WE COULD SEE ALL THE WAY TO NEW MEXICO

(AGAIN,  I AM LATE GETTING TO THE COMPUTER SO THIS IS ACTUALLY TUESDAY’S BLOG DESPITE TO-DAY’S DATE)

 

OVERLOOKING THE TOWN OF BISBEE FAR BELOW

Our mission this sun filled morning had us heading for Sierra Vista to retrieve our Jeep.  But, one phone call to the Jeep dealer thwarted our plans.  Seems our flat tire was ruined and to get a matching tire they would have to send to Phoenix for it.  Estimated time of arrival for new tire….Wednesday:((  So that was it for our Coronado Peak and Ramsey Canyon plans today.

Quickly activated plan 2.  High atop the Mule mountains north of Bisbee there stands a cluster of communication towers that Kelly & I had driven up to last winter.  Spectacular views and we wanted Jean to see them.  A quick stop for gas in San Jose to fill up Jeanie and Ray’s truck and then back around through and past the Alpine look alike old mining town of Bisbee.

 

NERVOUSLY PERCHED AT THE CLIFF’S EDGE

Heading north on highway 80 we entered a quarter mile long lighted straight tunnel.  A half mile or so beyond that we we hooked a hairpin turn to the right on a climbing dirt road.  And, it was a ‘climbing’ dirt road alright with steep drop offs and great views.  Green Pinion Pines and Juniper along with Mesquite and a multitude of other trees and shrubs festooned the steep hillsides and rocky grades of the red soiled mountain setting.

WE ARE HEADED FOR THOSE COMMUNICATION TOWERS HIGH ATOP THE MOUNTAIN

  

Ever higher we climbed on the tight twisting road.  The girls were a little queasy with the sheer drop offs but the views were too beautiful to turn around.  Besides, we had been up here before and I remembered the road as being just fine…and it was.

 

Jean was totally awed by what she was seeing as we approached the top where Bisbee’s towers were located.  Last year we drove right up to the base of the towers but this year a chain between a couple of posts prevented us from doing that.  No problem, we were able to find a scenic viewpoint close by.

 

The view looking east down Tombstone Canyon towards Bisbee and beyond to the Sulphur Springs Valley with further distant mountain ranges as far as the eye could see was nothing short of awe inspiring.  We were probably seeing as far as southwestern New Mexico.

 

Jean is not fond of heights but we managed to coax her up to the edge of a steep rock cliff.  We easily could have joined hands and floated off that rock just like Wendy, John, and Michael did when Peter Pan led them out into the night through that bedroom window.  Hills of green trees lay before us with cars and trucks on highway 80 below looking like little toy tinker cars.  A clear blue sky blended seamlessly with hazy mountain tops as pinion pine shrubs grew out of the hardened granite rocks at our feet.  It will remain as a special moment for all of us.

   

We walked around the rocky surface a bit remarking how lucky we were to have such a fine day happening.  Warm sun, no wind and no time frame.  But, whatever goes up must come down and after a bit of exploring around we began wending our way back down the steep hilled mountainside.  First with the steep drop offs on my side, then their side, and then my side, and so it went until we reached the bottom and solid pavement again.  Say, was that a couple of big nervous sighs of relief I just heard:))

 

Back through the tunnel we went and turned off the highway at the north end of Tombstone Canyon which just happens to be the north end of Bisbee’s main street.  A slow leisurely winding drive right on down through the heart of Bisbee took us through some of the greatest architecture and bright colors the southwest has to offer.

  

 

MAIN STREET BISBEE 

A quick spin through the QUEEN MINE RV PARK.

 

Breezed past the big open Lavender Pit mine and around the corner to the BBC.  The BISBEE BREAKFAST CLUB is always one of our favorite spots.  Luckily not crowded and we were able to get a quiet table in the lower right section.  Salmon Chowder soup for Kelly and Jean.  Kelly also followed that with a big plate of Huevos Rancheros.  I played it safe and stuck with a ‘Bert Omelet’.  Yes Bert, not burnt.  Probably one of the best Omelets' I have ever had.  Came with hash browns and toast.

HEADING INTO THE BBC

 

CHATTING IT UP WITH THE WAITER 

From the BBC it was back to the Ranch for a relaxing afternoon.  Jeanie emailed to say the Ferrier was coming in the morning to do the Donkey’s hooves.  I helped with this 3 years ago one time.  Jean & I headed down to the corrals to round us up Poncho and Sarah who were far out in a distant field.  Donkeys, being the clever fellows they are, watched as I opened up a gate to the main corral.  They knew something was up and I could see them making fast tracks heading our way.

 

Quickly got some hay into a smaller corral for them and awaited their arrival.  Clip clop clip clop in they came for a big feed of hay as I quietly closed the corral gate behind them.  When the Ferrier arrives in the morning the Donkeys will be contentedly awaiting their soothing manicures.  Oh how I wish I was a Donkey sometimes.  Yes yes I know I have been called an Ass before but that is something different:))

 

Like myself, Aunt Jean loves the starry night sky so Kelly built a campfire after supper and we awaited the darkening skies.  Just before moonrise the night was dark enough for a host of twinkling stars in a cold night air.  Living in the bright lights city of Sarasota, Florida Jean rarely gets to see any stars at all.  It was a real treat for her tonight as we all huddled under our bundles of clothes against the cold desert air.

STARGAZERS

  

The night sky slowly brightened over the south end of the Swiss Helm mountains as a soft glow cast a subdued light on a thin cloud cover.  And then……..there it was.  A thin bright yellow orange slightly curved line at first.  A 99.9% full moon rising in all it’s terrestrial magnificence.  How great it was for us to be here with Aunt Jean on this special star filled night complete with a huge round cheese colored moon rising over the distant Swiss Helm mountains:))  We sure are going to miss her when she leaves in a couple days…:((

GROANER’S CORNER:(( It was Halloween and three vampires went into a saloon and bellied up to the bar. "
What will you have?" the bartender asked.
"I'll have a glass of blood," the first replied.
"I'll have a glass of blood, too, please," said the second.
"I'll have a glass of plasma," said the third.
"OK, let me get this straight," the bartender said. "That'll be two bloods and a blood light?"

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