Where did my blog go?

A Safe Return!!

Back in the USA -- our son Zach (21) arrived home safely in Tennessee today after a year in Afghanistan -- thanks to all our family and friends for their support this year!!

"Heli at Sunrise" (taken by Zach)

Pssssst, don't tell Enterprise we took their rental car to Rucker Canyon while our Jetta is in the body shop. No harm done, but a black car is not a good color for Arizona's gravel roads.

We had never been to Rucker Canyon, but were pleasantly surprised today. I am always amazed how just 20 miles distance here can turn into a different world. In just that many miles we left behind the agricultural and scrub brush flat lands of the Sulphur Springs Valley only to find ourselves in a forest of Oak, Pine, Juniper, Cottonwood, Sycamore and other large trees.

Should have Gotta Jeep

This morning we headed out to find a mountain drive we learned about from The Bayfield Bunch. As we headed into Bisbee the hillsides seemed redder than I remember and the Copper Queen Hotel seemed to pop out at me. I guess we've been visiting Bisbee too near evening, when the sun sets very early here.

After passing through The Mule Pass tunnel we found our way to N. Juniper Flats Rd. right where AL said it would be. Once again we found it necessary to abuse our car and drive on an unimproved road that really called for a Jeep.

Once we made it through the switchbacks, around the rock outcrops, up the steep slope the view was worth the physical abuse. There's Bisbee in the valley and Mexico in the distance.

We didn't make it all the way to the top where the microwave towers and antennas are but we were happy to find a few unique off-grid homes way up here.

This unusual home enjoys an outstanding view and few neighbors. My guess is that the hat shaped roof is designed to collect rain water.

We laughed when we found this Hoby Cat in somebody's driveway all the way up here. It always seem odd to see boats in Arizona, but up on this mountain top?

We made a quick visit to the USA side of Naco but not much here unless we missed something. The border fence can be seen stretching out for miles here.