Yuma, Arizona to Southern California

114 DEGREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Didn't spend a long time in Yuma, but did see the historical Yuma Territorial Prison which was in operation for only 30 years. Inmates included those arrested for polygamy, affairs outside the marriage, and of course, murderers, sex offenders, robbers, etc. The cells were all exposed to the outside air --- gads, what a hell hole!

From Yuma, on our way into California, we stopped at the historic plank road which, yesteryear, allowed vehicles to travel over the Sand Dunes. Today, in the distance is a VERY long fence that separates Mexico from California.

We celebrated our return to California by camping out at a State Park in Carlsbad, overlooking the ocean --- the roar of the ocean, the smell of the ocean air and the cooler weather was simply intoxicating. We were delirious!

While in Southern California we will be visiting a number of friends. In two and a half weeks, we will be attending Ron's 55th High School Reunion in Long Beach. Should be fun.

Biosphere - Oracle, Arizona

The Biosphere in 1991 was the largest enclosed experimental environment and today continues to benefit research for the purpose of humans living on the moon and/or mars. In 1991 8 scientists (4 males and 4 females) walked into the enclosed structure and lived there producing their own food and conducting experiements for two years. The Biosphere is glass-enclosed and includes several environments ---- tropical and desert, ocean, rainforest, etc. Fascinating tour! Worth the stop!

Titan Missle Museum, South of Tucson, Arizona

South of Tucson we went to the Titan Missle launch site that protected our nation during the Cold War. There were 54 locations of Titan Missles throughout the nation. This particular site in only a museum now with an inert rocket. Thank goodness, the missle never had to be launched. The missles were a deterrent to a nuclear war. We actually visited the control room where the missle would have been launched at the orders of our Commander in Chief (U. S. President). On the tour, Lynn was selected to act as the Major in command of launching the missle with another partner. What a responsibility! I fired myself! ...and gave myself a raise!

The minuteman rockets now protect our nation and are located in the more northern U. S. States.

Karchner Caverns, Southeast of Tucson, Arizona

We have been to a number of caves, but Karchner Caverns is a stand-0ut. It was discovered in 1974 by two University of Arizona students, one of which is still alive today. Karchner Caverns is considered 100% alive, versus Carlsbad Caverns which is considered 3% alive. The founders and the Karchner family worked hard to protect and preserve this cave for generations so they kept it secret for about 14 years while they research the best way to preserve it. The tour was about a mile walk. To reach the mouth of the cave, we took a trolley UPHILL and to enter the cave, we had to go through 3 different chambers; each chamber was a process to maintain the cave's moisture. We saw stalactites, stalagmites, growths that they referred to as straws, bacon, popcorn, drapes, etc., etc., Beautiful! We were not allowed to take pictures or touch anything except the stainless steel rail

White Sands Missle Museum, New Mexico

There were devices on the property to test rockets, drones and small planes post World War II. This is located on a military base and in the vicinity they had military personnel walking around in dessert fatiques and using hummers for transportation in training and helicopters flew overhead at low levels. White Sands was where the first detonation of the first atom bomb took place. It is in the middle of a dessert. The Trinity site is north of the museum by about 50 miles.

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Yes, there is a town called Truth or Consequences! We had lunch there!

Bradbury Museum of Science, Los Alamos, New Mexico

The Bradbury Museum of Science focuses on the Manhattan Project. This was a secretive project during World War II to develop an atomic bomb. The town of Los Alamos was created for the sole purpose of housing engineers and their families. It was so secret that that the only mail drop to this town was at a post office box number. Currently there is a population of 18,000 in Los Alamos, with 4000 having PHD's. WOW! The town's current purpose is to research peaceful uses of nuclear energy and research for homeland security. Of special note is that in using our GPS in this area, many items were not able to be retrieved.