Blogs from Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona, United States, North America

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We left Tucson for a destination that was not on our original itinerary. Patagonia Lake State Park was recommended by several people we met along the way has very scenic and with lots of birds. The lake was also sizable, by Arizona standards, and would allow us to finally use the kayaks we’ve been dragging around the country. The plan was to stay there for six days before heading east to Willcox, Arizona to meet our good friends Peter and Trudy Brussard. They were to arrive pulling their trailer (nickname “Bob”) from Reno, NV. The four of us would then head off to Big Bend National Park after a two-day side trip to the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. This travelblog documents our travels leading to our arrival at Big Bend National Park. As before, the ... read more
Our tax dollars at work!
View of Patagonia Lake
Sonoita Creek State Natural Area


Auf in den naechsten Nationalpark! Auf dem Weg zum Chiricahua National Monument kommen wir noch an einer Geisterstadt vorbei, also an einer Stadt (eigentlich sind es nur ein paar Haeuser), die irgendwann verlassen wurde und einfach vor sich hin verfaellt. Der Weg zum Chiricahua ist ein wenig umstaendlich, weil der Eingang zum Park im Westen ist und wir von Osten kommen. Aber wer - wenn nicht wir - finden doch einen Weg, vom Osten her hinzukommen. Ok, zugegeben, wir habens nicht gewusst, sondern uns eigentlich nur ein wenig verfahren, als ploetzlich ein Schild den Weg weist mit einer Entfernungsangabe von 20 Meilen. Ist wirklich super, weil eigentlich haben wir mit 80 Meilen gerechnet. Also nix wie abbiegen, diese 30 Kilometer haben wir ja schnurstracks hinter uns gebracht ... denken wir zumindest. Denn diese tolle Abkuerzung erweist ... read more
Chiricahua NM


Chiricahua National Monument The term “sky island” was new to me, but it now makes sense. Imagine an isolated mountain range surrounded by grassland. What is growing or living in the mountain is different from the surrounding “sea” of grasslands or desert. It is cutoff from other distant mountains. The Chiricahua Mountains rise to 9,763 feet. This “sky island” is home to 1,200 species of plants. Also the Chiricahua fox squirrel is found only in these mountains. The National Parks brochure lists various animals and birds that are present and special to see in these mountains, but we spent our time either watching our feet to avoid falling, or looking up in awe at the rock formations. We had a great hike on the Echo Canyon Loop which is 3.3 miles. We hiked in the ... read more
Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument
Chiricahua National Monument


We didn't have far to go to get to this wondrous place. Amy's mom Sharon came along for the trip. Yay! It was an easy 1 and a half hour drive from our house, if even that. Just one turn off the highway, down a two lane windy road and we were there! On the way there we didn't pass any cars. It was almost as though we were the only ones on the road that day! We neared the park entrance and though it was beautiful, it didn't seem anything like what we were anticipating; nothing like in the pictures online (we were pleasantly surprised later). The lady at the entrance was super cheery and answered all of our questions. Such a nice woman. She seemed to really love her job. So we started our ... read more
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Our feet are itching and there’s no cruise on our horizon. What are two travel-crazed baby boomers to do? Why, go on a road trip, of course. Our blue Rubicon Jeep hums along I-10 as we travel from Tucson to Southeastern Arizona. We’re off to explore Chiricahua National Monument and Sunglow Ranch. At Wilcox, we exit the interstate, taking Highway 186 through a broad valley rimmed with mountains. Monsoons have turned the brown hillsides to green. Grasses are knee-high. Yellow wildflowers blow in the wind. There’s not a car in sight. Alan and I decide to check out the monument before driving on to Sunglow. Making a left turn onto Highway 181, we drive towards the mountains until the road splits. To our right is Pinery Canyon Rd, a dirt and gravel Coronado National Forest road ... read more
Arriving at Sunglow Ranch
The tree by our patio
Our view




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