BISBEE AZ

Last Monday and Tuesday, we were invited to go with four other couples for an outing in southeast Arizona. We went down to Bisbee, looked around town, ate lunch and went to the mining museum. It's an interesting little town, with houses built on the hillsides-kind of reminded me of Dubuque.

The museum was first rate with an association with the Smithsonian. We learned a lot about copper mining and found the exhibits of various gems and minerals fantastic. The historical/genealogy library in the building was a gold mine in itself. I wish I had relatives from the area. They don't allow photography inside, but this is the neat building outside.

When mining was thriving, they needed a place for people to stay, so the Copper Queen Hotel was built. It's still open today.

The lobby had a beautiful staircase.

Don blows his nose, as Marilyn, Etta, Sue and Anna look at jewelry.

Even the restaurant looked pretty.

APACHE GOLD

We drove back to the casino for awhile before going home. We were both lucky inside and when we left, this is what the sky had to offer. A nice ending to a nice day!

DOWN THE TRACKS

As we proceded down the tracks, they started to serve our meals. We chose the chicken, but you can also have salmon. It was delicious!

It included homemade bread, a drink and mixed berry crumble. (Our bill was only $19.00!)

Apparently this is the only train in the nation that goes to a casino . You can get off and catch the next train back, or you can stay on.

Before we got off the train, we took a little tour. This is about half of the kitchen.

The club car has a bar in the middle and seats on each end. It was originally used in New Orleans and is called the Mardi Gras.

Between the cars are Dutch doors where you can watch the scenery.

It was a neat trip!

COPPER SPIKE TRAIN RIDE

On Thursday, we joined friends and drove up in the mountains east of Phoenix, to Globe, for a train ride in the desert. It's a pretty ride with some interesting rock formations.

We drove through one tunnel.

You board the train in Globe at the newly restored depot.

The train consisted of an engine, a dome car with a kitchen below, and a club car.

We were in the dome-Browns and Ludekings posed for me.

Our conductor was very friendly.

As we started out of town, we crossed the highway.

SLACKING

Sorry for no posts for awhile. I've been catching up on other things and enjoying friends and activities. We appreciate our shorts weather compared to what most of you have-but wanted you to realize that we have snow too. This is what it looks like in the areas outside of town.

It also blows into town. Here it's called "Arizona snow"-up north it's known as cotton. Think of it this way-you're lucky. We can't throw snowballs or build forts or snowmen. It would be impossible to make a snow angel. A little pity would be appreciated!

NEW YEARS BUNCO PARTY

Last night we were invited to Dana and Jerry's Bunco party, along with their visiting son and daughter-in-law and twelve other neighbors. They had 4 tables and 2 sat out each game and played host. It was a lot of fun!

We each paid $5 and it was divided into prizes for most wins, most losses, most buncos and least buncos. Mulert won $25 for the most wins. He's still jabbering today about his 13 wins in a row-he just can't believe it! (It must have been beginners luck!)

At midnight, they turned on the TV to watch the ball go down. (As a native Dubuquer, I have to show my pride. The medal of honor winner who hit the button to drop the ball, Salvatore Guinta, is from Iowa. I only had 3 1st cousins-now only two. In Roger's Christmas card he sent a picture of he and his wife with Salvatore at the White House for the medal ceremony. His wife's niece, from Dubuque, is married to Salvatore. He thought it was fantastic, and was happy he got to attend. But I digress as usual!) At midnight everyone kissed and shared the proverbial wishes for the new year. Here's Dana wishing her neighbor, Al, one of those wishes.

Then Al got down from the chair.

Neighbors come in all sizes, but we have some of the best anyone could have!!! Happy New Year to everyone!

RAIN IN THE DESERT

A couple days ago we had a lot of rain, and it doesn't absorb easilly. We awoke to a lake around us in the streets. It's hard to see with the reflexion of the wall, but it was right up to it.

You can see on the driveway across the street, how far it went.

It was gone in a couple hours-and badly needed. The last couple nights we've had freezing temperatures at night, but we're headed back to 61 on Monday. Yea!