More From Tucson

       Hello fellow readers!!   This very page focuses on Exploring Arizona through trips and pictures.    I have noticed there are a lot of former Washington residents living in Arizona now.  Completely different climate and people for sure, but since I am doing the same thing--I can't really say much negative about this.  Washington is a wonderfully amazing place for sure--if you have ever called Washington home or just want to see some of my better pictures  PLEASE check out another blog sight of mine mainly centered around Bellingham, WA.  A place I lived four separate times.      http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/         For ALL of our Exploring and my pictures please also check out my first and longest running blog sight  at    www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com        And lastly but not least   PLEASE check out MY Facebook sight---all of my jokes and pictures and such make it to this page first.  It also features LOTS of coffee love of course and is the quickest way to complain to me!  Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head    Check it out   You might laugh once or twice.   Might is the key word!! ;)

    

 

I am slowly working on MANY new posts.

As always thank you for being patient!!

Including many new ideas and lots of Exploring!

Next post will once again feature my business of the week. 

 

Today we again roam around amazing Tucson. 

This was a few months ago when I first started my new and amazing job at the Casino.

I love my new job.  Maybe not the hours   but everyone has to start some were.

The customers and staff is amazing.

For several reasons I will not mention the name here  but if you can recognize the spot --more power to  you  and please come to visit.   I am working the dreaded grave yard shift and you can wake me up!

 

 

 

Day I officially filled out my new hire paper work a few months back.

Almost three months ago now---wow!

New name badge with a full cup of coffee-and a new job   what could be better?

 

Right after that fun I had some time for some Exploring.

 

 

San Xavier Mission

 

 

 

Just down from the big casino you may find Mission Street.   

A great stop for some Exploring for sure.

 

 

Tucson is full of missions for sure--I have pictured a few in the past.

This is a large one for sure. 

From the parking lot there is lots to Explore.

From the vendors to several buildings.

 

 

Even the surrounding walls are amazing.

 

 

 

 

Inside the walls are lined with amazing art.

Allowing for some great shots for sure--none of my pictures do this place justice for sure.

If you are really lucky---you can visit during a service.

 

 

 

 

Each and every wall is covered.

 

 

 

Just to the left of the main building is a smaller shrine.

Filled with candles.

The smell is amazing and hits you long before you enter inside.

 

 

 

 

It was now time to stretch my legs and Explore outside.

 

Nearby is a small mountain side to check out.

I saw all kinds of wildlife while roaming the trail--but each was to quick for me to actually capture on film.

 

 

Mighty lions mark the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Framed view!

 

Another shrine just past the might lions.

 

 

From above rocks spell out all kinds of encouragement.

 

 

 

 

 

Actual green country side is VERY rare in Arizona.

 

 

Mission from above

 

 

 

 

 

On the route into the mission is this large cemetery.

In my defence I did not see the signs to NOT take pictures until I had snapped this one.

I guess posting it kind of shows I am fully guilty.

 

 

Several abandoned buildings can also be found to Explore.

 

 

Speaking of abandoned buildings--I always find them a thrill to check out.

This is just off of I-10 around the 6th Street area.   I did not venture inside any of these buildings  but would love too!

 

 

Even the sign is impressive.

 

City officials want to tear this sign down because it is an eye sore. 

But I really like it.

The back side offers a truckers special--I am not sure what that is,

but also am not sure if it is not still offered--it is Sixth Street and all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This motel features a bar or two and several pools.

And has defiantly seen better days.

But still looks like an amazing place to check out.

I recall many years ago when I was younger and stupider--

Jumping a fence or two in Springfield, Oregon   to a sight were they were tearing down a huge old hotel.

I have not pictures but the place was an Eire mixture of fascinating, spooky, magnificent, and fully wonderful. 

Several of us roamed and ran through the halls and rooms waiting to just suddenly fall through a floor board.

At one point my buddy jumped out a window and landed on a nail---he later got to get a tetanus shot. 

 

 

I parked near by at a long ago abandoned

gas station.   You can just make out the towers from the VA in the background.

 

Many motels that should be abandoned can be found in this area.  And I will do a full post on these very soon.   After staying or almost staying in several over the last few months.

 

 

Another terrific sign

 

 

Across the street from the old gas station.

Tucson really is full of art of all kinds.

 

Next post

Finds all of us in Tucson once again.

 

Any guesses as to were we Explore??

Here are some picture hints.

Place your bets on MY Facebook page

Exploring with Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Further Down The Trail--Sunny California Part I

       Hello readers!   This blog page is usually all about Exploring amazing Arizona through pictures and travels.  But a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit a good friend in California and of course have some pictures and thoughts on it all.   For more Exploring and amazing pictures of mine Please also check out MY second blog series  all about the amazing views Washington state has to offer at:  
http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/
And of course MY first blog series   full of travels, coffee love, and random rambling  at:
www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com
   And feel free to share anything you find on any of these sights!  Especially this one. 

   So about two years ago a good friend of ours came to visit April and I while we were living in Bellingham, Washington.  We had just gotten married, and had hit a really bad spot in our relationship.  One that was mostly a lot of arguing and throwing things.  Our friend decided it was best to not stay with us, and got a motel room during the visit.  For almost two years, I had not heard anything from him.  Last I knew he was living in San Diego and working at Home Depot.  But that town has a lot of Home Depot stores!   I had never been to San Diego and was going to use some of our tax refund to pop down that way and attempt to find my friend.  Just before we booked a ticket, I found he was living near Palm Spring.  Amazingly close to us, but getting ready to move back to the rainy state of Washington.  I quickly planned a visit.  Originally we were going to take a mini road trip to San Diego but his plans changed and we drove eight long hours to Oroville for a friend emergency. 
    

 

I had never been on Amtrak before and found an amazing price for a round trip ticket.

Through it all it is MUCH better than the dreaded Greyhound bus and much more

relaxing than driving.  But the hours are strange.  We left Benson, Arizona at around 6 PM, not allowing for much sight seeing.  Unfortunately the train sits almost an hour in nearby Tucson.

The Benson, Arizona stop is very small.  Just a speck stop in the desert with some signs and a few covered benches.

 

 

The family full of Wendy's Frosties waiting for me to board the train.

 

 

It was kind of hard to navigate around the train.  But you were more than free to roam around.

The above entire section was full of huge windows for watching the passing desert.  I got in more than enough people watching the first night.  I was attempting to use my laptop while a whole group of drunk-gay riders had an ever increasingly soap opera like night.  Since I could not access any WI-FI, I have to say the drama filled night was kind of entertaining. 

At one point I thought I could stay up the whole night, we were supposed to get to Palm Springs around two AM.  But when we crossed the time change boarder-I realized I really should attempt to get some sleep.

I also must add that both directions I witnessed problems with seating. 

People do not have assigned seating --but the conductors tend to place others in your seats if you are roaming around during boarding.  It happened to me on the way to California and to someone else on the way home. 

Last I must quickly note how expensive the adult beverages were.  I have been on a few

touristy train rides, but no long journey.  And wanted to be able to say that I have had a beer on a train.  If you are planning on drinking or being tipsy by your location--bring cash or hope they do not check your luggage!   The mini bottles of wine were $12 I believe and each bottle of beer was defiantly not cheap.

But I had my one and can say that I have had a brew on a train!

 

 

 

 

My friends humble home.

 

 

The next day we Explored Palm Springs.

At one point we passed Bob Hopes huge, mushroom shaped home.

It is for sale for $40 million if you happen to have any spare cash lying around your home.

We  soon ended up climbing nearly 9000 feet on this very scenic adventure.  Well worth the money for sure!

My worse complaint was that the new camera we had bought, was not working, and all of these pictures are from my cell phone. 

 

Just out of the parking lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ticket buying time.

 

 

 

 

 

Going up!

The lift rotates as it climbs giving an always amazing view.

 

 

 

 

We really were at the top of the World.

But with my crummy camera you could not even see the large city, far below.

Hundreds of miles of hikes await. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Than we took some time to Explore and eat around Palm Springs.

Found a few casinos along the way. 
Several even offered free gambling cash to sign up with one of there cards.
I actually left one casino $50 ahead off of there free game play.

 

 

We had a late lunch downtown in a 50's style joint.

Good food but I must say for such a touristy trap area the service was lousy.  It didn't seem like the servers were even trying for customer service or a tip.  I don't believe either was accomplished.  Than as it was starting to cool down, at least in desert terms we roamed through the stores. 

 

 

Just before giving up on Exploring we found this huge complex.

Part church, part living area, part motel it seems this was very cool and empty.

It looked like a fire had touched many of the buildings.

This area took up a full city block and had six swimming pools.

Along with multiple buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

Next post I keep on my Exploring shirt and shoes

As we continue to roam California.

And the rains hit.