April 9, 2003, Branson, MO - 1 (2/9-10/03 - Tucson & Chiricahua National Monument, AZ)

We left Lake Tawakoni, near Point, TX, yesterday morning planning on spending the night at a Wal-Mart someplace between there and Branson, MO.  Only as we were driving along enjoying the sights, we noticed the temperature dropping rather quickly, and Barb (who listens to local radio stations while driving the Jeep) called me on the CB to tell me that there was going to be freezing temps last night.  Since I really hate being cold and really like my electric blanket when it's cold, I suggested we just keep driving.  449 miles later we checked into the Treasure Lake RV Park, a Coast Deluxe park, in Branson.  We only paid for 2 nights, because there are a whole grunch of RV parks here that are RPI and C2C parks, and Barb wanted to make sure we had the best of the bunch if they were all going to cost the same.  After driving around today we found she'd scored a good one, and tomorrow we'll extend for another 12 nights.  Sure are lots of things to see and do around here besides just the shows.  And for the record, it was "only" 37 degrees when we went to bed and the same when we got up.  And at 3:30 in the afternoon it is already way up to 52.  And to think we left 80 degree weather to come up here!!  Will we ever get it right?

Lessee.....where are we?  Oh, yeah.  back in Tucson, being given our very own personal private tour by Roger and Carmen.  What neat folks.  On the left, Barb is giving some perspective on a Saguaro that got the arm growing thing a little upside down.  Actually, frost will damage them and cause them to grow in unnatural ways which is likely what happened to this old boy.  On the right is Roger who can sure turn around quickly when I'm trying to catch him, and another frost damaged cactus.

See those cute little fuzzy round things under the mesquite bush?  They're hedge-hog cactus.  And they only look cute and fuzzy.  They're full of stickers just like any cactus.  On the right are a couple of lizards.  Bronze ones.  We were treated to a tram ride up a canyon, and at the top we got out and could look over a cliff into a beautiful canyon.  Part of the guard rail was festooned with these little guys--real ones are more fun though.

There's the tram we're riding, and then a peek over the edge to see where the creek could get under the road.

Even in the desert, there are flowers.  Even if they're hard to find.  Lots of people walked the road we were riding on.  Pretty nice guard rails, eh?  Started by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 30's, but never finished.  The road ended right here.

Roger can look away quicker than anybody I ever tried to take a picture of.  Not sure it was always a conscious act, just happened that way it seemed.  We were glad we had jackets.  A view of the canyon with the creek running freely.

The Saguaro don't grow everyplace, but where they do grow, they stand in such stark contrast to their surroundings it always seems to catch us almost by surprise.

The pools of water by the road were full of little birds, but every time the tram would get close to one they'd take off.  Like this birdless picture.  But at least the pools would hold still for a picture.  Then Roger and Carmen gave us grapefruit out of their yard.  In their working days, Roger was a landscaper, and their beautiful yard showed it.  Barb is holding two grapefruit here, sitting on a wall around our parking space.

When we cut them, they were as we'd been told.  Nice thick skins  Quite a comparison.  The fruit was nice and sweet, too.  Much like we remembered from Florida.

The next day we went off by ourselves to some monument I can't remember the name of.  Barb will.  Yes, it's the Chiricahua National Monument in the mountains of the same name; despite lots of trees and vegetation, we're still surrounded by the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts.  Located south of Wilcox AZ and well worth the trip.  We took a rather long hike (between 4-5 miles--that's long for us), and we'd recommend any visitor do the same if they're able.  Some of the rock formations had names, and like this one, they fit.  The effects of the erosion after the massive volcanic eruptions which caused these spectacles are incredible, don't you think?

This was just along the road on the way, and already we're taking way too many pictures.

Remember when we were in the Birdcage Theatre and I told you to remember the picture with the rock formation in it?  Well, I'm not positive, of course, but doesn't the picture on the left look like the same one in the photo?  (From Barb, actually it's not the same one; that other one is called "Pinnacle Balanced Rock," but the idea is the same.)  And then guess what.  Snow!  Yup, that's what kept us from dying of the heat.  It wasn't hot!  Wasn't cold either, but it has been, as you can plainly see.

Even at a distance, these rocks were interesting.  On the right, in the distant mountain, can you see the Native American face?  Chin to the left and forehead to the right?

Matter of fact it has a name.  Cochise Head, it is.  And then these old trees that look nearly dead ..... but of course they aren't.

Yeah, more rocks.  And then one of those old trees.  See the scaley part sort of twisting like a snake up the branch?  That's the living part of the bark, providing nourishment to the limbs that are alive.  This country of ours sure has a lot of interesting things to look at and wonder about.