Benson, Arizona

[jrgwdenner]

We are driving toward Benson, Arizona today after a stopover in El Paso. And we've met at least three Montanas driving east. Are they confused? The cacti are getting taller and the mountains are more majestic. It's a pretty drive through New Mexico on I-10.

[refocused]

It's fun to keep up with your travels! If you get a chance when you are in Benson, stop by Saguaro SKP Park - that is where we are waiting for a lot! And, yes, the desert is beautiful in the winter - sounds like you got a pretty day for traveling!

Suzanne

[Ozz]

Isn't it just beautiful in that area? I just love that country.

[jrgwdenner]

It is beautiful here, Ozz. Especially Texas Canyon. Those rocks are magnificent.

We're settled in at Butterfield RV Resort and will be here a week. We've had 3 rough days of travel and hiking through Carlsbad Caverns so we're ready to recoup.

Suzanne, I will definitely check out Saguaro RV park. Wish you were here.

[bob n pam]

Judy, I mentioned this in your Carlsbad post, but try to see Kartchner Caverns near Benson. You'll have to get a reservation, but it is very interesting.

Pam

[patodonn]

In addition to Tombstone and Bisbee, don't forget Ft Huachuca and Sierra Vista. Really nice area, 15-20 degrees cooler than Tucson in the summer. Old roomie of mine is retired there. Nice FAMCAMP at Ft. Huachuca.

[adelmoll]

And the pizza at the Velvet Elvis in Patagonia is on of the best we have ever tasted.

Helen

[tweir]

If you like BBQ and happen to visit Bisbee; walk up OK Street almost to the top of the hill (too narrow to drive up) and go to Hot Licks---best Western North Carolina style BBQ outside of NC. Also, Turquoise Valley Golf & RV park in Naco AZ is about 5 miles South of Bisbee on the Naco Hiway---think it was 20 bucks a nite for the RV site and another 20 bucks or so to play golf---they have a deal called "stay & play"...quiet and the folks who run the place are fantastic. Little trivia: The Border Incident
In 1910 a revolution broke out in Mexico. Fighting between Mexican armies raged for years. Lives of Americans were endangered in the Arizona/Mexico border towns of Douglas, Naco and Nogales. There was always the danger that violence in Mexico would spread to the American side of the border.

In 1911, for example, bullets flew wildly into Douglas from a battle in Agua Prieta across the border. In 1914 Pancho Villa engaged Mexican Federales in battle at Naco, Sonora. During that fight every house in Naco, Arizona had some bullet holes, some homes having as many as fifty bullet holes. Then in January 1916 Pancho Villa's followers murdered sixteen American engineers at Santa Ysabel, Mexico, and the following March, Villa led a raid across the border to Columbus, New Mexico, killing seventeen Americans.

President Wilson sent General John J. Pershing into Mexico with an army to capture Villa dead or alive. Part of the army consisted of the 1st Arizona Infantry Regiment of the Arizona National Guard, led by Colonel A. M. Tuthill. The 1st Arizona Infantry had been mobilized to assist the army of General Pershing in guarding the border. After serving for almost a year at posts in Douglas and Naco, gaining valuable training and experience, the members of the 1st Arizona Infantry Regiment were demobilized, only to be mobilized a month later for service in World War I.

[mjflora]

WE were headed in that direction yesterday, but got grounded here in Dallas by a massive ice storm. Hopefully will be able to pull out on Tues. Fingers crossed for sun!

[jrgwdenner]

John and Mary, it is sunny here....cold and sunny, just over 20'. That old furnace is getting a workout. Our elevation is about 4000 feet and Texas Canyon is 5000. It's a beautiful area and it's fun to learn from Charlie and Nila (8.1a) all about the local flora and sights to see. Thanks for all the hints from everybody. We're trying to see as much as we can. Yesterday we saw the gunfights in Tombstone. Tomorrow we're going into Mexico to do some shopping or at least some looking.

We've got new pictures on our Spaces link.