Dive Arizona

Well we arrived in Tucson AZ yesterday and are staying at the FamCamp at Davis-Monthan AFB which is known informally as the boneyard as it is the storage place for decommissioned aircraft from all the military services.  I like being across the street from a fleet of B-52's and their supporting KC-135 tankers. And, as we came in we say more C-130 then I knew existed, all mothballed!  

While the general understanding of the boneyard is that these are all worn out and useless aircraft, the fact is that any aircraft here is capable of  being returned to combat status.  They have been prepared for storage in this dry climate by removing some of the electronics, the engines in some cases and sealing up the aircraft as best possible. They all seem to be in amazingly good condition - the B-52's are over 50 years old!

One of the mothballed B-52's at Davis-Monthan AFB

 Also, as some of you know, I have been looking at dive opportunities while we are in AZ for the next 6-7 weeks!  I have come across several dive shops in Tucson and Phoenix.  We will be in Phoenix from after T-day until early Jan.  There are some interesting opportunities in AZ in lakes such as Lake Havasaw and Lake Pleasant, but that is not really what I am interested in.  San Carlos, Mexico about 300 miles south of Tucson is apparently a popular destination, as is Puerto Penasco at northern end of the Gulf of California.

However, reading some of the descriptions of the trips I am not sure I want to get involved.  Driving 300 miles into Mexico is not my idea of a relaxing weekend!  And., the accomaditions and dive boats are still a question mark in my mind.  Following is a direct quote from one from the dive shop websites. 

Quote

All this, and a toilet too!
That's right! The Dive shop provides real FLUSH toilets and a shower for your comfort. We supply the heat via a gas water heater; you just need to supply the water for the shower. This is camping in style.
Unquote

Obviously, I have a different definition of "camping in style" and am concerned about what other differences I might have with their trip descriptions, e.g. easy, enjoyable drive to San Carlos!  San Carlos is 300 miles into Mexico!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

Rockin' & Rollin' in New Mexico

It is Wednesday PM and weather is changing from the bright, warm sunny days to a colder version.  We are leaving Friday if we survive tonight.  Wind is blowing like a hurricane to bring in the cold front.  This is the same weather system that dropped  12 inches of snow around Denver.  We expect the mountains around ABQ will be white in the AM, but we just hope we will still be right side up!  I am about to get sea sick we are rocking so much.  Haven't rocked this much since I was on a dive boat in the Keys with 6 ft waves!!

The steel forest on Sandia Peak, east of ABQ

We have enjoyed our stay here.  I especially like coming back to Kirtland AFB as this is where the Gospel according to St Nuke was written and while I was in the USAF came here a number of times to see the Word!!

We have seen a different Fall Color show here.  Many of the trees are evergreens, but the others turn a brilliant gold hue.  Most of the trees that are not on the mountains are along the river and streams.  You get a little elevation and you can spot the streams and rivers because they are swaths of green (with gold in the autumn) amid the brown of the plains!

Fall colors in NM!

 If the wheels are still on the ground after this weather passes we are heading south toward El Paso for a week or so.  Will probably stop at Las Cruces and/or Alamogordo for a few days and then at the FamCamp at Fort Bliss, an Army base near El Paso.  When we are through there we will move on west to Tucson, AZ and then north a ways to Sedona where we will spend T-day week with some AF friends that live there. 

Always at home, no matter where we are!!