Wednesday, November 7/2012

I am up early today (7:30) and the sun is just starting to peak over the mountains that surround this RV Park.  It is peaceful here and it seems like we are on another planet.  Our site is on the edge of a cliff that overlooks the entrance road below and as I sit here writing this blog and look out the front window, all I see is mountain.  It truly is awesome.
Last night, while John and I were sitting outside, we could look up into the sky above us and see millions of stars.  It was incredible.
It was not long (8:45) before the Camp Host was around to get us registered.  Check out time is noon so we must be at the store before then to pay the $35.00 camping fee.  Wow, sure not used to paying for camping!!  It just didn't matter though as I could not imagine us turning around and doing that 3 mile climb out of this canyon on that little winding road last night!!
Yesterday was election day here in USA and from what I gather, President Obama won the race so he is in for another 4 years.  As in any country, there are some happy voters and some not so happy voters.  Most of the folks we hang with are Obama haters so I imagine there are some elevated blood pressures this morning!!
It is going to be another hot day today as I was feeling the heat as I was talking with the Camp Host.  It sure is good to be in the nice weather now though. I don't think we should have to worry about icy/snowy roads anymore.

Heading out - The Hoodoos surrounding the RV Park

Colorado River

The Colorado is peaceful here as it winds through the canyon

The marina at Willow Beach

Going into Chloride, AZ

Mini Town

Roof of Bales

The Bar - Caribou Antlers.  The owner got these in Alaska.

Our spot

Watching the Sun Set

Amazing colours that seem to change every few minutes.
What an awesome show  tonight.

Panorama view - I am getting better!!

We stopped at the store to pay our camping fee then headed up the winding little road to the main highway.  The travel out of the canyon did not seem as intimidating as when we descended last night.  It wasn't long before we hit the "big" road and were once again on our way.
John is definitely not in a hurry and we soon found our way to Chloride, Arizona.  I swear we only drove a few miles before he was looking for a place to stop for the night.
We pulled into town and immediately noticed several old building.  It was like pulling into a town that time had forgotten.  Wow.
We stopped at the tourist information building and we immediately assailed by the incredible souvenirs that were available for sale.  John was in a most peculiar mood and actually shopped - WHOA - Who are you and what did you do with my husband!!
We found all sorts of neat things there and also got an offer to park our motor home "just down the street", by the horses!!
We paid for our purchases then wandered over to the antiques  and  collectibles store and bought a few more things.  Then it was time for a refreshment so went into the ancient old bar and enjoyed a cold one and chatted with the owners.  He thought we should just park the bus behind his bar and have a bonfire out there.  He also told us about a spot on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land just about a mile out of town.  Once we finished our beer, we headed out to the spot he told us about and were soon set up for the night.  John got the jeep out of the trailer in anticipation for our trip tomorrow over to Oatman, Az where many of the wild burros roam.
I did a bit of research on the town of Chloride and found it to be considered a ghost town that never really died.  There are ghosts of building that used to be lived in, ghosts of mines that used to be productive and ghosts of people that used to live here.
It is often referred to as "The Land of Far Horizons" because from the top of the Cerbat Mountains which lay beside the town, on a clear day, one can see 4 different states!!
The Butterfield Stage and the Santa Fe railroads used to stop here.  The old station is still standing although not open for viewing.  The town lies on part of old Route 66 and there are tons of Route 66 souvenirs in the one and only store.
Chloride, is also home for the oldest, consistently attended  church in Arizona.  Wow.
The post office, now housed in what used to be the old pool hall is said to be the oldest continually functioning post office in Arizona as well.  Incredible history here.  I am glad we stopped here doing the tourist thing!!
We spent a quiet evening just relaxing and catching up with TV shows.  It had been hot all day and now has cooled off nicely allowing for a gentle breeze coming through the window.  Life is good.