Organ Pipe National Park

Organ Pipe National Park

About Me

I purchased "Sadie''s House On Wheels "in late 2007 and loved traveling in a motor home so much that I went on the road full time in late 2008. I started writing this blog to help me remember all the wonder places I have been and it allows me to share those places with my family and friends. Summer of 2013 I decided to hang up the keys for a while and moved back into my stick house. After nearly two years, I am on the road again.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Here we area again inTucson, February 22-27

The main reason for returning to Tucson was Joel's doctor's appointment at the VA.  He had to follow up with the cardiologist regarding the "Echo" he had earlier.  The tech had previously told him everything looked good but Joel still had to meet with the cardiologist as well as the primary care doctor.  Well, the cardiologist confirmed everything the tech said regarding no evidence of damage and was extremely positive.  He told Joel to keep exercising and watch his diet (yeah,right) and keep on the medication.  Joel also met with the primary doctor (because going to the VA mandates yearly checkups or some benefits may be lost) and she confirmed everything  excellent and basically said "carry on".  So, with all of that out of the way it was time for exploring Tucson a little more and relaxing.

We spent a few hours tracking down solar wiring and parts in order to add another Solar Panel and batteries to the existing system, but we also made time to go on a short hike near the Tucson Mountain Regional Park which is near Saguaro National Park.  The day was cool, but great for hiking.

We hiked to t he top of the farthest peak.  Doesn't look like much but it was nearly a 400' elevation gain in about 1/2 mile. 




Neat views of the valley

 Of course Joel had to show off his  new cowboy hat
Lots of big Saguaro.


Later in the week we went to the Pima Air and Space Museum. The air museum is the third largest of its kind in the US and the only one to be privately funded. The entrance fee, tram and bus fee totaled about $25.00 but well worth it.  We met up with some friends of Joel's and explored the museum and and took the tram around the grounds.  It was pretty interesting seeing all different kinds of planes.  This is just a sampling of those in the interior hanger:



This set a record as the smallest bi-plane known as the bumble bee, and also one of my favorites.


This was called a micro jet.





 This was a Viet Nam Huey


I think this was called the Gyro copter, suppose to work in every one's driveway.



Black Bird


I don't know what the little red plane is called, but it was tucked under the wing of the Black Bird above.



There were some many unique planes I couldn't remember the names of all of them. I didn't realize there were so many different sizes and colors of planes.

We took the tram to explores the outdoor aircraft exhibit.  Walking was an option, but by taking the tram we got a real good explanation of what each plane was used for, and how it was unique, by the volunteer docent who did an excellent job.

   The Guppy.

 Sort of looks like a guppy but I think it looks more like a whale.



The giant bubble on top of this airplane is a radar.



This is a crane helicopter used in the gulf war and today



After the tram ride, we took a bus tour of the "bone yard" where over 4000 plans are stored.  It's basically a parts store for airplanes.  Parts are salvaged; other planes are kept in readiness as replacements; some for sale; and some later broken down and sold for scrap metal.  You can see the planes from the road, but the bus tour gave a much better perspective on how the planes were stored and the mass amounts that were  in the yards. The "bone yard" is located on the military base so we had to stay on the bus.  The pictures were taken from inside the bus through the window, so some of them aren't as clear because I've had to enlarge them up.




 These are containers which house jet engines.



Wings are salvaged and reused.


The windows are coated which provides protection and also keeps the interior about 15 degrees color.  


The plane is on "saw horses" and will be sawed apart and taken away as scrape metal.

Our final day in Tucson was spent at the Old Pueblo Winterfest put on by the Barrio Brewing Company.  There were many vendors offering over 100 beers.  The tickets allowed only 15 samples...but there were two of us so really we could sample 30.  That a lot of beer.  We were given little mini mugs that held about 6 oz.  Most of the time I only had them fill mine half full.  That's a lot of beer and micro brews and craft beer is generally higher in alcohol than your Bud Lite or GMD.  There was food and a band.  There was also a nice place for dancing on the asphalt but, apparently the band wasn't playing the preferred dancing music so no one was partaking.  There were suppose be over 1000 attendees but there certainly was that many there. It was suppose to get really windy and cold, which it didn't




Interesting stage.



Lots of vendors were prepared for hot sunny skies, but at least they were covered if the rain came.
Note all of the empty chairs.
The balcony was set up for spectators to watch the band and dancing, but nobody danced.

Looks like Joel is having a good time.  But what is that under his arm?  Water?  Special Icelandic water was being given away.  Guess Joel decided he needed to purge some of the beer.



Sunday weather prediction called for rain and snow.  I heard it rain in the middle of the night but I wasn't prepared for what I saw when I got up:




I just can't seem to get away from it.  By mid-morning most of the white stuff was gone so we got diesel (which is up to $3.72 at the corner station), and propane (its suppose to turn really cold) , and mosied down the road to Sierra Vista, hoping we don't hit more snow.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Heading towards Tucson, February 20-22

Joel and I arrived at the Arizona Casino in Scottsdale and checked in with security.  You can dry camp for three nights with a players club card and can stay longer if you accumulate more points by gambling.  We had planned on staying only one night so weren't worried about the points.  The lounge had a great band but played mostly "bump and grind" stuff.  It was fun listening to the music...for only so long, though.

The next morning we drove over to the Tempe Towne Lake and walked along the Salt River.  The "lake" is a portion of the river that has been dammed up with  giant rubber bladders.  If the water gets too high and threatens to flood the bladders can be deflated within 45 minutes to let the water flow in the dried up river bed.

The black pipe is really a huge rubber bladder.


This is what the lake side of the bladder looks like. 

The area is really modern with lots of office space and a beautiful art center.  It being a holiday, the crowds were scarce and the art center was closed.  .. darn!



The art center has  a very unique water feature.  That's water flowing over the wall making all different kinds of patterns.

Kind of reminds me of blowing bubbles.

This is a sculpture garden.

 How would you like to "work" (to some a dirty word) in an office with a view like this?




   and be able to eat lunch outside everyday with a view of the river?

The water looked really inviting, but the day was cold...we wore jackets most of the time.

We returned to the casino and set the GPS for Tucson, heading for the Casino del Sol which is not far from the VA hospital where Joel has to go for his final official checkup for the results of the Echo test he had earlier in the month. The tech had already told him everything looked good, but he still has to meet with the doc to confirm it.