October 19-21, Willcox and Apache Junction, AZ



On Thursday we drove to the Dragoon Mountains which are about 30 miles southwest of Willcox.  The Dragoon Mountains are a small range about 25 miles long.  The name originates from the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Dragoons who battled the Chiricahua during the Apache Wars.  The Dragoons established posts around 1856 after the Gadsden Purchase made this area a U.S. territory.


We drove to the Cochise Stronghold – this rugged area served as a natural fortress and hideout for Apache Indians of the Chiricahua Clan led by Cochise. 

There is a small U.S. Forest campground here and a trail with many displays that tell the story of the people of the Stronghold, especially the Chiricahua Apache.




Looking at the towering rocks and deep ravines we can see how the Chiricahua Apache were able to elude the U.S. Army troops during the Apache Wars.






This is a monument to Cochise.  He was born between 1810 and 1820 and lived in the Dragoon and Chiricahua mountains and in northern Mexico.  He rose to leadership in the 1850s, a time of war between Mexicans and Chiricahuas, and became a leader of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua.  He remained the leader of his band until his death in 1874.  The plaque calls him the greatest of Apache warriors.  He died here and it is believed that he is buried somewhere in the Stronghold.




On our way out of the Stronghold, we saw this White-Tailed Deer.

 We enjoyed our day in the Dragoon Mountains and learning more about the Chiricahua Apache and Cochise.




Friday, we relaxed at the motorhome and started getting ready to drive home to Apache Junction.

Saturday morning left Willcox and drove home.  

We have enjoyed our travels this summer and are glad that we retired from working in the RV park in New Mexico.  We traveled through 11 states and visited 2 National Parks, 3 National Monuments, and many historic sites, state parks, archaeological sites, and recreational areas.  We have now visited every state except the New England states and Hawaii.

We are going to enjoy being home for the nice warm Arizona winter and will be planning our travels for summer of 2024.  This will be the last post until we start our travels next year.




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