After a night at the Benson KOA  and with Connie all bandaged up, I headed to Tucson. I was meeting with team members and customers in downtown Tucson.

I have to say, the trip into Tucson was a bit nerve-wracking. The city is undergoing a lot of road construction, and on top of it some of the streets around the store were very narrow. But with some newfound RV skill I made it and had a great event. The team members and customers I met seemed very interested in the journey and history. I really enjoyed my time there.

Outside Tucson is Picacho Peak State Park . Unfortunately, the park was closed by the time I arrived, but the peak never closes. In fact, it has been used as a beacon for many weary travelers on their way West. From an 18th century Jesuit priest named Father Kino  to the Mormon Battalion  to the Butterfield Overland Mail Company , Picacho Peak or pass has guided travelers' ways for centuries.

Today the road that led those early travelers west is occupied by the transcontinental railroad.

The area surrounding the peak is very beautiful and typical for this part of Arizona. The Giant Saguaro Cacti  — some reaching as high as thirty feet — dot the land around the peak. If you've never seen one of these cacti, they are amazing plants that can live as long as 200 years. Their shape is candelabra-like with arms spread welcomingly outward (but watch out for those needles!), while others reach high into the sky.

It was very hot, especially since I was still in my 19th century costume, so I stood under the shade of one of those giant green fleshed candelabras. I looked out into the distance over Interstate 10 as the cars flew by and wondered how many people in them knew they were passing beside an ancient beacon. Or was the site of the towering Dairy Queen  sign on the other side of the road too much of a distraction?

When Ormsby passed this peak he himself said very little about it. His journal only mentions that the first fresh water to be found for 40 miles outside of Tucson was to be found at the pass — although thanks to some recent rain along the way, they had apparently scooped water from puddles along the road for the horses. There is no longer a station, but luckily for the I-10 traveler there's always the DQ for refreshment.

With the mail safe and sound and the peak in the rearview mirror, I headed to Phoenix and another event. I am excited because this one is taking place tomorrow at Connie's museum, and I have never visited this one before!

Posted by Casey at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Found in At Home, At Work, Branding, Environment, Events, First-hand Accounts, Jack the Dog, Misc, Museums, On the Road, Overland Mail Co. 150th, Participate, Perspective, Prepare, Remember, Ride sharing, Stagecoach, Transportation, Travel, Wells Fargo Bank

What a day! After saying good bye to John and Jenny at the Oak Hill Court  and thanking them for their hospitality, I was off for another busy day. First stop, Pea Ridge Military National Park . There I met with Glen Jones of the Heritage Trail Partners.

Glen had contacted me some time ago and arranged for us to meet with John C. Scott, Superintendent of the park, for a personal guided tour. I was delighted to discover when I arrived that I was greeted not only by Glen and John, but several other members of Heritage Trail Partners — including the Mayor of Pea Ridge , Jackie Crabtree. (What a treat!) There was also a journalist from the local Pea Ridge newspaper, the Times of Northeast Benton County . Mayor Crabtree generously presented a wonderful book on the history of Pea Ridge, and what a history there is! After chatting with the mayor about his town, we were off for our tour.

The park is truly spectacular and pristine. Whether you are a Civil War enthusiast, are interested in the Butterfield or the Trail of Tears , or just simply love nature, this park is for everyone.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets the privilege of touring the grounds with John as their guide and Glen as his " Confederate" foil. At one point John was telling me about a particular moment in the battle when the Confederates were forced to retreat: Glen playfully reminded him that this was actually a "180 degree tactical advance." They make a great team.

I love the story of their first meeting. John hadn't been superintendent long when a tall "intimidating man" (his words — Glen is actually one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet) showed up at the park and asked, "Superintendent, why aren't you flying the Confederate flag here at the park headquarters?"

The new superintendent replied, "Because they lost." They've been great friends every since.

Continue reading "Arkansas: The People Rule!" »

Posted by Casey at 03:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Found in Animals, Dogs, Environment, First-hand Accounts, Jack the Dog, Misc, Museums, On the Road, Overland Mail Co. 150th, Participate, Perspective, Remember, Ride sharing, San Diego, Transportation, Travel, Wells Fargo Bank

From the moment the first wolf  left its pack and joined his human family some 15,000 years ago, canines have been a valuable part of the human experience. They have been protectors, workers and loyal companions. Unfortunately, humans have not always been good stewards of that trust. As a member of the Humane Society of the United States , I do my small part in making the world a better place for our animal friends. I'm also honored to share my own life with two intelligent, loyal and loving Boston terriers, Charlie and Eddie. Recently, I came across a bit of news that reminded me of that special bond humans and dogs have and how we humans sometimes get it right.

Readers of this blog know the story of Jack the Dog and Tig. While Jack sat “alert and faithful” atop the Wells Fargo treasure box and Tig was giving his life in the line of duty, two other dogs were making their way into hearts and legend. The first was Bum. Here in San Diego, schoolchildren all know the story of Bum the dog . But soon, everyone in San Diego will know Bum's story. Later this year, the San Diego-Edinburgh Sister City Society  will complete a $54,000 fund-raiser and install a bronze statue of the ol' boy in the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego.

Bum was a St. Bernard and Spaniel mixed-breed dog who arrived in San Diego as a stowaway on board a San Francisco steam ship in 1886. Bum was friendly and soon adopted by the locals. He ate scraps from the best restaurants and even developed a drinking problem (yes, alcohol, for which he had to be treated!) thanks to some locals who thought it was funny to give him sips when he wandered into the saloons. Bum soon ruled the streets from Old Town to New Town, hopping streetcars back and forth. When his territory was challenged by another dog, the two began to fight, ending up on the railroad tracks at the wrong time. Bum lost part of his right leg and part of his tail, but the other dog lost his life. Legend has it that, except once to rescue a puppy, he never went near the tracks again.

Bum became a regular at parades and other civic events of the day, taking top spots with dignitaries and celebrities. And when the city passed a law requiring licenses for all dogs, Bum was granted immunity and his picture placed on the first licenses issued. Bum was and is forever San Diego's “Official” Town Dog, and soon there will be a statue to prove it!

Joining Bum will be the famous Greyfriars Bobby  from Edinburgh, Scotland . Bobby belonged to John Gray, a night watchman. For two years Bobby and John were inseparable. In February 1858, Gray died of tuberculosis and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, the local graveyard. It is told that Bobby spent the rest of his 14 years guarding his master's grave. Locals are said to have built a small shelter next to the grave to protect Bobby from the harsh weather, as Bobby refused to leave, and a local restaurant owner fed him once a day. In 1867, when it was suggested that the unwanted dog should be destroyed, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers , who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , paid for a renewal of Bobby's license, making him the responsibility of the City Council.

Now, both dogs will have their day as dual statues will be placed in San Diego and Edinburgh.

Posted by Casey at 09:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Found in Animals, Bum the Dog, Dogs, Jack the Dog, Museums, Perspective, San Diego, Tig the Dog, Wells Fargo Bank