Arizona Trip
(November 2019)

Having worked hard through the summer, I rewarded myself by visiting my brother. He had purchased a house!

Since I was under contract, I could only take nine days. I suppose I could have take more time off. What's the worst that they could do? Fire me for taking a vacation? Then, I don't want to work for such a place!

I arrived outside Mike's house whilst he was working. He switched off his alarm system remotely--clever! His new place is very pleasant. There are F-16s and F-35s frequently flying around overhead. Luke Air Force Base is a training base for these platforms. Cool!


Ever wonder what a vending machine for vehicles looks like? Mike and I went to Tempe to take a look at Carvana's version. If you click the image, you'll see a SUV waiting in one of the pick-up bays adjacent to the tower. Neat idea!

Our next destination was Gila Bend Municipal Airport. (It's pronounced Heela Bend, because it's a Spanish name.) This small airport is still in active use. Outside the main gates are two RF-101 "Voodoo" reconnaissance jets. These supersonic fighters were part of the conflict in Vietnam. They were fenced off to help prevent idiots from wrecking them!



This stop also allowed me to snap a shot of my rented car. I wanted a MX-5 (AKA Miata) hardtop convertible. But they were out of them, so I had to "settle" for a Mustang. Oh yes, life is hard!

Mike really enjoyed playing with the various modes. The drag-strip mode really sharpens up the shifts. He left his mark with an "eleven" later on! Not bad for a four-cylinder!

The keen-eyed will notice a front plate on the car. Yes, Arizona doesn't require front plates, but Nevada does, which is where this vehicle was taxed.


We stopped at the famous space-age diner in town. It's neat, but we weren't hungry. And they had no caps in the gift shop, so we continued to a park centering around a beam from one of the World Trade Center towers that was destroyed in 2001. The park is peaceful and calm, a fitting tribute to those who died.


We drove to a Shell filling station featuring an array of steel dinosaurs. In fact, Gila Bend is known for their dinosaur statues. "Beware of rattlesnakes!"

But what shocked me the most were two sculptures of cacti. Yes, in the desert someone took the time to assemble two desert "trees" in steel. Bizarre, but OK. Take a look here. Time for me to make a steel version of a mosquito


We stopped to admire the unique "Welcome" sign. I liked the small, desert town. Even the five "old crabs"! Maybe you know them? Here's the list. I like how they are "equal opportunity" for this celebrated status!


Mike and I were pleasantly surprised by the gas station in Why. They had a cool water fountain made from an old Ford?? (I need input from a long-time, regular BU.com visitor to confirm my suggestion.)

So why did we visit? Why not? (I couldn't help it!)


As we headed back to Mike's house, we stopped in Ajo (pronounced Ahh-hoe). I had incorrectly called the town "A-hole". (It brought back warm memories of my other brother, because he used to refer to me with this censored insult!).

This artsy town seemed friendly. A local waved to us as we walked to Artists' Alley. The town sports a defunct rail station in their town square. What a pleasant town.


Our reason for stopping lay in Artists' Alley. This particular mural is known to "sing". Yes, it's obvious that the gas regulators combined with the electrical boxes (in very hot weather) must provide a continuous song. Still, it was good to see all the murals.


Before leaving home, I had ordered a MIG welder for Mike. I was very concerned when my credit card wasn't charged. In fact, I thought that the credit company had blocked the order, citing it as fraud.

I was glad to receive an e-mail message that the welder was ready for pick-up. I jumped in the 'stang and went to a Grainger office in north Phoenix. The guy who helped me was impressed by my purchase. He said that he had learned on the smaller (earlier) version.

I assembled the cart, leaving the fun assembly of the welder itself to Mike, and left it in Mike's garage. The enormous tires of his Jeep provide scale. I was so glad that my house-warming/birthday gift showed up!


During one of Mike's workdays I visited White Tank Mountain Regional Park. It was the first day of rain, and I sheepishly approached the gate to buy a day pass. The lady in the booth was concerned that "my" seats would get soaked. I told her that the top could be raised quickly, and mentioned that I was from out-of-town and hoped to visit her park again. She immediately became friendly and gave me a lot of literature about the park. My timid demeanor subsequently subsided. Thank you, kind lady!

I didn't have a lot of sunlight left, so I went straight to the hike to the waterfalls. Would you know the first third of the walk is on concrete?!


I was happy when the concrete ended, but I wondered if the light rain would become a downpour. Like a caveman, I was in primitive apparel: T-shirt and flip-flops. OK, I should write that I was dressed like a modern caveman!

The above petroglyphs must have taken a lot of work. Anthropologists have decyphered many of the symbols. But there remains a lot of discovery to be made! Maybe you can help them? Click for a larger view.


The trail was never challenging. When I saw steps hewn into the stone, I almost laughed! I passed two young women who seemed to be really loud. They were both courteous, and I soon learned why their voices were so loud.


The waterfall wasn't flowing, but the spot makes a great echo chamber. With the rain that was coming, it was only a matter of time for the 'falls to be spectacular! Now, it is a picturesque spot.


On the way out of box canyon, I spied a place that Indians probably used during the infrequently rains of the Southwest. Cool!


During Mike's day off, we went further afield. In Bagdad, we found puddles. Yes, we called in a Black Hawk helicopter, and it carried our convertible thousands of miles to the Middle East, Need For Speed style. OK, I'm making up that narrative!

But there is a Bagdad in Arizona, and it was wet!


My caveman footwear wasn't up to wading a small brook, so I zoomed-in to photograph a memorial to the copper miners of Bagdad. How many of your household wires have material from this mine? Quite a few, I would think! That more than justifies a statue.


At one point, this stop along the highway was a popular pause for those traveling between Las Vegas and Phoenix. It isn't a big deal, but it's better than nothing...


We continued. Just north of the small, desert community of Wikieup, we spotted a rocket. To the moon, Snoopy! Click for an image of just the rocket.

How cool is that monument for a welcome sign? It made me sad to leave Arizona. Ignoring the cities, the state is one of the best in the Union.

I returned home without incident. I did have a couple of conversations with other travellers. (It's always good to hear other's stories.) Back home, I found that I was happy. Also, I had to watch my speed as I returned to John's. I was used to travelling at 15-20 mph above the limit!





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