Day 25: Southern New Mexico

Drove through from southern Arizona to New Mexico, passing by a few roadside attractions.  First I stopped by The Thing in southern Arizona, drawn in by the many billboards:

Not sure what it is, but I only paid a dollar to see it!

I then stopped by to see the Running Indian in New Mexico:

After so many pit stops to absorb the local culture, I finally made it to White Sands National Park.  Unbelievable!  275 square miles of glittering white gypsum sands, surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America.  Had an informative sunset stroll, led by Ranger Julia, who shared her passion for the flora and flauna of this unusual desert.

And yes, that is not snow surrounding me, it's unbelievably white sand!

Day 24: Bisbee, Arizona

Stopped in Tombstone and spied some vestiges of the wild, wild West:

And then traveled on to Bisbee, Arizona, where we visited a copper mine located just a few miles from the border with Mexico.  We donned our raincoats, miners' helmets, and light packs and climbed aboard the mine train that took us into the mine:

Our guide had worked in a copper mine for 21 years and regaled us with many stories of the dangers and adventures of working in the mines.  I have a new appreciation of the hard work involved in this form of mining, especially after seeing the open pit mine, located right next door to the Queen Mine.  What devastation to the environment!

Passed through another border checkpoint and saw a van full of Mexican workers being searched as they tried to come into this country.  Not sure whether they were legal or not, but certainly a very different day-to-day experience than that which I experience back in Hopkinton.

Day 23: Tucson, Arizona

Spent the day exploring the fantastic caves at Kartchner Caverns State Park, near Benson, Arizona.  Very informative guided tour into a live cave; with developing stalactites & stalagmites, including one of the world's longest "soda straws", at 21 feet long!  Gave me a new appreciation for caves, caving and park rangers!
Then dinner in Tubac, a charming village full of art & history, just a few miles from Mexico.  Went through a border check point and was very appreciative for our American-looking faces!

Day 22: HOT

Drove through the desert from California to Arizona, where the highest temperature I saw on my car was 111 degrees!  Arrived in Tucson in time to see the most beautiful sunset across the desert.  Another lovely dinner with Jean, John and Chris Crawford and then a soak in their hot tub, watching shooting stars, what could be better?

Day 21: Desert Hot Springs

Drove a mere 2 hours to Desert Hot Springs for some rest & relaxation.  Had a deep tissue massage and I'm ready to hit as many of the 8 hot tubs/spas as I can here at Miracle Springs Resort.  A nice way to begin my return journey to Massachusetts!  20 states down and probably another 10 or so new ones to hit before Hopkinton.  It's a balmy 102 degrees here at 7 at night and is expected to cool right down to 85 or so with the sun going down.  At least it's dry heat, not like the humidity of Florida this time of year!
Headed to Jean & John's in Tucson, AZ tomorrow!

Day 20: Venice Beach

Spent the day exploring the beaches and, although I didn't dip my toes in the Pacific, I did walk along the sandy beach.  Started in Malibu, at Paradise Cove, where Wulf and I had a great lunch on the beach, even though it was sweatshirt weather!  Then headed down to Venice Beach, where I saw a few muscle men on Muscle Beach and explored the canals of Venice.  Although it didn't rain, I guess sometimes it is cloudy in southern California!

Day 19: Los Angeles

Spent the day in and around LA.  Started at the Forest Lawn in Glendale, where I tried to locate the memorial for Humphrey Bogart, with no success.  Beautiful grounds and museum with lots of stained glass.  Then moved on to something more uplifting, lunch at the Farmer's Market and the window shopping at The Grove, where I spied my first celebrity sighting, Mario Lopez, filming Extra!

Then drove through Beverly Hills and Hollywood to arrive at the Getty Museum.  It was a beautiful building, with lovely impressionist art, sketches, sculpture, and fantastic gardens.  The architecture alone was worth a visit:

So much to see and so little time!