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Topic ClosedTOMBSTONE, AZ the rest of the story

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: TOMBSTONE, AZ the rest of the story
    Posted: 07 Jan 2017 at 10:40pm
 It's called, "the principle of unintended consequences" or put another way, fate really does have a sense of humor and irony.

We filled our adventure plates for our last day in the Tombstone area with a little research the night before looking for some quicks of history, out of the way places with forgotten names and events.  The next day we were off looking for Johnny Ringo's grave, as well as, the place and event that lead to a ten year war between the Chirichahua Apaches lead by Cochise and the US Army...the event known as the Basccom Affair again proving how tenuous life in the Southwest could be and how mistakes can have dire consequences.

Most have heard about the gunfight at the OK Coral in Tombstone between the Earps, Doc Holiday and some members of the Cochise County Cowboys.  One of the Cowboys, John Peters Ringo, known as "Johnny Ringo" was a confederate of the outlaw group, a desperado (murderer, thief and drunkard) known for his violence and temper.  Eight months after the events at the OK Coral he was murdered by a person or persons unknown and later buried where he was murdered.  The official inquest for purposes of convenience deemed the event to be a suicide.  However his horse was found some miles away with his boots tied to the stirrups.  Poor Johnny had scant foot wear at the time of his demise.  His grave is located between two oaks along the banks of Turkey Creek.  There's a real irony here, as such a violent man who live a violent, tormented, life lies in repose in such a calm and tranquil place.

Sometimes wars are the unintended consequences of misunderstanding of minor events blown out of proportion.  To find the place of the events of January 1861 you must take a 27 mile detour along a dirt road then take a walking trail one and one half miles back 156 years in time to Fort Bowie, pass Apache Srings, to the Butterfield Overland Mail/Stage Trial, the Military Cemetery beyond.  Pay tribute to those on both sides that perished in the battle of Apache Pass.  It all started when an unknown band of Apaches stole some stock and kidnapped a son of a women on Ward Ranch.  Army Lt. Basccom lured Cochise into his tent and threatened to hold him hostage until the Ward property and boy were returned.  Cochise escaped.  The ensuing Battle of Apache Pass lasted two weeks, the war ten years.  There is no evidence that Cochise and his band were involved in the kidnapping or theft of Ward's stock.

These adventures are portals of life and times that have long past.  The fabric of the Southwest woven into a tapestry event by event, person by person, be it in the mining towns, ranches, or in the long forgotten outpost passes of the Chirichahua Mountains.  Events shaped by the clashes of different cultures molded by men of iron their names echoing from the past, Cochise, George Crook, Nelson Miles, Geronimo and many more.

Bert & Reta
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jan 2017 at 8:50pm
Very interesting. I visited Fort Bowie when I was in my ANCOC class at Fort Huachuca where I spent 7 years of my military life. My wife and I really like the area. We settled in North Carolina for several reasons, but really would rather be in Arizona.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan 2017 at 11:30am
Ft. Bowie is a very special place. When we were there we had the whole place to ourselves as it was late afternoon on a gray overcast day.  The trail passed the old graveyard leads up to Apache Springs then towards the saddle in mountain first passed the remains of the "old fort" then onto "new fort" just beyond".  In the distance is a visitor's center.

As it was a cloudy day with high overcast, the air was very still.  We stopped along the trail to survey the area when we heard the first bugle note as it resonated off the mountain wall.  Instinctively l turned and looked back down the trail to the lower valley floor where the graveyard lies as the second and third notes sounded off the mountain sides.  A lone bugle was playing Taps in this ghost like setting at a place and time long passed.  The air was perfectly still as we stood there in silence and a slight mist covered my eyes as I listen to the bulge notes while looking into the valley and the graveyard with its white board grave makers marking the life and times of the fallen soldiers in the 1860's...a tribute to the past.

It seems the visitors center as a recording of Taps and it plays at 5:00 PM.  Next trip I'll bring the mandolin and play some tunes of the period also in remembrance.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2017 at 6:22pm
We'll have to get out there. My wife has not seen it. Your descriptions are compelling. Thank you.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2017 at 8:23pm
  If you're interested maybe we could have and R-pod confab in the general area with others interested in seeing the areas people, places and things.  Others might enjoy it as well.  There's lots to see and do in the area.

We would like to spend sometime up in and around the Chirichahua Range, visit some other period forts and visit Cochise's stronghold...get a lay of the land so to speak.  While at a Starbucks in Wilcox we met a couple that own a winery in the area and have a tasting room in Wilcox.  Cochise County is known for it's Arizona wines and is home to many quality boutique vintners.

This March Reta and I are going back to visit some NBFs we make at the Tombstone RV Park and Campgrounds and take another tour in the Kartchner Caverns.  It'll also be a reconnoitering trip in the Chirichahua Range and surrounding areas for another Fall or Winter adventure.

If anyone is interested in having an event out in the area please let me know.  Spring, Fall & Winter are the best times.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan 2017 at 9:32pm
Any plans for trips are on hold for us until after we get the repairs completed. We have two major trips planned this year already, one with the R-Pod and the second an Alaska cruise with my parents and with my siblings and their spouses. We may make a couple of local camping trips, but that will depend on how long it takes to get our escaPOD fixed.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2017 at 5:41pm
I for one would be interested in an AZ get together. My wife was stationed at FHAZ as a 2nd LT and I spent many years at YPG, I still miss AZ. Beautiful state.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jan 2017 at 7:26pm
Very good, welcome aboard, we're thinking in the fall and staying for a week.  But...we are also planning a short sojourn in March.  Summer's out as the monsoon season is not a good time.

What time frame would work for you & yours?

We've become friends with the owners of the Tombstone RV Park & Campground.  Nice facility with lots of amenities, very friendly, has a large rec. room for get-togethers.  Might be a good place for a base from which to explore.

What say you?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jan 2017 at 2:18pm
Will definitely talk to wife, very interested in a fall trip and I am retired, so my schedule is flexible. THANKS
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jan 2017 at 8:07pm
COOL, Thumbs Up!!!

Let me know when it's a go.  If you provide some Fall time frames that will work for you & yours we'll start putting this jig together.  If some others are interested we can turn this into an event or camp out, as theres lots to do and see...or...maybe we'll just sit around the campfire and " swat flies and tell lies".

We're going back in March to see our new friends, the owners & some snowbirds staying there until April.  Also need to pick up some San Pedro River Valley Salsa made in St. David, a farming burg nearby, reportedly by a pastors wife...really "good stuff".  At that point we'll lay the ground work out for the Fall jig.

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