Colorado National Monument, Fruita. CO

Colorado National Monument is a collection of rocky bluffs and rock spires near the town of Fruita, Co.  We happened to visit in the winter.  The snow made everything look especially beautiful.  We weren't able to drive the whole road because of the snow.  But we were able to go as far as Independence Monument, a skinny rock spire that is so named because every Fourth of July someone climbs to the top and places the American flag on top.  This was first accomplished by John Otto in celebration of his successful efforts to get this area declared a National Monument.

Independence Monument

Balanced Rock

Apache Trail, Arizona

Apache Trail runs from Apache Junction, Arizona to Roosevelt Lake in AZ.  This trail is twisting and turning, up and down including 40 miles of unpaved, dirt road.  It winds down into the canyons and back up the mountain.  The trail winds through the Superstition mountains and past the area where the Lost Dutchman mine is supposedly located, although no one knows exactly where the mine is actually located.  Thus the "lost" part.  The trail passes through a small town called Tortilla Flat.  The town includes a restaurant, a general store and an ice cream shop; what more could you need.  After the town of Tortilla Flat, the pavement ends and the fun begins.  Many people drive this road because of the challenge it presents or the bragging rights...  It is the first adventure that we took in our Jeep.  And we received a rock chip in the window as a souvenir.  The beginning of the trail is somewhat desolate, with desert-like scenery.  The end of the trail, is a series of canyon lakes and then Roosevelt Dam and Lake.  You can continue your trip from there and drive through Globe and then up the mountain passes into the mining town of Superior and then back to Apache Junction where you started.  You will have completed a round trip of 120 miles of breath-taking and diverse scenery.

The walls of the restaurant in Tortilla Flats are covered with dollar bills that have been signed by customers.

Town of Tortilla Flat

Crossing water near Tortilla Flat

That is the road down there...

Roosevelt Dam

Tumacácori National Historical Park, Tucson, AZ

Tumacácori National Historical Park in located south of Tucson, AZ.  It is one of many mission buildings that has stood on this location.  The area has centuries of history with the local Indian people and the Spanish priests, along with the Spanish military.  The mission still stands as a testament to the many generations that have lived, served and died here. The design and architecture of the mission is stunning. It is a quiet place to stroll, relax and reflect.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coolidge, AZ

I'm catching up on some places we visited last winter.  The first of which is Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Coolidge, AZ.  It is a two story great house standing tall and proud in the middle of a large, open area of cacti and other local plants.  There are some other smaller units surrounding it. It was constructed in the 1400s by the ancestral Sonoran Desert people.  These people developed wide-scale irrigation farming, which is still being used in Coolidge today.  The great house is now covered by a modern roof to protect the structure from the harsh sun and monsoon rains.

Ten months-by the numbers

After 10 months on the road, we are calling an end to our travels for now.  Here is what we managed to accomplish during those 10 months.

60 different RV parks

59 National Park Service areas

40 states

17 historic forts

14 race tracks

21 beaches

10 islands

63 interstates

6125 pictures taken

31, 557 miles driven

1 big adventure

Good-bye for now...until the next adventure.

Tombstone, Arizona

One of the well-known towns in Arizona is Tombstone.  The gunfight at the O.K. Corral is re-enacted every day.  But even more interesting than the town is the Boothill Cemetery where many of the famous locals are buried.

Getting ready for a gunfight

Bisbee, Arizona and the Queen Mine

Back in Arizona after 9 months, stopped in Bisbee, Arizona, well-known mining town.  The mining here ended in 1975 due to the drop in copper prices.  Tourism now drives this town, you can take a tour the Queen Mine.  The tour was quite amazing, riding a little train 750 feet into the mine where a former miner explains how they mined copper, silver and gold out of the mine.  We also were able to view an open mine right outside the town.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to a Spanish mission which was founded in 1706.  There is a lovely town square and lots of old world charm, as well as shopping opportunities.  You can also drive on part of old Route 66 and see some buildings with old-fashioned neon signs.  The RV park where we stayed had some vintage campers from that you could stay in for the night.  Very cool looking.

Old Town Square

Vintage 50s campers 

Kimo theater on Route 66