Exploring Blog Glossary Part I----Beyond Arizona

            I have been talking about this post for awhile now.   And even with all the free time I have had in the last few months, have not found the ambition to actually start this.   I started my first blog near the end of 2010.  And I now have three different blog series.  Through those years I have lived in several different states and done a lot of Exploring.   I really wish, I had documented all of my trips-especially the many when I lived in Oregon state.  Not just because of the areas beauty, but because I was much younger and dumber.  Lets just say few people went on more than one Exploring hike with me!  Actually starting on it today, is mainly based on it being very Oregon like outside!  The sky is full of clouds, and wind, and large rain drops.   Much of this glossary is to help me.  In categorizing all of the travels and trips.   But I also hope it also benefits you the reader.   I say reader because there are so few of you out there!    My mindset and relationship status changed a lot from residence to residence.  And most of the newest ones include one or all of our kids and dogs.  I am not sure if this will help me find any of my pictures--if you have not seen the blogs before or my Facebook page--I have 1000's of pictures.  I would also like to hope that with each blog post and blog page--the posts got better.    Enjoy   and as always     **HAPPY TRAILS! 

       **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/01/wandering-and-swimming-down-road.html**      Ferndale, WA
Jan 21 2011

         **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/02/greetings-from-canada-aye.html**       Canada Feb 1st 2011

          **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-fairhaven-washington.html**    Fairhaven, WA  Feb 26 2011

           **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/explore-wwu-campus-free-cheap.html**     Bellingham, WA-WWU      March 7th 2011



            **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/trail-101-recap-and-trail-bustin.html**     Fairhaven, WA   
  March 7th 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekend-recap.html**      Bellingham, WA      March 14 2011

              **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/falls-park-go-and-take-fall-and-enjoy.html**   Bellingham,   WA   Great Falls Park   March 18th 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/downtown-bellingham-great-place-to.html**     Bellingham, WA   Downtown   March 23rd 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/03/down-by-bay-take-202.html**     Bellingham, WA bay
    March 29 2011

              **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/04/again-by-bay-two-fer-post-day-horay.html**    Bellingham,     WA bay   April 12th 2011



             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/06/were-in-world-is-sheridan-wyoming.html**    Sheridan, WY
     June 16 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/06/3rd-thursdays-main-street-sheridan.html**     Sheridan, WY
     June 17 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/07/exploring-wonderful-sheridan-wyoming.html**   Sheridan,    WY   July 12 2012

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/07/sheridan-wyo-rodeo-dont-yha-know.html**   Sheridan, WY
      July 25 2011

            **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/07/exploring-sheridan-beyond-main-street.html**   Sheridan, 
     WY   July 25 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/07/exploring-sheridan-beyond-main-street_28.html**    Sheridan, WY   July 28 2011

             **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/08/big-horn-turns-130-now-thats-birthday.html**   Big Horn,
     WY   Aug 3 2011

           **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/08/once-upon-time-in-story-wyoming.html**    Story, WY
     Aug 3 2011

          **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/08/82611.html**      Billings, MT   Aug 25  2011



         **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/09/last-thursday-night-festival-in.html**     Sheridan, WY
    Sept  20 2011

        **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2011/11/exploring-acme-wyoming-one-fine-day.html**   Acme, WY
   Aug 8 2011

       **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2012/02/2142012.html**     Sheridan, WY    Feb 14 2012

     **http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2012/03/snow-day.html**    Bellingham, WA   March 6 2012






                                                   More to come!!   This was only part 1

                                                     Want to read/view/enjoy more??

                                             MY blog rundown
Some of my better pictures end up here: http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
My newest page all about Arizona and what it has to offer everyone! http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/
My longest running blog series. F.ull of random rambling, Exploring, jokes, rants, and of course coffee love! http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/

Please also do not forget to check out MY Facebook page!

Perfect for commenting directly to me.

Most of my thoughts, jokes, and pictures end up on this page before they become a blog

Please check it out and click on "like"

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head



                                                       

More Sunsets & Exploring Benson, Arizona

       Hello readers!   As I sit here this very early morning, enjoying some of my last posts-and large amounts of coffee-I have noticed that I forgot to "super star" any local business in my last post!   So I will chose a couple to showcase in today's post.   Places that have always given amazing service-each time that I or my family visits.  Good service seems to be so rare, I wish to spot light it, when I see it.  None of these business have paid me, or probably even know I have picked them.   But I truly thank each great shop that makes this area even better, and that keeps me from wanting to do all of my shopping in Tucson this holiday season!  This is also a very new blog page---so please help me spread the word  by passing on this link to everyone that may enjoy it.   I usually also have a picture or two of the business---but today I am slacking in that department. 

     **First up is Benson Fuel!**     Just off of Fourth Street-you can not miss it.  Super friendly service every time--good coffee---most reasonable gas prices in town.  They now also take EBT food cards, for those of you that care.   Honestly for me I think the main draw is that they are the only place in town with fountain Cherry Pepsi.   If they also had crushed ice I would be a life long groupie of the store.   O! And they have clean restrooms.   Parking is a little tight- and the walls are covered with signs for the customers.   The signs are fine, I just realize it is a waste of space, because no customer actually reads any of these.  Maybe they could replace these with old pictures of this great town, or local landscape pictures of mine ;)  
 

 

             Today's blog post has no real theme.   In past posts I have shown some neat sunset pictures.  And while roaming around town last Friday evening and Saturday I thought I captured some good shots.   I hope you feel the same way about them.   Just past Benson Fuel is the old Benson Motel.  It is no longer open for business, but the lot keeps drawing me there.  And on this evening it allowed for a great backdrop. 



                     Artwork lines many of the outside walls.  If only the walls of this place could talk!


     

                                                                         The old pool area.

Arizona sunsets can quickly become amazing.

And seem to be a different show each evening.

Add in desert plants and landscapes and maybe some smoke from a nearby fire

and the results merit a standing ovation! 

Please check out my past local sunset pictures also in past blogs. The links are just below.

If nothing else they are very calming. 

           Across the street from all of this is the ice cream shop.  Also known as the Old Benson Ice Cream Shop.  Beyond enjoying great quick service and of course the ice cream---many a night you can enjoy a mini old car show in the parking lot.   Lots of flavors of ice cream and ice cream related treat at mild prices.  Although I was disappointed that the bubble gum flavor, did not have bits o actual bubble gum in it.  The train tracks being so close also gives a great "show" or go through the convenient drive through and enjoy your treats at the near by Lions Club city park.  

              Just past all of this fun-is our last plug for today.   Cowboy Way!   One of the few local retail tourist traps that seems to be open regular hours.  Everything from purses to cowboy poetry.  Helpful staff, that still lets you just browse.   And they just had a ladies night out event---so kudos to any business that has events for our wives.  Although I am sure most of the event involved shopping this store.  

          Saturday the sun returned in full force and in the afternoon I was off to take some more pictures.  I have lived in Oregon and Washington for many years--and although I love a good storm, I will take full on sunshine over gloomy-gus clouds any day.   I also grew up in Wyoming, were my parents now live.  So I daily remind my friends and family in Wyoming, and beyond about the warm temperatures here.   On this day I took off from our house on foot, on two missions.   First was to get some fall colors.  There is a grassy-super inviting spot just past these bridges with several huge trees in it.   One tree has fully turned to show it's true fall glory!



          My other mission was to snap a picture with a train engine on the bridge.   This turned out much harder than I had imagined.  And these are my attempts so far.  Luckily this spot is close to the house and a train goes by every about 15 minutes so that I can attempt again on another day soon, and maybe get the shot much more centered.   There is also a good place to sit while waiting for the next train.  This also allows one to be somewhat out of view while standing by the road holding a camera. 

 

           



         This is not a great shot, but I really did not want this gentleman knowing I was taking the picture.  I see him all over town, and have had many interesting conversations with him.   I now know not to inquire how he gets his white clothes so white!   Now he seems to be in his winter black collection.   I am adding this picture to see if anyone local can share more information on him---inquiring minds want to know.   And in hopes that none of you share to him that I took this picture.   Thanks in advance. 

                                                                    Were are you Exploring today??

                Please share you Exploring pictures and thoughts on my Facebook page--The link is just below.  You can also recommend areas across the state for me to Explore next.  I have a long list of just local-ish places to check out and get pictures.   I also have a ton of posts in the works.  Filled with new Exploring, pictures, and concepts!   So please keep checking back and sharing this page.  

                   I have spent a lot of time driving on I-5 in my past.    Now I seem to find myself on or just off of I-10 a good deal.   In time my roaming will take us across the entire state.  I had hoped to surprise the kiddos this weekend in Tucson.  It seems the Foothills Mall is bringing in 30 tons of snow, and having Santa make an appearance.   And we were going to make a quick trip to the morning event.  But reports show that the roads will be a huge mess--making a quick pop in, rush out trip very hard.   For starters  the big game is also Saturday.   And there is a huge bicycle race criss-crossing the town also.   So we are not attending the desert snow ball fight.   It starts at 10:00 if any of you readers live closer to the fun. 



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                                             MY blog rundown
Some of my better pictures end up here: http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
My newest page all about Arizona and what it has to offer everyone! http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/
My longest running blog series. F.ull of random rambling, Exploring, jokes, rants, and of course coffee love! http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/

Please also do not forget to check out MY Facebook page!

Perfect for commenting directly to me.

Most of my thoughts, jokes, and pictures end up on this page before they become a blog

Please check it out and click on "like"

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head

Early School Release Day Exploring!

                 Every other Wednesday is early release for the local schools.  It seems amazing how many days they get off per month.  And I heartily  congratulate any family with kiddos that also has both adults working!  My wife and I have both worked in the past, and would basically trade off the kids in the parking lot-kiss-and rushed off, one to work the other home.   Now we take turns being the main bread winner of the home.   At the moment I am back to staying at home---and I do not sit well, so have been taking a lot of Exploring pictures.   On Wednesday all three kids and our two dogs ventured just down the road.   We parked near the cemetery on High Street, and ventured into the surrounding hills. 

Follow the dirt road to the right before the entrance

and it dead ends at a great parking spot. 

Also a great place to start Exploring.

We followed the water run offs and soon crossed over the road.

It is rare to have all three kids with me.

Or both dogs.

Ever more rare is to see them all getting along!

                                                      Happy campers ready to sniff out more Exploring!!

                                                        Kool tree in a fork of the now dry water flows.

                                                     So many hills are in this area to Explore and master!

Max!

Butch enjoying the view

                                                                         His view of wonderful Benson!

Again I state that almost everything in the desert is sharp and or angry!

So watch your step. 

On this day I lost my footing and went home with some nice deep cuts n the back

of my legs -courtesy of the plant life. 

Break time in the shade. 

             We attempted to again follow the water flows -back to our truck--under the concept that water did

not flow up hill, so we did not have to climb any hills.   We soon learned that we had to climb some more hills and that we had over shot our parking spot just a little bit.   We were down by the public swimming pool.   Any area we have Explored before.    A quick trip got us back to the vehicle and off to the park, to refill all of our water bottles. 



                                                   Time to relax and gain some energy to write that next blog post. 
                                                           This is our 2nd home office--although with the lap top I kind of just
                                                           Set up office were ever I am at the moment.   Including my personal favorite
                                                            Space on the couch on our car port.  

======================================================================================


 

                                                         MY blog rundown
Some of my better pictures end up here: http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
My newest page all about Arizona and what it has to offer everyone! http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/
My longest running blog series. Full of random rambling, Exploring, jokes, rants, and of course coffee love! http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/

 *

Please also do not forget to check out MY Facebook page!

Perfect for commenting directly to me.

Most of my thoughts, jokes, and pictures end up on this page before they become a blog

Please check it out and click on "like"

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head

IF you do not enjoy MY page---there is a really good chance the feeling is mutual!

Also we are starting a take a book leave a book program from our car port.

We have had amazing support  

but if you live in the Benson area or

just like to read please check out our Facebook page.

It has all of our current books and our address so you can check them out !

https://www.facebook.com/booktradein?fref=ts