Main Menu | Books | Tips | Distributors | Wilderness Areas

Elderhostel Photos of

Biking Arizona's

Wild West

The town of Bisbee is an historic mining town, with its output ranked near the top in total mineral value of copper, gold, silver, zinc, and other ores. After eating lunch here, we had time to walk the town, enjoy the shops and old buildings, and even take the tour of the famous Queen Mine. Our leader, John, a Bisbee resident, is on the far right.

Bill and Dottie top a hill approaching Tombstone, Arizona. The Huachuca Mountains are twenty miles in the background with the Fort Huachuca army base and the town of Sierra Vista (our base of operations) nestled in its foothills. John Rose, a local expert on Tombstone, led us on a walking tour of the town, and the evening before spoke to us about the history of the Apaches in the area. It was in the low 50s this day with a 30 mph wind buffeting us as we peddled.

Jim, Tom, and Joe lead the pack as we bike the rolling hills between Fort Huachuca and Sonoita, where we enjoyed lunch. The first half of the ride traversed the Coronado National Forest and the remainder traveled through cattle country. Arizona could easily be called "Big Sky Country" in this region, with "forever" views abounding as we biked each day. Unfortunately, the cold snap required us to wear additional layers of clothing, precluding a start on the suntans some of us winter climate escapees had hoped for.

On our fifth day, we biked about 16 miles from the Windemere Hotel to The Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon Preserve where we then hiked the nature trail. Richard and Jim lead the way as the group returns down the hill. Unfortunately, the hummingbirds and butterflies had not yet resumed residence here, but our early March walk was a nice change of pace after the strenuous uphill bike ride to get here.

This Tombstone photo shows our entire group:

Seated (l to r): Dottie, June, Val, Rex, Richard, and Dick

Standing (l to r): Tom, Bill, John (leader), Jerry, John R., Joe, Jim, Sally, Chuck, and Bob

 

Program hosted by Geronimo Educational Foundation of Bisbee, Arizona (520) 432-5534

Chuck's other active, outdoor Elderhostel programs (with photos)

Main Menu | Books | Tips | Distributors | Wilderness Areas

E-mail Chuck at CMorHiker@aol.com