Hello readers! I am happy to say it is finally time to update this page. We have been very busy Exploring and getting pictures. But getting updates on here seem to be way to few and far apart. I hope to post part number four from my trip back home to Wyoming and beyond very soon. Especially since I took the trip in October. I took nearly 400 pictures during that trip though so processing everything alone is time consuming. Tonight I wish to post from closer to home. A few weekends ago --over Martan Luther King day and President's day --all the state parks in Arizona were free. So our youngest and I ventured to Fort Bowie. I have passed this several times in my travels. But really did think it was closer to home than it was. Well worth the drive. If I do say so myself!
The town of Bowie was actually our first stop. And actually would enjoy some more looking around this town. Although it seemed mostly deserted. Empty buildings are high on my Exploring list. Just not so much when the kiddos are with me. This town reminded me a lot of Wilcox. Empty motels and such all over on the main drag through town like the areas used to be a vacation mecca way back in the day. The thought and the scenery reminded me a lot of the kids movie Cars also--the first one. As I mentioned above even though I had Googled the distance, I was not aware how far out of Wilcox this was. I believe now I had only measured to the markers of the fort in the heart of the town of Bowie. And than it is another 15 or so miles out to the Fort trail head. That all said, we needed gas.
On the outskirts of Bowie we found this gas station that was actually open. They sold nuts and had an RV park and all sorts of things. The free coffee sign was a draw for me---always! But being the only business around---they charged a lot for there gas and well everything. Come prepared and get gas in Wilcox of before for sure!
Right here was also this old deserted gas station and other such buildings to Explore. So I let our youngest take advantage of the free Wi Fi to download a game or two, and walked down the road way a bit to get some pictures.
Parts of the gas pump
From a cheaper era
Someones self portrait inside the gas station?
Large warehouse in the distance that looked fully deserted to me.
Would love to check it out further on another trip.
Further into the big town.
Connected to one of the now closed motels.
Again reminding me of the movie Cars and the traffic cone shaped motel rooms.
OK I got yelled at -at this point.
I pulled into what I thought was a deserted parking lot of a deserted old shop.
It was not empty---and although the grounds man was nice--the property owner could be heard cussing me out for a good while before we could see her.
I snapped the shot I wanted of the Pepsi machine and got back on the road long before she could damage our vehicle any. ;)
On the drive into the area.
So many trails So little time!
So this is a pretty easy trail but it is a hike into the fort area.
Coming back was definitely much faster but it was straight up for a good mile.
I am not in good shape at the moment and we still did about 3.5 miles plus looking around in about an hour and a half. So that was not to bad I guess.
Benches all along the trail if needed.
This was one of the buildings before the cemetery.
Signs along the whole way are very informational
If you follow my pages at all you know that I am a sucker for an old cemetery for sure!
Any time we pass water of any kind in Arizona we take pictures.
This probably had a water fall effect when running strong. And the green is full on moss.
This was actually marked as the Indian relations building.
Sounds a little to PC for me.
This was still a ways from the actual fort.
Signs said to stay off the building walls, so of course that's right were my hike buddy wanted to be! Sorry Ranger Rick!
When you consider the size this fort was and how there was---is still nothing around this area, it is amazing that this place was even built at least in my mind.
Getting closer
Size of the fort in it's hay day.
There of course is a visitors center.
Going back and heading up!
Not sure why the best things can be found up hill.
So a beautiful day and a nice hike and bit of Exploring for sure. Well worth the drive in my book. We went to the truck stop in Wilcox to get more gas and some fuel for our body's on the drive home. And the above was on my gas nozzle. I had to do a double take and than get a picture! As always Happy Trails my friends!
