THREE NATIONAL PARKS
By Bill
These three National Parks were unusal to us because of the circumstances under which we visited them, or conditions that had to be met to reach our goal, or because they were just plain different.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
New Mexico
Gila Cliff Dwellings is located about 70 miles north of Deming, New Mexico in an area that is between the mountains and with only two ways to get there. The first is a road which the National Park guidebook tells you is steep and winding and will take 2 hours to go 40 miles. The second road is one that they recommend if you are pulling a trailer or have a vehicle longer than 30 feet. Because we were driving in the car, there was no "logical" reason to go the long way around just to avoid the hills. So we headed up the mountain with our naivete' intact. After a short while we hit the snow, along with signs that said WATCH FOR SNOWPLOWS. This was starting to not work out well. When the brakes started to fade on the car, I thought we might not make it up there, or for that matter, back down. 2 hours later, as promised we made it to the park. We were informed the power was out so the movie was not being shown. Actually the ranger shack near the dwellings did have power and we did get to see the movie. After the movie we walked to the trail to the dwellings, and after our first sighting of the mountain, I thought Sharon would be waiting in the car until I got back. But she was a trooper and made it all the way. On the way back down the mountain we ran across some elk crossing the road. She liked that part of the trip.
Fort Bowie National Historic Site
Arizona
Fort Bowie is located in Bowie, Arizona about 30 miles south of I-10, and was built to protect Apache Spring for the settlers and travellers through Apache Pass in the Cochise Stronghold. Anyway we did this Park with Len and Rose Schultz from Norway, Michigan. Just before we started onto the 1.5 mile trail, we read the signs that said watch for snakes and if you see a mountain lion, be agressive. Before this, Gila Cliff Dwellings had been our hardest stamp to get so far. We trudged for 2 hours to get to the Fort 1½ miles away. When we got there we had a candy bar that Len had bought for us for our lunch. We wouldn't be anywhere near food until 6:30 that night. When we left the Fort we took a back trail that sent us uphill for the next 30 or so minutes. It did prove to be a godsend though, cause after that the trail was all downhill back to the car. We didn't see any snakes or mountain lions, except for the red racer we saw on the road into Fort Bowie.
Tonto National Monument
Arizona
Tonto National Monument is another cliff dwelling of ancient indians located in the Tonto National Forest northeast of Apache Junction, Arizona. We had been told of the road which goes to the Monument by several people who had been on it. It was steep and curvy, gravel in some places, and sometimes no more than a lane and a half wide. We left Apache Junction in the morning and got about 5 miles out of town when I noticed the gas tank needed some gas. Sharon suggested we go back to AJ and fill up the tank, I said we'll find something along the way. (She was right, I was wrong........ again)
"Our Bread Don't Mold,
And Our Cars Don't Rust"
The above words were taken from a song written by the resident balladeer of the Valley of the Sun RV Park. He and the boys. (and girl) are entertainers on occasion, for the residents of this park. We sat through a session of the group recently and were thoroughly engrossed in they're original tunes and multi-talents. I was amazed to watch Pancho keep time on a metal chair with a pair of drumsticks, until the time came to solo on wipe-out, and he played "drums" on everything in the room, including one skull. A talent which some may just enjoy, but I was spellbound.
We sat and listened for the entire night until it seemed that there was no more music left to play, and another tune came forth as the last ones had. They played and sang, tune after tune of original songs, old favorites and just plain having fun. This was not a first time affair as we sat and listened to requests for songs that we had never heard of before, and enjoyed each and every one.
Valley of the Sun RV Park
We briefly mentioned this park last issue as a place that we have enjoyed and would like to come back to, but didn't say why.
Since we've gotten here the people have been so friendly and helpful, that we've felt welcome here even though it's only our first time here. A couple days after we were here they had a St. Patrick's day dinner that we attended, and fit right in. It was my first time eating corned beef and cabbage. Since that time we've participated in several things with the group and have enjoyed them all.
I played in the annual pool tournament and got beat in the first round by Bob from home. Sharons played Bingo and we've both played an interesting version of Mexican Train dominoes.
The pool is heated and warm and the hot tub is always comfortable. And we use them every free minute we can. We are midway between Tucson and Phoenix and not far from Flea Markets and Mexico. Wal-Mart and groceries are 10 miles away, and things that we want to see are relatively close by and shopping for essentials. is just down the road. What else is left to want.
