Coronado Park Exploring & Beyond!

          On Friday I ventured about an hour down the road to pick up ten boxes of donated books for our take a book leave a book program.

             It was another amazing Arizona day with temperatures in the mid 80's, so before picking up the books I had some time to Explore.  There are amazing hikes all up and down this region.  At every skill level.  And further up are some caves to Explore.   I was told they are big enough a semi could drive straight through them, and not touch any of the sides.   The area is very close to the Mexican boarder.  Cameras and boarder patrol are very thick in the area.   I was surprised to see all of the signs in the park, warning of smugglers in the area.   After living on the Canadian boarder for so long, it is strange to be on this boarder now.   I stayed far enough on the American side to not get deported or smuggled, this trip.   I somehow found myself across the boarder while living up North many a time.  But Canadians tend to be a little friendlier.  Plus I am not positive I would be allowed back across the boarder. 

There is no fence here.

This dark, wide strip of  dirt that looks like a rail road track in this picture

is actually the boarder line. 



                             Again you can just make out the boarder line from this view point -higher up in the surrounding hills. 

                                                Butch is more than ready to get out of the truck and Explore!

 

                On this day it was just me and Butch.  We parked at the visitors center -had some food and than set off.

  I never actually made it to the memorial, but got in some good sight seeing for sure.   I thought we were on a quick trek to visit the day use area--but soon found myself heading up one of the many mountains.   Why are all of the best hikes -straight up-hill?   Butch right at my side to protect me from a would be smuggler.  Actually I was equally worried about him being snatched up, him being a pit bull and all.

The trails are very well maintained and marked. 

Although this trail soon became very narrow, with tall grass all around.

Not the best when you are as afraid of snakes as I am.

So many trails---so little time!

                                                                                      Natural tree arch.

Window through this old tree.

Views of the surrounding mountains from the parking lot

We eventually ended up at the top of this one. 

With an amazing-top of the World view.

Next times hike, perhaps.

This super easy trail leads to the picnic/day use area.

There are miles and miles of great hikes in this area.

Just up highway 92-heading towards Herford and Sierra Vista I

spotted this monastery on the hill

and had to get a closer look

and some pictures.

I did not feel like climbing any more hills or

getting preached to--so these pictures are from a distance.

Back on highway 92

Very lonely and plain portion of the desert heading in the general direction of Bisbee.

I was finally on my main mission---to pick up the donated books.

About 23 miles out of Bisbee just before Palominos, Arizona in the heart of Miracle Valley I spotted

this massive building and instantly knew that I would have to ignore all of the No Trespassing signs and Explore it all!

Several outlying buildings outline the property. 

But the main building with the dome was were I ventured.

Not knowing at the time if this was a church or catholic school.

I just knew it looked very kool and inviting.

Because of a feeling I can really describe--I did not feel right taking pictures from the inside.

After posting these pictures--an alert reader sent me this posting that tells and shows all about the sight.

http://souciant.com/2011/09/miracle-valley/

I did not write above

But it is a great read--please take a look at the above link.

I am VERY glad I read all of this -after venturing inside!

It is very spooky and morbidly thrilling at the same time. 

And could easily be our Halloween destination next year. 

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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. 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

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









Hike Rank 101

            Now that we are finally starting to get out of the house and enjoy some actual hikes, I feel I need to re post this.   It has been in my other blog series a few times.   And is my own rating scale for hikes.   I have been very lacks on going on any kind of hike lately.  Partially because of how hot it has been outside, my recent surgery, and just plane laziness.   I have been on many a crazy but fun filled hike in my past.   And I realize three things here.  1.)   I do not like trails---people have already been were they lead, and they become easily boring for me.   With cross country travel soon taking over.   *Not as much so in Arizona, because of my huge fear of snakes. *  2.) I have read many hike books, and entries online--and two things are usually not clear.   How to get to the actual trail.  And how tough the trail actually is.    And 3.)  I am used to trails in Washington and Oregon.   Trails in Arizona are a whole new ball game. 

         This is my own way to rank hikes.  With my own flair, if you wish.  If the ideas or wording tick you off, even better!  My hike postings will go by this ranking system.   And will include practical information on that area.  Like how rough the roads getting into the hike, how hard it is to find the trails, etc.  


Following is my ranking scale for how difficult a hike is.
   I can not draw anything, even my cows are stick figures.   So the badge or picture for each you will have to imagine from my descriptions below.  

 Rank 1-4  = Extra Easy             Fresco Kid would rank it two thumbs down.    He will be forever known as a friend that hated anything close to a hike.  And is quoted as saying-- "Why go way up their, it will look the same as down here, just with being able to see the tops of trees!"      
Picture---  A large Sprawl Mart parking lot

   Rank 5-8 = Easy       Porkchop Approved! *Largish friend of ours that went on a lot of hikes, but was known to disappear, and than be found on the trail rolled up in the fetal position*    One thumb down    
 Picture--- Large fat man holding a hoagie, licking lips, twinkle in his eyes.

   Rank 9-12  = No Bigguns!!      Picture--- Bigger dude looking up the trail.  Wiping forehead just from thinking about the hike.

   Rank 13-15.5 =  4 X4 Zone     Mostly off trail and uphill    Picture--  Trail straight up with a huge X through it.

   Extra supplies needed.     Long trail    easy to get lost area            Picture---  Hungry Man box

   Rank 16-19 = Y?      Lost trail for hours   found again  than realizes been following a deer trail all day
  Picture---   ???

  Rank 20-22 = Like Wow      Billy Goat Gump approved.  This boy can run up a trail backwards while you are panting.      Picture--- A billy goat placing flag at top of a mountain.  On back legs, shinning gold teeth showing.

  Rank 23-25 = Xtra Crazy    Mark and I approved       Picture--- Stick figure falling off a major cliff--spread eagle.   A falling pack and gear falling just behind the hiker.

   Rank 26-27 = Wha!?    Special Warnings    Not approved by or for anyone

   Rank 28-30 = Forget it!  Should give up before you try.     Picture---Two hikers standing before a trail that goes straight up.

   Rank 31-33 = F  It!                No Comment    Picture--- Person in hospital bed-leg and arm in cast with only middle finger showing.  Bandaged head.

   Watch Feet----   Snakes/slugs/poo and or other obstacles on the trail.      Picture---A large boot print in the dirt  huge squisehed Banana Slug in the middle.



Our truck is 80 miles that way, yo!
Kingman AZ

 

Sneaker waves are bad!



<>

<Bellingham WA

I have been on many a great hike.  And trails seem to become boring very soon after finding one.  Mostly because following a trail usually means some one else has been were the trail leads.  Because of this I have been on some crazy cross country hikes, that usually result in being lost for hours and seem to be mostly up hill.   If any of these hikes had been filmed-I probably would be very rich right now.  And 9 times out of 8, I manage to accomplish the entire trail with near perfect balance, until in the parking lot were the vehicle is parked.  That could be anything from a pickup to an ambulance.  Falling down in a flat parking lot is amusing but brings us to another topic all together.....    Unfortunately for many city dwellers the entire planet is not yet paved for your walking enjoyment.   This thought wave started years ago, in the outside plant area of an Oregon Wall-Mart.   Were thinking is optional for customers and workers alike ~Always!   A lady was looking at the trees for sale, and apparently fell down on a loose decorative pebble that strayed into the parking lot.  No one  saw the accident, but she wanted to seem very hurt because Wall Mart's pockets are thick.   She limped inside with our manager, to fill out paperwork.   And we, as bored workers, paid by the hour went to examine the accident area.   One of my co -workers tried to re-in act and overact the scene.  Resulting in him flopping around on the ground, holding his leg while I started to outline his twitching body in a chalk outline on the ground.  We looked up to see the manager with the downed shopper, coming our way to take the rock in as evidence and jumped off the ground. 

Bellingham, WA



Bellingham, WA




Sedona, AZ

 




Kingman, AZ



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If you live in or near wonderful Benson PLEASE check out our new project

 We have 300+ books at our house and wish to start a take a book, leave a book project.

LOTS of amazing titles--changing daily.

We even have a list--were you can request certain books. 

Help us make this something great for all of our neighbors! 

Check it out personally by dropping by our book cases on the car port of 759 Mcneil street

just behind the lower Circle K

 OR   check out the list of our books  right now

at:

April's give and take

It really is a huge list     help us help it grow  

April's give and take!!

Thank you

*

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

*

Your ad could be here!

Very reasonably

MANY views

Contact Steven at the above Facebook link or

at pontos62or@yahoo.com   for more information ;)