Chiricahua National Monument

We got up and around early on Tuesday and left TorC to hopefully, avoid the gusty winds that typically get worse as the day progresses. But, it was windy from the get go! Roger was complaining about driving into the wind when we saw a cyclist with 2 saddlebags on his front wheel and 2 on his back wheel pedaling along in low gear – he was almost going backwards! A whole lot of nothing out here – miles and miles of vastness!
Today was a gorgeous day – blue sky, sunshine, in the 50’s with little wind! We drove about 35 miles from Wilcox, Arizona to tour Chiricahua National Monument. The drive through flat plains and “nothingness” – dotted with a few ranches - doesn’t provide a clue to the awesome canyon and rock formations you see when you arrive.
The Apache Indians called it the “Land of Standing Up Rocks” – a beautiful area of rock formations and canyons. Immigrants from Sweden homesteaded in the area in 1888 and built Faraway Ranch. Their children started a guest ranch around 1917 but eventually, when all the children died, it was donated to the National Parks Service. The family was instrumental in its designation as a national monument. Volunteers provide guided tours and a history of the area. We enjoyed a picnic lunch, along a bubbling stream, at the base of the “Pipe Organ Formation” and then drove an 8 mile scenic drive to the highest point, Massai Point. We hiked along the Massai Nature Trail and the Echo Canyon Trail and soaked in the scenery. It was so good to be hiking again – we both really enjoy it – especially on such wonderful trails!
I made chocolate chip cookies for our lunch. Roger said he was thinking “I could make this a lot easier on myself if I stopped eating those cookies!” but I was thinking “When I get done with this hike, I can have a cookie as a reward!”