Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Travel

The Wickenburg Jail Tree

jail-tree.jpgWe decided to visit several tourist attractions in our new town today. One of the stops on the self-guided historic walking tour of the old downtown area is The Jail Tree.

This is one of several sculptures in the old downtown area. Damsel and I were both amazed at the realistic appearance of the shackled outlaw sculpture. Click on her photo to the right to enlarge.

The sign says “The Jail Tree – from 1863 to 1890 outlaws were chained to this tree for lack of a Hoosegow – escapes were unknown.”

The tree wasn’t actually a jail according to Weird U.S. . . .

Myth has it that convicts were sentenced to the tree and chained there until they either died from exposure or, if lucky, they completed their stretch. But, in truth, the tree was simply a holding facility. Offenders were shackled or tied to the tree only until a Phoenix lawman could make it up that way to retrieve them. Still, according to Wickenburg’s Chamber of Commerce, this could be anywhere from two to five days. At least they had some shade.

Weird gets it wrong, though. The nearest jail was in Prescott and prisoners were transported there.

09 Sep 2010 by Arizona Humor Travel

Dash Mount for the Garmin GPS

g-mount.jpgI got tired of the suction-cup GPS mount that came stock with my Garmin 205W. The GPS was exposed to the sun on the windshield and the temperatures where we’ve been this summer worried me that the unit might be getting too much heat. I went on-line and found a nifty little dash mount which I ordered from Amazon last week.

The mount attaches itself to the dash with an adhesive and its footprint is very small which allows us to put it almost anywhere there is a small vacant spot. I chose to attach it to the spot just above the On-Star panel (which we never use) in the SUV. This location is also convenient because it puts the GPS in closer proximity to the passenger if Damsel (or myself) need to assist with navigation.

Another plus to the dash mount is that the power cord can be coiled up and isn’t flopping around in the drivers visual field of regard. I kept the suction cup mount in case we need to use the GPS in Damsel’s Convertible or if we’re renting a truck or RV.

Click on the image to enlarge.

04 Sep 2010 by Technobabble Travel

Road Runner

We were at a rest stop today among Interstate 10 when this handsome road runner darted across the dog area. I guess it should be labeled “dog and road runner area.” The species in this picture is called Geococcyx. I think they look like prehistoric birds, but here he is. Click on the image to enlarge.

road-runner.jpg

13 Aug 2010 by Arizona Critters Travel

Alamo Lake

On our way back towards California, we took a side trip to Alamo Lake, an Arizona State Park. It’s a project of the US Army Corps of Engineers and a reservoir for the City of Los Angeles, who, by the way, is boycotting Arizona except for water and electricity and anything else those disingenuous idiots need.

At any rate, the lake is a beautiful, although out of the way, recreational facility for boaters, campers, picnickers and anglers – plenty of catfish, trout and other desert varieties. I also saw plenty of quail running about. Click on the wide-angle image to enlarge.

Alamo Lake

12 Aug 2010 by Arizona California Travel

Rain Bird Rainbows


Our hotel is directly adjacent to a ranch where they have cattle that graze on pastures. Last evening, they had industrial size rain birds irrigating the south pasture. We watched as two of the streams crossed and produced an intense rainbow segment. Play this 40 second video and enjoy!

10 Aug 2010 by Arizona Travel

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