Sierra Vista & Tombstone, AZ (2/17 & 18/ 2020)

Many readers seem to enjoy sunsets, so here are a few more photos from one of Sierra Vista's colorful sunsets.  I have to confess to not getting out often enough, so have missed some pretty spectacular sunsets.  I'll try to do better in the future.  These were taken at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, where the bells play just before Taps signals the end of the day.

The next day, I decided to visit the town of Tombstone, which is only about fifteen miles from Sierra Vista.  Some see Tombstone as the last Wild West town, some see it as an historic mining town, some call it a "ghost" town, while others consider it a tourist trap.  I thi nk it's a little of all those elements.

In 2003, I made my first visit to Tombstone and took in lots of the "attractions".  I've passed through the town several times since, but this was the first time I've stopped and looked around, but did not actually go into any of the shows, museums, shops, etc.

Tombstone was founded in 1879 by a prospector who struck silver.  Mines in the town are estimated to have produced $85 million in silver.  The town boomed and reached a population of 14,000.  Among its many buildings were 110 saloons, helping promote the town's reputation for wildness.  Everyone knows the story of how Wyatt Earp and brothers Virgil and Morgan, along with friend Doc Holiday, were in the famous "Gunfight At The OK Corral" in October, 1881.  (The gunfight was actually just down the street from the corral.)  Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and Frank McLaury were killed, while Ike Clanton got away.  Later, Virgil and Morgan Earp were ambushed, causing Wyatt to go on a vendetta that resulted in several deaths.

By 1886, mines were flooding and pumping equipment was lost in a fire, leading to the fall of the town.  However, it remained the County Seat of Cochise County until the 1920s, when Bisbee took on the role.  Today, tourism is the main source of revenue for the 1300 people who live here.  Many operate businesses or work for them, mostly wearing period costumes and catering to half-million tourists each year.

Current "Wyatt Earp"

 "Big Nosed Kate", a good "friend" of Doc Holiday, ran a saloon that is still in operation today.  Lines were out the door during my visit, although I had no problem getting in back in 2003.  The Bird Cage was a venue for miners and cowboys to enjoy a show, while "polite society" attended the opera house productions.

Several historic houses remain in town.  The Allen English home was built of adobe in 1882.  English was a lawyer getting rich on the many lawsuits that were always active, plus a prospector, gambler and hard drinker.  Other original homes now serve as B & Bs or VRBOs.

There are still plenty of saloons and restaurants in town, along with the courthouse that is now a museum.

Visitors can take a trolley tour of town or ride an authentic stage coach.

And there are still plenty of signs that reflect life in this wild town.

Sierra Vista, AZ (1/26/2020 through 2/9/2020)

Since arriving in Sierra Vista, most of my time has been spent looking for a house to buy.  Checking out some of the re-sales on the market, I realized it was extremely unlikely that I would find a place to satisfy my desires.  Once I established that new construction was for me, I began investigating various builders in town and sizing up the neighborhoods being developed.  Before long, I settled on a particular neighborhood and its developer.  As fate would have it, only one lot was still available in this rather large neighborhood and I expressed interest only minutes before a couple arrived and got in line behind me.  In the end, there were three potential buyers after me.

It took time selecting the floor plan and all the fixtures, options, materials and colors, but that was eventually done and a final price negotiated.  The expected completion date is around October, which means the construction will be nearly complete when I return from my Spring/Summer trip.  Here's the starting point, a small lot but large enough for me and the girls.

So now you know why I've been absent from the travelogue.  With most of my time committed to the search for a new home, there's been little time for anything else.  However, I do have a few things to share with you.  Having stayed near here the past two winters, I was impressed by the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and I've managed to get out for a few so far this year.  One evening I went to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery hoping for a good sunset.  It didn't pan out that night, but proved to be a good spot on another occasion.

There was also a decent sunrise I was able to capture.

On a Sunday afternoon, I took a drive into Carr Canyon, one of several in the Huachuca Mountains.  The road through this canyon goes all the way over the mountains to the far side.  A seasonal waterfall can also be seen from the road.  Unfortunately, the road is closed near the top in Winter, and the waterfall is dry this time of year.  I can see its potential if I'm ever here during the rainy season.

There hasn't even been a lot of time for birding, although I have had a few opportunities while driving around town.  Twice I've spotted red-tailed hawks, one perched on the roof of a house.

My campground has numerous trees, so smaller birds are attracted here.

House Finch

Song Sparrow

Cassin's Vireo

While exploring one of the neighborhoods in town, I was surprised to see colorful daisies blooming along a wall.  I would not have expected such plants here in the desert.

My builder has promised to email photos of my house while I'm traveling, so I'll be sure to share them so we can monitor progress.

Palomas, Mexico (1/22/2020)

Any rumors regarding my demise are somewhat premature.  After a nice visit with family and friends in Florida, I am now back in the saddle, as they say.  Driving across Interstate 10 in January is an iffy proposition to say the least.  Last time I did it, I was in snow for two days along with cold temps.  This time was much warmer, but heavy rain on and off affected my plans.  Rather than making the stops I had planned, I drove through the rain and didn't stay more than a night until I reached Deming, NM.  Even there, cloudy and rainy weather kept me inside until the third day.  Once the weather was decent, I drove to Palomas, Mexico, a border town some thirty miles away where many Americans go to shop, fill prescriptions and get dental work...all at lower cost than in the U.S.  I had no interest in any of those, just wanted to look around.

I've been to quite a few Mexican border towns but I have to say, Palomas is among the worst.  Dirty, littered, squalid, you name the adjective.  It is easy to see why any self-respecting Mexican would want to leave and come to America.  Even some who aren't so self-respecting.

Here are some of the businesses downtown.  I've tried to eliminate as much of the litter and neglect as possible, but not all can be hidden.  The Pink Store is where many Americans shop for a variety of goods made in Mexico.

Few hotels in town, here are two.

Two "convenience" stores seem to specialize in beer.  I've never tried Tecate, but am told it's pretty bad.  The advice I got was to drink it with lots of lime and shots of tequila.  Thanks anyway.

A plaza downtown honors Pancho Villa and his "invasion" of America in 1916.  Pancho and his merry men stormed across the Rio Grande and attacked the tiny village of Columbus, about four miles from the border.  Since Pancho was at the time engaged in overthrowing a Mexican presidente, I wonder why he felt this was a good thing to do.  He retreated into Mexico having done little damage.  General John J. Pershing, "Black Jack" to his admirers, went into Mexico and chased after Pancho for nine months.  Pershing was called to higher duty when the U.S. entered World War I.  It's interesting that Columbus has also recognized Pancho with a state park named in his honor.  Pancho and his "army" finally suffered some defeats and he retired.  In 1923, when he was thinking of entering politics, he was assassinated.

A pair of Indian women were at the plaza making and selling crafts.  They looked puzzled when I gave them a dollar each, but smiled when they saw the camera.

Residential areas start near downtown.  Some of the homes look quite nice, but have dirt and litter all around them.  All have wrought iron fences and many have bars on windows and doors.  I don't blame them.

The main streets are paved, sort of, but have lots of rough spots and mucho dirt.  Side streets are not even paved.

I saw only one church in town, probably enough since most people are Catholic.

There was a small baseball stadium with advertising on its walls, just like in America.  I could not see the field without getting out (no way, Jose), but I'm guessing there was no grass, and probably no clay.  Still, Mexico has sent a few players to the big leagues.

Leaving Mexico, I snapped a photo of the line waiting to re-enter the country.  As it shows, there were three lanes but only one open.

I am now in Sierra Vista, AZ and thinking about buying a home here.  If not, the motor home serves well enough for now.