Heading Further East

After five nights at Quail Ridge we pulled out Thursday morning and continued our trek East. After two travel days we are presently, Friday (March 1, 2024), parked at the Walmart in Ft. Stockton, TX.  Thursday night we spent the night at the Las Cruces, NM Overlook Rest Area, or what we like to call it the Roadrunner Rest Area.

Looking out out door towards Las Cruces

Our last two days at Quail Ridge RV in Huachuca City, AZ

Tuesday, February 27. 2024

We had a surprise today when Kim and Ken, Journey with Ken and Kim, showed up for one night at Quail Ridge. Why is there story to tell but we did get in a last short visit for this winter and that was a great surprise for us. A picture would be nice to add here but again there is none. When ever I am enjoying the company of friends I just never think of a picture. Glad we got in one last visit Kim and Ken, be safe as you travel, and we are looking forward to the next time we cross paths. 

We made one last trip over to Tombstone.
Is that a snake in the clouds just over the hill in front of us.

We enjoyed a late lunch at Big Nose Kate's Saloon.
I tried a "I'm Your Huckleberry Margarita"
very tart and fun to try one time. 

Leaving Tombstone we continued south on AZ-80 then 
turned on to AZ-90 towards Sierra Vista. 
Another snake cloud?

Stopping in Sierra Vista we picked up an Amazon Order at a locker and then a few groceries at Fry's before heading back home. 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

Today Tom took care of filing our Income Tax and I drove over to Sierra Vista to do some last minute shopping. I was hoping to complete my shopping and miss the predicted rain that was coming our way. Except for a few drops here and there I did just that. That is until I was in the Jeep headed home then the sky opened up and it came down. I lucked out again as it was just sprinkling while we unloaded the purchases. Though it did rain more during the day.

I stopped to take some pictures of the sky before the 
rain came down.

Again I stopped to take a picture of what would usually be 
the Whetstone Mountains in front of me at this point. I 
could just barely make them out through the rain.
Bottom picture is what we usually see along here.

You have probably heard me mention how much I do love the Ocotillos we see out here so I did some research and found out that you can plant them in a pot. I have a feeling it needs to be a bigger one then this but I decided to try anyway. I also read it does not hurt the Ocotillo to take cuttings from it. 

These three cuttings are already losing their leaves but I did expect that to happen. So now we wait to see if they will root; from what I have read it can take several months. Fingerscrossed they do take root if not there is always next year to try again and maybe in a larger pot.

Thursday, February 29, 2024 (Traveling Day 1--244 Miles)

It was somewhat chilly as we finished packing up and pulled out of our site at Quail Ridge RV Park. Our first stop was to top off our propane tank. While that was happening I took the pictures below. We then hooked up the Jeep, (side note: it slipped right into tow mode) and Tom drove over to the office as I walked over to take care of the bill.

The second picture down is of the Stinger "B" parked in front
of the office while I walked over.

Today's ride started on AZ-90 going north and when we reached I-10 we turned right to continue our trek East.

The Whetstone Mountains are on our left as we travel north.

This was a surprise we have not seen this open in awhile.
They pretty much waved us through. They were looking in
the backseats of the cars in front of us. 

Another picture of the Whetstone Mountains.

\

After topping off the diesel tank we have merged
on to I-10 heading East. 

Coming up on one of my favorite parts of today's ride

the Texas Canyon.

These three vehicles, all towing, went speeding by us only
to slow down as we started into the canyon.

It is always amazing to drive through here and see how these large boulders are balanced on each other and stay up there. I take quite a few pictures every time we drive through this beautiful canyon. Today I looked for other things besides the precarious balance of the boulders if you do not see what I see that is okay. I hope you enjoy the pictures just the same.

This is honestly the first time I saw this heart outline.

You may have to click on this picture and enlarge it to see the
face towards the right of the center of the picture.

Again clicking and enlarging can you see the bird pretty much
in the center of the picture.

We pulled in to have lunch here and this was our view.

This was also in our view. I know what I see what do you see?

Lunch finished we are on our way.

This semi passed us and I just liked what was on the back of it.

Views of our ride. The upper right is in Wilcox.

We saw a lot of these guys today and I am not sure what they

are. At first I thought Century Plant but they also look a lot
 like a Joshua Tree on the bottom. 

Again I liked the look of this semi. I mean it has the name
Stagecoach on it and I think that is perfect for out here in the west.

More views as we continue east.

Then we left Arizona behind and New Mexico's beauty
was in front of us.

I do like seeing windmills along the way.

I looked up just in time to see this sign and get the picture.

Today Tom steered the Stinger "B" pass six vehicles.
I think that is more then we passed our entire last Adventure...LOL

We can see Las Cruces ahead of us

;

and we are almost to what we hope will be our stop for the night.

Parked for the night.

We went around the circle twice then parked and waited. In no time the semi in front of us pulled out and we moved up. We then got out and took a walk and watched. Then as luck would have it a truck parked in the best spot, in our opinion, pulled out and Tom pulled into it and we are settled for the night.

Pictures I took while we walked and hoped the truck would move.

This is one of our favorite rest areas to stop in for the night. The views over looking Las Cruces are wonderful and it is always clean and fairly quiet. Plus, it is were the Roadrunner made out of "junk/recyclables" lives. 

It was a good travel day under beautiful blue skies and fluffy clouds. Most importantly it was an uneventful day and those are truly our favorite type of travel days.

I am going to stop for now, so the blog does not get to long, and will continue with Day 2 in the next blog. 

 

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.

Tombstone for Lunch Plus Yesterday and The Day Before

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

After having our mugs of coffee this morning we decided today would be a perfect day to take a ride over to Tombstone and have lunch at Big Nose Kate's. Looking at the pictures below you will see that is just what we did. 

Tombstone Hills 

In the distance we can see the green cottonwoods which

means we will be going over the San Pedro River.

Tombstone Hills from AZ-80

and behind them in the distance the Huachuca Mountains.

We took a walk up and down Allen Street.

Lunch at Big Nose Kate's always good and always fun.

Yes, that is us.

I just had to add this picture.
If you have been to Tombstone you know what a good parking space this is.
The "Little Black Limo" is on 6th Street just off of Allen Street.

A trip to Tombstone is not complete, in our opinion,
without a trip up the hill to see the Linear Garden.  

Looking down over Tombstone
with the Dragoon Mountains in the distance.

Tombstone Courthouse

On AZ-80 with the Huachuca Mountains off in the distance.

Mule Mountains

Mustang and Whetstone Mountains

It was a relaxing day and we enjoyed our time in Tombstone and the ride there and back.

Monday, March 27, 2023

Up at around 7:15am and the sun was already up in the sky. Tom made coffee and I chatted with my sister as I drank that first mug. Later I headed into Huachuca City to pick up two packages I had sent to the Post Office and then into Sierra Vista for a little shopping. While I did that Tom spent sometime washing two sides of the Stinger "B" he is working on getting rid of a few months worth of desert dust. 

Today's pictures were taken at the top of the hill just as I was leaving Huachuca City and yes I did pull over. It does not matter how many times I have looked at this view as I head back to Quail Ridge RV and home it still fills me with awe at the beauty of the mountains each and every time. 

Whetstone Mountains

Mustang Mountains

When I got home I finished the blog and posted it. After dinner this evening Tom went over to the club house to play some poker. While he was gone I did some blog reading and a couple batches of wash. It was a pretty ordinary day in our lives like most are. Still a day we enjoyed.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

This Sunday we attended Mass at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Sierra Vista.

Arriving a few minutes late I realized I could take a picture
without people in it. The top picture is the door and the statues
on either side of the door.

It is the the 5th Sunday of Lent and all the religious images
and crucifixes have been veiled.

You may ask or be curious as to why the veils, here is a short answer:

The custom of veiling the images hails from the former liturgical calendar in which the Fifth Sunday of Lent was called "Passion Sunday”. The custom of veiling crosses and images ... has much to commend it in terms of religious psychology, because it helps us to concentrate on the great essentials of Christ's work of Redemption. The duration of such veiling varies from place to place. The custom in many places is to veil from before first Vespers or the vigil Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, while others limit this veiling from after the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. Crosses are unveiled after the Good Friday ceremonies. All other images are unveiled shortly before the Mass of the Easter Vigil. Neither the Stations of the Cross nor stained glass windows are ever veiled.

While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday.(from St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church website and internet)

After Mass we had a couple of stops to make then we headed back home. While I did wash, sort of a theme in my life right now, catching up on all the things I would rather not bring to a laundromat and the regular weekly wash. Tom took the Jeep, aka the Little Black Limo, for a much needed wash. Nothing to exciting but that is just fine it is another day we enjoyed living as full time RVer's.

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.