Chiricahua National Monument to Tombstone, Az.

We try to get out and see what's around us...this day, we did more travel than usual, but there just isn't much in the desert! At once, we saw these huge grasshopper things... I'm talking like 3 inches long and they were everywhere!! Must be mating season...lol! We did find out at the Chiricahua Visitor's Center that they are called Grouse Locusts....crazy.
From the early 1400's southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico have been home to the Chiricahua Apaches. They were traditionally nomadic, hunting large animals and gathering plants. When settlers arrived, they fought relentlessly led by Cochise and Geronimo. But in 1885, they ultimately surrendered and were taken to reservations in Oklahoma and New Mexico. I still have a hard time with that. They were here first afterall.
Really didn't think I would ever want to look at another rock formation, but they still intrigue me. I think Alan (and definitely Lisa) couldn't care less, though! These pics are from the road as we couldn't hike the trails. There was a large forest fire up there last May and burned thru July...all roads and trails were closed. The "This button doesn't do anything" pic was positioned below a film screen in the Visitors Center....kinda cracked me up!

Off to Tombstone, Arizona thru more sand, sagebrush and flash  flood zones. There were some crops, though. What looked to me like pecans, corn and even cotton. I was surprised to see the cotton! Tombstone is pretty much what you would expect...touristy gift shops, tee shirts and even a Harley store! Check out the old Harley! Of course, we went to the reinactment of the gunfight at OK Corral. That was pretty fun and they did a good job of setting up scene with all the tension in town between the cowboys and townies. We both warned Lisa several times that it was gonna be loud, but when the gunfire started, she nearly climbed into my lap!! LOL!! On our way out of town, we stopped at the Boothill Cemetary....pretty cool. There was a guy trying to get people to go to his shop/museum. It was a reptile place with over 30 snakes. I stopped to see the snake and Lisa loved it....even pet the snake with me holding her hand. Alan hates snakes, so he went into a gun shop. LOL!!

We are now in Deming, New Mexico.. ...NOTHING here to see, so we have done laundry and they have an indoor pool...that was nice! Off tomorrow for Van Horn, Texas.....

Blythe, CA

Ok, driving along thru the desert and suddenly, WE LOST POWER!!! NOT again!! I just wanted to cry! I suggested we try the "secret code buster" and we were off.....made it to Blythe with just one more unscheduled  stop, but it took a toll on us and our mood. We decided to stay 2 nights instead of ,one, mostly I think, because we couldn't stand the idea of doing it again the next day. It's  SO nerve wracking. I just HATE not being sure you will get somewhere and I REALLY don't like the idea of being stuck in the desert.
I like this park, but Alan doesn't. There is barely a signal for his TV and internet and that makes him grumpy!! I can do without (definitely the TV!).....they are just huge babysitters and mostly a waste of my time. Anyway, they have a great dog park next to the Colorado River...all enclosed and safe for the dogs. The river is still running fairly swiftly, too. Lisa even got into it in the park yesterday.
And, today, we took her to the pool which she always loves! I am getting more worried about her Alzheimers. She sure forgets things she used to have down. Maybe her hearing is bad? She often doesn't hear  us talk to her and, during those times, seems to be staring off into space. I just hate this.....every little thing is a reminder to me that we will lose her. It's an icepick to the heart for me and WAY to much like my grief for David, my son.

 Last night, Alan took a shower here at the park, and I was gonna go next (someone has to always be here with Lisa), but he said they were barely warm. Forget THAT! So, I took mine in our little shower where I knew my water would be hot. I use this little net thingy for my washcloth lathered it up with soap and was just about to go to the "good parts" when  something stung or bit me! It hurt like hell!! I found the offending critter and squished him, telling him exactly where he and his little stinger/teeth could go!! Man! My finger stung for a good 10 minutes! I think I'm gonna live, though I still have a wound on my finger! SO glad he got my finger and not "elsewhere"!! LOL!!

Tomorrow, we are off for Camping World in Mesa, Arizona. This is where we bought the Magic Bus. We are thinking it may have been funky gas, but we'll have them check it on Monday.