Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Last Sunrise of 2014, Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Cappy, the yorkie furkid had to go outside very early this morning, something like 4:45 AM local Tucson time.

The view was glorious, my photo taking at 4:45 AM, is less than glorious, but, here it is.  It was MUCH prettier than the photo.


See ya all on the flip side, 2015 here we come!




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Sunday, December 28, 2014

A Tucson Sunset, Times Five :: Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Tonight we had a gorgeous sunset here in Tucson.  I could not pick just one photo, so, you get to see all five.  First three are basically the same shot, with a bit more zoom and a bit of a different angle, here and there.


Sorry bout the electric lines.




To the left. yes, those are citrus trees, oranges on the closest tree.


And, as the sun rapidly drops and everything changes in a flutter of your eye, to the right:



Indeed it was red.  And stunning.




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Sunday's Stories, 52 Ancestor Weeks, Week #52, Charles Henry Darden, The Lost Son

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence



This is week 52 of my participation Amy Johnson Crow's, once a week challenge to blog about one ancestor a week, tell their story, biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on that one ancestor. More about the challenge can be found at her Blog, No Story Too Small.

This is my last week of participation in this meme.  For this post, I choose, one of the Darden clan.  I have written about them several times here on Reflections.  William A. Darden, was week # 24 of this meme, a gift of research done by a Find A Grave volunteer.  If you use the search facility at the top left of Reflections you will find a number of other Darden clan members I have written about.

Charles Henry Darden was born April 8, 1845, most likely in Isle of Wight County, Virginia to Charles Henry Darden and his first wife Nancy Seeds.  This birth is recorded in a Bible Record, as far as I know the Bible is currently owned by the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society.  Below is a digitally edited, transcribed and typed representation of some of the entries.  I have removed data that did not relate to Charles Henry Darden born 1845.  I did include some data on deaths of two Charles Henry Dardens.  See more discussion on those little issues, below - -

It is my guess this was Charles' (the father) Bible and that both his wives made entries into it.  I have never seen the original, so, that is speculation at best.  Some of that speculation takes into account the spellings of names of the children from both marriages.  The names of the children born to Nancy Seeds are, in part, spelled phonetically.  The names of the children born to Martha Stephenson are spelled in a manner we would consider today to be "correct".  It is my guess that Nancy had little schooling, Martha was much more educated.

Anyway, back to Charles Henry born 1845, per that Bible record.

Charles is not found on census records in Virginia, not even on the 1850 census when he would have been about 5 years old.   He could have been visiting relatives, possibly some grandparents?  Or it is possible he simply was not listed, just missed in the census enumeration?

Note that in the typed Bible transcription there are death dates for two men named Charles Henry Darden.  One in 1878 and one in 1877.  I did a number of searches of the 1878 death records in Isle of Wight records and could not locate a death record.  The Darden bible record states one of these Darden men died in 1878, but I cannot substantiate that date.

Charles the father died in 1877.  I have his death record (which neglects to name parents, but does state "consort" Martha A. Darden, who is his second wife) and I have this photo of his headstone.  You will note the headstone is inscribed as 1878, seems even his son could not get the dates right.   You can refer to the Virginia Death Index at Family Search, where it shows the 1877 date.  And, nope, the day of death on the death records and on the headstone do not agree either.


Even with all the errors surrounding the death date of Charles the father, at least there IS a death record.  I have searched for Charles the son dying in 1878 in Isle of Wight time and time again.  No record has been found.  Now, it is entirely possible that Charles the son was not living in Isle of Wight at the time of his death.  One other brother, Osceola (Oceolia\Oceola) had left Virginia by this time.  Osceola was married in Hinds County Mississippi in 1872.

In fact, Charles the father, had a brother, Alfred T. Darden that had moved to Hinds County Mississippi by 1850. Yes, I have researched Hinds County.  Now, Alfred seems to have gone off to war and died.  Mary, his wife is a widow by the 1870 census.  That Alfred story is quite something, yes, I have posted it, the final post is here, with links to other posts.

So, in my looking around in Hinds County and researching Alfred, I find some interesting tidbits.

H. C. Darden, age 15, born Virginia, is found on the 1860 U. S. Census of Edwards Station Post Office, Hinds County, Mississippi, living in the household of A. T. Darden.  This A. T. is Alfred T. Darden, and is Charles Henry Darden's (born 1845) uncle.  (Question, is H.C. really Charles Henry?  Age is appropriate to match that given in the Bible record. Birthplace matches well.)

John H. Darden, age 24, born Virginia is found on the 1870 U. S. Census of Boton Post Office, Hinds County, Mississippi in the household of Mary S. Darden, age 44, born Virginia.  Mary is listed as head of household, with the following:  Charles E. Darden, age 19, born Mississippi; William M., age 15, born Mississippi; George S., age 12, born Mississippi; Henry A., age 10, born Mississippi.   (I have no explanation for John H., it sure seems there is some kind of name change here.  Or, am I grasping at straws?)

In the 1880 U. S. Census, Boltons Depot, Hinds County, Mississippi, John Darden is in the household of Mary S. Darden.  John is now 35 years of age, shows birthplace of Virginia, and is listed as nephew of Mary S. Darden, she is the head of household.  (This is the census that made my little researching heart go pitter patter.  This John, whom seems to be the same John as is enumerated in the 1870 census, is named as nephew in this the 1880 census.  Sadly, it seems John does not survive to the 1900 census.)

In 1899 we find a will recorded in Hinds County, Mississippi for a John Henry Darden, Will Book 2, page 470 (Mississippi Archives film # 9786).  It reads:
     "I, John Henry Darden of Hinds County, Mississippi, of sound mind and memory make this my last will.  I give devise and bequeath all my estate and property , real and personal as follows:  Mary S. Darden, her life, John E. Darden, Alleymay Darden, John B. Darden, Bessie T. Darden, India Buffington One Dollar Isabella Cheers One Dollar.  I appoint as the executor of this my will G. T. Darden of Hinds County, Mississippi, without Bond.
     In witness whereof I have signed published and declared this instrument as my will in said county this February of 21st 1899.
     [I note, some of this is very hard to read, and may have been transcribed in error.]
     J. H. Darden
State of Mississippi, County of Hinds
The said John Henry Darden in the County of Hinds, Mississippi on the day of Feb. 21st, 1899 signed the foregoing instrument and published and declared the same in his presense and in the presense of each other on said date have hereunder written our names as subscribing witnesses thereof.
     W. W. Farr
     W. T. Carsley
     N. Henry

This will was proven on November 16, 1899 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

I have not discovered where this John Henry Darden was buried.  I have not discovered if there is any obituary or death notice published for this John Henry Darden.

Last night in a research binge I found this index at FamilySearch.org with the images of the compiled record at Fold3:

H C Darden
Mississippi, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers
Name: H C Darden
Event Type: Military Service
Event Year: 1861
Age (Original): 20
Military Unit Note: Eighth Infantry, Co-F
Affiliate Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Mississippi , Affiliate Publication Number: M269 , Affiliate Film Number: 169

I originally copied only page page of the 24, which happens to be the last page.


It seems this H. C Darden enrolled and mustered between June 1 and 8th of 1861 at Raleigh, Mississippi. He was shown as a Private, it was recorded he was 20 years old. In reviewing the compiled cards today while writing this post, I discovered at least one of the compiled service cards stated he traveled 56 miles to enroll.  I downloaded that card as well.  See, 56 miles.  Another card in the set indicated he had subsistence furnished by himself for 3 days.  


(I'll have to fess up, I don't remember ever seeing a reference to miles traveled before in complied service cards. Stopped me short and sent me off on another research tangent.)

The Alfred T. Darden family, lived near Bolton Mississippi.  I mapped it.  From Bolton to Raleigh Mississippi is 66 miles.


Yes, the thought that maybe I want it too much has crossed my mind.

Want list for Charles Henry Darden, the lost son:  1850 census enumeration.  Connect or disprove any connection between Charles Henry and the H.C. Darden found on the 1860 census in Hinds County Mississippi and in this compiled service record.  Something to prove or disprove that John H./ John Henry Darden is the same as H. C. Darden, or Charles Henry Darden.  (Yes, I know, it stretches the logical researching mind.) Obituary and burial place for the John Henry that died about 1899 and left a will.

I have a muddled theory about why Osceola left Virginia and moved to Mississippi, having to do with his step mother.  From all the research I have done on this clan it seems there were some issues between Charles' first family/children with Nancy Seeds and his second family/children with Martha Stephenson.  Why a small child as young as Charles born in 1845 would have been involved in a move to Mississippi boggles my mind, it confuses me, but, something tells me or wants me to believe that Charles born 1845 did indeed go to Mississippi with his uncle Alfred T and his brother Osceola.

Yes, maybe I want it just way too much.  Maybe I just need a few hours of time travel.

The 52 Ancestors Week meme has indeed been interesting.  Thank you to  Amy Johnson Crow.  She is sponsoring, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2015 Edition, if you happen to be interested.  My participation in the 2015 version is being contemplated, I am "Reflecting" about it, while sitting on the "Fence".




* Additional source data can be obtained by contacting me, see the right hand column for a yahoo email address.

** 52 Ancestors Weeks Button courtesy of Amy Johnson Crow.

*** I use many resources to research, FamilySearch.org is a free site.  Ancestry.com is a pay site for which I pay, no discounts, etc.  Fold3, is another site I subscribe to and pay for. None of these sites have asked me to review them, or use them.  See my Disclaimers page for further details.

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Thursday, December 25, 2014

The Crèche of Salvation Mountain

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence





The reason for the season.

Merry Christmas to all.


From Man and Moi.



*This post originally appeared here on Reflections on December 25, 2011.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Christmas Tree, With Hope and Joy, With Lights We Wait

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence




Peace, Hope and Joy to you and your family this Christmas Eve.




* Originally appeared here on Reflections on December 24, 2012.  Photo from our stay in Fredericksburg Texas in November of 2012.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Some of My Favorite Things (Photos) From Christmases Past

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Christmas caroling in La Mesilla's (New Mexico) town square. A delightful Christmas Eve, 2010.


May it take two Santas to deliver all your holiday goodies.  (Grapevine Texas 2010)


Decorating with cotton, Swift Cole House, near Bon Secour, Baldwin County, Alabama in 2011.


A beautiful window in La Mesilla New Mexico, 2010:


Town lights of Fredericksburg Texas, November 2012:


Happy Holidays,




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Monday, December 22, 2014

Blog Caroling, Little Drummer Boy, Sung By John Denver, Year Four

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence


Tis time for Footnote Maven's Blog Caroling.  This is the fourth year in a row, and the same song talks to me each year.  So, for the fourth time, without further ado:

Just call me a child at heart, one of my favorite holiday songs has always been "The Little Drummer Boy", it really tugs at my heart.   In 1968 Rankin/Bass Productions released the animated television version of the story of the song.  I don't remember watching it back in 1968, but, by the 70's I had young children and this was one of the several holiday stories we found ourselves watching just about every single year.  Ya, I almost always teared up, sappy Carol.  I loved the story, I loved the animation, I loved the song.

When I went searching for a version on YouTube, I was delighted to find snippets of the original animated version and the song sung by the late John Denver, another one of my favorites.  WIN!!  And, here it is, I hope you enjoy!  The reason for the season.


May the blessings of the season be with you. 

 

 * This video was posted by  YouTube user mistikay.

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Sunday, December 21, 2014

Sunday's Stories, 52 Ancestor Weeks, Week #51, Ann nee Lashbrook Stowe

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence


This is week 51 of my participation Amy Johnson Crow's, once a week challenge to blog about one ancestor a week, tell their story, biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on that one ancestor. More about the challenge can be found at her Blog, No Story Too Small.

Ann Lashbrook was born Apr 8, 1832 somewhere in New York, possibly in Clinton County where her parents, Richard Lashbrook and his bride Ann Newcombe Lashbrook probably were living in 1832.

By the mid 1840's Ann had moved with her family to McHenry County Illinois.  On October 30, 1852 she married Roswell William Stowe (also known as William Roswell Stowe) in McHenry County Illinois.


Ann and William had the following children:

Lucy Cornelia Ann Stowe
John R. W. Stowe
Edward Warrington Stowe
Marietta R. Stowe
Rosetta L. Stowe

Ann is located on the 1860 U.S. census for Richland Township, Chickasaw County, Iowa:  Roswell W.,  age 32, farmer, value of real estate $500., value of personal property $200., born New York; Ann, age 27, born New York; Cornelia, age 7, born Iowa; Adolphus, age 5, born Iowa; Warrington, age 1, born Iowa.

Ann is enumerated in the 1870 US census for Butler Center, Albion Township, Butler County, Iowa as follows: R. W.  (Or R.A.) Stow, age 46, farmer, value of real estate $1700., value of personal property $500, born New York; Ann, age 37, keeping house, born New York; Cornelia, age 16, at home, born Iowa; Rudolph -?-, age 14, at home, born Iowa; Washington, age 11, at home, born Iowa; Maretta, age 6, at home, born Iowa; Lorena (Rosetta L. ??) Age 2, at home, born Iowa.

Ann is enumerated with her husband R.W. in the 1880 US census in Albion Township, Butler County, Iowa as follows: R.W., age 57, farmer, born New York, parents born New York; Ann, age 48, occupation--cannot read, born New York, parents born England; Meretta, age 16 (although this age looks much like 11), daughter, works at housework, born Iowa; Rosetta, age 12, daughter, at school, born Iowa.

In 1883 when her father's estate was settled Ann lived in Parkersburg, Butler County, Iowa.  Ann cared for her mother after Richard, her father, died.

Ann appears on the 1885 census of Albion, Butler County, Iowa: R. W. Stowe, age 63, farmer, born New York; Ann, age 53, born New York; Warington (? Washington ?), age 24, born Iowa (county name is hard to read, but ends with "saw"); Roseta Stowe, age 17, born Iowa (county name hard to read, looks like Butler); and William H. Stowe, age 3, born Iowa (Butler County??)

In 1893, when her brother John's estate was being settled, Ann is listed as deceased.  Butler County death records were checked for every entry between 1883 and 1894, and no record of the death could be found.  In 1893 only one of her children is listed as living in Butler County, that being Rosetta.  Two of her children lived in Sioux County Iowa in 1893. Two of her children were living in Faribault County, Minnesota in 1893.  In May of 2011 I again checked the death records for Butler County, Iowa for the year 1888 and again, no record was found.

Ann died on May 17, 1888 in Butler County, Iowa.  She and William are buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Butler County, Iowa.  I maintain their Find A Grave memorials.  Hers.  His.


Wish list for Ann:  Death record and a photo.  I have a photo of her husband William but, none of Ann.  I'll just bet the family member that has photos of her parents has a photo of Ann too.



* Additional source data can be obtained by contacting me, see the right hand column for a yahoo email address.

** 52 Ancestors Weeks Button courtesy of Amy Johnson Crow.

*** I use many resources to research, FamilySearch.org is a free site.  Ancestry.com is a pay site for which I pay, no discounts, etc.  Fold3, is another site I subscribe to and pay for. None of these sites have asked me to review them, or use them.  See my Disclaimers page for further details.

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The Yearly Telling of the Famous Mouse Holiday Story - - A Different Kind of Holiday Story, Having to do With Peppermints, a Horny Mouse, and a VERY Tiny Reindeer

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

This post first appeared on Reflections 3 years ago.

The following story is "R" rated.   R for a bit "racy".   Just sayin  - -

Man and I have been RVing since 1972.  Well, we started "camping", you know, tenting.  We worked our way up through the ranks, popup camper, hard sided travel trailers and now, we "RV" in our beloved Tana.

We have been wintering away from the chill and snow of SE Michigan basically since he retired in 2001.  Had to stay home a couple of years for medical reasons, but, other than those 2 years we have been escaping.  The first year we did not escape winter, we escaped Michigan March.  I have to say, Michigan is a pretty state, even WITH snow, but, March is the ugliest, nastiest 1/12th of the year in Michigan, bar none.  It is cold, really wet, ugly gray, I don't think the sun EVER shines in Michigan in March.  Well, almost never. (Hey, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!)

Over the years Man and I have developed procedures for leaving the stick built long term.  Who to contact, who to hire to do certain work while we are gone, how to winterize the house, what to suspend (saving $$ -  wahhooo).  We have a detailed and a  long list, typed into a word processor, usually edited and tweaked a bit each and every year.  The list has served us well over the years, getting better with age, working, UNLESS, yes, you know there is always an "UNLESS", we don't follow it, faithfully, and fully.

And, if you happen to forget an item for say, ohhhh, 2 years in a row.  Can we say, ooops, and, messy??  Well, for us it was.

One of the to do items is to spread a low nitrogen plant fertilizer, Milorganite, that is produced from human sludge.  Ya, I know, TMI, and it also has a rather strong distinctive and not real pleasant odor.  But there is a little something besides feeding my plants and trees that I have learned along the way about Milorganite, and that is that it discourages mice and deer and other critters from eating my trees and bushes and for some reason, it discourages rodents, like mice and shrews from seeking refuge IN our house.  Really it does.

And, for some unknown reason, other than a temporary (one can hope it was only temporary, can't I??), but major case of the STUPIDS, I forgot to put the Milorganite down for not one, nooo nooo nooo, but TWO years.  First year slipped by and there were no mice in the house and well, that made it pretty easy to forget in year number 2.

My luck however did not extend into year 2.  That, topped off by the other really STUPID thing I did, leaving a huge bag of peppermint candies in the house.  You know, those really large bags you buy at places like Sams and Costco??  Ya, the mega bags, that last more than a year.  I saw no reason to transfer that large bag of candy into Tana.  I mean, it would not spoil over the winter in a house with the temps down to 47 degrees F.  Hard candies, wrapped individually - -

Did you know that mice can unwrap individually wrapped hard candies?  Yep, they can.   Did you know that they can carry those candies for extremely long distances??  Yep, they can.  Did you know they can carry those candies for extremely long distances up the inside of your walls??  Yep, they can.


Cut to April when we return to the stick built.  It did not take long to determine we had a issue, with mice, with peppermint candies and wrappers strewn everywhere in our home.  Partially eaten pieces of candy and wrappers in every closet, lots of drawers, under things, in potted plants, on all 3 levels of the house, basement, main floor and top floor.  I even found those little give away hints (peppermint candies go in, something must come out, eh??) in of all places, the toaster.  Man said, we can clean it.  Oh, that was the wrong thing to say.  I went ballistic.  Over and over and over again.  He actually dumped the little hints out of the toaster, but I took said toaster to the garbage and informed him he was to go purchase a new toaster and I guess he figured I meant it, because he did what I insisted he do, he purchased a new toaster.

As I opened more drawers and closets I discovered more and more of those hints, and lap blankets shredded for nesting purposes.  Yes, partially eaten candies and wrappers were everywhere.  Every new piece of evidence was cause for me to become more and more agitated, the tears started, the ranting started, screaming too.  Every day for weeks I was more and more mean and I was MAD.  Man did not hear one nice thing out of me for quite some time, even after he volunteered to help me clean (or was it that I demanded he help me clean?? )

And, clean we did, it took some time, all day, every day for several weeks.  Cupboards and drawers were totally cleaned out, everything stored in them washed, lots of disinfectant was being used.  We filled a couple of trash cans with all those stinking candy wrappers.  All the time, ole Carol was ranting and raving, and all but foaming at the mouth  (and I am not sure that I did NOT foam at the mouth).  I was no fun, I was nasty, I did not even like living with me.  Gotta say, when I don't want to live with me, that is about as bad as it gets.

Eventually, we ran out of creative places to look, we felt we had done a fairly decent job of the clean up.  I began to relax some, especially after Man caught several of those F*A*T, and most likely, diabetic mice, and they left my home.  I had no idea that a mouse could be that F*A*T!!  Plumb, round, and F*A*T!
But, for months, I found more wrappers, buried deep in some large house plants, one day I was removing dead leaves from inside the pot and yep, out came several candy wrappers.

At some point my angst began to subside and my weird dark sense of humor started to return.  Then, one afternoon in July or August I found more candies.  They were on top of my buffet, the top of which is about 4 foot tall.  I found several wrappers and then some partial pieces of candy.  Then, I found,

The reindeer.  On it's side, obviously, sighhhh, dead.

I know you all are aghast, asking, "in your house Carol??  really??  reindeer??"


Yes, in my house, on my buffet, the reindeer, all of 2.5 inches tall, was part of my Christmas in the City collection, which for several years has been left up, pretty much all year round.  If you look very hard in the photo above, on the far right, close to the top of the snow covered tree, you can JUST barely see the little reindeer, see that white tiny blob between the tree and the German Beer Garden??  Well, you can take my word for it, the reindeer is there.  (I hear you snickering!!)

Obviously a mouse had knocked over that little reindeer while scurrying up the back of the buffet with his treat looking for a peaceful and pleasant dinner setting.  I mean, what mouse would not appreciate the lovely Christmas in the City buildings and the bridge.   That mouse had a really nice dining atmosphere, he even had the Salvation Army playing a little ditty during dinner.


But at that very moment, when I spied my reindeer lying on his side, obviously DOA, my dark sense of humor went in the gutter.  I decided on the spot that the mouse was a horny little mouse, that he took out his affections on my reindeer, making whooppee with my reindeer, sugar induced whooppee, which probably means, lots of energy, mmmm, and that the  mouse killed my reindeer with all that whooppee.  Gasp!  That is why I found my little white reindeer lying on his side DOA!  (Are you tearing up yet??)

And, that my dear readers is how I take peppermint candy, an infestation of mice, my holiday decorations and one poor little 2.5 inch tall DOA reindeer and come up with a holiday story of a different kind.

Yea, I know, ole Carol is one sick lady.




* You know it is coming, the disclaimer:  Milorganite is copyrighted by them.  They did not ask me to mention them, and the only connection I have with the company is that I use the product.  Ditto for Sams and Costco, I spend my $$$ there, I get no special discounts, they did not ask me to mention them.

**The candy photo is courtesy of Gospel Clip Art.  The mouse clip art is courtesy of  Classroomclipart.com

***  I no longer leave candy in any shape or form at the stick-built during the months we are out and about in Tana, I think you know why.  I also no longer forget to put the Milorganite down, HEAVILY!  And, we should have purchased stock in some mouse trap company.  Yea, we bought that many of them, snap ones, sticky ones, we bought em!  It has been several years now since the peppermint/mouse incident and our house sitter has only found 1 shrew, in a trap, in all those years, the Milorganite is working.  See Carol smile!

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Friday, December 19, 2014

Tana Gets a Christmas Present

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Tana got her Christmas present today, new stairs. Her original stairs had two broken welds, a broken rivet and everything was just weak and loose. Man had replaced one rivet with a bolt and attempted to repair the welds. The weld repairs were failing.  As it is a safety issue, Man decided to replace the stairs.

The research/hunt for new stairs was not as simple as you might guess. The RV dealer here in Tucson wanted a fortune for purchase and another small fortune for installation and they could not promise a set of stairs with a 7 inch rise. I must have a 7 inch rise. I use those stairs several times a night, half awake with a yorkie in my arms.   I (and my elderly knees) don't do 8 inch or heaven forbid 9 inch rises on stairs. However, Man surfed the net and measured and found replacement stairs with a 7 inch rise. Price very reasonable, shipping free (they weigh 57 pounds) and delivered to the campground office 5 days later. WIN!

Since the order was placed Man has been working on freeing up the bolts (painted and rusted on) on the old stairs.

Yesterday the new stairs arrived here in Tucson. Here they are:


The old steps, ready to be dismounted.  The bottom step is folded up, yes, there are three steps.


We had a helper lined up, and today after lunch, Jim Painter and Man set to work.  It did not take them long, maybe an hour and a half.  Ta da!  New steps!


The installers, Man and Jim.  Don't they look smug??


Well done fellas.  Thank you so much.




P. S. And now we have lights for those late night potty breaks for Cappy. 


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Thursday, December 18, 2014

White Sands Missile Range Museum, New Mexico :: Winter Sojourn 2014/15

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

In November 2014 on our way west, Man and I stopped for 8 nights in Las Cruces New Mexico.  On our bucket list while in the area was the White Sands Missile Range Museum.


If you intend on visiting here are a few hints, but FIRST, visit their web site - - review and verify requirements before you go.  Also be aware that there are times that route Highway 70 may be closed.

1.)  Stop outside the gate, pull over to the right and park.  Go into the visitors center.

2.)  Have picture ID for all visitors.  We also took into the visitors center our auto information, including insurance. We were NOT allowed to drive onto the base, even tho the web site states we could and we did not have to show the auto information.

3.)  When you are registered, you will receive a pass per person, and very specific instructions.  You must stop at the main gate and be processed further. You will need your paper pass and your photo ID again.

4.)  When processed you will be given more specific directions and allowed to pass.  Basically - - stay on the sidewalks!

There are two main parts to the complex, the outside exhibits and inside exhibits.  Here are a few highlights of the outside:






Inside the museum, we found nicely laid out displays.  I was uncertain about photography, I did not see signs about photography and at first found no one to ask about it.  I finally was able to find someone to ask and was told it was OK.  I took a few photos after that of just a few things, these displays caught my attention:


Zoom and read:  Survival Supplies...Drinking Water...17 1/2 Gallons...To Fill...To Dispense...To Reuse as a Commde (dated 1962)


This one is equally interesting:


Again, Zoom and read:  SK IV Sanitation Kit...Supplies 50 Persons...Contents:  Toilet Tissue, Can Opener, Commode Liner, Hand Cleaner, Gloves, Syphone Spout, Tire Wire, Commode Seat, Cups and Lids, Instruction Sheet, Commode Chemical  (dated 1963).


The visitors center handed out a number of brochures and such, even a CD.  It is going to take some time to digest all that material.

All in all, a very interesting day, glad we did not pass it up.




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