A Whole Lot of History

It was another early morning. I was up at 5:30am, got things packed & loaded into the car, had some breakfast, grabbed a coffee to go and I headed south out of Safford. I took US 191 and drove to I 10 and then headed east (I know that isn't the way to Tucson for the event). Desert Flower has a series of boxes planted around the southeast part of Arizona. The series is called Baja Botany 101. There is one in Safford but I couldn't get it because the mountain is covered with snow. Another one is in Portal. So this morning I headed there. I took I 10 east to exit 5 in New Mexico. I drove south on NM 80 heading for Rodeo. Just before reaching the town I turned onto NM 533 (aka Portal Road). I drove through the village and then followed FR 42 past the Forest Service Office and into the Coronado National Forest. I then passed a sign that said "Travel Caution" - Smuggling and Illegal Immigration May Be Encountered in this Area. So my senses moved to high alert. But I kept driving. I was looking for South Fork Zoological and Botanical Area. I turned into the area and then stopped to read the clues. The hike was 3 miles round trip and then I didn't feel comfortable doing that by myself in an unfamiliar area. Also, once I passed the village I didn't see any other humans. I didn't even see anyone in the campgrounds. Azroadie also has a box on a trail in this area and again I just didn't feel comfortable. So I turned around and retraced my drive back to I 10. NOTE: I am such a big chicken!

So now I headed west into Arizona. I then took exit 366 into Bowie. I turned onto Apache Pass Road and drove south to Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Around mile marker 8 or 9 there is a parking area for the Site. But to actually get to the Fort you have to walk a mile and a half. It is a easy to moderate walk and the views are incredible. So I took the walk, stopped to look around the cemetery and stopped at Apache Spring and finally arrived at the Visitor Center. When I arrived at the parking area there were three cars and I didn't see any people so I figured they had walked to the Site. When I arrived at the cemetery there was a couple just leaving and continuing up the trail. I spent a little time in the cemetery and then continued my walk. I soon caught up to the couple and passed them. With about a quarter mile left to go I passed a couple heading back to the parking area. At the Visitor Center there were no visitors, only the Ranger. I first got my National Park Cancellation Stamps and then I talked with the Ranger. Then I asked for the Junior Ranger Booklet and headed out to explore the ruins. It took me about a half hour to walk the Ruins Trail and fill out the booklet. When I returned to the Visitor Center there were eight people there. I turned in my booklet, got my Junior Ranger Badge, bought a patch and some postcards and then headed back to the parking area. Along the way I passed quite a few people and when I arrived at the parking area the three cars originally there had multiplied into 17 cars and 2 RVs. I really enjoyed the walk to the Site - it was a beautiful day - sunny with clear blue skies and temperatures in the 60s, and I already mentioned the views. I was glad I decided to stop and visit this National Park Site. Well worth the out of the way drive and the three mile round trip walk.

Leaving Fort Bowie I continued on Apache Pass Road in the direction I was originally traveling. At stopped between mile markers 7 & 8 at a pullout and went in search of The California Column: Battle at Apache Pass by Squatchis. (The California Column was made up of Union volunteers sent to the area during the Civil Was.) I took a 200 foot walk to a viewpoint and then 93 steps up a side trail and found the box. I sat and stamped in and took in the views before returning to the car. I then continued my drive arriving at AZ 186. At this intersection I turned left and headed to Dos Cabezas. Here I looked for and found "Two Heads" Pioneer Cemetery Box by ggghiker and Grandpa's House by EdieSoCal. Once I had completed these two boxes I turned around and headed south and then stopped at Riggs Family Cemetery to find Spread Your Wings by EdieSoCal. My intention for today was to visit two National Park Units and do some letterboxing. But it was getting late and I didn't have the time to stop at Chiricahua National Monument, so I drove on by and the AZ 186 turned into AZ 181. Ten miles past the turn to Chiricahua the road made a 90 degree right turn. But instead of following that road I turned left onto a dirt road - Turkey Creek Road. Four miles down this road I arrived at Johnny Ringo's Grave Site. I found Earp's Vendetta Series: Box #6 Johnny Ringo by The Man With No Name. The box is hidden right at the pullout so I found it and stamped in. Once I was done and the box was back in place I entered the gate and took the short  walk to the grave. A beautiful place - the grave is situated on the bank of a body of water (there wasn't a sign but with a little research I figured it to be Ringo Pond). After taking a few pictures I made my way back to AZ 181. I followed this road to its intersection with US 191. I took this road north and around mile marker 64 I parked in a pullout to find Azroadie's Wild Blue Yonder  box. After stamping in and replacing the box I decided to call it a day (it was just past 4:30pm). My destination for the night was Benson. So I got on I 10 and headed west. When I arrived in Benson I first found something to eat and once I was sated I drove to my hotel. I am now settled in for the night, planned for my day tomorrow and finished this post. It was a great day and I enjoyed exploring new areas.