Friday, November 19, 2010

A RETURN TO THE CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT

 

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STOPPED TO HAVE A WEE CHAT WITH A HORSE THIS MORNING

We had the Jeep wheels rolling by 8:30 this morning heading north up the Sulphur Springs Valley.  A couple quick stops for pictures, a chat with a horse alongside the road & we rolled into the Chiricahua National Monument at 9:40 a.m.  Made an important stop at the Visitor Center where Kelly, after 62 years, was finally able to purchase a lifetime free entry pass to all the National Parks in America.  It’s called an ‘America The Beautiful’ pass & has a bunch of other perks with it.  Kelly has dual citizenship, having been born in American at Rochester NY.

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LOOK FOR THE REPOSING PROFILE OF THE GREAT INDIAN CHIEF, COCHISE

This was our second trip to the CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT.  Our first time at the Monument was a couple years ago & it was a very cold windy day up in the mountains so we didn’t stray far from the car & didn’t do any trails.  But, we did visit the FARAWAY RANCH at that time & it was a worth while tour of an old Ranch homestead from yesteryear.  It is located in a Canyon within the Park.  Today we headed directly for the Echo Canyon Trail.  One of the most popular & scenic trails in the Park located at the 6,780 level it loops out 3.3 miles through some of the greatest rock formations I have ever seen.  It is truly one of those places where the phrase, ‘with each step a thousand photographs’ could have been coined.

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KELLY GETS HER ‘AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL’ PASS AT THE VISITOR’S CENTER

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Average time to do the trail is 2 hours but of course we ended up taking 4 hours to get around it.  Many stops for photos along the way with occasional rock scrambles alongside the main trail.   For me, it is day’s like this that make the RV lifestyle the greatness that it is.  I am not going to try & describe the beauty we saw today but over the next couple days I will post a few pictures of what we saw & I will also put together a Picasa Web Album in the next few days with all the photos from today’s hike.  I took 233 pictures today & on my first edit threw 103 of them in the trash bin.  The poorest lighting for photography is bright mid day sunshine & I was disappointed with the lighting in a lot of the photos.

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We did underestimate the length of the trail today.  After last weeks long drive from Ontario Canada our legs were no way in any kind of hiking condition & the last uphill grade really had us bearing down & concentrating on getting our aching limbs back to the parking lot & planting our buns firmly into the waiting comfortable Jeep seats.

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(click pics to enlarge)

We had planned on stopping in to see our friends Carol & Rosanne at the PAWS & HOOVES ranch near Sunizona but we were just too tired plus the fact we had taken a couple hours longer than planned.  We always worry about our doggy guys when we are away for any length of time.  Of course the guys were all fine when we got back to the rig & we were welcomed with the usual flurry of wagging tails.  I have a feeling Saturday is going to very relaxed day hanging out at the rig:))))))

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SHORT CHAT WITH A GROUP OF HIKERS WE MET ON THE TRAIL

More photos of today’s hike…tomorrow:))

GROANER’S CORNER:((   A Russian, an American, and a Blonde were talking one day.

The Russian said, "We were the first in space!"

The American said, "We were the first on the moon!"

The Blonde said, "So what? We're going to be the first on the sun!"

The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads.

"You can't land on the sun, you idiot! You'll burn up!" said the Russian.

To which the Blonde replied, "We're not stupid, you know. We're going at night!"

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Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...... AL.

12 comments:

  1. this is a must 'see' added to our list!..I see from the 'header' pic that Kelly managed to find a matching pair of shoes today!!..good job!!

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  2. You deserve a quiet relaxed day on Saturday. That first day out on a hike when you're not used to it needs some resting up for the next one.

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  3. Wonderful pictures of CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT. This is a park we have not been to yet. Now I have it down as a "must see". The trail looked great too. We are the same, often taking longer than others to hike because we like to stop and look at darn near everything. And when we take too long, we also worry about our doggie friends back in the motorhome.

    Also, congrats to Kelly for getting the "America the Beautiful" card. I have one (Access Pass) and I have to say it is one of the best things I carry in my wallet. You will potentially save a lot of money on nearly any federally run facility.

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  4. That looks like a place we need research!!! Fabulous pics!!! ..and...we need the pass too!

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  5. Kelly, there are some SMALL advantages to growing older, it was a great day when Michael got his national parks pass! Since you have dual citizenship does that mean you qualify for US social security??

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  6. We have not made it yet to that Park, but it just got put on my bucket list! Great Pictures Al.

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  7. This is one of our favorite spots in AZ. The pictures were a great way for us to enjoy the area again.

    Thanks

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  8. We'll be seeing more of Chiricahua, I'm sure, on our own, but it is wonderful following along on your hikes and seeing it through your eyes and your lens. We are looking forward to the next several days of pictures!

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  9. One of our favorite spots in the area... and another national monument that stays well hidden until you are right on top of it! I think we've done every hike in that park. "Wonderland of Rocks" is the perfect description.

    To all of you commenters who have said you will add it to your list of places to go - DO! You will be floored (assuming you can drive the road up to the top).

    We also love Cochise's Stronghold in the Dragoons, and Ft. Bowie... I think you have blogged about both of those before. Hiking the stronghold trail once a week would get you into GREAT shape, eh?

    Kelly, congrats on your new pass. That will save the Bayfield Bunch some money (sez a penny-pinching Yank).

    So much fun to have you blogging from Cochise County again. :)

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  10. There are indeed a few financial benefits in becoming a senior citizen! Congrats, Kelly, on your new All American pass!

    One of the best things about having the 'Bunch' back on the road in the southwest is seeing all the great and interesting photos of your hikes. Today's were really good!

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  11. Like your opening photo....Very good!! Welcome back to the cactis country.....I read you Blog most all the time, but I'm not a good typer, so I pass on the comments a lot,,,sorry.....
    By Dec 1ST we'll be in AZ..Thank God!!!

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  12. Beautiful pictures!!! I loved it there and these pictures makes me want to go back.

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