ARIZONZ'S WILD WEST…WICKENBURG

Thursday, April 12 – We drove into Wickenburg, AZ, today with Duane & Louise.

We planned on a rendezvous with friends, Sheryl & Jeff, but their motorcycle spent an extra day in the shop, and they were unable to meet up with the gang.

What a delightful surprise downtown Wickenburg turned-out to be. With numerous restaurants, saloons, and a large assortment of quaint little shops, there's something for everybody.

One finds an assortment of streetscape bronze sculptures scattered along the sidewalks including roadrunners, gila monsters (lizards), Tarantulas (spiders), and diamond back rattle snakes. When seen out of the corner of your eye and if they catch you by surprise, some even startle you!

"Louise, look out…that is a tarantula!"

What was she thinking?

There are about a half dozen full-size bronze sculptures of various cowboys, period business women, travelers, and even a drunk old fellow chained to the “jail tree” scattered about that tell you the story of Wickenburg's past (you push a button on a near by wall to get the recording).

Vaquero….Hispanic cowboy tells the story of how Wickenburg got started.

This talking miner explains the importance of early mining in the area

Miner Leading Donkey

Another one of the talking statues is the Felon and Jail Tree. The Jail Tree is a 200 year-old mesquite tree that once served as the town jail. From 1863-1890, outlaws were chained to this tree.

Felon and Jail Tree

If Marsha lived back in the 1800's, she said she would have been a dance hall girl. She just loves to dance…not sure she understands what was expected from a dance girl.

Cowboy and Dance Hall Girl.

Inside the saloon.

They had signs up in the bar that were so funny, but this was Marsha's favorite by far.

Not as big a town as the more famous Prescott, but in many ways we enjoyed this “cowboy” town more. It just feels homey. According to Duane, the bars and saloons fill up on most weekends. Nice places to get together with friends and have a few “cold ones.”

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is on the square. In front of the museum is the famous Thanks for the Rain statute.

After returning to the campground, we took a walk down toward the desert entrance at the rear of the park. We took the opportunity to stop at Pat & Mike McFall's home to say hello. We've been following Mike's blog, Mike and Pat's Travels, for several years and wanted to meet them and see the kitty, Megabyte.

What a beautiful place they have here in North Ranch. They've been reporting there remodeling, decorating, and landscaping in there blog, and they sure have a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the winter here in the desert. They also have a place in Custer, SD, (near Mount Rushmore) where they will be heading in another couple weeks.

They have a beautiful rock garden out front. These flowers looked fake.

Megabyte, their “angel kitty” was enjoying relaxing on Pat & Mike's bed when we arrived. She came out on the porch to check us out. We must of past inspection, she permitted us to give her a few pats on the back of the head!

What a wonderful, warm couple. We were sorry that we were leaving on Friday, or we would have enjoyed talking with them much longer.

Well, that concludes our days in Arizona, It's off to Boulder City, NV, tomorrow. We'll be staying at the Elks lodge for a while to see the sights in that area.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

QUIET BEAUTY….THE DESERT

Wednesday, April 11 – We took a hike out in the desert this morning, wondering around for a couple hours. This is BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) and dry camping (free) for up to 14-days is permitted here. Paul follows several blogs of people that have camped out here. The road are very rough and one would have to be careful driving into this area. I sure couldn't get our diesel pusher in here!

There are tons of trails through the desert in back of North Ranch.

View of the WEAVER Mountains.

This is actually called the "Lone Saguaro." It is the only one in this area of the desert.

Didn't see much wildlife, just enjoyed a leisurely walk among the scrub brush.

This is also cattle grazing country. You come across many head of cattle and an abundance of “cow patties.” Better be careful where you're stepping.

Paul rides his bike out here each morning and really enjoys riding on these trails. It's a little more challenging than riding of normal bike paths or on the street, especially when crossing sandy washes or traveling through areas that 4-wheelers have dug up.

It's surprising when you come around an area of scrub brush and into a herd of grazing cattle. Don't know who's more surprised, Paul or the cattle!

The desert in this area isn't all scrub brush, there are some beautiful flowering vegetation.

All alone in this great big world.

We thought we would frame the WEAVER Mts. with a WEAVER on each side.

Marsha presented Louise with a basket. This is the first basket Marsha made with the tiles she had painted in Mexico. Louise was so surprised and so thankful.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

ONCE THE CAPITAL OF THE ARIZONA TERRITORY

Tuesday, April 11 – We took a ride with Duane & Louise up to Prescott, AZ,  this morning.

Prescott is up and over the Weaver Mountains and into the Granite Mountains at 5347 feet. It has a very, interesting historical background based mainly on the mining industry – especially gold! It was once the territorial capital of Arizona.

Today it is a prosperous city of over 30,000 and relies heavily on tourism. Whiskey Row is the main tourist street. Located around the Court House, which is under renovation, Whiskey Row, in its heyday, was lined with saloons that welcomed many well-known cowboys and outlaws on a regular basis.

Courthouse.

Now here is something we haven't seen in at least two years. We almost forgot what they look like.

In 1900, the entire block – along with three-quarters of the town – was destroyed by fire. But within days, new structures were being built. Many of these buildings are still standing are are ideal places for unique shopping, dining and plenty of entertainment.

Whiskey Row.

We stopped at The Palace for lunch. Opened in 1868, the Palace was a fancy “watering-hole” and is still the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and one of the most well-known and historic restaurant and saloons in the United States. In the 1870's, Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holiday were patrons of The Palace.

Louise, Duane, Marsha and Paul.

After a leisure walk around downtown and a stroll through several of the shops, we jumped back in the car to enjoy the scenery on the ride back down the mountain.

Just a gorgeous drive.

Yes, that is snow in them there mountains.

It was a beautiful ride and a fun day with friends.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!