We left Tucson on April 20th to head back to New York.

We took good old route 40 East and made pitstops along the way.

Driving along Interstate Route 40 East in Arizona as it runs parallel along both sides of Route 66.

Did you know that route 66 is 100 this year? I know because we have traveled on it muchly. Do you know where it starts and stops? you will now, . . . . .From Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, Route 66. , also known as the “Mother Road” and the “Main Street of America,”

We passed once again through Hatch, New Mexico: Which is the Chile Capital of the World.

The Alien, KFC Bucket, The Robot, Yogi the Bear, The Pink Pig and Robin Hood, Their all there in Hatch too!

We stayed over night at The Desert Inn in East Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Once again on route 40 our destination was Shamrock, New Mexico.

Our theme song for this route was Truckin’ by The Grateful Dead. I know you know the song, it’s an old classic for sure.

🎤🎤🎤🎤

🎶Arrows of neon and flashing signs along Main Street in cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit. It’s a typical city in a daydream; wait and see what tomorrow brings.🎶

Chorus: Truckin’, I’ve cashed in my chips and keep moving like the do-dah man, staying in line and just keep truckin’ on.🎶

🎶 Truckin’ up to Buffalo, Relax, you need to mellow out, finding the right place takes time. Just keep on truckin’ on.🎶

When your driving on route 40 you see billboards advertising a “Free 72oz. steak at the world famous Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo Texas!’  Just in case your interested, the details are below:

72-ounce Steak Challenge Rules: Entire meal must be completed in one hour. If any of the meal is not consumed (swallowed)… YOU LOSE!                                                                                                                                                     Once you have started you are not allowed to stand up, leave your table, or have anyone else TOUCH the meal.                                                                                                                                                Should you become ill, the contest is over… YOU LOSE! (Please use the container provided as necessary.)                                                                                                                                                 You are required to pay the full amount up front; if you win we will refund 100%.                                   If you fail to complete the challenge, you must pay the full $72 dollars.

Did I forget to mention that you have to eat the whole meal which includes: 4 & 1/2 pounds of steak, (which is 72 oz’s) baked potato, shrimp cocktail, salad & a bread roll !!

I don’t care for steak and Dave could never eat that much, but if your ever near Amarillo Texas, if your really, really hungry and are hankering for a steak, Why not try it out?

You also see billboards advertising the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

The route was one of the country’s major thoroughfares for nearly half a century.
Route 66 became one of the most famous roads in America, having been popularized in American culture through books, songs, music, magazines, movies, and television shows.

It’s May 21st and we were in Shamrock, TX.

If you have an old vintage truck that you don’t know what to do with, like this one in Shamrock, how about using it to show off your plants?

We ate once again at the Conoco U Drop Inn Cafe, cause their food is really good.  Elvis was there with a different shirt on this time.

There is also a information center in the Conoco building, I asked the volunteers how the 100 year celebration was going, they said it wasn’t even summer yet and they were constantly re-stocking their shelves of the 100th year anniversary items. Glad the celebration is off to a roaring start.

The Shamrock County Inn is the former 31 unit Ranger Motel.. The motel opened in September of 1959. They refurbished the inn and it’d very nice and clean. When it was the Ranger motel there were about 5,000 cars driving through Shamrock on Route 66 every day.

We’ll have to get our picture taken by this big boot when we pass thru on our way back to Arizona.

On route 40 we stopped overnight in Russellville Arkansas.

When we were driving thru Memphis, I saw Elvis hitch hiking . . . and suddenly with a blink of an eye he vanished. We went to Memphis years ago with friends, if you haven’t been, Elvis is waiting . . . . .

We’re now on route 81 to Nashville, Tennessee. Where we stayed overnight.

We’re on route 65 on our way to Tennessee to spend time with our friends. They live in a town in Tennessee that is part of the Johnson City metropolitan area.

We arrived at our friends new beautiful home on May 24th.

Last year when we visited our friends they took us to the site above because: Dave’s 6th great grandfather and 5th great uncle, Col. John Tipton came to eastern Tn, from Maryland. Then it was pure wilderness, they built a cabin, and as time went on his 5th great uncle was very influencial in founding the state of Tn, which then people were trying to call it the state of Franklin. In fact a 3 day skirmish happened right at the Tipton cabin.

This time they took us the Tipton-Haynes Cemetery Located between the houses of 303 and 305 Arroyo Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee.

It contains the remains of Revolutionary War soldier and legislator John Tipton (1730-1813) and his second wife, Martha Denton Moore. 

Also buried here are newspaper publisher Lawson Gifford (1810-1879) his wife, Mary Taylor Haynes (1818-1904), and some of their descendants. The cemetery is part of Tipton-Haynes Historic Site.

It’s was nice seeing the historic cemetery. It’s definitely well-kept as it sets between two houses in a Tennessee neighborhood.

Thank you Beth & Fran for opening your lovely home to us and sharing your time with us. Dave loves Beth’s popcorn and she even made a bucket full to take on the road.

We thank dear Beth and Fran for their monstrous kindheartedness.

We left Wednesday morning the 27th, to get on 81 North to Spotsylvania, Va.

We arrived at our destination in Spotsylvania Va, a really neat Bed & Breakfast, etc. called Stevenson’s Ridge.

Looking at Stevenson’s Ridge from the road. Stevenson’s Ridge looking at the road.

Stevenson Ridge is an 87 acre historical property in Spotsylvania County. It offers lodging with 11 private cottages and a Lodge event facility. It also has a lodge to accommodate large special events. Amenities include wood-burning fireplaces, onsite fishing, kayak rentals and tours. You definitely go back in time at Stevenson’s Ridge.

The reason we came here is because of a Confederate Civil war bayonet that my third great uncle Corporal Abner Polk Adams, who fought in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, retrieved from the ground on which the fighting occurred. Stevenson’s Ridge was in the middle of central Virginia’s Civil War landscape. The Ridge sits directly on the actual Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield. There are groups of earthworks and fortifications on the property that have been called the best-preserved earthworks in private hands.

A Sketch of Stevenson Ridge, 1864

The owners of the property have been re-homing antique structures to the property, restoring them, and transforming them into guest cabins and cottages. Such buildings include a post office, tobacco hanging barn, and a corn crib. Most of the structures pre-date the Civil War—the oldest dating back to 1732.  We stayed in the Tobacco Barn.

It has a high-peaked ceiling and exposed-log crossbeams that reveal the Tobacco Barn’s past life as a place for hanging tobacco leaves to dry. Now converted to a one-room guest house make it a special place to stay.

On our second day here we had the renown Chris Mackowski, Historian-in-Residence, give us a tour around the entire battlefield which ended at the Harris Farm. This is where the 4th NY heavy artillery and other heavy artillery units were posted. On May 18th, 1864 my great uncle and all the other men of the heavy artillery unit, were attacked by Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early “Old Jube.” and his division of 6,000 men. The battle went back and forth for 5 hours after which the confederates retreated.

Our guide took us to Harris Hill Farm where Corporal Adams fought and retervived the bayonet.

After the Wilderness battle, Both Grant’s and Meade’s armies met at the Spotsylvania Court House on May 8. This two-week battle was a series of combats along the Spotsylvania front. The Union attack against the Bloody Angle at dawn, May 12-13, captured nearly a division of Lee’s army and came near to cutting the Confederate army in half. Confederate counterattacks plugged the gap, and fighting continued unabated for nearly 20 hours in what may well have been the most ferociously sustained combat of the Civil War. On May 19, a Confederate attempt to turn the Union right flank at Harris Farm was beaten back with severe casualties. . On May 21, Grant disengaged and continued his advance on to Richmond. Estimated Casualties:27000 total (US 18000; CS 9000;)

Corporal Abner Polk Adams was immersed in this bloody 2 week battle and continued to fight until we was wounded in the Battle of Petersburg on June 18th, 1864.

The “Bloody Angle” was a notorious 22-hour stretch of hand-to-hand combat during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Fought in a pouring rainstorm, it featured such intense point-blank musket fire that a 22-inch oak tree was completely severed by bullets It resulted in 17,000 casualties and some of the most horrific carnage of the American Civil War.

Dave and I walking by some of the trenches that were dug on Stevenson’s Ridge.

Diggin and building trenches was hard work. A commander often laid out the line they wanted to entrench and then the soldiers would dig along that position using bayonets, picks, shovels, or even drinking cups.

They often focused initially on a relatively simple rifle pit or earthworks and then (especially later in the war) gradually improved their position with covered approach trenches and headboards,

Both The Union North Corps, on the first week of the battle, and the Union fifth corps during the second week dug the eathworks on Stevensonson’s Ridge. Then the Sixth followed duggin the trenches. The soldiers left extensive earthworks. Most of them were build by new troops following the army manual, so they look different than the works built by veterans on other parts of the battlefield.

They also dug an extensive system of trenches known as “covered ways.” These ditches let them bring supplies close to the front why still remaining protected by the topography as much as possible. That let them stay “under cover” (thus the name).

We checked out a few other of the cabins at Stevenson’ Ridge.

The Spy Hill House has a interesting history. Formerly known as Round Hill, It was purchased in 1655 by John Washington, the grandfather of President George Washington. Upon John Washington’s death, his son, Lawrence Washington, had inherited Round Hill and acquired the land adjoining the estate. The property remained in the Washington family until it was sold in 1828 to Thomas Baber.

Front

Not far from the main house on what had been formerly known as the Round Hill Estate was a hill that provided a panoramic view of the Potomac River from Colonial Beach to Mathias Point. The hill had been used as an observation post to spy out British troops sailing up and down river during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. For this reason, Thomas Baber changed the name of the estate to the Spy Hill Plantation. It was disassembled and now is at Stevenson’s Ridge.

Back

Front of the Lodge Back of the Lodge

This building is the Lodge, the primary event facility. It’s built around the post-and-beam framework of an old chapel.

Pond in back of Lodge

The Lodge has a neat artifact in it, pair of doors once own by U. S. Grant and William T. Sherman now hang here.

At night at the Ridge.

We checked out other cabins and they all have a unique quality about them. If you like history and are ever in this area come check out Stevenson’s Ridge.

We left Stevenson’s Ridge in the morning of May 30th and got to my Cousin Kathy’s in North Tonawanda NY that evening.

Family and Friends have been sending some pictures of the weather they have back home, here are a few. . . . Boy we’re glad were not there!

We’ve been swimming and a hiking in the above normal Tucson Az temperatures.

The First Softball Game in February and . . .They Won a Game!!

Dave looking over the field conditions and thinking . . . . where to place the ball when he’s up to bat.

Voice of the Coach

Last Thursday, game day dawned with overcast skies and blustery
conditions featuring gusts in the 30+ mile per hour range as Voyager
and league foe POW faced off in a double header matchup.
In game one, the home team found themselves in an early deficit,
falling behind by a score of 4 to 2. A five run fourth inning put the
home team ahead 7 to 6 but POW rallied for a 4 run sixth inning and
held on to win game one by a final score of 10 to 8.
Determined that game two would not pose a similar fate, Voyager
took an early 2 to 1 lead in inning number one, and never trailed as
they exhibited consistent run production and solid defense, coming
away with a 15 to 7 final score and their first win of the season.
The team would like to thank all of our fans who braved the brisk
conditions to cheer the us on. Our cheer for the fans following
every week’s games is sincere and we love the energy that you bring to
the games. We look forward to seeing you all this Thursday as
Voyger takes on the Fieldhawks with first pitch scheduled for 10 a.m.

HIP, HIP, HOORY FOR THE VOYAGER SOFTBALL TEAM ! ! !

Good eye, good eye, Now hit that ball, Kiss it goodbye

Hit it hard, Hit it fast, Knock that pitcher on the grass

Onesall was The band and they played everything from Steeley Dan, Disco, Van Halen to Santana.

As always a bunch of girls got together and danced the night away ! ! ! Another fun time!

Softball game today, February 12, 2026 . . . . Unfortunately they lost, but they played well.

Dave and his team mates waiting their turn to bat. Tina keeping the score.

Me and Kitty on the top left of the bleachers, cheering on the team.

Cheers at the end of the games

February 19th and Voyager was in the Field once more!

Last Thursday Voyager and league foe Hitmen 65 faced off at
Blanche Field for a Tucson 65+ League showdown. Both teams
were looking to improve on identical one win seasons records.
Voyager found themselves in an early 3 run deficit, entering the
fourth inning trailing 4 to 7. Not to be denied their second win
of the season, Voyager posted back to back 5 run innings to take a 14
to 8 lead into the sixth inning. The Hitmen posted a three run sixth
but it was not enough as the home team came away with a 14 to 11
victory.
Game two found the two teams trading runs as they entered the
fourth inning tied at 6 to 6. Hitmen built a four run lead entering the
seventh inning as Voyager came to bat in the bottom of the frame.

The home team scored three runs to close the gap to one. Unfortu-
nately,the rally fell short as the visitors sealed the victory by a

final score of 16 to 15. This Thursday’s opponent has yet to be final-
ized,but rest assured Blanche Field will be the place to be at 10 am.

Skittle skittle rip it up the middle make the opposing pitcher pee a little

It was a 1960’s theme dance.

Garrett James and the Wanderers Band

They brought the sound of rock & roll throughout Voyager.

We all thought it was neat that they wore suits like the Beatles first did.

The decor was vinyl records, signs, piece signs and flowers. They had yellow submarines on the tables and strung on the ceiling.

A few of us gals got up to dance this song, Alicia is on the left, I’m right in front of her and Roberta is in black in the middle.

I wanted to capture the headband across my forehead look of the 60s

We saw that the new band playing at Voyager was young, they sounded good but a few songs they needed practice and some backup vocals. When they were finished we found out that they were only 17 years old! We hope they continue playing together, then they will ace it with practice.

The band started out as something we’d do for school dances. We started getting little gigs around town. Our first official gig was Little Anthony’s Diner on Broadway. We just started bouncing around, playing anywhere we could. We played in Oro Valley a lot and then downtown Tucson. We played the Gaslight Music Hall a few times and then the Goodyear Music Festival. Things really started taking off after the first year we competed in Proof Is In the Pudding. It’s a great way for musicians to get their name out there.”

The United States has won gold in both men’s and women’s hockey at the same Olympics for the first time ever!!

What’s so great about Team USA winning is that it was on the same day that the 1980 USA “Miracle on Ice Team” won the gold medal 46 years ago. Do you believe it was 46 years ago?

But I remember being on the edge of my seat in 1980 watching the USA men’s team defeating Canada in Lake Placid, NY. It was a thrilling overtime 4-2 victory over Finland. What made that victory so awesome was that it was a team comprised of amateurs playing against glorified professionals. The USA team today is made up of mostly NHL players.

We Can’t forget about the Ladies Hockey Team!!

The Women’s United States and Canada hockey team faced off Thursday for the gold medal. After a thrilling back-and-forth game, the U.S. won 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Megan Keller.

March brings flowers, laughter, and confusing weather forecasts.

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
– Margaret Atwood

What we’ve been doing while the world keeps on spinning.

Softball has been continuing here at Voyager.

“I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it” Rogers Hornsby

‘It’s a round ball and a round bat, and you got to hit it square” Pete Rose

Congratulations to the great ladies on Team Voyager! Denise, Deb, Tina and Lynn!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! They did a great job!

Team Voyager has one a few and lost a few. They continue to have a great love for the game and have a good time, and that’s what it’s all about . . . They played their last game of the season here and next Thursday the 26th they go away to play in a tournament and then come home to a End of Season Party!!

On March 26th, The Softball Team got to together for a end of season party at Dr. Joe the Treasure’s, and Paula the cookie ladies home.

Everyone brought delicious food to share, Joe and Paula were awesome hosts! Thanks for a great party!

The Softball team will be back together practicing this November for another season of fun.

Susan is a really talented lady in the park who has Rock Painting classes on Tuesday mornings. I have been going to some and having a lot of fun!

People painting away with Susan the instructor, first picture is Susan showing someone how to do a certain stroke.

Some of the great rocks that have been painted, guess which one is mine?

Some of the rocks I’ve painted while being here.

Alicia and I went to see, One of These Nights, an Eagles Tribute Band, here at Voyager. Everyone agreed that if you closed your eyes you would think you were listening to the original Eagle’s Band!

We would for sure go to see One of These Night Band again!

Stain Glass . . . . .

After buying many tickets and not winning the stain glass lamps, the stain glass group raffled off each year, I decided I would make my own. Cleatus, incredibly talented in stain glass, sottered a pull chain to the bottom of the lamp shade which really put the finishing touch on it.

Thank you Cleatus!

After making the lamp shade, my big project of the year. I only made small suncatchers.

Every year stain glass has an open house to show off their beautiful work. They raffle off and sell stain glass art. They also ask people to display items they have made throughout the year. My lamp in the show.

A few of the beautiful stain glass pieces in the open house. It was a success. Cheers to the wonderful volunteers!

Cooper met an Italian Grey hound a bit smaller than him, down the street.

And some ducks on the way to the pond.

Another beautiful Tucson sunset.

Last but not least, another place I’ve been visiting while here is . . . .

A few of the awesome pieces people have made in glass fusion.

Some of the Glass Fusion projects I did this year.

These are book markers that I make for friends. They’re easy and fun to do.

We definitely keep busy, but we have a lot of fun too!

April isn’t about being perfect—just planting possibilities 🌻

“How did it get so late so soon?” — Dr. Seuss . . . . That’s what I’m thinking about April !

This beautiful bush and the roses have been putting out a beautiful aroma throughout March and April.

That describes me, hook line and sinker.

I got to see the Pink Moon, yippee.

Dave, Me and Cooper hoped on over to The Screamery for some delicious homemade ice cream. It was yummy!

Cooper at the dog park with some of his friends.

Our friend Alicia had a couple Drive Way parties . . .

Good Friends, Food and Drinks. It was a fun time!

The root beer floats were yummy! See if you can spot Dave in the pictures.

On Tuesday, Thursday’s and Saturday’s Laura leads a bunch of us in water aerobics.

It’s a fun and energetic class . . .she keeps you movin for sure.

We use both weights and noodles as she gives us a full body workout!

Earth laughs in flowers.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The picturesque flowers and cacti around Voyager.

The first flower and 2nd picture is a Baja Fairy Duster, the others are beautiful flowers and cacti who’s names I know not.

Our dear friends Dawna and Scott had us over to their place in Casa Grande for a Garden Party.

We celebrated with a bottle of Becherovka, it was good and went down smooth. I’ll have to get some.

She has the butterfly glass fusion stake I made in her beautiful plant.

Thank you for having us over, as always it was wonderful to see you both! 💖🌹🌺🌼🌻🌵

Kim, me and Jean driving the 3 of us in a 2 person gulf cart. “Feeling the need for speed.” Good thing Jean is a good driver and can handle tight fast turns.

The sign lady is still here but we don’t go down where she lives to often.

We can’t Speculate, take into account or even phantom that it’s May ?!

Did you get to see the Flower Moon?

I did.

The Indians say that saguaros are our brothers and sisters, I agree.

The Saguaro… is a relative. …the saguaro was a human being and god put the saguaro on the earth in the form of a cactus so that we can begin to look at ourselves.” —Floyd Flore

“I throw my arms up in the air sometimes… Saying ayeoh, I’m a saguaro.” — National Park Servic

Y’all gotta love em, We do.

Today is May 5th and that means it’s Cinco de Mayo!!

Cathy and I went to celebrate at El Coronado’s one our favorite restaurants here in Tucson.

It was Yummy and Fun!!

Cooper and I love our walks thru the Voyager Strrets. We usually walk after 8pm when the streets are usually bare and the temps are perfect with a nice breeze.

“Starry nights, desert delights.”

“There were so many stars! The desert night was full of those sparks pulsing faintly as the wind came and went like a breath.” — J.M.G. Le Clézio

“The Arizona sky’s bigger than a couple of midwestern states combined.” – Rick Riordan

Today is May 19th, We are leaving Arizona tomorrow morning and heading east. Wish us Good Luck and Safe Travels

🧨 🎆 🎉 🧬 ✨ 🎇 😁 🤸‍♂️ 🎊 🪢 🍾 🌰

We started off the New Year right, with a shot of Croatian Plum Whiskey , known as Šljivovica (Slivovitz), it’s a is a potent, aromatic fruit brandy, and poppy seed kolachi. A gift from our friends Dawna & Scott. It doesn’t get any better!

Cheers Everyone!

Everything I had and my friends had was Scrumptious! From the combo platter I had included 2 potato pancakes, 6 pierogis and Polish vegetable salsa. I even got a piece of Polish apple cake for my birthday!

Another beautiful sunset at Voyager, just when you thought it couldn’t get any oranger in color.

We truly enjoyed Sunset Red Band, a popular Tucson Band. They played classic rock and country, and kept us dancing all night long.

Candi Renee is an incredible singer with her dad on the guitar.

Remember the song “All she wants to do is dance” by Don Henley ?, That’s what my friends and I did all night long, Dance, Dance, Dance. It was a great time.

On Monday January 12th, Myself, Dave and Marcia went to the Anchor Bar.

Know we didn’t take a special trip to go to the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, they have one here in Tucson that we had to try out and compare to the one back in Buffalo.

We had to try the Buffalo Wings and Beef on kimmelweck .

We weren’t disappointed! The food was delicious just like back in Buffalo, NY.

For those of you who don’t know Chicken Wings were invented at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY.

The Story of a Buffalo Classic 

On March 4th, 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic’s friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites. Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat.

They looked like chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup.

Teressa had deep fried the wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn’t take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar.

The phenomenon created in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate Buffalo Wings, the closely guarded secret recipe is what makes Frank & Teressa’s the proclaimed “Best Wings in the World.”

Dave playing right field.

Dave is up to bat, batter, batter swing. . . .

Dave played good especially since it was his first time playing softball in a organized league, he waited till he was grown up for sure. He played in other organized leagues but not baseball or softball. I gotta give Dave a HIP, HIP HOORAY for joining up. Oh by the way they played the best team in the league and got clobbered, Wait till next week, I’ll keep you posted.

Who remembers the song “Take me out to the Ball Game?” If you do go ahead and sing. . . . . .

On Wednesday January 21, we went to visit Aqua Caliente Park in East Tucson. Our neighbors here in Voyager told us about this park awhile ago and we went there today. It’s truly an “oasis in the desert” a beautiful county park surrounded by mountains.

From about 1150 to 1250 AD, it was home to a Hohokam village. After European arrival, the park had many uses, including an army encampment, orchard, cattle ranch, health spa, and resort. The park earned its popularity from its the natural hot springs, which were used both for their irrigation and perceived health benefits. In 1984 the land was purchased by Pima County, and the park was opened the following year. The Friends of Agua Caliente (FOAC) was formed in 1993 to preserve historical elements of the park.

Agua Caliente Park has some of it’s original historic buildings when it was a ranch. There are still remnants of the ranching operation visible today. You can see the original Ranch House and Rose Cottage that are both on the National Register of Historic Places.

The second picture there was once a hour glass shaped built in swimming pool by the tree. One of the recent owners bricked it over.

The Ranch House

Because of its hot and cold running natural springs, Agua Caliente Ranch area has been a popular place to live, dating back to the ancient Hohokam.

The Ranch House was open to the public so we went inside to take a look. we were impressed. First we went into a parlor/entry way then to the Living Room, followed by the huge double everything kitchen, further along was the dinning area and next a study. We didn’t get to see any of the 6 bedrooms it once had, but there was a public restroom inside that was once their bathroom. It was for sure a great place to live or visit. Over the years, various owners, some families, others entrepreneurs, added on to the home, until it had six bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a study.

In 1873, Peter B. Bain filed the first formal claim to the land surrounding Agua Caliente Spring and built the original one-room adobe structure. How lucky he was to have acquired such a beautiful piece property! Bain got a subsequent owner John Fuller and they used the ranch for cattle and an early resort utilizing the natural warm spring. Later Bain and another partner, Marion T. Beckwith, began a dairy cattle operation by bringing cows north from Sonora. By then Bain built several outbuildings and corrals at the spring. In 1875 he sold Agua Caliente Rancho to James P. Fuller, a produce salesman from Hermosillo, Mexico for $300. What a great deal.

Through the late 1800s, and early into the 20th century, the ranch became a popular health spa. From the 1960s until 1984, the property fell into disrepair, as various developers jockeyed over the prospect of building homes there. Good thing Pima County bought 100 of the original 1,000 acre ranch and began restoring the buildings, so we all could enjoy the views. The park now receives 9,000 visits a year.

This historic old massive Mesquite tree or Mystic Tree as it’s called, is over 300 years old. If it could only talk what we would learn. It’s located near the Ranch House.

 The Rose Cottage is a historic, renovated 1920s-era adobe building that was originally used as a guest cottage for the ranch, They restored it 2004, and it now serves as an education center, classroom, and office for the park, 

The Bunk House is a historic building that was used during the 1920’s by ranch hands and cowboys when the site was an active cattle ranch and health resort. It is a, rustic structure, historically characterized by a corrugated metal exterior, one main room, and an open porch.

We started our walk around the park

 Fuller’s Orchard once contained at least 3000 trees that produced a wide variety of fruits.  I was in operation until the 1960’s.

One of the park’s highlights are the pond areas. Agua Caliente, literally meaning hot water, It’s a unique 101-acre park with a perennial warm spring. An artificial stream links together three ponds within the park. The ponds are fed by the spring water and have diverse wildlife and fish populations. The spring flow fluctuates during the year—at various times, due to drought, visitors may see the lower ponds dry.

Here are some of the birds and a turtle resting on a log.

Sitting on a bench watching for bats, Wait, I won’t see any in the daylight!

Dave saw a lizard slide by.

I hopped on the turtle’s back to go for a ride, he was fast and there was nothing to hang on to.

“When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing – just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blow or waves rippling in a pond?” ‘Ralph Mareton’

We packed a lunch and took off full and happy.

We all had a great time and walk in this “Desert Oasis.” It’s a beautiful spot that feels like your far away from the middle of the Sonoran Desert. It has shady picnic areas and great walking trails through palm trees and ponds. If your ever out this way don’t miss it.

Dave and Rick discussing the game stratagy

Dave got a run . . . here he is at second and then third base before he got to home plate to score.

The band the Jukebox Junqies played oldies and some newer songs, they were good and some of my friends and I danced all night long.

I’m on the farthest left side, right in front of the bald headed gentlemen, dancing the night away! Everyone had a great time.

On Wednesday the 28th, we to Saguaro National Park West

We took the King Canyon Trail once again. It starts in Tucson Mountain Park, just outside of the National Park boundary. It is the starting point for several trails: the King Canyon Trail (3.5miles up to Wasson Peak), King Canyon Wash Trail (meets back up with King Canyon Trail 0.9mi up the dry river bed), and Gould Mine Trail (0.8mi one way, meets up with the Sendero Esperanza Trail), all of which connect to Saguaro National Park’s West District’s extensive trail system.

Dave & I like going to the Saguaro National Park’s to see the Saguaros, with all their arms and sometimes legs going in different directions. When your walking thru them they feel like family. Like the Indians thought below. . . .

The Indians of the desert called the Saguaros People, spirits of ancestors standing as Silent Sentinels over the parched kingdom of sand and stone. Proudly like great sculpted arms of a sleeping giant you burst through from the grave, fingers spreading on hands clawing for the sun’s warmth and grasping for the monsoon’s thirst quenching rain. 

We also go to the West park to see Petroglyphs.

Shaking hands when the game was over. Giving the team a hip, hip, hooray!

I forgot to mention that they lost. 😒The coach told them to get use to loosing because all the teams they play, play all year long and in different leagues other days, like this team. They didn’t win one for the Gipper. Next week is gonna be there week.

Dave walking home with me after the game.

January was another fun month, lots to do and see. The weather was above normal for most of January and that meant more pool days.

Some things have been sprouting here at Voyager.

December 5th is was our friend’s Cathy’s Birthday so her daughter Perry, Alicia and myself celebrated it with her.

 First, we went to see Wicked: For Good, Wicked Part II.

It continues with Elphaba being the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. The movie while a bit long, had great cinematography, choreography, and the costumes were wonderful. Wicked: For Good answers the questions of The first Wicked. Let’s face it, if you you saw the first Wicked ya gotta see this new one. We all enjoyed it.

Then to Applebee’s for lunch. I haven’t been to Applebee’s for a long while, the lunch specials was very good.

Complete with 4 Applebee’s Tipsy Reindeers . . . . they were good too!

Last but not least . . . . we ended up at Fat Willys’s to celebrate with some of Cathy’s friends from the park.

How about Dancing the night away . . . . Well at least some of it.

It was a really fun dance. I didn’t take many pictures cause my friends and I danced every dance except the slow ones. Fun time had by all!

In December Dave joined the Softball Team here at Voyager. He’s been going to practice, they haven’t told him what position he’s going to be playing yet…. anticipation for sure. The games start in January.

Saturday December 13th, We met our friends Pat & Kim at Tubac to eat lunch and then head out to see their beautiful new house that Pat built, 10 minutes away.

Dave has never been to Tubac and myself only briefly so we got there early to check out the place.

We stopped briefly at The Anza Trail a historic, scenic path following the Santa Cruz River.

It was neat to see these truly old wheels made out of wood. A forgotten art.

I love the cowboy and the cat.

Got any old cans, scraps or whatever laying around . . . Oh what you can make.

Tubac is Arizona’s first European settlement, it has seen its share of history and change. First settled in 1752 when Spanish soldiers built a presidio, Tubac also has evidence of mammoth hunters, who preceded the O’odham peoples (formerly known as the Pimas and Papagos). Five flags have flown over the town; Tubac has been An Indian community, a Spanish Colony, Part of the New Mexico Territory, a Mexican community an finally an Arizona Territory. Lots of neat shops, some with unique items. Dave and I are going to go back to check out all the history in Tubac.

I forgot to mention the food is very good too!

Pat & Kim’s house is beautiful! Pat still has some finishing touches to include to his masterpiece. The last picture is of the master bedroom shower.

The back of their house – the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding it. They want to add a built in swimming pool and tiers into their mountain side villa. Whatever they do we know it will be awesome. We had a great time visiting and seeing their home, Thanks Pat & Kim.

I’ve been going to glass fusion and and made the things above to give to family and friends.

Wednesday December 17th, Dave, myself, Cathy and Alicia went to check out Reid Zoo to see the Christmas lights.

Remember a Charlie Brown Christmas, one of my favorite Christmas shows, Of course you do.

They had cut outs at the zoo.

And do you remember Linus telling Charlie Brown What Christmas is all about? The True Meaning of Christmas

A Rhinoceros is still out and about in the dark. There was a choir singing Christmas Carols in the zoo.

It was a sparkling show with millions of lights and lots of color.  A very enjoyable walk through the zoo that got you in the Christmas Spirit for sure.

Here are a few of the decorated houses.

People on Third Street did a neat job for their decorations. You can’t tell but they have no room to park their vehicles and their decor is out in the street.

How about an . . .

On December 20th we went partying . . .

The Lady in black in the last photo was well endowed so she wore the Chest sweater like the one below and her husband wore the Nuts sweater.

Somebody put a lot of time into this ugly sweater

The people who wore sweaters looked good, even the ones who weren’t wearing a sweater looked good. It was a fun time, I’ll have to get an ugly sweater for next year.

It was a beautiful Christmas morning. We walked Cooper down the streets a in Voyager and smelled all the wonderful smells coming from people’s kitchens cooking their holiday meal.

We went to our friend Alicia’s house for Christmas Dinner. She had our friend Cathy, Dave and myself over for a delicious feast! She made a pork roast with plums inside, mashed potatoes & gravy, red cabbage, creamed cucumbers and carrots. And for dessert we had delicious Christmas cookies!

December 26th our friend Darlyn invited us over for a delicious dinner. “Thanks for the fantastic food and fabulous company!”

On New Year’s Eve Day, Dave & I traveled to our friends Dawna & Scott house in Casa Grande, AZ.

They decorated the area by the shed beautifully, we celebrated a European Christmas we different customs from different countries that our ancestors came from. They prepared a fantastic dinner for us that reminded me of my Grandmother’s and Mother’s delicious cooking. “ hvala ti puno” Dear Dawna and Scott. 💗

We got back around 8:00pm watched some TV and people in the park shooting off fire-works off and on until 12:30 and then went to bed.

December was definitely a great month for us and we will be reminiscing about it . . . . . .

Happy New Year !!!

On November 14th, It was time for the Nacho party! Everyone got a huge plate of Nachos and fixings.

Everyone filled up on nachos and listened to the fun DJ. It was yummy and fun and you didn’t need dinner that night.

The weather was great that Saturday morning so we walked Cooper around the neighborhood community sale. It was a great way to see people we knew from last year and meet some new people.

On Saturday November 16th, Alicia, Dave, Cathy and myself went out to Dinner and the Theatre. We went to Mama Louisa’s Italian Restaurant for dinner which was delicious! I couldn’t decide what Italian dish I wanted so I got the Mama’s Combo platter and I’m so glad I did! It had lasagna, tortellini and eggplant parmesan plus we got bread sticks with our dinners.

Then off to Gaslight Theatre to ” See Race to the North Pole.”

Our dear friend Cathy treated us to see “Race to the North Pole,” anytime you go to the Gas Light Theatre you know your going to have a great time. Thank You Cathy!

Can it be true? Did the mean and treacherous Wilhelm really steal Santa Claus’ list? Does this mean that children everywhere will wake up to find no presents under their Christmas Tree? We just had to find out and see what was going to happen! Especially with the crazy cast of characters as they began their journey to retrieve Santa’s Christmas list before it’s too late! It was a rib tickling and hand slappin fun!

In case your worried they got Santa’s List back! It was a fun time and after the show they even came out and sang Christmas songs.

On Sunday the 16th, My friend Darlyn and I headed out to the Pima County Fairgrounds for the Coyote Classic Dog Show.

The show is a yearly event and this year they had 3,841 entries over the four day period beginning on Thursday Nov. 13 and finishing on the 17th. It was at the Pima County Fairgrounds representing 142 different breeds. Competitors and Exhibitors include some of the top professional dogs and handlers in the country, including some of the top winners from the Westminster Dog Show.

The Coyote Class Dog Show is open to spectators, like myself and Darlyn. The show had food booths, and vendors selling dog-related products. We saw the different breeds and learned about dog shows.

It was fun seeing the dog Handler’s showing off their dogs.

Another very nice dog, I think it might be a Giant Black Schnauzer but I’m not sure. I sure wouldn’t want to clean up after all the shedding.

Darlyn was a huskie dog handler in the Iditarod dog race in Alaska and another famous race there. It was a neat experience going to the show with her and hearing her stories.

They didn’t have any Short Haired Collies like our dog Lee, but there was rough haired collies there. Collies, who doesn’t love Collies, Remember Lassie?

When I was little I wanted an Old English Sheep Dog for a pet. We never did get one, I can think of a couple reasons why.

We both thought this dog was so adorable!! It stayed perfectly still for awhile and then just moved slightly. It was definitely posing for the camera.

It was fun watching the Dock Diving Dogs do their thing . . .

These Toy Russian Terriers are definitely all ears about the show.

This Pomeranian dog looked like a bronze puff ball with a tiny face and legs.

This Dalmatian is thinking, aren’t I handsome?! This poor dog is thinking. . . Where am I ?…I can’t see!

I think dogs laugh at poodles behind their backs they way their cut and groomed. Seriously, doesn’t the poodle in the second picture look adorable without a silly poodle cut?

This is Dash, he’s a sweet heart. We thought he was a sure winner . . . unfortunately not this show but wait till the next show.

I only saw one Greyhound like our dog Taylor and not any whippets, we weren’t there on the day they were.

It was a neat experience going to the dog show and seeing how they prepare their dogs for the show. We were behind the scenes into the grooming are training areas. I watch the Thanksgiving Day Dog Show and sometimes catch The Westminster Dog Show and now I have an idea of all the work and preparation that goes into a show, especially behind the scenes.

Our beautiful table setting Denise put together.

It was a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner – complete with great friends, side dishes and desserts.

It was nice to greet other people we knew and didn’t know and say “Happy Thanksgiving” to them as well. We figure there was about 240 people in the ballroom. There was approximately 142 people at the very first Thanksgiving.

On November 30th, I went with my friend Marcia to the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon to Bird Watch. I’ve been there a few times with her and her followers. It’s always a fun time to learn about birds and be outside.

Santa Rita Lodge It is located in the Coronado National Forest and is a world-renowned bird watching location at an elevation of 5,000 feet. This morning we had to wear layers of clothing to keep warm until the sun came over the mountains. Over 250 species of birds have been identified in Madera Canyon.

A neat fact I learned about Hummingbirds is that they consume about 3-7 calories per day. If you scale them up to the size of a human, it is 155,000 calories PER DAY! We would need wings that go as fast as theirs do to be as skinny and little like they are.

Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the National Bird, instead they decided on the eagle. I think it’s a better choice it looks more patriotic.

The weather has been great since we’ve been here, high in the 80’s which is warmer then usual for this time of year so we, especially Dave doing his laps daily, have been enjoying the pool and the hot tub.

It’s also been nice walking around Voyager and seeing flowering bushes.

I’ve been going to stretch and strengthen exercise classes . . . .

And doing

We got here about two weeks ago and have been laying low and just really not doing anything outside of the park, but one place we went was Cane’s cause we like their chicken, especially Dave. It was yummy!

Some of the carts in the parade.

On our drive to Lordsburg we went thru Hatch NM. As we passed through I took these two pictures. The Hatch man and Sparky’s.

Hatch has world wide fame because of their Annual Chili Festival held on Labor Day weekend. The event draws an estimated 30,000 visitors from all over the world.

The Hatch New Mexico Chili Festival has a variety of activities, including fresh chile roasts, a parade, live music, food vendors, and competitions like a chili eating contest.  They say the festival celebrates the unique flavors and cultural heritage of Hatch chiles. It began in 1971 to promote the region’s chile harvest. 

The Lordsburg KOA. We’ve stayed here before on our travels.

We arrived at our destination 2 days ahead of schedule. We drove a total of 149 miles from Lordsburg to Tucson with a grand total 2,170 miles for the whole trip. Good driving Dave.

The Raw Band played good dancing tunes.

“The world turned upside down – in a good way – for one black velvet night.”
– Karen Fortunati” I’m just here to dance, eat candy, and be scary.” -unknown-

 “We danced the Mamushka while Nero fiddled, we danced the Mamushka at Waterloo. We danced the Mamushka for Jack the Ripper, and now, Fester Addams, this Mamushka is for you.” — Gomez, The Addams Family

I was to busy dancing to take pictures of the other ghosts, goblins, zombies, etc. It was good time had by all.

We’ve been here before and I never saw anything that really resembled an elephant?

Butt . . . .

Well maybe . . . But I think it’s a little stretched? 🤔

Whatever it’s called it’s a beautiful state park in NM.

Todays is October 28th and our third day here. Walks we’ve been taking around the park.

You can boondock here so people choose to stay in trees and be cozy or park on a cliff and see the lake below.

A lot of people choose to be up close and personal right by the lake. Dave & I figured we better not try being by the lake cause we’d get stuck in the sand for sure.

We always have a good time at Elephant Butte ….. Tomorrow morning the 29th we’ll be headed to Lordsburg, NM.

We left Oklahoma City to travel to the Good Ole state of Texas.

I think of a few songs about Texas, one is “Deep in the Heart of Texas, ”The Yellow Rose of Texas is another and how about “All My Exes Live in Texas”.

We are once again on Route 66 and I know one of the songs for Route 66 is:

Gets your Kicks from Route 66
🎶If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that’s the best
Get your kicks on Route 66

It winds from Chicago to L.A
More than two thousand miles all the way🎵
Get your kicks on Route 66[Bridge]
Now you go through St. Louis
Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty🎤
You’ll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino

♪♪♪ Won’t you get hip to this timely tip?
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66

Nat King Cole recorded it in 1946.

A nice place to rest and relax, we stayed for two nights October 21, & 22. We had great scenery and great neighbors.

On October 22nd, We went into the town of Shamrock on Route 66. We stayed here we believe about 2 years ago on our way back to New York and just drove thru the town but this time we stopped in a few places.

Paleo-Indians dwelled here over 10,000 years ago, later Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado crossed the plains seeking the gold of mythical Eldorado. By the 1800s buffalo hunting Comanche and Kiowa Indians lived in the region but were displaced to reservations after the Red River War. An Irish immigrant and sheep rancher, George Nickel used the name Shamrock when he applied to open a post office in 1890 some 6 miles from the current town’s location. It was accepted by the postal officials but never opened. However the name lived on. In 1902 the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway reached Shamrock and a post office and school opened in 1911.

Shamrock was a busy place until the freeway came to be and everyone passed right by. Everything started to close up. But they have been reviving Route 66 and next year in 2026 it’s the 100th Anniversary of Route 66 and we heard that places all along the route are getting all booked up! The Route is gonna be Rockin!

When we were here before The “Route 66 Station” in Shamrock, Texas, was closed, I’m glad it was open today it was a real treat to see the impressive building and eat lunch at the U-Drop in Cafe. This Art Deco building included the Tower Conoco Station, so named for the metal tulip-topped tower attached to the building. At one time, the U-Drop Inn was called “the swankiest of swank eating places” and “the most up-to-date edifice of its kind on U.S. Highway 66 between Oklahoma City and Amarillo.” The café was the only the one around in a 100 miles. The building which was a really different looking style building for being built 1936. It has traditionally held two separate business: “Tower Station,” a gas station on the western side, and one time the middle section was the Grey Hound Bus Terminal, and the “U-Drop Inn,” a café on the eastern side. Though it has passed hands several times in its history, the building has consistently housed the same types of businesses it was originally constructed for. The building fell into disrepair with the decommissioning of Route 66. It closed for business in the late 1990s. After it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 1997, the building was purchased by the First National Bank of Shamrock, which then gave it to the city.

How it looked when it was first opened in 1936.

We had a fun time in the building and our lunch was delicious. And who else but Elvis ate at the U-drop Inn. The ladies who worked at the museum told us that the building keeps gaining popularity as it was a model for the kids movies Cars & Cars II and people from all over the world come to check it out. When we were eating lunch a family from France was there too.

Cars Movies

We drove 201 miles from Shamrock TX to Tucumcari NM to stay at the Blaze -In- Saddle RV Park, In Tucumcari NM we were on site #41.

Here is Tucumcari on Route 66 in the early 1900’s and 1950’s.

The very first settlers is this area were Native Americans. This area got populated In 1901 when the railroad company Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad set up their work camp here. The camp was first called Ragtown. Later, it became known as “Six Shooter Siding” the new community had a wild reputation of being a gathering place for outlaws and with frequent gunfire, there were many gunfights. Its first official name was Douglas, but that name didn’t last long. As the camp grew into a real town, it was renamed Tucumcari in 1908. The town got its name from Tucumcari Mountain close by.

Until the mid-1900s, Tucumcari was an important stop for trains traveling across the country. The Rock Island Railroad and the  Southern Pacific railroad lines met here. Nearby Passengers could switch trains at the station for different parts of their journey. In 1926, a new depot building was constructed in Tucumcari and the depot became the symbol of the railroad as the economic driver of the community. This building was a source of great civic pride, and every resident could connect their life in some way to the railroad. Train watching was a popular pastime and many residents today recall with fondness the hours spent watching the activity in the rail yard. Some say Tucumcari came to be because of the railroad but ranching, farming, and tourism contributed to its growth.

For many years, billboards saying “TUCUMCARI TONITE!” invited drivers to stay in one of the town’s many motel rooms. This slogan was changed for a while to “Gateway to the West.” However, in 2008, the city decided to bring back the classic “TUCUMCARI TONITE!” slogan.

Walking around ….If Dave word hats I would say he should get a cowboy hat.

A few of the awesome murals in Tucumcari.

Dave and zi were checking out the old buildings and signs, the Nostalgia of Route 66.

Almost everything on Route 66 looks different but The Tee Pee Curios isn’t one of them. It hasn’t changed much at all.

Somethings like Del’s has been here since 1956 and still going strong cooking that great food.

It is definitely a good time seeing the murals and the places that are still open on Route 66, but it is sad to see the old cafe’s, motel’s and gas stations that have been long forgotten on Route 66. Now who remembers Green Stamps, raise your hands! 🖐️

Tucumcari Mountain and driving to Edgewood you can see for miles and miles . . . . .

Today is Saturday the 25th and we drove 160 miles to be at Route 66 RV Park in Edgewood New Mexico.

Today is Sunday the 26th and we arrived at Elephant Butte.

We are staying at site 40. We have been here at least 4 times, as you can tell we like it here.

It is Monday the 13th of October and We are heading out once again.….Because, “Life is a Highway” a song by Tom Cochrane.

🎶Life is a highway
Well, I wanna ride it all night long (whoo!)
If you’re goin’ my way
I wanna drive it all night long (all night long)🎵

Our first destination was Maple Lakes Campground in Seville, Ohio, We drove 262 miles to get there.

Our site was # 51.

They have an old baseball diamond so I decided to pitch to Dave and he hit the ball back. Who needs a ball and a bat?

We drove 246 miles from Ohio to our second stop the KOA in Richmond Indiana. This was the second time we stayed here.

Our site #131.

Like all big campgrounds that cater to kids, KOA’s that are open, have Halloween activities going on during the weekends of October. We found that out on our very first outing 8 years ago. It’s this KOA’s 3rd weekend of Halloween Fun.

Our number 3 stop is at Kaskaskia Dragon RV Park in Vandalia, Illinois. We have been here twice before. Our site is #2. We were surprised when we arrived because there was only 2 spots left ours and #1, which was shortly filled. The other times we were here the was only a few spots taken. We drove 245 miles to get here.

We took route 70 west going through Ohio and Indiana the highway wasn’t good, all kinds of bumps, bangs and crashes going on, we got “All shook Up” I think that’s a song? They were working on section of it in Indiana but that small section isn’t going to matter much when most of it is in bad shape. We won’t be taking this route any time soon.

We had to make the Dragon shoot out fire once again, especially since the tokens are free when you stay at the campground.

Mac’s Liquor Store is right across the street and for people who need a drink bad. . . and they have a drive-thru. They heck with drug store and prescriptions, the people there go to Mac’s when needed.

We are now West of the Mississip

Our 4th stop we drove 298 miles to in Springfield Missouri to stay at The Springfield KOA.

This is our second time here and we are on site #47, it was a really nice day the temperature was 82 dgress.

I was really surprised this KOA didn’t participate in any Halloween activities for kids. I guess they don’t need to as they were all booked up.

We drove 298 miles through lots and lots of heavy downpours to get to our fifth destination, Rockwell RV Park in Oklahoma City.

Our site # is 35.

Coming thru this way before we always stayed at Mustang Run, but it was booked so Dave found this place, I’m glad he did.

Pictures of the Buffalo when they were here.

The park has new owners who just purchased it in June. The park used to have about 10 or 12 Buffalos on the property, yes Buffalos! I’m sure it was a big draw but upon talking to the new owners they sold them to an Indian tribe and they are all on the open plans in Wyoming where they belong!

Dave in the pool they have in the park along with a hot tub and hot sauna.

We’ll be leaving here on Tuesday the 21st, to go to Shamrock New Mexico. Have a good Monday everyone!