Places We Have Called Home In 2020
Home Is Where We Park It – Escapees North Ranch, Congress, Arizona
April 3, 2020
Temperature 71 Degrees
About the Park
A Modern Day Ghost Town
The Jail Tree
Today was another absolutely beautiful day. A day in which we did a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
Late morning we first walked over to Cactus Park and took some more pictures.
We continued our walk around the park and took a few more pictures.
We still haven’t found a turtle other than the one we have out front of our rig.
Once our walk was over it was back to
the Post Office in Congress for a few more misplaced packages. We keep getting emails stating we tried to deliver but no one was home. Come on now, we haven’t gone anywhere in two weeks.
We made a quick stop for peanut butter. We’re both using masks when we go out now and we’re keeping our distance from everyone. It also helps that stores like these are essentially empty when we go in. Moreover, call us crazy, but when we get home we also take a shower.
Next we headed to historic Wickenburg. Which today is for all intents and purposes a modern day ghost town. We had the town all to ourselves. We saw one person, just one in the hour that we were there. This is a town with some amazing looking stores and restaurants and we hope some day to be able to visit again when it is open for business.
A little internet research reveals the following: Founded in 1863, Wickenburg saw its population swell after gold was discovered in the nearby Vulture Mine. Wells Fargo stagecoaches spread the news and new settlers moved to town as gold fever swept the country. Henry Wickenburg, the town’s namesake, was among the first pioneer settlers. He came to the area in search of gold. He was rewarded with the discovery of Vulture Mine (1863-1942), where over 340,000 ounces of gold and 260,000 ounces of silver were found.
A statue in tribute to Evert Bowman. He was born on July 12, 1899 and died on October 25, 1971. He was was an American rodeo cowboy who competed from the 1920s to 1940s. During his career, he won the Rodeo Association of America All-Around Cowboy championship in 1935 and 1937 and was second three times; he also won eight titles in individual disciplines.
This, though, is what really brought us to Wickenburg today. According to legend: Wickenburg’s early years were rough. The town had run-ins with gold-mad miners, vengeful Indians, and the usual Wild West gunslingers and outlaws — which makes the backstory of The Jail Tree a little suspect. According to a sign next to the Tree, the lawless town, which sure could have used a jail, didn’t have one until 1890. Criminals were simply chained to The Jail Tree until the sheriff from Phoenix could ride down and collect them. Believe it or not!
Out and about one thing is clear, there are still many who must think the virus is all a big hoax. We found group after group in parking lots all along our route to town and back. Sometimes just a few, sometimes a group of ten or more. It just boggles the mind that this is still happening.
Back at the park I snapped this picture
of a camper that is supposed to be able to go anywhere and never get stuck. Nope! According to its owner just last week he got it hung up in a wash on BLM land. He stated it took him over an hour to get it unstuck.
In closing, it’s mind boggling and unnerving as to what is happening in our country today. Listening to the news tonight I was reminded of what one of our distinguished Washington Senators said last week (I’ll paraphrase) Our country was founded by a group of geniuses but today is led by a bunch of idiots. As I watch the news night after night this point seems to be driven home over and over again. Why are there states that still have no stay at home orders? Since when is a golf course an essential business? Why are we so far behind in producing and getting the necessary critical medical equipment needed in the hands of our health care providers? Something is seriously wrong at a leadership level if you ask me. Just my opinion.
Another day is over on The Road of Retirement. Once again we got out and about, out of necessity. I also had a wonderful conversation with William in Canada who owns a 2005 Newmar Kountry Star. We shared what we’ve both done so far to our rigs but I’ve also been doing a lot of listening. He has made extensive modifications to his rig and he is a wealth of information and knowledge. I’m sure we’ll be talking again in the future. Hopefully, some day we’ll also be able to get together.
On the lighter side.
Thanks again for coming along with us today. We sure do appreciate your company and always appreciate your comments and suggestions. Till tomorrow.
These are the voyages of Elvira and it’s two intrepid travelers. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.
See you on down the road!
"On The Road of Retirement" 
Thanks for the history of a small part of your area. That man in front of the Tree Jail looked real. He wasn’t was he?
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