Gay Paree

I'v now been to Paris... Texas that is!  They say everything is bigger in Texas - however this Eiffel Tower stands only 65'....I giggled. The big red Stetson does nothing for the tower...other than be a beacon for incoming aircraft.

LaMar Co Historical Museum

There is a museum located on the grounds of the old Union Station with displays related directly to the city and the county, most notable: The Oak Ridge Boys are featured, as Duane Allen was born in LaMar county.

 

                                                              below > 1898 Physicians Buggy

                    
Inside they have re-constructed a small reclaimed cabin - a small portion of the interior below - inside one of the display rooms.

We stayed out at the Pat Mayse State Park,where large sites; many with views of the lake, provided quiet time after a day of exploring. Catfish and bass fishing kept the boat launch busy, but we were able to explore the lake in our kayaks on one of the sunny days.

In addition to the herons, cranes, coyotes - yes, we were serenaded by them nightly, and squirrels there was a large flock of ducks that moved around the lake as if connected together.
 

 

Our reward for the week was seeing our first armadillo...This one came out, at roughly 4pm, to feed in the same spot every day.  He didn't seem bothered by our presence, and we certainly enjoyed his.

Next up....Shreveport.

~ Ciao

 

 

 

 

3, 2, 1....Launch -

 

Ok, as many of you know, due to my spouse's interest in anything 'aerospace' related, I have spent quite a bit of time in airplane/space museums, floating aircraft carriers, etc., if it has a plane, helicopter or rocket we see them - and there are quite a few of those around the country. Yesterday we spent a couple of hours touring the Titan Missile Museum, near Sahuarita, AZ, 25 south of Tucson - it was fascinating! 

 

Born out of the 1960's Cuba Missile crisis, the 54 silo sites were built as MAD or "mutually assured destruction" or deterrants to war.

Missile sites were located in Kansas, Arkansas and here in Arizona....and their were hidden in plain sight. The government wanted our enemies to know that we were serious and could destroy them even in the event that they struck first. Frakly, that knowledge didn't give me a lot of comfort.


Diagram of 18 AZ silo locations

 The guided tour starts with a 17 min video that gives youthe history of  how the silos came to be, the US Air Force stewardship of the program and then the walk-a-bout of  the silo itself. This tour is the bare essentials-tour, one of seven tours offered. There is even a sleep-over program

for those who wish to have a hands-on experience.

 

Part of the tour we took gave me the opportunity to be "Crew Commander"... answering questions about the control panel and assisting with 'launching' the Titan II....selection is by whoever enters the room first.  Anyone can do it!

 

 

A view of the Titan II missile from above....impressive isn't it.

 

 

 ~ Ciao 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past meets the present....

To say that parts of  New Mexico is old is akin to saying the Sun is hot. There are parts of New Mexico that are not only quite dusty but astonishingly almost brand new.

We spent some time at the Museum of Space History in Alamogordo (say that fast 3xs...) recently - nestled up against the Sacramento Mountains and behind a very modern NM State University, the grounds also are home to the Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX® Dome Theater.

Originally this started out as a "Hall of Fame" to those who were instrumental in all things flight/space related and then in 1976 the state of NM took over and created the museum as it stands today. Not only are there lots of rockets, astronaut related gear/clothes/history, there is also 153 portraits of "space" pioneers which grace the walls as you walk down from the 4th floor on your self guided tour. We did converse with a volunteer docent who was able to provide us with some current information about the surrounding topography, missile/rocket testing, federal/state/city land acquisitions

Outside there are quite a few rockets, missiles and space vehicles to look over. This rocket, Little Joe II, can be seen from 2 miles away in downtown Alamogordo. Little Joe was used to test the Apollo launch escape system.


White Sands National Monument can be seen on the left side of the map below. The dark slash through the center (top half) is the remnants of early volcanic eruptions.

After our visit to the museum we drove out to the Three Rivers Petroglyphs - and spent a good 75 minutes, very windy 75 mins roaming around the landscape snapping photos of petroglyphs that have been in the 'hood for 600 years.

 This was an amazing walk, even with the wind.



We took a lot of photos, far to many to put into this blog so I made a 2 min movie of the best ones.

ENJOY the look back into the past today.

~ CIAO....

got to love these small towns....

This is just outside Browning, MT... looking west - that's Glacier National Park. We've been in Montana now for about 5 days. We are staying in the small (2800 pop.) town of Conrad, about a hours drive from Alberta, Canada - our distination. It is a really friendly community, well manicured lawns and amazingly, it boasts 2 city parks, 1 with a community pool.

The fire department sounds an air-raid-like siren, every nite...we also discovered that the 1910 bank building (first established bank) clock chimes @ 4pm every day.

At the Museum of Plains Indians in Browning, MT, we found this pedstal monument depicting, by foot/shoe imprints, of the tribal and political members who gathered at a1931 conference on Plains Indian had gesture language.  (It is significantly larger with about a dozen impressions.)




Found these "junk" horse and riders outside Browning, MT on Hwy89. No sign, no credits - nothing to indicate a "point of interest" ahead. We actually had to turn around and go back to get the photos. All of this is fashioned from salvaged pieces of metal - very creative,  very green!

Our Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park photos are just to the right of this post as slideshows. Enjoy.

Our rig is parked just east of a lamb ranch, which has been educational and interesting - aren't they cute. Kinda of raggedy...lots of babes in the field, running after the ewes...sweet.

Listen for the sound of music...instruments that is

While in Phoenix we discovered the Musical Instrument Museum - which opened last April. It is simply a gorgeous building with the most amazing interactive displays.



Once you have paid your admission you are given a pocket receiver w/head phones and given instruction as to how it provides you with hands-free remote audio play.As you approach a display the receiver plays the music that is being demonstrated on LCD flat screen TVs. As you approach or depart it will fade in and out until you arrive at the next display.



Artwork in the lobby

Mexico - Tree of Life

There were displays on how Steinway makes a piano - parts of an actual piano are on view.

Almost every country and musical style was on display - although we were there for several hours it is hard to imagine that we got to see it all.

Until next time...safe travels.

Amerind - as in 'American Indian' culture and art

If you haven't been to the Amerind Foundation Museum near Dragoon, AZ - GO! ASAP works...


This is a must see for those who are interested in other cultures, their artwork and history. The museum has displays from Native Americans in Alaska to the Native People of Peru, and everyone in-between along the Western Hemisphere.  http://www.amerind.org/ - "Amerind foundation and Museum seeks to foster and promote knowledge and understanding of the Native Peoples of the Americas through research, education, and conservation." Be sure to check the website as the museum was closed on a Monday as we came to discover and were turned away in disappointment.


Near the entrance

 I was stunned at the size of the collection and in how interestingly it is displayed. The volunteer staff/docents were extremely knowledgeable and were willing to spend the time answering our questions. It was fascinating, as I eavesdropped on a small tour that was sharing one of the rooms we were in, as the volunteer tour guide explained how the collection came into existence and the history of the founders.

Included in the museum fee is an Art Gallery, located in the building next door, dedicated, in part, to the founder and his wife, their belongings and their collections of artwork. This also was worth the journey, for many of the furnishings were in excellent condition considering the age of each piece, but just being able to look closely at the craftsmanship in producing the piece of furniture was, in itself enlightening. None of that "roped off-don't touch, stand too close" stuff here, the pieces were right there - up close and personal. There were a few with signs asking you not to sit on them but other than that not too much 'forbidden' areas. There was also a 'self-guided' pamphlet/map of the rooms, with information about the artists so you could linger as long as you wished.

Photography is not permitted, although I did take one display photo - (no flash - no harm) of some pottery which I have included in the "Du Jour Photos". Nothing makes me crazier than not being allowed to take photos - especially when I have been charged an entry fee!

TimTrask bronze

Gallery of Dreams - located in St. David, AZ - Hwy 80, approx 8 miles south of Benson, AZ. Brightly painted exterior-it is the studio of Tim Trask http://www.agalleryofdreams.com/Tim%20Trask.htm, in front the building houses a co-op of local artist works from jewelry, photographs and bronze statues. In an adjacent room and if he is working - you might be able to watch Mr. Trask work on a piece - we missed that but I was able to photograph the life-size statue he was working on in his studio, all of which are also in the daily photos.

Art is everywhere, you just have to pay attention. Dragoon, a small almost non-existent town, just south of I-10 looked and felt like a ghost town, however this wooden Indian marked the corner we turned around at, so I've added him here.  The building he is guarding is closed, but he looks well cared for....

Adios...until next time. Be well, travel safe and smile often.

If you can change your mind, you can change your life. - William James

Amerind / Tim Trask - link to the additional photos from this blog.

To Bisbee

 Bisbee, AZ - journey back in time; mineral mining was the industry - founded in 1880 -  it's claim was the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco and by 1908 had an electric trolley running 12 miles to the smaller communities housing the miners and their families.

Under of the coldest temperatures that this part of Arizona has been subjected to in decades, we ventured out to see historic Bisbee. The main street is narrow, busy and without those annoying signal lights so one needs to be alert to cars pulling out from side streets - awkward if what you are doing is looking at the old buildings, visible artwork and sculptures and signs pointing out the old-cool stuff. So cold there were few people walking around at noon.  Quite a few B&B's and inns, but we were surprised at the number of cafes that didn't open until 5pm-at least in OldTown.

< Bisbee's Post Office is nestled back

in a corner as you enter town and the Copper Queen Mine headquarters now houses the Bisbee Mineral and Historical Museum >>>>>

 

Currently the Smithsonian is a part of the exhibits inside which is interesting and well done (as only the Smithsonian can do. They don't want you taking photos but I did snap (without flash) these two. I couldn't resist given the technology of the <1870's Phone  and the Victoria > for both were great examples of where we were and where we are now: cell phones and I-pods....image what the people of the 1800's would think about progress in these two areas today?



The museum has a large amount of mineral ore as examples, a wealth of history on mining and the development of the union which created an uprising and eventual strike and deportation of about 1200 workers.

It was truly sad to then drive out of town to see the large open pit Lavendar mine. This sign stands in the parking lot where visitors can 'view' the now non-operational Lavender pit. It scars the land for miles as the tailings are piled high for what seems forever. Some of the photos we took of the pit are posted in the "Additional photos of the day" to the right of this post, and it also includes some artwork photos from around town too!

Next stop - Tombstone and the Fight at the OK Corral.

Until then - Ciao.

by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful Salton Sea....

             November 30, 2010....Salton Sea and Dos Palmos Oasis....

Our drive around the north end of the Salton Sea today was a surprise and very informative.  Did you know that it is 33 mi long, 47mi deep and 14 mi wide? That it supports 400 different varieties of birds in their migratory flight patterns? It is part of the Salton Sea Recreation Area, but currently has only one boat ramp at the Salton Sea Campground...that will change by the summer of 2011.

We accidently discovered a museum simply by deciding to turn onto a road that appeared to have access to the lakeshore. The North Shore Yacht and BeachClub – recently restored the main building and surrounding  public grounds and the foundation will be dredging the harbor and restoring the small marina and boat ramp in front of the building.  Back in the heydays of the 50’s and 60’s this place rocked with Hollywood stars, many who kept boats at the marina. Frank Sinatra had a house on the lake, which is now under water due to the 70’s flooding.

SaltonSeaMuseum.org

And then we drove down the street to Dos Palmos Oasis.... in the middle of the desert - the museum volunteer turned us onto this as a side trip about 2 miles from the museum down a gravel road. The State of CA maintains this small park and camping area. No off road vehicles are allowed, a 1/4 mi loop - easy stroll to the oasis.  We discovered that palm trees have underpants, road runners, lizards and egrets use the area and a restroom facility was available in the parking area.

Palm trees have "underwear"... this is what a partially-trimmed palm tree looks like on the left                      ....totally untrimmed on the right.

Until we saw these trees at the oasis we had no idea that the ones we were familiar with, were trimmed.

everyone into the pool - bottoms up!!!!

we are moving onto Yuma, however we will return to the Salton Sea area of CA to see those sights we missed this time. Thank you Oasis Palms RV Park for a great Thanksgiving dinner and for making our stay with you so enjoyable.

Adios...

Christine & Mike