March 6, 2007

Silver City, NM
Gas 2.39.9 (Tucson)

Nightfall finds us in Silver City (map -zoom in for exact location) having just finished a couple of barbequed Costco tri-tip steaks (yum-yum) with baked potatoes and a swig or two of cabernet. Life on the road is good.

Last night found us at nephew James’ and Erin’s new house in the east Tucson Hills. Very amazing place on 3¾ acres with a tremendous southeast view. We were the honored first dinner guests, dining on the floor—Chinese food with chopsticks! Looking forward to future family gatherings at this place.















Up early in the morning for refueling and then headed to Kartchner Caverns south of Benson, AZ. This place is one of those gems that you occasionally stumble on. We took the 9:15 a.m. tour of the “Big Room” and viewed pristine stalactites and stalagmites, still actively forming. As impressive as the cave is the story of its discovery in 1977 and the subsequent efforts to preserve it, uncontaminated by human trampling. The state of Arizona did a fabulous job creating a cave-friendly park. 70 degrees and 98 per cent humidity in the cave. Nice RV campground on the premises which we will stay at some day in the future.

After leaving the cave, we decided to head to Tombstone, about 35 miles away. Since the temperature was now hovering at 75 degrees, it was time for the annual unveiling of my legs. Yes—shorts for the first time since October. No surprise that my tan had faded a bit. What’s to fade, huh? It is likely that I will be known in Mexico as blanco viento. (The “white dude”.)

In Tombstone we lunched at Nellie Cashman’s, recommended by Road Trip USA, one of our favorite tourbooks. It was pedestrian fare, however.











One of our ‘extras’ on the road is our new Motosat satellite receiver system, which brings us internet and Direct-TV at our stops. Gone is the uncertainty of wi-fi connections (if any) or the dial-up connection in the laundryroom at RV parks. Such technology allows timely and regular publication of these blogs.

The other nice extra is Sirius radio, which allows us non-stop 60s music and occasional road-trip country western. Prior trips found radio pretty spotty away from metro areas.

Looking forward to the local sights tomorrow.