INSTALLED OUR CRADLEPOINT ROUTER TODAY:))

KELLY SETS UP THE CRADLEPOINT ROUTER…..YAAAAAAY KELLY:))

We slipped over to Jeannie & Ray’s place at the ranch this afternoon to pick up our Cradle Point Router which was delivered Friday by UPS.  When we ordered it from the 3G store in Chicago we didn’t know if UPS would come out on the bumpity roads so had it shipped to the ranch.  Silly us!!  This is the wild & wooly west of course & UPS would have brought it in by stagecoach if they had to.

ALL FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE FROM OUR ECHO CANYON HIKE FRIDAY

  

ALONG THE ECHO CANYON TRAIL

From the time Kelly pulled router out of the box to the time we had both computers successfully on line spanned a short period of 20 minutes.  We could not believe how simple it was to hook up & that it actually worked right off the bat without a lot of cussin & swearin!!  There was a time when I would have hooked it all up myself but with my dwindling patience with techno things I just let Kelly do the set-up.   I’m sure that is probably why there were C & S problems:))  So, long story short…..the in-house internet connection wars are over.  I’m hoping my knees will begin to heal now because I had to spend a lot of time on them begging for computer time this past couple weeks!!  We also brought back a load of firewood & Ed’s book from the ranch as well. 

THE SMALL PUDDLE OF RIVER WATER ON THE LEFT INDICATES WE HAVE REACHED THE CANYON’S BOTTOM

Had an interesting email Friday from a couple I remember reading a bit about last summer on Ara’s, OASIS OF MY SOUL blog.  This is the couple who have been traveling with a wagon, four horses & two chickens.  Their blogsite is,  RON DAKOTAH...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.  I’m sure we RV’ers sometimes take for granted our somewhat cushy lifestyles.  Some of us still have the security of sticks & bricks living for half the year but not so for the ‘On The Road’ folks.  Security is not an operative word for them as they desperately search for a place to put down some roots for awhile.  I suggest you all take some time to read their interesting story.  They are presently in the Las Cruces area slowly making their way west to Arizona. 

Note to Emjay…I remember hearing about the book, ‘A Cowman’s Wife’ last year but had forgot about it.  Hadn’t realized some of the story involved the ranch house at Camp Rucker.  Am now wondering if it is the very same abandoned ranch house that we walked through & photographed when we found Camp Rucker a couple years ago.  We will definitely find that book now & thanks so much for the reminder.  To read the blog about our day there click, CAMP/FORT RUCKER & for photos in & around the abandoned ranch house click, RUCKER RANCH HOUSE.

Since we repositioned the rig I am now able to sit in my chair, computer on lap, camera at hand & look to my left  watching the sunrise over the Swisshelm Mountains.   Pretty darn nice way to start the day I’d say & thanks for the correct name configuration of Swisshelm, Ed)

  

Looks like our warm 70F days are slowly coming to an end as a cool front approaches dropping day time highs into the high 50’s next week.   That means night time temps of freezing & below.  We love ya Arizona but could you please keep that  thermostat turned up a bit while we’re here:))

As predicted, after yesterday’s tiring hike, we had kind of a lazy day.  I should mention that the Echo Canyon hike trail is a well worn & easily navigable trail.  Some grades, loose rocks sections, step overs & some stone hewn stairs.  Not wheel chair accessible but fine for all ages.  The Ranger Station even has a shuttle every morning at 8:30 that will drive folks up the Park’s highest point & drop them off.  People can then follow the trails downhill all the way back to the Ranger Station about 4.5 miles below through some of the greatest rock formations you will ever see.   The trail also wanders along beautiful forest paths as hikers descend into the lower canyons.  If you have a readily handy imagination you will see countless faces & animals etched into the very rocks themselves. 

This area is steeped in Indian history, folklore, myth, mystery & legend.  Many ancient chiseled rock faces watch out for you as you make your way along the well worn Chiricahua trails.  Cochise & his Apache braves hunted these Canyons & aptly named this area, ‘land of standing rocks.  If you come to the Chiricahua National Monument you will soon see why the Indians gave this area that name.  All roads leading to the Monument & within the Park itself are paved.  There is a small RV Park as well but maybe check that out on the Park’s website.  I think there is a 29’ limit.

LEFT PHOTO…NOTICE LARGE RABBIT WITH BROWN EARS CENTER LOOKING LEFT, GOLD HEADED DUCK IN RIGHT FOREGROUND LOOKING LEFT & A PUPPY DOG BEHIND RABBIT LOOKING RIGHT

 

KELLY SAW A PUFFER FISH GOING RIGHT & I SAW A TURTLE GOING LEFT

FACES ARE EVERYWHERE

And, like I mentioned yesterday, be sure to wander into the Faraway Ranch within the Park’s borders near the entrance.  And no, this is not a tourist trap!!   Original barns & real horses.   Volunteers will give you a guided tour of the ranch house, the history & the way it all used to be….oh so many years ago. (third & final Echo Canyon Trail photos will be in Sunday’s blog)

GROANER’S CORNER   An optimist is someone who goes after Moby Dick in a rowboat and takes the tartar sauce with him.

 

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