9-27-16 Mission Tour

I am using my I-pad to write this.  

We drove "San Antonio Missions National Park" this afternoon.

The first thing we learned is a "mission" is much more than a church. Within the protective walls was a community of up to 300 people, a church, school,  store, homes and a contingent of some military personnel for protection.  

These mission communities were established by the  Franciscan fathers in the late 1690s.  These missions are a reminder of one of Spain's most successful attempts to extend its domination northward from present-day Mexico (info from NPS brochure).

There are five missions in the San Antonio area with the most well-known "the Alamo".

While in the Alamo and River Walk area we ate a very late lunch/or early dinner at the THE IRON CACTUS MEXICAN GRILL.  The waiter made table-side guacamole--oh how delicious!

I have learned to add photos they must be on my phone. I used the regular camera  this's afternoon so no pics this entry.  

Tomorrow's project will be to see if we can get Glen's name on the list to go to Landon's graduation.  We assumed that because Glen is a veteran there wouldn't be any delay but have since learned that he needs a "pass".  We hope it isn't a big deal but we shall see.

 

9-20-16 Another Driving Day (Parkview RV Park, Ft. Stockton TX**)

** this note is a reminder for us!  This is one of those parks that Glen says "we are just staying here, not buying it!"  Or, "our view looks the same inside the motor home."  The park was built several decades ago and has had no updates.  It deserves no stars in the rating system.  The best part:  50 amp electricity.  Temps are in upper 90's.

Today was a short driving day, stopping at Fort Stockton Texas.  West Texas all looks the same along I-10! The last 30 miles or so showed signs of active gas/oil drilling.

"World's largest roadrunner!"

We enjoyed the driving tour showcasing the remaining buildings of this old fort.  It was used in the mid 1880's during the "Indian Wars".

No other words needed!

We will be going to Bourne TX tomorrow for work to commence on the motor home Thursday morning.

9/19/16 (Monday) In My Head I am Singing "El Paso" (Mission RV Park, El Paso TX)

This morning after a stop at the neighboring RV wash we were on the road, going from Point A to Point B.

The RV wash was a local two-man company, but they did an excellent job for just $1 per foot for the motor home! Glen asked them to wash the roof and they did that also.  No reason for us to do that hot, hard job when someone else will do it--and make it look clean and shiny.

Point A on the journey was Willcox AZ, and Point B is El Paso TX.  We are at a park on the east/south side of town.  I can't help but think of Marty Robbins when El Paso is mentioned.  

It was interstate all day, straight through high plains, very few towns.  Thankfully I-10 is a good road to travel on.  

More miles on the interstate tomorrow.  Fort Stockton is half way to San Antonio.  The schedule for the work on the motorhome in Boerne (say "Bernie")has changed  from next Monday to this Thursday.  

9-18-16 Day Trip in Southern Arizona, Willcox AZ (Still at Magic Circle RV Park)

The RV park office told us about a hundred-mile round trip drive south of I-10 at Willcox AZ.  

This is Cochise and Geronimo, Apache Indian Chiefs, area.  One of the areas we toured is Fort Bowie National Historic Site.  

Geronimo was falsely accused of kidnapping a young child and attacking a wagon train.  Even though it was a false accusation he was attacked and chased.  This started a ten-year "war" between the Apaches and the "white man".  The Butterfield Stagecoach Company also started traveling through the area where the Apache tribe lived.  

We traveled a 7 mile gravel road that parallel the Butterfield Stage Coach route.  Faint wagon wheel tracks were visible.  

Century plant type cactus

I do not know what this cactus is; but it was all over the hills.

Below are pictures taken at the most unique landscape in the Chiricahua National Monument.  

Mexican Jay

The viewpoint had a breath-taking view.

Glen

The formations are surrounded by desert, foothills, cacti, yet is within the Chiricahua Mountains.  Don't forget this is the route for the stagecoaches and wagon trains going to the gold rush in California in the mid 1860-1880's.  

It was a scenic drive.  We were reminded of history (Apaches vs. encroaching white man)that we learned long ago.

Oh, one more thing.  Do you remember Rex Allen?  Willcox AZ has "Rex Allen Drive".  He left here to be in the movies.  I remember when he appeared at a local rodeo about an hour from our home (I was about 12).  Rex Allen, Jr. comes back to srve as Grand Marshall at the parade for Rex Allen Days.

9-17-16 Name that Tune! (Magic Circle RV Park, Willcox, Arizona)

(Blank Blank is falling down;
Falling Down, Falling Down.
(Blank Blank is falling down,
all around the city!

Here's a picture to help:

Did you figure it out?   It is "LONDON BRIDGE".  

We drove through Lake Havasu City, Arizona this morning.  There it was ---London Bridge.  Oh, yes, it was moved here from London when?  1967.

It was built in the 1830's in London and was over the River Thames.

Robert McCulloch who planned and started the city of Havasu City, bought the bridge, had it dismantled and reassembled in Havasu City.  We drove across it in the motorhome.   Lake Havasu is the body of water under it.

South Arizona is desert filled with cacti.

Barrel cactus in bloom

Saguaro

Sometimes the desert is flat; sometimes it has ridges.

We (actually Glen) drove about 420 miles today.  We are stopped in Willcox, Arixona, just off I10.  

We may do some exploring in the morning.  We are in Cochise and Gernamio country.  There is a national monument near here,  The lady in the park office said the scenery is exceptional.

September 16, 2016 49 years ago! (Desert View RV Resort, Needles, CA)

Forty-Nine Years Ago Today: it was drizzly.  The crepe paper streamers in the church basement stretched out of shape.

The Groom was late to church.  My aunt kept saying "he'll be here.  Don't worry.  He'll be here!"  I had no doubt he would be there. There was just one bathroom in his parents' house.  

About 3:30 p.m., 30 minutes late, there stood Glen at the end of the aisle, waiting for me!.  

We surely didn't know what 49 years of marriage meant, just that we both meant "forever!"  There's been highs and some lows, but it has been a wonderful journey with my best friend.  As Glen says: We have been happily married for 48 years, and 48 out of 49 is pretty good".  Of course he is referring to 1969 when he was in Vietnam.  

Happy Anniversary, Glen!

Today was a travel day, going from Visalia to Needles, CA, 355 miles.  We are just a few miles from Arizona.

We left the orchards, and vineyard area to drive through the Mojave Desert. It was 92 degrees when we arrived in Needles.

Here's a few pictures taken through the buggy windshield or reflected window.

Through the window shade was a big building with "Halos" on the side!

How about some almonds!

Leaving the flat desert for hilly desert.

The wind generators were everywhere.  There were three sizes of generators.

This section of desert was filled with these black stones.

Then a section of high desert,

Joshua trees:  in the yucca cacti family

Can reach 40' tall; only grown in parts of SE California, Nevada, and Arizona.  There is a national park just south  from here named for the Joshua Tree. 

Tomorrow will be another travel day with stops as needed.  

9-15-16 (Thur.) A Tree is A Tree is A Tree--unless it is a Sequoia

After finding the nearest Walmart and refilling prescriptions this morning we embarked on a day trip to Sequoia National Park.  

It was only a 50 minute drive to the nearest entrance from Visalia CA, but the next 17 miles to the nearest Giant Sequoia trees were very (emphasis on the very) curvy.  

One huge sequoia looks like another but it is difficult in refraining from taking pictures.  I promise I won't add all 36 photos to the blog.  I deleted 12-15 or so when organizing and labeling the pictures.

WELCOME

The old road went under this rock.

Glen with Moro Rock in the background.  A huge piece of granite!

A grove of Giant Sequoias; most are over 200' tall

You can see how wide the base of this tree is

Bark thickness can reach up to 33-36"

It's tall.

Glen is the tiny figure at the far end of the tree.

Gayla at the root end of the fallen Auto Tree.**read below

This is the "Buttress Tree"  See two pics below for description

"Buttress Tree" without the pick up

See two pictures above this.

Only 350-400 steps to climb to the top of this.  Not for Glen or Gayla!!

This is nearby Lake Waheah.  The normal water line is visible along the hills; visible evidence of the 5 year drought.

Facebook will have a couple more pictures on my account (or whatever you call it.)

9-14-16 All Along And Kings Canyon National Park, Visalia CA (Country Manor Mobile Home Community)

It happened.  Everyone left.  We are traveling with no companions.  

We drove south to Visalia to Country Manor Mobile Home Community that also welcomes RVs.  It is a lovely, quiet park with ample space.  

We even met the mayor of the park.  Loretta Livingston, age 83, greeted us even before we were settled on the site.  After sharing that Glen's grandfather's name was Livingston we learned that her husband's sister wrote a book "this" thick on the Livingston family.  Loretta was hungry for conversation and finally wished us a good trip, and be careful.

We drove the long  (emphasis on long) scenic route about two and half hours of curvy (big emphasis on curvy) road to Kings Canyon National Park.  

Let's discuss trees.  Sequoias and redwoods are not the same tree.  They grow in different environments.  Redwoods like the coolness and mistiness of the coastline.  Sequoias are in the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

We continue to be in the drought stricken area of  California.  The countryside surrounding the sequoias is not particularly appealing.  Many of the other trees are weakened by the drought and dying.  Pines are weakened by the drought and are unable resist a bark beetle infestation and are dying in large numbers.

Just a few more facts about the trees:
Giant Sequoia                                                 California Coast Redwood
   311' --------------   Height    --------------------   367.8'              
   3200   ---------  Age      ----------------------     2000 years
up to 2.7 million lbs  -----  Weight     ------------   1.6 million lbs
up to 31" thick    -----       Bark       --------       to 12" thick
to 40' diameter    -----        Bases        -----             22' diameter
shaped like a chicken's egg --  Cones     ----        Shaped like a large olive

That's your botany lesson for the day.

Here's some pictures of the Giant Sequoia.  Evidently the National Park Service likes to give them names.  They look alike, but differ in sizes.

The stump remnant of a sequoia cut in the late 1800's.

The General Grant tree is second or third largest tree in world ; has lived nearly twenty centuries; discovered in 1862; as tall as a 27 -story building

The top end of the Fallen Monarch; fell in early 1800's.  Two brothers lived in the fallen tree trunk for two years before building their cabin in the mid 1860's.  

Another tall view of the General Sherman

(L) Lightning Tree (R) Missouri Tree (no details given on why it is called "Missouri".

Cones are egg shaped and sized.  Seed inside cone is the size of an oat flake.

Glen at the root end of the "Fallen Monarch" see picture #3

Squint your eyes.  Glen is near our white pick up.  This group of sequoias is called "The Happy Family".

Glen is in the middle of the two center trees with his arms outstretched.  "The Happy Family" group of trees.

I am across the parking lot taking the picture.  You can see how tiny Glen is.  I still couldn't get the very tippy top of the trees in the pictures.

This area surrounding Visalia and Toulare County is the "nation's leading dairy producer and home to over 250 different crops.  Above are oranges.

Can you figure out what these are?

Here's the trees.

Here's the fruit!  It is an olive!

Is it haze? smoke? smog? the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Toward the coast/west: still hazy, smoky, smoggy.

It was a great afternoon.  We are blessed to be able to "see the USA"! Remember that commercial?