Sightseeing, Team Roping contests, and County Fair

BESH - BA - GOWAH

A partially restored ancient ruin of the Salado people who occupied the site between A.D. 1225 and A.D. 1400.

Typical of so many of the Southwest Indian Ruins

Every time we visit these ruins, the common fact is that all of these have been abandoned at about the same time.

I guess climate change was prevalent then too.

TEAM ROPING

A fun morning at the Team Roping Contest

at 'our' Cowboy Church-

comes complete with Rodeo Grounds.

Admiring one of the Championship winners.

The starting gate is a busy place.

We were surprised at how quickly all the events took place.

Good practice place

( in the middle of the road)

Lots of great action, and none of the cows got hurt,

( I think the cowboys were OK too)

Then on to the Fair

Bluegrass,

Antique Cars,

Model Trains

This band was Arizona Wildflowers

4 kids aged from 8 to 14, and a couple of state champions.

The 8 year old is practically the same size as his bass fiddle

and he does a great job!

Young to old, and everything in between.

The bass player is 12 years old.

MODEL TRAINS

A few model railroad fans set up this huge display of model railroads and trains.

They take an entire day or so to set up the trains at various fairs, displays, etc.

Then they let kids run the trains by controlling the speed by inserting the controller at various places around the track.

It usually requires some adult supervision.

This kid is 8 years old.

ANTIQUE CARS

Lou remembers when his cousins received cars like this for their

High School Graduation present.

Pretty spiffy

A great 'fixed upper". (not!😅)

"Sublime to the ridiculous"

There are quite a lot of things to do in Casa Grande!

A pleasant time indeed!

 

Youth Haven - almost done

Week number 3

Yes, it has gone quickly!

The Prayer Garden

Task was to "tidy up all the winter debris and

 cut off all the dead branches from the trees and bushes.

Many wheel barrel loads going to the burn pile.

 

The bushes had gotten so overgrown that the guys felt like they had a logging job.

Many piles of sticks had to be dragged over to the burn pile.

We all dragged many 'sticks' to the fire, mostly big branches that wouldn't fit into the wheelbarrow.

My fitbit showed way more steps than usual!

The use of the tractor was a big help.

Lou was one happy camper!

Other jobs:

The guys cleaned out the bike shed. 

These will be donated somewhere.

Fun stuff for the kids:

Bill and Sandy Yaden (Sowers on Assignment) cooked for the kids.  Sandy was SO creative and made the food in the theme of the camp.

What a blessing to the kids that came to camp!

"Weekend Warriors" (NOT!!)

               

                                                "Gonna have some fun"

                                        Even in the 'middle of nowhere'

Not quite the 4 wheeling we are used to,

but it did have some pretty good gully washes.

STAGE STATION AND HOMESTEAD

Historic Site

The one room adobe stage stop built in 1879 

The railroad went from Tucson to Phoenix, and stopped at Picacho for those passengers who wanted to travel to Florence AZ.

Sometimes the signs make you wonder --

Is there a Trespassing Permit that is not valid?

Adobe mud bricks can (and do) leak in the infrequent rain.

I thought it was some local art.

Lou had been wondering how that one section of the roof got lifted up-

the rest of it was flat.

-

At this stage stop they changed and watered the horses.

The coral was huge!

Of course the signs say "No Shooting"

But, thru the water tank??

Then there are SIGNS TO PONDER

                                                    KEEP OUT

                                                           &

                                        Please! CLOSE THE GATE

                                                                         

                                                       

                        These reminded us of getting tourist information in Bali:

                 "Cockfights are illegal, but be sure you get there early for a good seat"

All 3 signs were on the same fence.

We came from the other direction and didn't even see the signs until we went thru the gate.

Then a bit of time for a museum-

The Heritage Hall in Casa Grande (formerly a Presbyterian Church)

A phone booth, circa 1940's

These were located near the train tracks so that the crews could contact the dispatcher.

Lou is getting his 'tractor fix'.

Linda gets her 'weaving/textiles' fix.

A lot of cotton grows in this area.

All in all it was a good weekend that included a 

"Pig Roast" and a Fiddle Contest

and it was COLD!

Week #2 Youth Haven Ranch - Eloy AZ

 

The guys had a bit of work on the barn

(to be continued next week)

The door of the shed still needs more work,

shimming and fitting.

The rain quit and the guys worked, and the ladies took a 

"Ladies day out"

Queen City Olive Mill

These two stones crushed the olives (skin and seeds included)

and all of the crushed mush (pomace) came out at the bottom

and was carried over to the 'old oak bucket'

Rather like a big colander or sieve--

pomace in top, olive oil drains out.

Today's equipment (aka "The New Stone Mill")

It doesn't look much like the 'old oak bucket' does it?

Then, we get to get a lesson on Olive Oil Tasting 

and

after the tour we (of course)  go shop for the 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil grown on this property.

End of week two

Restaurant at the SkyDive Arizona

( this is a well known drop zone for skydiving enthusiasts)

Linda Scheideman ( Lou is taking the picture)

Jenny and Dennis Chapman

Mark and Debbie Ford

Bety and Rick Weber

Enjoying the food at the Bent Prop Restaurant