June 2015 - After a 2 month hiatus, we’re back as we begin a new chapter, actually more like a new "book" in our lives. We so throughly enjoyed the RV life last winter that we decided to try this full time. Our house sold right away, no turning back now. We sold and packed up our house in less than 2 months, it was grueling, so many years of accumulating "stuff".

So our new book begins….we dedicate this blog to my mom and our kids. They are all an adventurous lot and have supported us with much enthusiasm. We dearly love them all.

Our first "campground". 

Before leaving the dairy state, we spent a couple nights parked at the home farm where my sister and brother-in-law live. It was very special staying there, many wonderful memories. 

And the "camp hosts" were the best! We got a text in the morning when coffee was ready. My sister takes after my mom, she's the Betty Crocker of the family and treated us to a couple great dinners. 

Our first stop in Sioux Falls, SD.

We loved this beautiful park with the cascading waterfalls (Sioux Falls). We followed the river walk to downtown, and took a short trolly ride with a narrative history of Sioux Falls. Beautiful downtown. 

We enjoyed the many sculptures downtown. This was my favorite. The picture doesn't do it justice, the little boy is holding an ice cream cone and has ice cream on his face. 

Hutchinson Kansas

Another stop on our way to AZ was in Hutchinson Kansas. Two of my hubby’s sisters from Dallas met us there for an evening together and dinner. While there we learned of an Underground Salt Mine and Museum, we decided to check it out. 

The trip down into the mine was on a double-decker industrial elevator, the mine/salt deposit is 650 feet below ground. We were amazed at the huge underground area that has been mined out, the tunnels are wide and clean. Even though the area we toured was not being mined it was easy to see all the salt in the walls. There are over 150 miles of tunnels under this city. The mine continues to be worked in another area. One of their largest customers is the city of Chicago, the salt used for winter roads.

As well as self guided exhibits there is also a tram that goes into mined areas where we saw artifacts left behind by miners over a period of 85 years. Our guide told us what goes down into the mine stays there. We saw a couple old tractors that were hauled down in pieces and reassembled. Miners only took parts down that were necessary for operation, things like fenders not necessary. 

Of all things, I particulary liked the bathrooms, the walls are the original salt walls as in the mine, the bathrooms were well lit and the walls sparkled. These bathrooms were built for the museum and are very modern. The miners didn't have it so nice. 

A huge chunk of salt on display.

Another very interesting facet of this mine....Underground Vault and Storage, a Hutchinson company has built a thriving business in the mined-out sections of the salt mine. The caverns, accessible only by a rumbling mine elevator, are safely beyond the reach of tornadoes and far from any known earthquake fault. Temperature and humidity stay at near ideal conditions for preserving paper and film brought here from around the world.

This display replicates the storage facility that is off limits to visitors. There is a separate elevator to reach the storage area, only people with high security clearance can enter. Warner brothers and Sony Pictures are a couple of their largest customers as well as the U.S. government. The SuperMan suit is an original from a Superman Movie, it's encased in glass in the museum area. The film cases are staged to depict the storage area.

Some interesting things stored here are the original film negative for "The Wizard of Oz." A collection of New York newspapers dating to the assassination of President Lincoln. Secret U.S. government documents. Thousands of medical research biopsies encased in wax.

And much more buried 650 feet beneath the Kansas prairie in a vast underground salt mine warehouse. The storage facility covers over 40 acres. 

Who would've known?? We were amazed.

__________________

Our journey continues...I think we're going to really like this RV life. I'm still trying to organize things in every little nook and cranny and then remember days later where I put that thingy we're looking for. Quite an adjustment going from a spacious house to 300 
square ft. 
When the day ends, we thank God for blessing us with this opportunity.  

More March adventures from AZ.

Old Tucson located west of Tucson is a famous movie set, many old western movies were filmed here including a newer movie, "The Three Amigos". The above is recognizable from The Three Amigos, 

it is simply a wall.  

Many of John Wayne's movies were filmed here with the Del Toro being a common background. This building has an interior and filming took place inside as well. 

A favorite stop along the Apache Trail is Tortilla Flat, good burgers, walls lined with dollar bills, saddles make up the bar stools and be sure to use the bathroom as they're rather unique. Tortilla Flat dates back to the late 1800's when the location was used as a stagecoach stop.  

Sunset at the Good Sam Phoenix RV Rally. Our first rally...will probably not be our last. 

It was like a Sturgis for RV'ers. 

One thing we're learning, things don't always go smoothly, as with our neighbor as we're all preparing to leave the rally. It's raining and the slide won't go in. We've also learned how helpful people are in this RV life. As you can see a few guys (my hubby included) out in the rain doing what they can to help. (It doesn't matter how new or how old the rig is.) 

At the Rally we got a coupon for 3 nights free stay at this CalAm RV Resort in Mesa, so we thought we'd give it a try. Something we thought we wouldn't like....surprise, we liked it and had a great time staying there. Live music in the evenings by the pool. There are many park models in the park. I liked the tall palm trees lining the streets. 

 We were on a street with RV's and park models. 

A most awesome hike in Usery Mountain Park near Phoenix and the Superstition Mountains. 

The Wind Cave Trail. 

More from the Wind Cave Trail, spring is evident as the desert is starting to bloom.

A good sized lizard along the trail. 

A visit to St Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, Florence AZ

After reading about this Monastery near Florence in the desert, I was intrigued. After research on the Internet, looking at pictures and reading the rules for visitors I was even more intrigued. My better half not so much, but willing to give it a try. 

Below are some of rules, there were others that pertained to buildings not open to visitors, no photos of the monks and other common sense rules, such as being respectful of their sacred place. The Monastery opens their doors to the public for a few hours each day, not as a tourist attraction but as a place to reflect and to be in a peaceful place. There is no charge but a small bookstore sells religious books and olive oil from the olive grove on the grounds. 

Proper Attire Rules:

Visitors must be properly attired to enter the Monastery grounds. In general, clothing should be modest and loose-fitting, and include the following:

1. Orthodox clergy must wear a cassock in the Monastery. 
2. Men must wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
3. Women must wear long skirts, long-sleeved blouses, and scarves. (Please, no pants/slacks, no tight-fitting clothing, no skirts with slits, hats, low-cut blouses, or sheer or small scarves)
4. Shoes/sandals must be worn with socks at all times. Please do not wear sheer stockings. Please wear flat shoes, no high heels, platform shoes or open-toed sandals.
5. Pilgrims staying at the Monastery and all those attending church services must observe the order of the Monastery.

A bit of history:

In the summer of 1995 six monks arrived in the southern Arizona desert to establish St. Anthony’s Monastery, carrying with them the sacred heritage of Athos, considered to be a very Holy Mountain in northern Greece. Today there are approximately 50 monks at the Monastery.

Upon our arrival, we were surprised to see several cars in the parking area, we entered thru a stone arched gate and were met by a tall soft-spoken monk, he went over a few rules and we were off to roam the grounds. I was wearing a dress but wasn’t sure the length was long enough, I wore some over-the knee socks so my legs were covered, the monk said it would be fine. They also have some skirts with elastic waists that they let women slip over their pants if they arrive without a dress or skirt, very thoughtful.

We were totally amazed as we toured the grounds.This place makes you feel like you're somewhere else - a real oasis in the desert. There are several different chapels and one main chapel where most services take place, all with stunning craftsmanship. The grounds were out-of-the-world beautiful (and peaceful). 

We found a bench and sat for awhile just trying to take it all in. 

Beautiful stonework.

Inside the main chapel. Ornate and breath-taking.

Tall chairs where monks stand during services, if they get tired 

the seat folds down for sitting.

It was a garden paradise.

 One of several chapels.

 Proper attire.

Loved the craftsmanship in the ceilings. 

We walked up the hill to this chapel but it appeared to be new and still under construction. 

We enjoyed this day very much and found the Monastery so interesting. Would love to visit again. 

Visiting San Xavier Mission in Tucson.

It’s easy to see why this mission is known as the “White Dove of the Desert.” A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. San Xavier is still actively run by Franciscans and continues to serve the Native community with weekly services.

The painting and artwork in this mission is beyond description, everywhere you look there appears a masterpiece. At one time, the mission was inactive and natives in the area were allowed to live in the mission, fires from cooking and heating covered much of the interior artwork with black soot,  it’s taken years of restoration to bring it back to what we see today. 

Mission interior over the pew area.  

 Pews in the mission.

 Old saguaro ribs make up the ceiling in the mission courtyard. Large doors built in front of the church led to a walled courtyard, the worshippers would put their horses/animals in the courtyard during worship and celebrations to keep them protected from the raiding Apaches. 
A "White Dove of the Desert" indeed.

On another day we visited and toured the Titan II missile site south of Tucson. The launch control room above. I got to be the commander who along with the other crew person (our tour guide) performed a simulated launch. I sat in the chair and turned the key to launch. Fortunately in real life one of these missiles never launched. Their purpose was to serve as a deterrent and the program was a success.

This was the only Titan II used for training and never loaded with a nuclear warhead which is why it remains today. All other Titan II’s were demolished in the early 1980’s due to outdated technology and weapons reduction programs. 

The Titan missile is massive, 103 ft buried in an underground silo (8 stories). Hard to fathom something that huge could be propelled upward and reach a target on another continent.

Our tour took us underground, thru tunnels to where we could view the missle and then thru another tunnel to this launch control center. The complex was built of steel reinforced concrete with walls as much as 8-foot-thick in some areas and 3-ton blast doors that sealed areas from the surface and each other. It was fascinating to see this huge facility and all of it underground and undectablable from the outside. 

Walking tour of downtown Tucson.

We've spent many of our February days in Tucson and surrounding area. Picacho, where our RV park is located is about 45 minutes north of Tucson. 

On this day we took a self-guided walking tour of old downtown Tucson known as the Old Presidio. This area has seen a revival in the last years as far as restoration, clean up and safety. I remember it being not such a good area to visit. Happy to say, it's much different today, we had a realtor tell us it's now "chic" to live in the Presidio area. St Augustine's Cathedral is a very beautiful church.

Adobe Row houses.

The walking tour is known as the Turquoise Trail...note the turquoise line on the sidewalk. A map from the visitor center corresponded with the painted line and highlighted the buildings and history along the way, it was such an enjoyable and interesting day. 

Beautiful simplicity

Sasco, remains of an old mining town on one of our jeepin days. 

After leaving Sasco we came across these free range cattle. The desert received a couple days of rain the first of Feb., as a result the desert is very green and lush. Many are predicting a good spring for desert flowers. I sure hope so. The bright yellow Mexican Poppies are just starting to bloom. 

 On another day, north of Tucson, we came across this most magnificent saguaro. Quite sure we have never ever seen a saguaro with this many arms.

We are close to Eloy, Az which is a premier sky dive facility. We spent an afternoon just watching sky divers. People from all over the world come here to jump and train. We had an interesting conversation with a gal from Australia who was spending a month here. The building above is a wind tunnel deal, jumpers can experience a simulated free fall inside a wind chamber. Teams practice in here as well as the military. It's open to the public except when the military is training. It's quite loud inside and out.

Not the greatest photo but you can see people that appear to be floating in the wind tunnel. It was fascinating to watch. 

An old country water tower. We're so amazed at all the crop land around here...crops being mostly cotton, hay and pecans. 

We've seen some outstanding sunsets. 

                                               Home at the end of the day. (Picacho Peak KOA).
                                                    That's us on the end in the middle.

Driving back to our RV park from Tucson. Picacho Peak is a very well known icon along I-10.  It's hard to believe we climbed to the top of that highest peak! Yeah us!

One more day here and we leave for the big RV show in Phoenix. Blog posts will be on hold until we land at our next RV park (by Payson) March 1. 

Feb 1, we arrived at our new RV park, Picacho Peak KOA, this is home for the next month. The little space next to us is usually empty, there are RV's in front and behind us. I like the vegetation here, a tree right outside our door and huge prickly pear cactus with smooth pads. 

The tall peak is the well known landmark of Picacho Peak. It's along I-10 midway between Phoenix and Tucson. Our campground is about 8 miles north of the peak. Hiking Picacho is on our bucket list, there is a trail to the very top of that peak.  

 Our hike to the top of Picacho Peak, probably the toughest hike I have ever done. The last mile was steep, including climbs (bouldering) with cables to help maneuver oneself up. The cables were installed years ago to access a beacon light on top of the peak. Gloves recommended.

 We made it to the top and the view did not disappoint. I-10 can be seen heading south to Tucson. The mountains over Tom's head are the Catalinas that border Tucson. We're amazed at all the farming and crops grown here. Cotton fields are being planted and 1st crop hay being harvested. There are large pecan groves just down the road from our campground.

This hike would be near impossible without the cables.

Going down was easier than going up.

This hike is not for one afraid of heights. I didn't dilly dally long on some of these points, just enough to catch the awesome views. The hike was tough but very worth it.