Our exit from California went well, landing in Congress Arizona for the next few months.
This is our home for a couple of months. North Ranch is an Escapee's park in Congress. This is a nice park to stay in for the cold months. The ranch is set in the desert off of Arizona 89. Most of the ranch is set up with permanent homes with room for RVs, and an area for us temporary folk trying to stay out of the cold. There is a lot to do here, ranging from hiking in the desert, beading classes, happy hours, and ice cream socials. We arrived the week before Christmas and settled in quickly, signing up for the Christmas meal. People signed up by tables, 10 per table and each person/couple provided enough food people for their assigned table.
It was an opportunity to make new friends and learn about their experiences living the RV life. Some of the folks don't travel anymore, but they love living in the desert. Carol has been going to a beading class, and learning how to make a variety of items such as ornaments (pictures later when she get one done). While she is beading I take walks in the desert. From the back of the property there are many well defined trails to walk, or ride ATVs on. I can get a good five mile hike enjoying the quiet surroundings, with a gentle breeze blowing through my beard. We also can take easier walks within the ranch. The saguaro cactus in the photo is circa 1870. These magnificent cacti are home to a variety of desert creatures. In a past trip to the Saguaro National Park we learned that these cactus can live for hundreds of years, and do not grow the out reaching arms until after approximately 75 years,
Congress Arizona is located approximately 15 miles from Wickenberg, which is a historic active town in Arizona. For you Elks out there, there is a lodge full of friendly folk. We came at a great time and were able to sign up for the prime rib dinner they had the Saturday after Christmas. The cook did an outstanding job with the prime rib, which came with a baked potato and vegetables. We returned Sunday after church to watch football and chow down on a potluck extravaganza, which included the rib bones from the previous nights prime rib. The bones were as good as the steaks themselves. You might be asking what is there to do in Wickenberg and the surrounding area.
Like a lot of small towns that invite tourism there are stores, galleries,roping events, ACE hardware, museums, ghost town, hanging trees, cafes and restaurants, and bars with dancing. This town is large enough to have two hardware stores and two grocery stores. The jail tree located in downtown Wickenberg housed the rowdy folks and criminals, by use of chains. Ya see, there was no formal jail house to keep people in the town of Wickenberg in the 1800s. I don't think I would have wanted to be chained up there in the winter, it still gets down in the 30's some nights.
Bet you thought we don't eat too much, you're wrong.
On the main street of Wickenberg is a little sandwich shop called Nana's. Carol had their Firehouse Club on sourdough with potato salad side. A basic ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese club. Oh, did I forget the lettuce, onion, tomato, and avocado? She enjoyed her sandwich very much, I know this because she did not remove the avocado. My sandwich was their Cowboy. A roast beef sandwich with swiss cheese, horseradish dressing, lettuce, tomato, and onion on rye. Great sandwich, just needed a bit more horseradish for me. After lunch we visited the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in downtown Wickenberg. Visiting the museum is like strolling through the early 1900s. In the first building is a collection of baskets made by the local Indians, brands from area ranches (with audio), and a replica scene of the Tombstone Sheriff's office. The second building contains art collections from various artists, saddles from different indigenous groups, an artifacts collection from a local family, and down stairs is a replica street scene containing interactive displays.
At the General Mercantile a hologram storekeeper explains a little bit about how the town got started and what the occupants were like. I suspect some of you may recognize this lounge chair.
You can go through the two buildings in an afternoon, or you can make it a day, either way it was an enjoyable visit. So far Carol and I are enjoying the area. Bye for now.
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