Tucson AZ – Part Two

On May 4, 2017April 30, 2017 By LToddIn Arizona, Photography, RV Travel, States, Travel2 Comments

After our trip to the Titan Missile Museum, we stopped at Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. Architect Ignacio Gaona designed the mission under the direction of Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain. Franciscans continue to run the church to serve the O’odham native community, whose ancestors built the mission between 1783 and 1797.

We joined a tour group in progress when we arrived at the courtyard outside the doors. The docent pointed out specific art pieces and explained their symbolism, but I had trouble hearing at the back of the crowd, so I stuck with taking pictures. I could have stood there for hours finding all the little details in my camera’s viewfinder.

Balcony over the front doors. Note the shell over the window, a symbol of baptism, pilgrimage, St. James the Apostle, St. Augustine, and the Blessed Mary.

Walk through the carved mesquite doors and enter a church rich with bright colors, paintings, carvings, frescoes, and statues.

From Ceiling to the Floor, Art is All Around.

One of the Numerous Angels in the Church.

I like the way this resembles fabric and trim to give the appearance of a valance or drape.

The depiction of the Last Supper. Note the dark figure at the edge of the drape on the right side of the painting.

Prayer Candles are Purchased at the Gift Shop

Red, Orange, Blue, Green, and Shades of Brown.

The Docent Said the Dots Are Thumbprints

Back outside are different views of the exterior, bell tower, hill, and plaza.

We’ll have to visit San Xavier again some day to enjoy more of the art and symbolism, meet the local vendors, browse their wares, and grab a bite to eat.

We thought we had allotted enough time to see everything on our list, but we needed at least a couple more days. Fortunately, Rincon Country East accommodated our request for two more nights.

Off we drove to Biosphere 2, the research facility owned by University of Arizona (UA) since July 2011. UA scientists conduct several large-scale projects at the facility originally built to “research and develop self-sustaining space-colonization technology.” One such project is the Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO), a large-scale laboratory used to explore how the evolution of physical and biological processes of the landscape affects “water, carbon, and energy cycling within the landscape, and between the landscape and the atmosphere.” In other words, research on global warming.

The visitor center alone has plenty to keep a person busy for up to an hour, including a film presentation, exhibits, and multimedia displays. A bookstore and café are also on site. The best part is taking the under-the-glass tour. Led by a docent, the one hour and the 15-minute tour includes the tropical rainforest, desert, and ocean environments; the LEO; as well as the basement “technosphere” and the “amazing lungs.” The tour also includes the scientist’s living quarters, or human habitat.

Tropical Rainforest Environment

Aquaponics project explores how fish, bacteria, and recirculating water is used to grow plants at a faster rate using less water. It looks like something we could have in our backyards.

Desert Environment

Basement technology

The Basement Includes Pipes and Equipment of All Sort that Serve as the Organs and Circulating System of Biosphere 2.

The Amazing Lungs. There are two on site, this one is included in the tour. Air expanded as the heat of the day rose causing the lung to rise. At night, the air contracted which lowered the roof—made of galvanized rubber—to the floor on its metal legs. Although the Biosphere is no longer self-contained, fans are used to simulate the expansion and contraction.

The LEO Project is enclosed within the three arched glass buildings. Each section contains a bed 30 meters long and 11 meters wide at a 10-degree slope. The beds are filled with 1 meter, or 500 metric tons, of basalt rock. Approximately 1800 sensors and sampling devices are installed to collect data which the scientists analyze.

Exterior Glass Enclosure of the LEO Project. The Domed Shaped Building to the Left is One of the Lungs.

It’s Difficult to See From This Angle, but the Dark Area Above the Green Frame is the bed of basalt rock.

Human Habitat

For our last day in Tucson, we packed a lunch, and headed to Tucson Mountain County Park and found a great place to have a picnic in the Ironwood Picnic area. After a quiet meal among the mesquite, palo verde, and teddy bear cholla we drove to Old Tucson Studios. Expecting a cheesy sort of place that would extract money from our pockets, we were surprised to find the old movie and television sets realistic and the entertainment professional and amusing.

The music, singing, and clapping attracted us toward the Grand Palace Saloon. Jon was glad we were standing at the back of the bar when the dancers came out and selected men to come up on stage, dressed in can-can outfits, of course. Don’t look too long at the out of focus print, you’ll get dizzy.

We wandered over to the Mission next and laughed at the actors who insulted the audience members as they walked into the arena and took their seats. Then we enjoyed a slapstick routine involving a gun fight, explosions, and falls from high places.

Next, we strolled through the town to see the sets where filming of over 400 movies and television productions took place since the Audie Murphy days.

We felt we got our money’s worth at $18.95 a head. We took Gates Pass Road back to town and stopped at the overlook. As I stood on the hill the Tucson Valley and Rincon Mountains came into view through the V of the rock formations. It was then that I realized why I felt at home in Tucson. It’s the mountains.

Gates Pass Overlook. Through the V on the Left is Tucson Valley and the Rincon Mountains in the Distance.

The San Bernardino Mountains towered over the valley where Jon and I grew up, and hills surround the valley where we live now. There’s something comforting about hills and mountains standing tall and strong ready to protect the inhabitants that live in the shadows.

Next stop, Casa Grande.

Safe Travels.

Tucson AZ – Part I

On April 27, 2017April 30, 2017 By LToddIn Arizona, Photography, RV Travel, States, TravelLeave a comment

Continuing westward, we selected Tucson AZ for one of our longer stays to allow time for truck maintenance. We settled in at Rincon Country East RV Park on February 22, 2017. Rincon East was the sixth park we called before procuring a reservation. Although many of the parks advertise numerous sites, park models or long-term visitors fill the majority of the spots leaving only a small percentage available for travelers. Rincon East has 460 sites but only 55 available for short-term stays. We learned later that our trouble getting reservations was also complicated by Rodeo week. Rodeo week is such a big deal that the schools are closed Thursday and Friday to allow the students to participate in the non-motorized parade and other rodeo-related activities.

There is so much to see in and around Tucson we had trouble deciding where to go and what to see. We chose Saguaro National Park East, or Rincon Mountain District, to explore first since it was close to our home base. This old guy looks like he has had a long hard life.

On March 1, 1933, President Hoover established Saguaro National Monument, but congress did not designate the property as a national park until 1994. During the sixty years as a monument the cactus dwindled in numbers due to poachers who stole the stately giants, cattle that trampled the young saguaros, and unusual freezing temperatures caused the plants to die. In the meantime, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive, a visitor center opened in 1950, and scientific research of the saguaro life cycle began.

The 8-mile paved Loop Drive leads visitors to several trailheads, scenic vistas, pullouts, and picnic areas. At the pullouts, kiosks provide information about the park, the cactus, and the non-human creatures that live or visit each year. One sign said Tucson was known as the lightning capital of the world. A quick fact check revealed that Texas took the prize for the number of flashes (2.8 million) during 2014 and Florida ranked number one for the average number of flashes per square mile (21.0) from 2005 through 2014 according to Vaisala Inc. on the NOAA.Gov website. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum attributes Tucson’s unique combination of elevation and dry atmosphere as the reason lightning in Tucson is more visible. To experience Tucson’s lightning requires a visit during monsoon season between July and September.

Rooftops sparsely placed among the saguaros, Palo Verde, and mesquite, are barely visible looking west from Loop Drive.

The saguaros are returning, protected by mesquite and Palo Verde nurse trees. Consider that the saguaros do not generate arms until they are 95 – 100 years old.

A Family of Saguaros Nursed by Mesquite and Palo Verde Trees

Other sightings along the loop drive.

Phainopepla Sitting in A Tree. How Nice of Him to Pose for Me.

We headed downtown one afternoon to tour the Tucson Museum of Art and J. Knox Corbett House. Unfortunately, the museum closed early for an event so we only had about ten minutes to walk through the Corbett house, so no time to take photos or enjoy the art in the museum.

Historic Neoclassic/Classical Revival Architecture

Old Town Artisans, housed on the site of El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, a fort built by the Spanish in 1775, was only a few blocks from the museum. There we wandered through the galleries and shops gawking at the unique gifts, jewelry, paintings, pottery, and other items for sale.

We had received a recommendation to try El Charro for a meal. Four o’clock was a little early to eat dinner, but when the hostess said, “Now would be a good time to grab a seat,” we heeded her advice. Good thing we did. By the time we finished our meal, diners stood outside wrapped in their jackets waiting for a table. We both enjoyed the salmon taquitos with guacamole and the chicken mole enchiladas were some of the best I had ever eaten.

The Titan Missile Museum was next on our list. As a kid growing up in the 1960s, I crouched under my desk at school along with my classmates just as the teacher instructed us. At the time, I thought the exercise would keep me safe. Little did I know we all would have been burnt to a crisp had there really been a nuclear war. The song, “Russians” by Sting gave me hope that the Russians would not engage their nuclear weapons because they really did love their children.

The museum includes historical photos and tells the story of the 54 Titan II missile complexes across the United States, each operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The missiles could deliver a nine megaton thermonuclear warhead to its target more than 6300 miles away in less than thirty minutes. The one-hour guided tour includes the underground missile complex, the launch control center, and the missile silo. I’m so glad the little girl hiding under the desk never had to endure the tragedies of a nuclear war and pray no one will ever experience the destructive power of these types of missiles.

Fencing and Gate for Titan Missile Complex

The Elevator to the Underground Facility is on the Left. The Stair Hatch is on the Right.

Looking Up through Stairs That Lead Underground

**Giant Shock Absorber for Underground Facility**

Listening Devices for Alerting Launch Control of Intruders

Liquid Fuel Tank Used Prior to Solid Rocket Fuel

Next up is Tucson Part Two, which will include Biosphere 2, Mission San Xavier del Bac and Old Tucson Studio.

Safe Travels.

Fort Stockton TX and Deming NM

On April 20, 2017April 30, 2017 By LToddIn New Mexico, Photography, RV Travel, States, Texas, Travel2 Comments

Rocking, rolling, and bouncing in the truck while pulling a trailer along freeways, highways, bi-ways, and farm to market roads for 3,000+ miles takes a toll on the equipment. On Monday, February 20, rain pelted the truck and trailer a few miles outside of Fredericksburg, and then the trailer’s running lights failed to glow under cloudy skies. Great, something to fix.

On our way, we made reservations rather than end up driving around after sundown looking for a place to stay. Four rigs pulled into the entrance of Fort Stockton RV Park ahead of us, and we figured we were in for a long wait. Good thing we had called ahead because a man in a golf cart pulled us out of line, showed us to our spot, and said to check-in later when the office was not so busy.

The rain decreased to sprinkles allowing us to set up without getting too wet. We arrived with plenty of time before dinner, so I checked out the laundry room. A sour mildew odor smacked me in the face as soon as I opened the door. I didn’t bother to enter, just shut the door and walked away. Not doing my laundry in there.

We drove into town for a good dinner at Alfredo’s Mexican Restaurant, stopped at AutoZone to pick up a replacement fuse for the running lights, and with a little daylight left before sunset, we checked out Historic Fort Stockton, which had already closed for the day.

The complex includes original and reconstructed buildings that depict officer and enlisted men’s living quarters, guardhouse, kitchen, and parade grounds. Established as Camp Stockton in 1858, then abandoned in 1861 during the civil war, Colonel Edward Hatch, Commander of the 9th Cavalry, reestablished the fort in 1867 with buildings completed in 1868.

Living History Day is held the third weekend in October at the Fort where life in the 1800s at Fort Stockton is reenacted with cannon drills, Native Americans and teepees, Texas Camel Corps, baseball, and a chuck wagon.

Maybe it was the gloomy weather or the temporary women’s restroom, but most likely it was the stinky laundry room. In any case, one night in Fort Stockton was enough for us. The one welcome surprise was the onsite café that served up a reasonably priced and delicious breakfast. It’s always nice to start a day of driving with a hearty meal of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and a cup or two of hot coffee. The bonus of not having to cook it or clean up the mess afterward was a treat.

A couple we met a few weeks back recommended the Little Vineyard RV Park in Deming NM. Since we missed seeing the Enchanted Rock when in Fredericksburg, I thought the City of Rocks State Park might make up for my disappointment. On to Deming.

We arrived at Little Vineyard with plenty of time to throw in a couple loads of wash. When I walked into the laundry room, I was pleased to see a woman cleaning the washers and sweeping the floor. No stinky smells here, only the freshness of cleaning products wafted in the air.

We’re not sure how Little Vineyard got its name because there was no sign of grape vines near the place. There are two wineries in or near town though, Luna Rosa Winery and St. Clair Winery. Unfortunately, we had no time to visit and partake in a tasting.

I already had seen a doctor after the little dog bit me in San Antonio. Now I needed a dentist. A portion of a filling fell out of a molar while eating risotto for dinner and more came out after breakfast. I didn’t really want to have an unknown dentist jam his fingers and tools in my mouth, but I was more afraid of my tooth breaking. Fortunately, Dr. Trevor Williams of Deming Dental Services fit me in at 2:00 pm to confirm my suspicion, and again at 4:00 pm to do the repair. Darn, no City of Rocks for me.

In between my dentist appointments, we managed to visit the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, housed in the old National Guard Armory, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State Historic Site. For a city with a population 14,000 to 15,000 and a county population of only 25,000, volunteers have managed to curate an impressive array of historical artifacts for their museum over the past forty years.

Deming Luna Membres Museum Housed in the Old Deming Armory Building

Farm and military equipment are displayed outside the museum, as well as a memorial to the men who served in the 200th/515th Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft Regiments during World War II in the Philippines. The monument lists every New Mexico soldier who was a prisoner of war during the Bataan Death March. Of the 1,900 that went to the Philippines, only 900 returned home.

M42 40 mm Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Duster

Inside, rooms and display cases group the artifacts into themes or categories. These include a doll room; military room; art gallery; transportation annex; collections of nutcrackers, bells, and beer steins; Native American crafts; a Mimbres Indians pottery room; and more. The main street display was my favorite because it was like walking downtown and passing stores or service establishments. Such businesses included a barber and beauty shop; grocery, hardware and clothing stores; a café; and a funeral parlor. After seeing the implements of torture in the mocked up dental office, I was glad dental technology had improved considerably during the past century or so.

The old jail caught my eye. It was in use at the Luna County jailhouse from 1918 to 1975.

The Diamond A chuck wagon, built in Deming around 1900, had its own fenced-off section.

I also liked looking at all the old transportation vehicles.

Old Cars and Trucks Displayed in Transportation Hall

The replica of the silver spike used to join the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad was used during the March 7, 1981, Deming centennial celebration. Founded in 1881 by railroad employees, Deming received its name from Charles Crocker, President of Southern Pacific. Crocker’s wife’s maiden name was Deming.

The Harvey House, designed in the architectural style of Midwestern towns rather than Indian or Mexican styles, operated from the 1880s to 1930s.

We made the Luna County Courthouse our final stop for the day. Constructed in the architectural style of the Midwest, it is located 10 blocks south of the downtown business district. Originally built in 1910 and 1911, an extension was added in 1963, and major renovations occurred in 2007.

That’s it for Fort Stockton and Deming, except someday I’ll return to see the City of Rocks. Next stop Tucson AZ.

Safe Travels

Fredericksburg TX

On April 13, 2017April 30, 2017 By LToddIn Photography, RV Travel, States, Texas, Travel7 Comments

Sunny and warm weather, with only a hint of a breeze, welcomed us to Quiet Creek RV in Fredericksburg on February 16, 2017. National Museum of the Pacific War, here we come.

The museum, composed of 55,000 square feet with 33,000 square foot occupied by the George H. W. Bush Gallery, chronicles the Pacific War from the “seeds of conflict to the signing of the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.” Artifacts include one of the five Japanese midget subs used at Pearl Harbor, a B-25 bomber, Japanese Float Plane, Admiral’s Barge, and Atomic bomb casing. The sub display transported us to Pearl Harbor. As old war footage flashed on a wall, the darkness, sirens, and a streak of light across the floor simulating a torpedo made it all come alive.

The Smithsonian-like museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in each battle fought during the war with detailed descriptions of the ships involved, and personal stories of both men and women of various nationalities.

Displays in the Museum Explain the Ships and Battles

Outside, the conning tower of the USS Pintado submarine nestles within the landscape giving the impression of a submarine navigating the ocean waves. Other artifacts include a torpedo tube and anti-aircraft guns.

Wall plaques and bricks memorialize those who fought during the war in the Veterans’ Walk of Honor and Memorial Wall next to the building.

Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier Screw in the Veteran’s Walk of Honor and Memorial Wall

The Japanese Garden of Peace—gifted to the museum by the Japanese government in May 1976 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the founding of Fredericksburg—provides a tranquil respite to shake off any emotions that may overcome visitors to the museum, the Walk of Honor, and Memorial Wall.

Visitors follow Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s life and career at the Admiral Nimitz Museum, housed in the Nimitz Hotel, established in 1860 by his great-grandfather, and later owned by his grandfather. The San Francisco Bay Area also honored Admiral Nimitz by naming Interstate 880 after the man who retired there and lived on Yerba Buena Island. I have to say, that the museum is a far better tribute to the man.

Within in walking distance, re-enactments, also known as living history exhibits, are staged throughout the year at The Pacific Combat Zone, a re-creation of a Pacific island battlefield. We watched behind a fence for a few minutes as reenactors trained for their upcoming presentation for spectators who watch from the safety of the stands under the curved metal roof.

So why is the Pacific War Museum located in Fredericksburg? Local residents established the Admiral Nimitz Foundation to honor Fredericksburg’s native son, commander-in-chief of Allied Forces in the Pacific Ocean area. When approached, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz insisted that the organization honor all the men and women who served, not just him. The foundation heeded his request and developed an excellent museum and research center to honor all those affected by the war.

It is a good thing that tickets provide admission for two days because there is so much to see. One day is not enough to soak up all the history at the museum.

Saturday, our last full day, seemed like a good time to enjoy nature and a hike at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. We got up early, packed a lunch, and set out intent on beating the rush and snag a parking spot. The warning light near town flashed that the park had already closed. Oh, well, maybe we’ll get lucky. As we approached the entrance to the park, several cars waited to enter on the opposite side of the road. Maybe the line isn’t too long. We drove on passing cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks for a quarter mile, half a mile, a mile, on and on for at least two miles or more. Vehicles crowded close to the shoulder to avoid blocking the road when they could, and others crossed the double yellow line and headed toward us in our lane when the road narrowed. We made a U-turn and headed back to town, settling on a little urban hiking instead. We’ll schedule our visit to Enchanted Rock during a weekday if we travel through here again. I managed to capture this photo as we drove by.

We would have rather eaten our lunch at the Enchanted Rock, but a shaded picnic table at the visitors’ center turned out to be a great place to people watch as they jockeyed for parking spots. At the visitors’ center, we watched a movie about the history of Fredericksburg. Then we walked up and down the historic district of W. Main Street, stopped in at The Christmas Store to buy an ornament to remember our trip, and toured the Pioneer Museum.