Rex and Nancy's Travels - "ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST" - JRR Tolkein

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 3 rd 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

Wednesday, we went back to the Chiricahua Mountains and drove the Pinery Canyon Road.  The road starts just south of the entrance to Chiricahua National Monument and crosses the Chiricahua Mountains.  We followed this dry creek bed where we saw several wild turkeys but were not able to get a picture. The fall colors were just starting here and were very nice to see. As we climbed higher into the Chiricahuas we had some great views,  and it was much cooler up here. We took a side road into Pine Canyon and over S. Downing Pass.  The sun shining on this tree made it glow. We had some great views from Downing Pass before we turned around and headed back to Pinery Canyon Road. We stopped at Barfoot Park – the marker says: “Barfoot Park has been designated a National Natural Landmark.  This site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation’s natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of the environment.  2011 National Park Service, United States Department of

Tuesday morning, we left Tacky in the motorhome and drove to Fort Bowie National Historic Site on Apache Pass Road south of Willcox.  Fort Bowie was established in 1862 to protect Apache Pass and Apache Spring.  For over 20 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were central to US Army operations against the Chiricahua Apaches for control of the region.  Set on a hill overlooking the spring, it was named for regimental commander Col. George Washington Bowie. Access to the fort is by a 3-mile roundtrip hiking trail.   We liked this stone bridge across the dry creek bed. Mining activity in the area started in 1864.  This was the home of Jesse L. Millsap, a local prospector and well digger in the early 20 th century.  Millsap was killed when a dynamite charge exploded below him while digging a well. These are the ruins of the Butterfield Overland Mail Station, built in 1858.  In 1857, the government awarded John Butterfield a contract to carry mail by stagecoach between St. Louis and San Franc

We left Las Cruces Saturday morning and drove to Willcox, AZ where we are staying at the Fort Willcox RV Park.  This is another very old and very basic RV park and the sites are very close together. Sunday, we went to Apple Annie’s Orchard outside of Willcox.  We were disappointed that they only had a few varieties of apples.  A late frost killed most of the apple crop and all the peaches and pears.  We were happy to be able to buy an apple pie, apple butter, and apple cider donuts.  We also bought some fudge, kettle corn and spun honey.    On the way home we stopped at Lee’s Pecan Orchard.   Mr. Lee was selling fresh pecans out of his garage.   He was also selling fresh pistachios for one of his neighbors.   We enjoyed talking with Mr. Lee and learning how they harvest pecans.     Of course, we left with pecans and pistachios. Monday morning, we stopped at the Willcox Visitor Center and picked up information on the area.  We then drove 35 miles south to Chiricahua National Monument.