing on Grant's bucket list to see while in the Tucson area was Tombstone, AZ.   We waited for the hottest day of the year so far ( 95 degrees ) to make the 60 mile drive there.  

I usually take the long round about drive to Tombstone through Sierra Vista and then over to Tombstone.  We enjoy the backroads down through Sonoita and then over to Sierra Vista.  Another reason for this route is that we stop at the Safeway grocery store in Sierra Vista and have them prepare a Chicago South Sider sandwich for us.  Safeway officially doesn't make the South Sider anymore, but the deli clerk remembers the ingredients and prepared them for us.  

After picking up sandwiches we headed for the local park for lunch and were surprised to see they were having a "fair" in the park with many tents and food wagons.  No problem, we enjoyed our South Siders and then left for Tombstone.

We switched to the ride shown below and it took us a while to make the trip.  It was a little bumpy, but otherwise fine.  

Tomstone Stage Coach

Pancho Villa was there to greet us and I chatted with him for a while.  Actually, he just finished working on a movie being shot at Gammon's Gulch and dresses like this most of the time.  He does reenactments all over the west and also gives talks to schoolkids and tourists.  Very interesting fellow.  The man in black next to him on the left worked in Tombstone and was all dressed up like a US Marshal.

 Tombstone at 5:30 pm.  All the stores close at 5pm and the tourists leave and once again the streets are almost deserted.  In past visits to Tombstone they covered the street with dirt for a movie being shot there.  Once the movie was finished they left the dirt on the main street and it was a mess when the high winds were active.  Finally, they decided tourism was more important than a dirt road, so they removed the dust (dirt) and it went back to the present form.

 I was getting thirsty so Gerry, Grant and I went over to the Big Nose Kate's Saloon on main street.  It is quite a colorful place and they had live entertainment with a man playing a guitar and singing country ballads.

 We snagged a table really fast and then waited and waited and waited for service.  The man and woman servers were more interested in talking to people than providing any service so we got up and left after a while.  At least Grant got to see what the interior of the old place looked like.

Bar area in Big Nose Kates Saloon

One of the many shops on main street.

 Ooopps, we missed the afternoon stage to Sierra Vista.  Not to worry, we had the trusty Saturn to take us back home.

We got there right after the gunfight started at the OK Corral and the next gunfight there started while we were at the other end of town.  We did get a picture of Grant outside of the corral area.

Grant couldn't get the Duke's autograph but was able to get his picture taken next to a likeness of him.

We finally stopped at another bar and got some drinks.  Grant had a sasparilla and we had adult beverages.  This place seems to be the gathering place for all the characters who dress up in period costumes and work in Tombstone.

While we were sitting there a huge black cloud appeared down the street from us.  I thought it was a car that caught on fire, but found out it was at the Old West Theatre studio show and it caught fire 10 minutes after the last act.  The place burned to the ground along with some apartments next to the place.  It caused quite a commotion since the buildings in Tombstone are wood and quite old.  If the fire had gotten into the buildings on main street it would have been a disaster for the town.  Thankfully, the fire department was able to contain the fire and keep it from main street.

Tombstone bills itself as "the town too tough to die" and has been through fires, earthquakes, mine shutdowns and other calamaties.  They dodged the bullet once again.

After a quick stop at Boothill we made the long drive back to the motor home.  That was our exciting day, how was yours?

Saguaro Nat'l Park East & Free Pie

Grant came out here with a bucket list of things he wanted to see or do and Saguaro Nat'l Park East was high on the list.  We picked today to venture out to the park and made the short 7 mile drive there and took the 8 mile drive through the park.  We've been there a number of times, but this was a first for Grant and he seemed to enjoy the sights a lot.

The information center has a small garden with different cacti labeled so us non Southwest people can get to know the names of the different cacti.  I do know that the Saguaro cactus shown below is over 100 years old since it has arms and they are fairly large.  The Saguaro cactus doesn't grow arms until it is 75 years old at least.

 Right after we entered the park (free because of my Golden Age Pass) we spotted a nice prickly pear cactus with the beginning of flowers.  I had to pull over in order to not block the one lane road and some old geezer couldn't wait and zoomed by me and ran off the road and hit the side of the cactus.  You can see his tire tracks near Grant's foot.  I don't understand how anyone can speed through a park at 40mph plus and actually see anything.

 The Saguaro cactus buds are forming now and should be in bloom within a week or so.  They bloom at night and if the mornings are cool, the blooms will be visible for a few hours in sunlight.

 The hedgehog cacti have a number of blooms on them and come in multiple colors.  They are favorites of ours since they bloom early and last a long time.

 More prickly pear cactus with beautiful blooms.  Grant is lucky to be here at this time since the cacti are starting to bloom and there will be fields of these along side of the road.  They are beautiful to see, but terrible to walk in.

 The Ocotillo are in full bloom now and are throughout the park.  It is hard to believe that just a few weeks ago they looked like dead sticks and were brown. 

The Village Inn restaurant gives away free pie on Wednesday and we stopped in for a late lunch.  The lunches were large and good and we managed to fill our stomachs to overflowing almost.   We asked for the pies to go and picked two cherry pies (Gerry & I) and Grant had a German Chocolate Cake Pie.  It must have been good since he wolfed it down later in the evening.  We also enjoyed our cherry pies with ice cream as a late night snack.

Oh, before all this we went to the library so I could download the latest version of Windows 8.1.  My new computer came with 8.1, but this new download was around 4gig and I didn't want to use up all my 20gig bandwidth on the download.  Even with the super fast internet at the library it still took 30+ minutes to download the files and another 45 minutes to fully install the new version of 8.1.  The best thing about it for me is that it boots right into the desktop rather than into the tile format of Win 8.1.  There are a number of other features but I haven't had time to try them all out.

That was our day out here in the desert, how was yours? 

Titan Missile Museum

We started early today since we had a lot to do on our schedule.  Gerry was invited to her friend Katy's house for lunch along with Katy's daughter and granddaughter.  Since it was most likely to be a hen fest, Grant and I decided to skip the lunch and just show up for dessert.  Cake with chocolate icing does that to guys.

First we dropped Gerry off and Grant and I went to a Taco Bell just down the road from the Titan Missile Museum.  Properly fortified with nourishment we went to the museum and arrived a little before 1pm and caught that tour.  I've been on the tour a couple times and each time learn something new.  This was the first time for Grant and to say he was excited would be an understatement.  He was first out the door and first down the stairs to the control center. 

They have a dummy nuclear warhead in the gift shop at the museum and Grant standing next to it gives you an idea of the size of an actual warhead.  It had 650 times the power of the bombs dropped on Japan during WWII.  Hard to believe all the power could come in something that size.

 The missile was located under the concrete doors just above and behind Grant's head in the below picure.  The Titan II missile was 103 ft long and 10 ft wide at it's widest point.

 There were 54 silos located in groups of 18 in the Tucson, Wichita and Arkansas locations.  The site we toured is the only one left that has all the original equipment left in place.  All the other sites had the equipment removed and the silo filled in with dirt and then concrete.  That came about as a result of the nuclear proliferation treaty signed between the US and Russia.

The tour guide had served in a site for 4 years and really knew his stuff.  He explained how it all worked and the safeguards to keep one person from firing the missile.  The control center was located underground and had 4ft concrete walls with rebar in it.  The doors to the underground area were 6,000lbs each and made of steel with 4 huge pins holding them in place.

 A young lady was selected to help with the demo much to Grant's dismay.  He wanted to fire the missile, but did get a chance to sit at the council after that part of the tour was over.

 The next part of the tour took us to the missile silo where another guide explained how it all worked.  They had plexiglass windows so you could see the top part of the missile with a fake warhead on it.

The photo below was taken from the top of the silo and sure does look menacing.  They leave the top doors open so the Russians can verify nothing is going on at the silo.

The photo below shows all the workings of the silo including the door above.  They had a huge water tank that was emptied into the silo when the missile was fired.

Since everything was underground and it took a 4 step identification system to get in the control area, they installed a radar surveillance system on each corner of the launch area.  One such corner is shown below in this picture.  In the background are tailings from a copper mine nearby the site.

After the tour was over Grant and I went back to pick up Gerry and get our dessert from Katy and crew.  It was delicious and really hit the spot.  We visited with them for a while and finally had to hit the road.

By this time it was getting late and we stopped at Costco for a few things and then on to a local Mexican restaurant.  As usual, they serve you more food than you can comfortably eat.  We waddled out of there and made it back to the motorhome and collapsed.  It was an early to bed night for us to catch up on some much needed sleep.

That was our day, how was yours?