Although Kent and I lived in Flagstaff for 30 years we had never been to Cochise County in southeastern Arizona. In February we covered a 2000 mile loop through Arizona and parts of New Mexico. It was a great time of visiting with friends, as well as exploring some new places. Kartchner Caverns and Chiricahua National Monument each provided us with some fun filled days. We also took in some mine tours in Bisbee and Tombstone. More adventures awaited us in the Gila National Forest near Silver City, New Mexico. We enjoyed the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and hiking into Lightfeather Hot Springs and a side trip to Mogollon Ghost Town. We circled back through the White Mountains on our way to Flagstaff; reminiscing of our time spent there over the years. After being delayed by a snowstorm near Jacob Lake, it felt good to be home...especially when we discovered we had a nail in our tire! Yikes!
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| A welcoming sight......we're almost to Flagstaff |
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| We had a good visit with friends, Mike & Peggy |
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| At Chick-fil-a we ran into Carolyn & Arlene Potter |
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| Pinto Creek Bridge spans Devil's Canyon along HWY 60 |
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| Randy and one of his toys......wow! |
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| Border Patrol Security Checkpoints are a common sight in Southern Arizona |
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| This tethered surveillance blimp could be seen from miles away |
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| We toured the Rotunda/Throne and Big Rooms at Kartchner Caverns; cameras are not allowed in the caverns |
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| This map shows the area we were visiting |
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| It's hard to believe that the caverns are located in these hills along the base of the Whetstone Mountains |
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| We hiked a 3.5 mile loop that surrounds the caverns |
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| Hiking along |
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| Looking towards the Chiricahua Mountains |
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| We were fortunate to see a hummingbird |
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| Remnants of Fairbank, an old Railroad Town |
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| Tombstone Courthouse |
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| We walked the streets of Tombstone |
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| If only this safe could talk |
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| We toured the Good Enough Silver Mine in Tombstone |
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| Veins of silver |
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| Colorful ores |
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| The famous Boothill Cemetery |
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| Bisbee, a quaint town nestled amongst the Mule Mountains |
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| The Lavender Pit, a former open pit copper mine |
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| Into the Copper Queen Mine we go....... |
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| Other than our flash lights, there were no lights in the mine |
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| Ridin' the rails underground.....we almost look official.....huh? |
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| A potty mining car....two at a time! |
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| Lowell, a suburb of Bisbee |
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| I remember shopping at Sprouse-Reitz years ago |
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| Nice mural |
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| Lowell, cute as could be |
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| Bonita Canyon Drive at Chiricahua National Monument |
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| Our first coat-mundi sighting |
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| They were not happy with each other, you should have heard the ruckus |
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| The Chiricahua's are known as a 'Sky Island" |
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| Starting out on the Echo Canyon Loop |
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| This was a fun trail to hike |
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| Different shapes and colorful formations |
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| Colorful pinnacles in every direction |
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| It was an easy trail |
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| Mushroom Rock |
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| Tall columns reaching for the sky |
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| We completed an 8 mile scenic loop |
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| Faraway Ranch |
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| We are in New Mexico now |
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| We hiked an easy 1 mile loop in Cliff Dweller Canyon |
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| The homes were built in 5 natural caves |
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| Small doors for small people |
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| Awesome craftsmanship |
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| This is the only way to reach Lightfeather Hot Springs |
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| Yes, I was crazy enough to follow him |
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| The Hot Springs bubble out of the ground at 150 degrees......add the river water for the perfect temperature |
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| A view of the pool from up above |
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| Buildings on Main Street |
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| Hearst Church built in 1898 |
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| Adobe church wall |
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| An old vacant house |
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| We are heading towards Mogollon Ghost Town |
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| The road we traveled |
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| The ghost town is nestled in the valley |
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| We talked to a couple of woodworkers who are helping restore the town from recent floods |
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| Ceiling in the woodworking shop |
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| Weekends during the summer a few businesses are open, this being one of them |
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| See how much dirt the creek pushed up against the buildings |
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| Restoration work being done after the recent flood |
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| It was a narrow winding road |
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| Morenci, AZ Mine is the largest Copper producer in North America |
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| From Pinal Point we could see Mt. Graham in the Pinaleno Mountains to the south |
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| Mule deer |
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| Rose Peak Lookout Tower |
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| Looking east toward Mogollon, New Mexico |
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| We spotted these antelope near Eagar |
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| Then we saw these big horn sheep walking along the highway |
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| A semi-truck was stuck and blocking the entire highway at Jacob Lake |
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| Yea...for snowplows! |
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| On the road again.....heading home! |
