A Remarkable Day In Our Travels

With two destinations on the agenda, we left camp and Tombstone early, without the trailer. 

We were heading to the Chiricahua Nat'l Monument. However, underway we stopped at the Whitewater Draw in Mc.Neal to see whether we could find sandhill cranes.

These birds have been reported to be guests in the large wetlands west of Mc. Neal. during their long migration north. Bea was super excited. They use to congregate in the area around sunrise, we were too late for that. 

 Now, the drive from Tombstone across the valley led us through endless grasslands, some overgrown with brush. Small ranches are spread out along the road, a lot of poverty stricken properties with derelict buildings as well.

Up the road, US border patrol had a checkpoint and the officer got curious about what Island we were from.

Finally we reached into Chiricahua Nat'l Monument. The visitor center is small and set up as a gift shop. We just grabbed the park brochure and went back on the road.

The road beyond the visitor center has a length restriction of 24ft, and I would not ever dare to drive it with anything longer either. 

Some places I would drive very carefully, if I had a high-profile vehicle. Some rocks are hanging over the road, and hitting them would end in disaster.

The scenery is absolutely awesome and spectacular. The rock formations are of a kind which you would only find equivalents at Bryce Canyon, though their grey colour distinguishes them from Bryce.

Snow-covered peaks in the distance

We drove all the way up to the highest point at 6870ft (2094m) The turnouts are very small so there is only room a few cars at a time. 

The head of Chief Cochise 

Also the parking areas at the top of Massai Point and Sugarloaf Lookout have very limited capacity. But it was Monday today and traffic was very moderate. 

After admiring all the beautiful views it was time for lunch. At one of the bigger turnouts we found good spot in the forest and broke out our chairs and our sandwiches. We especially enjoyed the strong smell from sun-warm junipers and cedar trees.

After such enjoyment we went for a small hike to Faraway Ranch. And the name speaks volumes about what the former owners thought about the place. I cite: "We called it Faraway Ranch as it was so Goddamn Far Away from everything".

And here is some of its history:

Stafford Cabin

In 1886, Swedish immigrant Neil Erickson filed a claim for a 160-acre homestead that included a small cabin built by a squatter named Newton. The land was adjacent and to the west of the Stafford homestead. Neil and his wife Emma Peterson did not begin living there until 1888. Over time the couple made many improvements to the cabin and property. When Neil Erickson, holding a position with the National Forest Service, was transferred to Cochise Stronghold in 1917, management of the ranch passed into the hands of the Erickson’s eldest daughter Lillian. In the same year, Lillian and her younger sister Hildegard started the guest ranch business. In 1918, Lillian Erickson bought the 160-acre Stafford homestead.  She and her husband Ed Riggs used the Stafford cabin as a guest house and took advantage of the increased acreage to guide visitors into the ‘‘Wonderland of Rocks.’’ The ranch retained these functions until Lillian’s retirement in the mid-1970s. Chiricahua National Monument was established in 1924 with help from Lillian and Ed. Ed served as trail foreman for a CCC crew building roads and structures for the monument. The NPS purchased Lillian’s property and belongings 55 years later, after her death in 1979. The restored ranch house was opened to the public in 1988. The ranch landscape is now included within the Chiricahua National Monument.

Stable for the 11 Ranch horses. The names of the horses still above the cribs