Tombstone AZ

We had a "tourist" day in Tombstone. Stayed overnight in a hotel, and went to th "OK Coral" show.  

On the trip into Tombstone, there was a notable change in the vegetation, with plains of grass punctuated with Yuca.

We had a 10 mile stretch of downhill, smooth pavement, and an awesome tailwind.  Everyone was in agreement that this was the most fun to date😊.

Tucson - St Patricks Day

 It was an easy riding day. 39 miles and 1200 ft of climb. We had an urban ride, traversing NW Tucson to SE Tucson. Mostly traveled over city steets, but had a few miles over a beautiful trail system.  

As we approached our campsite, we passed the "largest aircraft boneyard" in the world, populated by various Air Force planes that were mothballed.  We were denied entrance to the boneyard, and visited the adjacent space and aircraft museum.  Volunteer workers at the museum estimated that the boneyard contained at least 2000 aircraft.

The virus continues to spread through the group, and is currently counted at 17.  The staff is doing there best to make us comfortable, dispensing anti nausea and diarehea drugs.  Additionally, they are requiring everyone to don rubber gloves before handling food or food utensils.

Catalina, AZ

This is a view from our campsite at the Catalina State Park.  This was our rest day, with no riding on Sunday, March 16.  I came down with an intestinal virus that has been going through the group.  So I spent most of Saturday evening and Sunday in my tent.  Hope I feel up to riding on Monday.  Fortunately it is one of our lighter days, with 39 miles and 1200 feet of climb.

Gila Bend to Casa Grande

Magnificent desert fauna, especially the Saguaro cactus.

Dome Valley

We rode 70 miles from Yuma, AZ to Dateland, AZ, passing through the Dome Valley.  This area receives irrigation from the Colorado River, and is unaffected by the drought in Northern California.  So, this is our primary domestic source of fresh lettuce.  The fields were planted in serveral different varieties of lettuce, and we saw workers harvesting romaine.

Center of the World

On the way between Calexico and Yuma, We stopped at a very unusual museum in Felicity, CA, named Center of the World museum.  It was built by Jacques-Andre Istel in 1986 (Wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicity,_California).

It contains several granite monuments, still under construction.  Each of the granite ranks is on a separate historical topic.

No one in our group had any opinion other than the museum was uniquie, and a little bizarre.

As a part of our $5 admission, each of each were invited to stand on brass emblem, that marked the "center of the world".  We received a certificate as evidence of our visit.

Overnight at the Calexico Mission School

Our accomodations in Calexico are at the Calexico Mission School.  This school is admisinstered by the 7th Day Adventists.  This is a picture of the junior class members that prepared and served our evening meal.  Breakfast will be served by a different group of students.
Most of the students come from Mexicali, and cross the border each day to attend the school.  English is mandated in all the classes in order to improve the students' English.  Apparently, English proficiency is a drawing card for the school.