Wright

We are stay in Gila Bend Arizona, which is about 55 miles from anywhere in Phoenix. I have met 2 of those crabs...

Our camp site is on the Barry M Goldwater missile range....yes, the drop bombs around here! And fly fighter jets really low and fast....we love it ! And the price is good just a looooong drive.

If you don't want to camp, there's always the Space Age Lodge!

Way out in Gila Bend...

But, we had bigger fish to fry...we were off to tour our first Frank Lloyd Wright house, Taliesin-West in Scottsdale. We have been to the Guggenheim Museum on NYC, but not any homes. I know he built several homes in my hometown of KC, also a church...but have not toured any before. Our tour guide was excellent giving us much background on his life and personality along with great info on his philosophy of building and design. I have a new respect for his innovation genius.

 Pictures do not do justice, but I hope you can get the feel of how lovely this place is.

Look at that sky!

Taliesin is a Welsh name of a famous poet. It means shining forehead....ok

Click on the photos to get a better look....

Tally ho,

Cathy

our Casita has it all!

We have been on the road over 6 months now. Except for the week at St. Martins, New Brunswick we have been the little camper. Always in the minority always explaining we chose this camper expressly for it's compact profile. We are now camping on an Air Force installation full of huge 5th wheels and even larger class A rigs. I think they think we are hippies...honestly, do people always have to size you up in direct correlation to the home you occupy or the car you drive??? Today Paul had an old guy ask him of we had a bathroom!!! Seriously people... yes, I am venting a bit. We are so looking forward to this Casita rally this weekend.

See, we're just a couple of average everyday variety folks

Not hippies

Not that being a hippy is so bad, I would rather be typed as a Committed Christian who is also a gypsy😊...no fortune telling...

Tally ho,
Cathy

Sonoran Desert

click on photo for larger view

 

One fact that is absolutely true...we live in a beautiful country...
Fact two and also absolutely true...God Is

Fact three He made all this for us to appreciate, take care of and enjoy! Oh how we have been enjoying His creation. We are very close to making the trek from" sea to shining sea" and beauty that  sometimes takes your breath away happens daily. The desert has been a pleasant surprise. Paul and I like to say we are tree people. We love maples, oaks, dogwood...et Al.  We lived in Las Vegas for a whole year out in that hot place and we agreed that the desert was not for us. BUT now, we have a whole new appreciation for cactus, sand and sunny blue skies punctuated with tall dark mountain peaks. Loved Tucson and hope to get back there again...Gila Bend...remote and reasonable (as in $10 a night...full hook ups and free laundry)

We ventured into Tempe to visit the Ikea store. I was looking for a solution to my closet clothes storage situation. Just knew there was a better way. Found some excellent clear hard plastic containers with lids. Bought 5 total $25! Turned out very well, I am pleased and since we will be attending our first Casita rally in a week, I have been thinking of ways to spiff up our Pearl. I will take a pix and share next time....
Tally ho,
Cathy

It was a dark and chilly day...

Not at all like Arizona should be...in fact, we even got rain off and on.  That was ok because we needed to rest up, take care of some logistical planning, do a bit of grocery shopping and get a Target "fix".

 

We took a walk on a path near our camp site. The clouds hung low on the Santa Catalina mountains.

 

 

 

 

Very cool cactus

 

 

 

Can you spot our Casita among the big rigs???

 

What a beautiful place.

 

We are so glad we chose this state park. Tomorrow we will do a bit of site-seeing.

Tally Ho,

Cathy

Here we "go" Again

Our week spent with friends in Las Cruces kept us hopping! Karen and Ron took us all over and they assure us we only scratched the surface. We ate Mexican all but two days...toured many museums from historical homes to the Border Patrol...and everything in between. We attended a Pow Wow and left our mark (However tentative) in the shimmering gypsum of White Sands. In short, we had a ball!

 

 

 

Having our final delicious Mexican meal together  

 

Tomorrow we pull up stakes and head to Tucson. We have reservations at Catalina State Park and while there we hope to see a few of the area sights before we head up to Phoenix.

 

Our weather has been cool, but no where near the frigid temps a bit north and east of here...Cary, NC...wow.

So, we count our blessings knowing it is winter and it can get cold!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for a "wonderful" adventure!

Tally Ho,

Cathy

 

 

Enchanting New Mexico

We are staying with our friends who have been showing us so many wonderful sights! Karen assures me we have just scratched the surface.

 

White Sands Missile Range.

 

 

Karen and Paul discussing the spectacular view

 

 

 

White Sands National Monument

(click on the photos for a larger view)

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible!

 

 

 

Three Rivers Petroglyth Site

 

 

Climbed up to see amazing drawings on rocks!

 

 

 

 

 

I wish these photos were better...

 

 

 

Lovely church

 

 

Gigantic pistachio

 

New Mexico produces a major quantity of pistachio nuts and also pecans. Dairy is also a large portion of this states Ag industry.

The Stiths wore us out! But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learned much.

Thanks Ron and Karen

Tally ho,

Cathy

We passed Pecos

Signs of the old west abound. We enter a new dimension...no, not the twilight zone...more like scenes from a John Wayne movie. Cactus of all varieties scattered on both sides of the highway, tumbleweed rolls aimlessly along, tile roofs...Driving through El Paso we sing the Marty Robins song...you know the one..."Out in the west Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a beautiful girl...darker than night were the eyes of...."

 

The scenery changes before our eyes. Beauty abounds  

 

We have arrived in Las Cruces and are enjoying the company of good friends. What more could we want? Oh, sunny skies to try out the solar panel!

 

Off on a day-long adventure will report back later...

Tally-ho!

Cathy