Sentinel Peak Park gave a nice overview of the city.  (It was certainly a nicer view before the city, but what can one do?)

Went to Musselman Honda for new tires.  From arrival to departure it was less than two hours.  Had some great conversations with service desk guy and customers, so it was time well spent.  Harley-Davidson dirt bikes, days of finicky carburetors, crazy drives, crazier drivers, etc.

Rest of the day at Pima Air Museum.  They include “and Space”, but it’s not really.  Huge place.  In four hours I barely scratched the surface.  They have 300 veteran volunteers to help spread first hand knowledge.  Paid extra for a tour of the Government “Boneyard”. 

New wheels!!

T-28. I flew in one of these in 1974. Didn’t barf.

T-2. I also flew in one of these. Barfed.

Boeing Demo 787 given to the Museum.

B-1 Lancer. $283 million plane, being used for parts.

Great weather day, with one bad news/good news caveat.  Tucson was having visible rain squalls and high winds.  Mission Rules dictate that I shall not have two consecutive bad nights camping, so I checked out hotels and found that Tucson has inexpensive rooms, well within my limit.  In addition, tomorrow is a scheduled hold-in-place day, so I booked two nights.  (It is raining now, contrary to weather forecasts.)  Anyway . . .

Yuma Proving Grounds has a great display outside the base (good luck getting onto the base).  Included is an M65, the only type of cannon actually used to fire a nuclear shell.

McPhaul “Bridge to Nowhere” Bridge.  Considered too flimsy to use in the 1950s, but it refuses to fall apart.

Ajo, AZ has mountains of slag, residue from open pit mining.  Sad to see, but they are impressive.  Ajo also has a truly incredible Border Patrol Office (Ajo Station), 9 miles south on 85.  Just massive.  On 86 East there were numerous little roadside memorials, like those I’ve seen for car accidents.  I don’t think these are for that.  As expected, lots of Border Patrolmen.

Drove up Kitt Peak, 6750 feet.  Large observatory installation.  A fun winding road to the top.  Great views.  Very nice visitors center.  I missed the tours.

Passed a group of 12 GWs heading west.  Three Trikes.

Tomorrow I’m having my tires replaced.  My present tires could probably do fine for a bit longer (San Antonio), but they’re a drain on my mind and I’m gong on roads less traveled.  Getting Dunlop E3s, for those who understand.

Sunrise at Squaw Lake Campground

Bridge to Nowhere

No Idea

Hey Arizona: The Mohawk Valley is in New York.

Ajo City Hall

Slag Pile

Monument across from the slag pile

Steering is unimportant.

NOTE: Pictures are in no specific order.  Still learning.

Began three hours early to avoid rain.  Failed to avoid driving through clouds, but not too bad. Had apple pie in Julian. All journeys should begin with apple pie. Then rainbow in mirror! Strong winds. Became hot. Met an old cyclist pedaling to Florida: caused me to reflect that there are degrees of insanity. North Algodones Dunes Wilderness, Museum of History in Granite in Felicity, Yuma Territorial Penitentiary tour. Then STRONG WINDS. Gale force, with blowing sand. Erected tent on concrete walkway on the leeward side of the campsite’s showers. Sand is in everything. I mentally prepared for cold (layers of warmth) and rain (hotel). Didn’t think of wind and sand.

Yuma Territorial Prison. The Yuma High School team name is “Criminals”. (1914)

A piece of the original spiral staircase of the Eiffel Tower

The more things change. . .

Washed and ready!  Got the GoPro, Spot Tracker and solar charger mounted.  I’ve installed a skid plate, fog lights with shields, headlight shields and front cover to protect the investment.  I even have some unused space in the trunks.

Sunday, March 6th is it.  Rain is forecast, but not much.  It’ll be wet/cold in Julian, but dry in Yuma.  Arizona looks to be hot next week.

My test drive to Santa Barbara was useful, but caused a few extra trips to REI.  I’ve given up on the hope that I can depart with a completely empty bag on top of the trunk, but it’ll still be empty enough to pack my MC jacket for extended walks about towns.  Theft is a concern, but not a big one.

I received the 2016 edition of “The Milepost”, an absolutely exhaustive tome about traveling towards Alaska through Canada.  Over 700 pages.  I’ve begun to rip out pages that don’t apply to my intended route.