Monday, February 24, 2020 - An overnight stopover in Bowie, Arizona

Monday, February 24, 2020 - An overnight stopover in Bowie, Arizona

It was such a treat not to be in a hurry this morning.  After our long 6-7 hour travel days, we are so thankful we are now slowing down.  

We left Coachlight RV Park at 9:38AM Mountain Time.  It was a nice drive.  As we passed these Wide Load trucks alongside the road, Dean watched them pull onto the road behind us.  He commented, he was glad we were not following them.

These were some BIG wide load truck loads.

About 40 minutes later it was time for a break.  Lordsburg offered a nice travel plaza for us to stop.  While Dean was inside, then doing a check of tires, etc. I walked around the RV a couple of times, then took a few pictures.

Enlarge this to see the "L" on the hillside.

Cacti plants beginning to bloom.  I hope we get to see a lot of desert flowers as we travel further west.

It wasn't long and we entered Arizona, The Grand Canyon State.

Just a pretty rock formation along the road.

This Amtrak train was sitting on the track outside of Bowie.  A crew was making repairs on the rail line.  I hope they didn't have to wait too long.

Snow covered mountain top - with a little cloud to the left.

 We arrived at Mountain View RV Park in Bowie, Texas shortly before 1.  What a neat little spot on I-10.  The guy who owns this is quite the entrepreneur.  Beside the RV Park, there is a gas station and propane bottle operation onsite. He also operates Dwayne's Fresh Jerky.  Inside there are several types of jerky, pecan products, various jarred olives, honey, jams, jellies, etc.  While there is a train track behind the park, however, there is no crossing so no whistle sounds as they pass by.  We hardly noticed it while we were here.

After checking in, we had a light lunch, before we headed to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site.  

As we were driving along the road, I was looking around, when Dean let up on the gas and began to slow down.  I looked up just as he stopped the truck.  In the ditch was this cow.  He just looked at us.  Dean backed up, and as soon as he did it walked right in front of us, as if to sa: I'm glad you realized that is what I wanted!  It was truly entertaining.  

In just a short distance we started noticing these trees.  At a distance we suspected it was more pecan trees but as we got closer we were pretty sure it was something else.  On our way back we slowed and noticed signs indicating it was pistachio trees.  We always see and learn interesting things on our travels.

Not far from the Historic Ft. Bowie site I asked Dean to slow down so I could take a picture of this vegetation seen below.  We saw quite a bit of this in Big Bend.  I wanted to see if I could find out what it is.  Recently I learned how to use Google Lens on Google Photos (it can only be used on your phone) with a tutorial by Geeks on Tour.  When I checked Google Lens it identified it as Agave Palmeri, a large member of the genus Agave, native to Southern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico, Sonora and Chichuahua.  

When we arrived at the site, we were surprised to find out it was a 1.5 mile hike to Fort Bowie, and then back.  We thought about at least walking part of it, but we really didn't come prepared for a hike.  It was getting warm, we did not bring any water and it was nearing time for the site to close.  If we come this way again, we will definitely be more prepared and will make the walk.  

A couple was walking up the hill on their return from the trail as we were standing there.  We asked them about the hike.  They had actually walked the trail twice today.  They said other than the portion going downhill leaving the parking area it wasn't a bad hike at all.  We visited for awhile and discovered we were both staying at Mountain View RV Park.  They told us to be sure to go to the office and taste the samples of the many products they sell.  We visited with each other for a little while, before we headed back to the park.  As we pulled in and drove by our site, we noticed there was a small travel trailer next to us and it was from the same state where they lived.  Only a short time later, they pulled in and backed up to it.  What a coincidence!   We were just getting ready to step out of the RV to head to the office to check on those samples when they walked out and headed that way.  After tasting several things, Dean chose some jerky and I purchased a small container of cinnamon sugar pecans.  Their blue cheese stuffed olives were wonderful, but they were in a good sized jar.  I knew I would probably never eat them all and Dean was not interested in them at all.  I purchased a few more postcards to send to the grandkids.  I've already mailed 6 out.  Each stop I hope to pick up a few more so that everyone receives one before we return to Oswego.

As we walked up to the office, I noticed a truck backed up to the back of the store, with the name of the restaurant on it that I had seen on our way in earlier.  I asked the girl at the counter if the restaurant was open today.  When she said no, I asked her if they served breakfast, and again, she said no just lunch and dinner.  The owner of the RV Park is also owner of the restaurant.  They offered pecan pies for sale.  As much as we would have loved to have a piece, we did not need an entire pie, so we had to pass.  Had we been able to visit the restaurant, we might have shared a piece.  They looked delicious!

 We took a short drive around Bowie.  This Saguaro has been growing for quite awhile.

I loved the sign on "The Corner Store".  

What a cool house this would have been in the day!  

As we returned to the park, another RV'er pulled in for the night.

There are several sites with full hookups.  This is another Passport America Park.  It was $16 a night.  

We are thankful for the wonderful people we meet on the road, and those who follow our journey through our blog.  We are truly blessed by each one.