Week ending Feb 11, 2016 Fort Stockton to Willcox, AZ

Friday we did  some more spring cleaning. We took a back road into Fort Stockton to get groceries, on the way we had to stop and wait for three javelinas to cross the road.  These are the first wild javelinas we have seen in a number of  years.

Saturday we went to the Fort Stockton park and tried our hand at disc golf.  Of course the first thing Joan did was toss her frisbee into a tree. Her walking stick was long enough to get it down. We also completed part of the exercise course they have. We then went back to the trailer to make some preparations for our departure on Sunday.

Sunday we hit the road early, for us, shortly after 8:00 A.M.  We had breakfast at Lindsey's Cafe in Van Horn. We arrived at Heuco Tanks State Park at El Paso shortly after 1:00 P.M..MST. When we reserved the site a few days before, we were warned that the next available tours were not until Feb 16.  When we checked in, and asked about this, we found that they do allow self-guided tours, providing there are no more than 70 people on the trails.  We could go on a self-guided tour at 2:00 PM.  Before we could even set up or go hiking we had to see a video explaining the history and significance of the park, and the does and don'ts.  After the video we headed for the campground.  We did not like the site that had been assigned to us. Too many trees. One of the campground hosts got it changed for us, and we promptly got set up. We then headed off to take advantage of our hiking time slot. We did a number of short trails and in fact one had chains to assist hikers because of the steep trail.  All in all a very nice afternoon, viewing petroglyghs.

We arrived back at the trailer in time for John to watch the Super Bowl and Joan to watch the Ontario men's provincial curling finals.

Monday we headed into El Paso.  It is in T-Mobile territory, so we did our banking and checked a few other things we wanted to do check on our own secure wi-fi. We then did a lot of shopping, mainly Costco and a stop at Walmart to replace one of our electric heaters.  We enjoyed the views of "the Tanks" as we drove back to the trailer for a late lunch. Check the following link for history of the this interesting state park we are presently enjoying.

Tuesday morning we were off to Willcox, Arizona. Not quite as early as we hoped because the gate to the State park is locked until 8:00 A.M. Campers are entitled to  the code, which changes every day, but we figured we wouldn't need it, so we didn't bother to get it. Consequently we waited about 20 minutes before the park ranger arrived to let us out, and three vehicles coming in.  We stopped in Deming New Mexico for a diesel fill and a late breakfast.  Around 2:00 P.M. we arrived at the Magic Circle RV Park in Willcox. Nice park, easy in and out, level sites, no firepits and no trees. Our kind of park.  It even had a resident road runner, which was kind enough to pose behind the trailer.

Wednesday morning after a stop at  the visitor information and then Apple Annie's Orchard for an apple pie, we headed to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. We hiked 1.5 miles into the fort, a historic fort instrumental in the capture of Geronimo. Fort Bowie was a 19th-century outpost of the United States Army located in southeastern Arizona near the present day town of Willcox, AZ. It was located in the hills at Apache Springs, an important location.  The remaining buildings and site are now protected as Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Fort Bowie was established by the California Volunteers in 1862 after a series of engagements between the California Column and the Chiricahua Apaches let by Cochise, the most violent of which was the Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862. The fort was named in honor of Colonel George Washington Bowie commander of the 5th Regiment California Volunteer Infantry who first established the fort. The first Fort Bowie resembled a temporary camp rather than a permanent army post. In 1868, a second, more substantial Fort Bowie was built which included adobe barracks, houses, corrals, a trading post, and a hospital. The second Fort Bowie was built on a plateau about 500 yards (460 m) to the east of the first site. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and  Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahua Apaches to Florida and Alabama. The Chiricahua tribes were later relocated to Florida, before becoming part of the natives sent to Oklahoma via the Trail of Tears.

Apache Spring

Apache winter home

Fort Bowie Cemetery from Overlook

Cactus flowers

Thursday we completed the Magic Circle drive. Our first stop was Cochise Stronghold, an interesting rocky area located in the Dragoon Mountains at an elevation of 5,000 ft.  This beautiful woodland area lies in a protective rampart of granite domes and sheer cliffs which were once the refuge of the great Apache Chief, Cochise, and his people. For further history of the area see the link .

Our next stop was Chiricahua National Monument.   We planned on stopping at the visitor center first, but the parking lot was full, so we returned to the Faraway Ranch picnic area.  We completed  the Silver Spur Meadow trail, a beautiful hike through the forest with stops at Faraway Ranch, named as such because the lady of the house stated it is faraway from anything, Stafford Cabin, and finally the visitor information center. 

Faraway Ranch

Organ Pipe Formation

Gray Breasted Jay

We stopped at Willcox's Railroad Park, where they have a statue of Rex Allen, who grew up here,  across from his museum, the singing silver screen cowboy movie star.  His most famous song was "Streets of Laredo".

Then we stopped at Safeway for some fresh vegetables. Our first Safeway for a long time, so we are getting into the west part of the country.