Sierra Vista Revisited One Fine Day

    Hello fellow Explorers!   Just this past weekend I ventured on several mini road trips to nearby areas.   I have been to Sierra Vista and this very area in the past.  In fact there are picture filled blogs all about it.  On this day I had a rental car and got lost trying to cool off in the hills and trees.   As usual I took lots of pictures.  My heart and soul really needed these little day trips.   So please come Explore with me!

Out the motel window that morning. 

While it was still under 100 degrees outside.   Barley.

Soon after I got my rental car I took a wrong turn.

But ended up driving by this mural.

Quickly got my bearings and attempted to visit the local ranger station.

But alas it was Saturday and they were closed. 

A bit of a surprise since the flag was flying out front.  

I did roam around the parking lot long enough to take full use of my Arizona clothes dryer!

The spy blimp was up and flying. 

I have heard so many different stories about this blimp.  

But most believable is that it is for weather readings and or to assist the boarder patrol.

Whatever the reason it can be found in the Sierra Vista sky on almost any clear non windy day.

Exploring fuel!

Another great dirt road.

I so enjoy a long twisty dirt road.  The rougher the better. 

Although this rental car was not four wheel drive for sure.  ;)

About the only thing I enjoy more on a hot summer day

is a long set of rail road tracks to walk.

Further into the hills I found some amazing areas to Explore

but the owners signs and fences seemed to not be very welcoming.  

Although I have since heard stories about local bear sightings.  Somehow I did not believe this sign.

I did however see a ton of deer on my hike. 

So many trails  So little time.

Lots of trails spur out of this area.  

Duck pond.

The lower pond is full of turtles. 

As always   Happy Trails!!!

I hope to see some of you on the dusty trail some day soon.  

Not Much Beats A Dirt Road. Back By The Thing

       I have greatly been slacking from this very Exploring blog page that I so enjoy.  But I have been busy Exploring and collecting tons of pictures.  Especially last weekend.  July was an extra terrible month for me on all levels.   I had a rental car and just wanted to drive.   I kind of treated the weekend as a retreat from it all.   And took a mini road trip each day.   An escape until back to reality on Monday with the mechanic shop, and car dealerships, and financial institutions all wanting my money.   Here is one of the mini trips for your enjoyment.  

      I have been just up the road to The Thing before in the past---in fact there is a full blog post about it all.   From Saint David Arizona you take the highway, I 10 a short distance heading towards El Paso.    A huge gas station -turned tourist trap awaits.   Full of sale items beyond the normal Pepsi, Ding Dongs, and beef jerky.   You can even buy fireworks year round.  Although they are always highly illegal in Arizona.   There is also a museum -wandering through the multiple buildings out behind the gas station   Leading up to The Thing   a mutant -well Thing.   Like many cases I was way more impressed with it all than the kiddos the first time I went.   Now they are changing the museum and what The Thing is---so you can not go out back and Explore the buildings   and Things.   Hopefully the price to view it all will still remain one dollar!   It does not seem like much ---but when you figure all of the tourists I am sure the owner eats well just off his Thing. 

Like looking in a mirror.  ;)

I believe the new Thing is argued to be something between an alien and a dinosaur.  

Best restroom signs around!

Just down from the homestead in ST David.

Rest area just down I-10

Full of these huge rocks.  

And signs saying how illegal it is to deface the rocks. 

Spray paint---Illegal!

Greeted to this rest area  by green water.   

I am actually parked in the space over from the DPS parking.

Since the tourist trap is always open and it was nearing sunset

I found some back roads to Explore!

Kind of a surprising find in the middle of the desert.

But not the Thing!

Back at the homestead.

And no I am not drinking the Thing!

Next post some more much needed Exploring in Sierra Vista!

Where I was supposedly supposed to watch out for bears. 

This post is dedicated to our now DOA Exploring vehicle.  

It loved the road almost as much as I do.  

And died way to soon-- mainly because we are still making payments on it. 

I wish I knew what Thing was broke.  

RIP