The Trip, Bob and the Gallows, Goldfield Arizona

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

BEFORE WE START:  NO ONE WAS HURT PREPARING THIS POST!

NOT EVEN BOB!!

Some of my readers may remember this photo, from Pioneertown California, where Bob got, well, in a bit of trouble and ended up in this jail.

We managed to spring him, and he behaved, for a while. But, when we all met up again in Gold Canyon and visited Goldfield, he got himself in even deeper doo doo.  Geesh dude, what are we gonna do with ya??

Here is what the local authorities at Goldfield did - -

MMM, looking serious there Bob - - 

Bob, asking, aghast, "Seriously, you have me up here for WHAT?"

We are happy to report that Bob is just fine, thank you.  He did donate a dollar to some cause for the opportunity of "gettin' hung" at Goldfield Arizona.

Some time later, down at the ice cream shop (YUM!!!) there was Bob again - -

NOOO, but, look at this painting on the wall of the ice cream shop, looks a whole lot like our HoboBob to me!

Yes, it was all in fun and jest, ya just can't ever stop having fun!

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THE Trip, Goldfield Arizona, a Ghost Town

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Not far from our park in Gold Canyon is Goldfield Arizona.  It is touted as a ghost town, an old gold mining town.   Even though it appears old, most of the buildings are reproductions as, well, time took it's toll on the original buildings.  We were told there were some fires along the way that also took out hunks of the town.

Our first order of the day was lunch, the weather was rather pleasant, so, we ate on the patio of the Mammoth Steakhouse.  We enjoyed the view of the Superstition Mountains, Bob and Mina's company, and the food.

A view of Superstition Mountains as a reflection in the window
of the Mammoth Steakhouse.

Behind and beside the Steakhouse, sits the town.  There is a wind mill, a church, jail, gallows (which Bob would have a first hand, err, neck, experience with - photos to follow).  There are a number of stores (gotta have the touristy trap grab your $$ stores of course, which can be fun if they have something different).  There is a bordello, but of course.

The bordello, in the rooms above.

The jail, there will be trouble in a bit over that
green box full of GOLD they are supposed to
be guarding.

I even spied (and enjoyed the music) this street entertainer, dressed to fit the time and the part.

As in Tombstone, there is hokey history, the story of gold, with a gun fight, but of course!

See, there is that green box of GOLD again, and see,
there is trouble!

They seem to have the sheriff cornered in the jail house.

OOO OOO!!
That is dynamite he is tossing into the jail.
OOOO OOOO!

After a bunch of gun shooting and fake killing and such, our little show was over.  Hokey, but fun.

There is also a gold mine (additional $$), which we did not partake of.  We were enjoying the abundant sunshine, warm temps, good friends, some shopping and just wandering around Goldfield.  What a great day!

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Big WHAT?? - How Big Butt Got His Name - 104th COG

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The topic for the 104th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Cars As Stars of Our Family History II!  Bring us your stories of your first car, your favorite car, a family road trip, backseat adventures (ooh la la! ;-) , jalopy horror stories... we want 'em all!

Thanks to Jasia of Creative Gene for sporting the wheels this month and to footnoteMaven for the poster.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the motorized vehicles that Man and I have owned over the years have made their way into the blog, the 1986 Ford Van, the Opal Cadet.  For sure some of our favorite vehicles.

But, I would have to be fibbing if I did not say that one of my favorite vehicles is, BIG BUTT!!!  Our towing machine, the wondrous truck that hauls Tana, and the fur kids and Man and I, around this beautiful country of ours.  Big Butt has hauled us from Florida to California, not quite coast to coast, but pretty darned near.

I will admit that the name "Big Butt" is a bit different for a name for a truck.  And, this is the story of how he came to be named, "BIG BUTT".

Man and I have enjoyed RVing for a great many years.  We have camped in a tent, a popup, hard sided trailers, and now, of course, in our dream rig, Tana, a 38 foot long fifth wheel, our home on wheels.  However, for many years Man complained, and yes, indeedy, he whined a bit, that he never had enough truck, that the trucks or vans we were using as tow vehicles were always just a bit too small or under powered, or under something or other.  He swore time and time again, the next rig and truck we get, I want ENOUGH truck to haul the rig (trailer) we have.

Then came a time in our RV/camping lives that we were getting ready to purchase what very well may be the last trailer we ever own.  We knew it would be a 5th wheel.  That was a given.  A big 5th wheel, that was also a given.  Once we found the floor plan that fit our life style and our (drooling) wants, we were more than ready to BUY IT!  Man did months of research on the 5th wheel and the truck he wanted (needed) to haul that 5er around.

Finally the time came, financing fell into place, we were able to locate a truck that fit all the requirements, big, bigger and BIGGEST!!!  We purchased it.  It was made to haul our ordered 5er, Tana was on the way!

While we waited for Tana to arrive we made one more trip with our old camper, Man was in love with Big Butt, he bought running boards, bed liner, a hitch, he was in truck heaven.  Up till now, it was the GMC truck.  Then one day he was washing the truck, and he called it "Big Butt".  I all but fell to the ground laughing at this silly name, Big Butt.  More giggling was heard from Carol.  Man had the look of a little boy, pouting, not understanding my amusement.

Why, Man said to me, "just look at this truck, it has a big butt".

And, so it does:

The name stuck, and the 2003 GMC has been Big Butt ever since.

I truly love Big Butt, and I don't even laugh at the name any longer.  The truck of our dreams, we now say his name with a sense of awe and affection.

BIG BUTT, OUR TRUCK.

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Free, Fee and Professional Researchers, My Definitions

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

So, you need some assistance researching wayyyyy over there.  Do you hire a Professional researcher with a lot of letters behind their name, or a Fee researcher, or try to find a Free researcher?

Here are ole Carol's definitions of each type, which are FAR from techy, and are rather simplistic in this presentation:

Professional, been to school, tested, passed test of the professional group they desire belonging to.  Proudly display the letters they have earned behind their names!  Well educated, well spoken, know where to look, who to contact, the historical connections, small little points of research and history that many of us just don't have access to.  Many Tweet, Facebook, blog, have great connections and friendships with other professionals they can lean on for extra help.  Worth every penny you spend if you need them, no doubt about it.

Fee researchers, frequently are local researchers, may work in one county.  Quite familiar with specific locales, what is available, sometimes they are the "little jewels" of their communities, knowing resources that are powerful but may not be well known.  Personally known to the local librarians and the employees of the county courthouse.  No letters behind their names for various reasons, maybe they just don't care to take the time and spend the $$ to add those letters.  Charge by the hour or the job, most likely less $$ than the Professional, but, for small specific wishes/needs, they can get in, get out, get the document or information.  Being a local has definite benefits.  (Some fee researchers extend their territory to include their whole state.) May use Tweet, Facebook and other social media to reach out to those looking for research help, and to connect with others that live in their research area for the same reasons that professional researchers do, helping each other, a good thing.

Free researchers, volunteers, probably have much of the local knowledge that the local fee researchers have, may or may not have the time available to do extensive research, but are more than happy to grab an obituary, or maybe a death record, or stomp around a cemetery for you.  May be listed on various web sites as volunteers, or not. May be known only to the local genealogical or historical societies.  They are worth finding and I have found they are happy to "give back".

Many Professionals and Fee researchers will do free research.  The lines are not distinct or drawn in the sand. Some Fee researchers may consider themselves Professional researchers.  However, many Professionals are proud of their accomplishments, their letters behind their names -- as they should be, and this is my way of paying them that honor.  Believe me, there are a lot of fine FINE Fee researchers out there, danged good researchers they are too!

What are your definitions of Professional, Fee or Free researchers?   Have you ever used any of the above, and why?  Which do you prefer to use, and why?  Have you ever done Fee or Free research for others who live far from your locale?

I don't know about you, but, I can tell you, positively, no doubts about it, my research would not be where it is today without the help of all, Professional, Fee or Free researchers.

Bless them all!



* Source of graphics long lost, my apologies to the artists and web sites.
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When Dick Speaks, We Listen

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Yesterday morning at o dark thirty, I plied my "I don't do mornings"  body out of zzzzz land and headed off to meet Michelle of The Turning of Generations blog.  We met up at a local park 'n ride, I jumped in her wheels and off we went to the Family History Society of Arizona Seminar and Annual Meeting at the Arizona Community Church in Tempe.

We were gonna hear Dick (Eastman) speak.  Michelle and I were both excited.  He presented 3 topics, "Genealogy Searches on Google", "The Organized Genealogist" and "The Latest Technology for the Genealogist".

We all know it, Dick is well spoken and imparts information in a concise and clear manner.   He is relaxed on stage, has a bit of a wry wit and it comes forth in his presentations.  However, the nice surprise of my first experience hearing Dick in person is the fact that you don't get tired listening to Dick.  You know what I am getting at, you go to a presentation, and about half way through those chairs get VERY uncomfy and you start the wiggle worm act.  Well, no uncomfy or wiggle worm activity while Dick was speaking.  Major accomplishment, not sure how he pulls that off, but, as a one time, some time speaker, I sure wish I knew his secret!

This gal enjoyed the total experience, great friendship and company of Michelle, a well organized, smooth running seminar and hearing Dick speak.

That is a total WIN WIN WIN day!



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The Trip, The Smartest Phone in the World

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

As some of you know, last fall before we left on THE Trip, I upgraded (?????) to a Smart phone.  I have been saying for some time, it is smarter than I.  However, in the last week or so, I have felt I was making progress, finding a few tricks, especially on the Facebook app on the phone.  Little did I know, the phone was going to show me it had a few tricks of it's own up it's cordless wifi handsfree sleeve - -

The other day, Man and I along with friends Mina and Bob decided to do a day trip to the Roosevelt Dam area, about 67 miles one way, and see what there was to see.  Other MOC (Montana Owners Club) friends had spent some time there, and were bragging on it over at Facebook.  We wanted to see for ourselves.

It was a fun trip, which will eventually show up here on Reflections, with hopefully some photos.

Now, you have to know that cell service over there was a tad spotty, at best.  At some point I discovered the phone had turned on, and had taken a black photo and published it on Facebook. I was going to remove it, but, then, found the comments.

I had no time right then to respond, I just kept on sightseeing.  Every hour or so, IF, I found I had connectivity, I would check my Facebook page, only to find more comments on my, err, the phone's, black photo post.

Left - the black photo.

My friends were having some fun of their own commenting on the photo of black.  Every hour, a new comment, the smiles were growing in Big Butt's back seat, Mina and I were enjoying the updates.

The comments got funnier and funnier, and by the time Nita posted her "you fell" comment Mina and I were laughing so hard we were crying.

Here are the comments, names removed, cept you know about Nita's and Mina's, so I left their names!  LOL

Nita:  ????

Ms. L:   It must be really dark there. :)

Mr. J:   Dark humor!

Mr. R:   You let Man upload from his camera?

Mr. R (again):   ‎....oooohhh...the dogs took the picture!

Mina (who had service for like 5 minutes, and managed to sneak this in):     Shhh.... Secret!!!

Nita (here it comes, the comment that had Mina and I hysterical, which, by the way, our dudes just could not figure out, they failed to see the humor):    You fell and you can't get up!

The comments continued, I was busy sightseeing and shooting photos, LOTS and LOTS of photos (but of course).  Really, truly, I could not connect, I had tried to post something else via phone, and we drove out of service area before it posted.  So, I enjoyed the scenery, and shot more photos.  Next time I had a connection I found:

Mr. C:   It's a little out of focus

Ms. P:   Man, it's dark in here. .

About this time, we returned from our 7 hour day trip/ride to Roosevelt Lake/Dam.  I spent some time with the fur kids, meds, food, water, potty, more potty, hug me mom, my tummy hurts, more potty, etc.  When I finally logged on to Facebook the comments were flying pretty fast - - -

Mina (she was having way too much fun with this):  A picture of the "dark room" for developing!!!

My first comment:   U R all right,  I told U that smart phone was smarter than I am.

Ms. C:  Oh were you posting a picture??? I show a blank screen...which my mind is currently seeing...lol

At this point, I posted the "real story", relating how Mina and I were laughing so hard - - -

Nita:  Never thought a blank photo would get so many comments. I'll have to try it sometime! Glad you got a good laugh. I figured it was something like that. I'm also glad you didn't fall down! LOL

Now, we start getting serious, and Ms. A, asks:  Isn't there a way to turn the touch screen off so that doesn't happen?

To which I respond:  Don't know Ms.A, the phone is smarter than I!  Seriously, the phone really has a mind of it's own, I had it OFF, laid it down on my lap (touch screen facing the roof of Big Butt), never touched it, and it turned back on. Turned it off, it turned back on, over and over again. So, in this case, touch screen had nothing to do with it!   Smart - - - phone!

Ms. A responds:  Hmmm? Smartphones for dummies?

Mina:    I am glad you spent so much time with this photo!!! :-)

Mr. R (same fella as the 2 comments above, this comment is written the next AM):   Carol, this has to be one of your best photos, just look at all the great comments!

Ms. NR:  I'm hearing the voice of HAL... The phones will rule the world. 'Course that might be an improvement.

Mina (who has had all night to contemplate her next post):  Possibly the "spirits" of one of her families ancestors have taken over her phone!!!

I respond:   Now Mina, I think you are getting close! 

Ms. P (another friend who had previously commented):  So now we have to "friend" your smart phone?

Me to Mr. R and Ms. P:    R, I believe you are right. P, no, please do NOT encourage the phone, it has an attitude problem already, eh??

And, here it is, THE SMART PHONE!

*OKKK, maybe you just had to be there - - - -

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THE Trip, Pinal County Historical Society Museum

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

On our way back from the Casa Grande National Monument, Prehistoric Ruins, we stopped at the Pinal County Historical Society Museum in Florence.

This is a very nicely organized museum, the displays are well done, not jammed into too small spaces, and representative of the area.

I think possibly one of their most unusual and wonderful displays was of saguaro furniture donated to the museum by Maude M. Havins, which was designed and constructed by R. O. Perry in the late 1930's to early 1940's.

Isn't that just the best??  True works of art.  In fact, the signage stated that he cared more for the art of the furniture than making his art into a business success.

Then, there is this typewriter, with the most unusual keyboard I have seen.  This is a Smith Premier No. 4.

At least it is a qwerty keyboard.

They had guns on display, of course, this is the west.  They had cameras, wooden bullets, barbed wire displays, and a fine collection of "purpled glass" (manganese was added for the light purple color).  This glass was manufactured in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

There was a dinner table set in a lovely collection of dinner wear called Mexicana, manufactured by the Homer Laughlin Company in the late 1930's, said to be highly collectible, I can see why.

*The photos of the saguaro furniture were tweaked for color, I had my Sony set on the wrong setting and they turned out quite yellow.  The photo of the purpled glass may also be a bit off from true color as the entire collection was in a glass case, giving the photographer (Moi) a bit of a challenge (by then, I had discovered the error in the settings and had corrected same.)

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Genie Stuff From Arizona

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Yes, I am managing a tad bit (very small 'tad' by the way) of genie stuff while on THE Trip.  Including, but, not limited to:

1.)  I'll be attending the Seminar with Dick Eastman at the Family History Society of Arizona this weekend.  Not known for attending many seminars, I just could NOT pass up this opportunity!

2.)  I have been awarded the One Lovely Blog Award by three fabulous bloggers, Michelle of The Turning of Generations, and Lori of Genealogy and Me, and Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski of In My Life.  Thank you ever so much to these lovely ladies.  All three write wonderful blogs, go visit them.




3.)  There is a new search engine in town, and it is getting a LOT of press, some good, some not so good, there are some very "warm" discussions floating around in blog land.  This new genie specific toy is call Mocavo.  It is very new, just days old.   So, here is the deal dear readers, I am not going to do a huge review of this, there are other bloggers out there doing a bang up job of just that.  I am just informing you of it's existence.  Go try it with the up front knowledge that it is VERY new, it is experiencing growing pains, they say they will be adding all kinds of new "hits" in the days and weeks to come.  You can suggest sites for them to add.  It does not appear to cover blogs at this time.  But, try it.

I found an old querie from 2002 where a researcher I had worked with had lost my email and was trying to reach me.  MMMM, I did not find the querie till the other day, email addy is old, but, I found that researcher also has pages at Genealogy.com with a much newer email addy.  I also found an obit for a young bride, she died in 2004.  I did not know she had died, did not have her parents names, and more.  All this over my AM cup of jo, with eyelids still extremely droopy.

Never too many tools for genie researchers, as long as you know the limitations of any specific site.  So, you have the disclaimers, go forth and try.

Happy Researching!

THE Trip, Treasure Chest Thursday, RV Style - 1930-31 Ford Model A House Car

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

While visiting Johnny Cloud's Museum, we found tucked into a building, this 1930-31 Ford Model A House Car.  Johnny told us his father had actually purchased it from his mother's school teacher.  Seems the school teacher and spouse built this and used it to live in while they were building a home in Parker Arizona.  Boondocking??  Well, they had all the conveniences, let's start on the inside (noting I did NOT climb inside, I leaned in as far as I could safely and did the best I could while trying to balance myself and get the photos.)

Storage cabinets over the driver and passenger seats.
Also note, what is believed to be a roof vent.

This one is hard to figure out because of angles, etc.
Forward almost white colored cabinets, believed to be sink.
In back left, dark colored, dresser drawers and in
very back, ends of two bunks.

Left, sink and dresser drawers.
Back:  Two sleeping bunks, over head
lighting, square on roof is vent.
Right:  stove.

Right:  Driver's seat, steering wheel.
Left:  Refrigeration.  (Drawer on top?
Have no idea, probably not part of OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer)

Furnished Apartment For Rent - Johnny has a dark
sense of humor, eh??
The bottle under the sign is the fresh water tank.
Talk about needing to conserve.  WOW!!

In all it's beauty!
Bottle on right is propane for cooking
and heat, possibly refrigeration.

Wouldn't you just love to see this restored??  And, isn't the front awning over the windows awesome?

The early motorhome - - history buffs and RVing buffs, enjoy this little trip to the past.



*Want to see more early motor homes??  Try a surfing trip over to Old Woodies.

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THE Trip, Pink Jet Trail, A Simple Delight at Sunset

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The other evening here in Gold Canyon Arizona there were clouds hanging around, I went out to see what the sunset might offer in the way of a color show.  What I spied was the trail of a jet, in pink.  Since this was a first for me, I grabbed the Sony and got a couple of shots before the trail completely disappeared.

A simple delight at the end of the day, not bad, eh??




*In the lower right corner, a telie antenna for a RV and the top of a very tall saguaro, and other bushes, not identified.

Tombstone Tuesday, Boot Hill Hearse, The Black Moriah

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Tucked deep in a corner of the Bird Cage Theatre (Museum) in Tombstone Arizona I found the "Black Moriah."

The signage stated:

Tombstone’s Original Boothill Hearse

Owned by Watt & Tarbell Undertaking Parlor of Tombstone. Used from 1881 - 1917, with the exception of six people, it buried everyone in Boothill Cemetery. It was built by Cunningham Bros. of Rochester, NY. for $8,000 new in 1881. There were only 8 of these models built that year, it is the only one left of the original 8. The trim on the hearse is all sterling silver & 24 carat gold leaf. The curved glass is the first ever manufactured on a vehicle. Its value today is over ten times its original cost.




* Getting any photo was difficult, the lighting was poor and the building was full of treasures, I wish I had a better photo.

** I have not done any research to verify the facts stated on the signage, if there are errors, the blame rests elsewhere.

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THE Trip, Casa Grande National Monument, Prehistoric Ruins.

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

One of our first sightseeing tours was to drive over to Coolidge Arizona to the site of the Prehistoric Ruins.  As per the official National Park Service web page, we learn that the site was "Created as the nation’s first archaeological reserve in 1892, the site was declared a National Monument in 1918."  Land of the Hohokam,  you can find a nice piece on their history, here.  The page describes irrigation and ball playing, and more.

First stop, the Visitor's Center, which houses a nice collection of artifacts and displays, explaining the ruins and the people that lived here so many years ago.  As should be, the artifacts were safely protected behind glass, but, I did manage to snap this photo of a "olla", which was found near the Great House, on the grounds.

Ollas were used for water and food storage and for
saguaro wine cooking.

This is the Great House, the largest structure on the site, 4 stories tall.  The modern roof structure is to protect the Great House.

They do guided tours, or you may wander around on your own.  This is one time I can highly recommend the guided tour.  Our volunteer guide was excellent, sadly, I neglected to record her name.  She was pleasant, very thorough, she did not rush her presentation (in other words, she spoke slowly, what a joy!) and her enunciation was excellent.  Much of her great presentation is represented on this web page, again thanks to the National Park Service, such history - -

Another of the buildings, called a "compound":

The low walls in the front of the compound are not original, they
are covered so as to protect what is underneath.

Here, again, is the Great House, close up photo, showing the horizontal growth of the building, the natives would build about 2 feet of the wall all the way around, when one section was finished, they would add another, and another, building upwards.  The horizontal lines are quite easy to see here.

Even graffiti is now protected, as it is part of the story as to how the ruins became the first archaeological reserve.  There is even a heart shaped piece of graffiti, which was nearly impossible to capture with the Sony during our visit due to the lighting, time of day and distance we were from it, no, they would not let me climb around in there to get a better angle, etc..  (Note:  I had to seriously tweak this photo to get the graffiti to show.)

And, lest you think that the ruins are dead, I can happily inform you, they are not.  There are squirrels scurrying about and some nesting owls and some wonderful flora planted around.   They will appear over at Reflection's Flora and Fauna in the next week or so.




*  I am also glad to report that the rattlers were still hibernating, YAHHHH!