Been a year

Benson,  AZ

It was one year ago today that we left of NJ for our fulltime travel life.   I can't say we started then as fulltime RVer's as we had lived in the rig one year while still working.    When we left NJ there was almost a foot of snow on the ground.   Days later they got 3 feet and a few days after that, 2 more.   This year they are getting pounded again.    

Yesterday it was chilly and windy.  We decided to just ride around the area.  I am glad we did as in the morning my ankle felt almost fine, but by the afternoon there was a lot of swelling.

Our first destination was about 14 miles east of here to get a closer look at Texas Canyon.   Why it's called Texas we don't know!

This is an unexpected area of large rock formations.    I10 takes you right through the midst of it.   It got me thinking about our Grandson Justin.  He emailed me last week saying he was jealous because he has read about the various rock formations in this area and would love to see it and also the bright stars in night.   We hope someday he will get this opportunity.

We then drove through the Dragoon Mountains through Willcox and then to the town of Pearce.  A sign indicated that gold was found there many years ago and the population of the town was over 1,500.  Current population - 15.     This mountain contained gold, you can see concrete ledges built into the side of it.

There must have been some criminal activity back then as these look like jails.  There is no sign indicating this is what they were.  We are just assuming.

After going through Pearce, we found a dirt road going higher into the mountains.    We passed by what appears to be a ghost town.  According to some literature I have, it might be the town of Russellville.  This is some of what is left.

When we got down from the mountains it was after 1 and we were hungry.   Where to find food!  We were out in the desert in the middle of nowhere.    But, there it was - at the intersection of 181 and 191 - a little restaurant only open for breakfast and lunch.   We got there at 1:20.   It was really quite good and the place was so cute.  Wish I took a picture.

Soon after leaving the restaurant, we drove through a check point.

Then we could see the wind whipping up as the sky darkened up ahead.  According to our GPS, Lucy, we were 49 miles from "home"

The rains came for about 5 minutes and then the darkness lifted.   When we got back to the park, we could see it had rained heavier there.  Our lawn chairs were holding a puddle of water in the seats, there were puddles every where.    About 45 minutes later the winds started again and then another downpour that lasted about 5 minutes.

One other thing - Leonard called the RV dealer about the steps.  They are sending ANOTHER set.   We now know for sure why they are being agreeable.   When we picked up our mail, there was the copy of the letter Good Sam sent to them!  Whatever it takes.