Saturday, October 19, 2024

Wrapping up Willcox

Willcox/Cochise KOA

Willcox, AZ

October 12, 2024

The high desert climate of Cochise County is a good place to produce pistachios.  We see lots of these orchards as we drive the roads around the area. We stopped for a photo because I have never seen a pistachio on the tree. 


We first visited The Cattle Capital of the West...best known as Willcox, AZ in March 2023.  We returned for another stay this fall to continue exploring the area around Willcox which we really did enjoy.  There isn't much hustle and bustle in Willcox and on some corners it appears to be a bit rundown, but we did enjoy some history, a few stores, and lunch.

Willcox was founded in 1880 as a whistlestop for the Southern Pacific Railroad.  Some would say its very existence is due to the fact that this area is about half way between El Paso and Phoenix and seemed like a good spot to add the train depot.  





Sights along our walk...










We enjoyed lunch at The Dining Car...a decent pulled pork bar-b-q sandwich, slaw, and onion rings.  

On one of our drives, we stopped at Rattlesnake Ranch in Dragoon, AZ.  

I did read that Dragoon has officially become a ghost town.

Rattlesnake Ranch had its beginnings as John and Sandy's Rattlesnake Crafts and Rock shop...a souvenir shop that attracted motorists with its life size metal statues of Indians, snakes, and dinosaurs.  John made wallets, belts, and other useful items out of rattlesnake skins and sold them out of an old trailer.  He was also a collector of junk...tons of Old West artifacts he lovingly hoarded and had on display...signs, boots, tools, etc.  In later years when John and Sandy retired, the store was unattended and payment for anything that had a price was on the honor system.  We parked very close to the road so we have no idea if the artifacts are still there and sold on the honor system, but we did walk the path to take in the dinosaurs that we saw.  






Apple Annie's was also on our list this year.  We made three different stops. First stop was at the Country Store just down the street from the KOA.  


   
Yummy Apple Bread toasted with butter for breakfast...

Our next stop was the Fruit Orchard.  We had planned on picking apples, but the apple trees that were close by were all picked and we didn't make the trek to the end of the long rows of trees.  The Fruit Orchard has more that 15,000 trees which includes a 
variety of apples along with peaches, cherries, pears and apricots.  Granny, Snap, and Pink Lady apples are the "you-pick" selection for October.  

We did a short walk down the row and not one apple did we see...8 different varieties of apples are picked in September.

There is a bakery on site and we did not leave empty handed. 


The fruit stand had lots of choices for fruit...


Our last stop for the day was my favorite !  Apple Annie's Produce and Pumpkins.  The farm is open for "you-pick" mid September thru October.   There is no fee to enter the fruit orchard or the produce farm, you only pay for what you pick or choose to buy at the store.

The farm provides wheelbarrows, snippers, bags and a map.  This place is huge! 


Produce good for picking included squash, zucchini, okra, black-eye peas, green beans, eggplant, a large variety of peppers, chillies, and tomatoes. 




It's way cool to walk the rows, but we...ummm I...was mainly there to pick pumpkins and a bouquet of sunflowers.  







I love sunflowers, and was I ever surprised to learn the farm sells 11 different varieties.  









On the way home, we drove by a cotton field.  



Back at the KOA,  Sally discovers a new obstacle she can master,  a very pleasant day has come to an end, and it's off to bed early for an early start home on Sunday.  





HAPPY TRAILS...heading home !

It has been a busy week back at the oasis.  We are happy to be home ! More on that next time...


Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Echo Canyon Trail...Chiricahua National Monument

Willcox/Cochise KOA

Willcox, AZ

October 9, 2024

Oh the fresh smell of evergreens...sure reminds me of our old stomping grounds in Georgia.

Our first trip to Chiricahua National Monument was back in March of 2023 just after a snow storm.  Although we greatly enjoyed exploring Massai Point, Faraway Ranch, the Stafford House, and Bonita Creek that first visit , we missed hiking to the grottos because of icy trails. 

After a brief stop at the Visitor Center, we made our way to the trailhead for Echo Canyon.  Bonita Canyon Drive is an eight mile scenic drive that winds its way along huge boulders and a forest of oak, pine and cypress trees.  

Bonita Canyon Road.
  
We didn't see the Coatimundi this visit...


Joe and I didn't exactly follow directions for the Echo Canyon Loop trail.  Instead we only hiked the Echo Canyon trail and instead of a loop, we did an in-out trail for a total of 3.2 miles. Echo Canyon Trail was built in 1936 by the CCC.  The 1.6 miles trail includes retaining walls, curbs, and drainage ditches.  The steps...some of which are pretty tall for my short legs...were built into the rocks and the CCC crew widened existing fractures in the bedrock to create the trail.  The trail is easy to follow and has been described as a work of art.  The "up" part is steep if you go all the way to Echo Park. (1.6 miles).  At about 1/2 mile, you will see the sign marking the entrance for the Grottos and if you decide to turn around here...it's an easy walk in both directions.  



The Grottos are formed by tall intertwined arches...a stone hallway of sorts...carved out of the rocks by rain, wind and weather over time.  Towering rocks surround this area and dominate the landscape.  The shadow, the filtered sunlight, the tight spaces, and the twists and turns make for an interesting natural playground. 





After the Grottos, it is a steep descent of switchbacks to Echo Park.  Hoodoos stand as far as the eye can see.  These are the same hoodoos that the Chiricahua Apache referred to as "standing up rocks" when first arriving to the area.  These standing up rocks were formed many, many years ago by eruptions from the Turkey Creek Volcano.  This is where we turned around. 
 
 
Some of the WOWS in the first half mile of the trail...

Beautiful as far as the eye can see...

All shapes and sizes of balanced rocks...





The Grottos...



On the way to the canyon...






And the climb back up...



In 1924, the 12,025 acres in the Chiricahua Mountains officially became a National Monument.  84% of those acres are still designated as wilderness.  

Ed Riggs was a huge advocate for the Chiricahua NM.   He designed and built Echo Canyon trail.  In one quarter mile of the trail 11 switchbacks were needed.  Today this trail remains one of the most popular in the park and is a great example of CCC rock work and ingenuity.


Happy 100th Birthday 

Back at the KOA,  we enjoyed a relaxed sunset and walk with Sally.  A fresh salad topped with smoked salmon and a really good night's sleep.  We were tired!  But happy !



Until next time,



HAPPY TRAILS !


P.S. We returned home on Sunday.  MH cleaned, unpacked and laundry done.  It was a a wonderful vacation and we are happy to be home !