Tag Archives: AZ

Grand Canyon West Skywalk

Posted on by kathousekelli70

This morning in Kingman we were going to do the Mohave Museum of History and Art but on entering we realised we had actually done it along with the Route 66 Powerhouse Museum in 2012.

So a couple of snaps of the murals on the outside of the building, and a Happy 100th Birthday Bonelli House – missed that one again – opens too late for us, and we are on the road heading for today's adventure.

 

We are close to the western rim of the Grand Canyon and seeing as we have talked about doing the skywalk in the past, there is no time like the present!

It is sunny and cool today, a little cloud but I'm betting by the time we get there we should have some sensational views!

As we pass Chloride, the backdrop of mountains is stunning and can see some dusting of snow still. I wonder if there will be snow still in the Grand Canyon? They had some the week before.

 

The weird looking cactus trees I mentioned were trying to flower yesterday? Joshua Trees and this is about 21 miles of a Joshua Tree forest.

 

Well we made it to the rim! Little bits of snow, sunshine and glorious views! First stop was Hualapai Ranch…..hmmm, I'm sorry but the cowboy buildings and facades were better at Winter Range. Lunch was good though and made use of the wagons to get a decent photo.

 

Onto Eagle Point and the Skywalk. WOW! Just love the scenery you find here. Standing on the very edge of the canyon it is hard to fathom the depth or get 4000ft into perspective. For me it was like standing at the top of an 82m tower crane, very cool! Jack enjoyed it because there were railings and felt comfortable at the feeling of enclosure.

 

You can't take photos on the skywalk and all belongings are to be locked into lockers before you go through security. Then you don the fabulous shoe covers lol, and can proceed to walk onto the glass skywalk.

 

Not only is the view spectacular but the great engineering feat that went into making this happen is truly outstanding. One million pounds of steel, 83 million pounds of glass – the 10ft wide platform can hold 71 million pounds, the equivalent to 71 fully loaded 747 planes!

 

A quick stop at Guano Point and before the next little ice storm hits it's back in the bus and head back to the main terminal.

 

There is a little ranch on the side of the road as you head out to the Skywalk and this sign was at the side of the road. As you head out there it says……

 

And as you are coming back it says…. (Bit hard to read – says long road ahead, come here instead)

 

Haa haa haa, anyway, on the road now to the next overnight stop in Boulder City.

 

Cheers

Kat xo

For more information about Kingman and it's museums or Grand Canyon West Skywalk, click on the links below.

 

Wickenburg, AZ

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Packed in the rain this morning and headed towards Wickenburg. A stop we have made in the past coming to Winter Range when we've flown in to LA.

The Cowboy Cafe was on the horizon for brunch, when what do my wandering eyes did appear?! It's no longer there and in its place a saloon 😦

So it was the Twin Wheels Cafe that took care of us with bacon, eggs, toast and coffee. Great little cowboy cafe with bits and pieces, film photos etc on the walls.

Now if you have never been to Wickenburg before then you must make a visit to the Desert Cabelleros Western Museum. It's a must see. Didn't go there this time but visited in 2011 and 2012.

We also keep missing the 'Cowgirl Up!' – Art from The Other Half Of The West. This exhibition is on around 21st March and always out of sync for us to take it in.

 

The town of Wickenburg was named after and founded by Henry Wickenburg, a Prussian born prospector who discovered the Vulture Mine. Wickenburg is one of Arizona's oldest towns. It was a gold mining town in the 1800's and is now famous for its annual Gold Rush Days event and Team Roping competitions amongst others.

 

Anyway heading down the road it appears some of the weird cactus trees are starting to flower and then 10miles out of Kingman, yes there is snow on them hills! Last time we came through Kingman in 2013 it was hotter than hell and 108F/42C.

 

Stopping here in Kingman for the night. Have a good one!

Kat xo

For more information about Wickenburg, The Museum or Henry Wickenburg, check out the following links!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wickenburg

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickenburg,_Arizona

http://westernmuseum.org

 

Winter Range 2015 – The Week That Was

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What a week it has been!

We started out Sunday week ago shooting at Cowtown – Fire and Ice. It was a good warmup for the week ahead and got to shoot with some new cowboys and cowgirls.

Monday and Tuesday were Wild Bunch match days. 5 stages each day with 30 pistol, mostly up to 10 rifle and 4 up to 12 shotgun per stage. We had a go at Wild Bunch long range rifle and some speed events for giggles.

 

Tuesday evening was the Classic Cowboy Dinner at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek. This year honours went to Classic Cowgirl “Squawty Bawdy” and Classic Cowboy “G W Ryder”.

Wednesday it was onto Warm Up match and speed events. Back into the cowboy guns and ready for the main match to begin.

Thursday – start of main match and not too bad. A little slow and 1 miss for the day. Jack had a few issues with jacking rounds out, we are 2 for 2 at the end of the day.

 

Friday – Red Shirt Day in honour of all troops serving or have served. A fly over occurs before each wave of shooters commences (for those that have never been to this event there will be x amount of posses that start early, mid or late in the day).

 

The flight team of 4 commences their flyover in formation and part way over one will peel away from the other 3, representing the lost men and women of service.

 

Had a couple of really good runs this day and one very happy cowgirl. Jack continuing his streak from the day before is not particularly happy – and he did have some really good raw times.

Friday night is saloon night with side match awards, followed by Bingo and Poker.

Saturday – last chance to finish the match strong, the weather was a bit drizzly and a tad annoying. Dropped 2 shots on stage 12 and I knew it was going to hurt. All in all, I was pleased to have shot my best Winter Range yet and all would be revealed come Sunday.

 

Saturday night of course is banquet night. I entered the costume contest with the 'Alamo Ball' 1879 gown and won 1 st place Best Dressed Lady and to top it off my seamstress skills assisted a 1st place Best Dressed B-Western Lady for 'Lil McGill'.

 

The Top 16 Mens and Sweet 16 Ladies shooters are also announced for the showdown on Sunday morning.

For the Men's – Blackjack Zac, Cobra Cat, Cody James, Deuce Stevens, Fast Enuff, Frederick Jackson Turner, Gateway Kid, Hell Hound, Matt Black, Ole Short Tom, Ranger McDuffie, Robyn DeVault, Single Barrel, Skin Dawg, Slick McClade and Texas Slim (alternates were Lead Ringer, Colt Faro, Oklahoma Dee and Bogus Deal)

For the Ladies – Bonnie MacFarlane, Crazy Little Woman, Echo Meadows, Kathouse Kelli, Lefty Jo, Lilly Long, Mame, Panhandle Cowgirl, SASS Kicker, Shamrock Sadie, Spur Broke, Sunshine Marcie, Texas Tiger, Tillie Dyes, Two Sons, Whirlwind Wendy (alternates were Etta Mae, Addie Rose, Victoria Diamond and Molly Magoo)

Come Sunday morning the light drizzle cleared and we had one change in the men's lineup and only 12 jittery but keen cowgirls to give it a go. Overall the final two were 'Slick McClade' and 'SASS Kicker'. Congratulations to both of them.

 

Awards were done and dusted in a couple of hours. A big congratulations to 'Tillie Dyes' for taking 1st place in Lady Wrangler, 2nd place me! 'Kathouse Kelli'! 3rd 'Echo Meadows', 4th 'Mame', 5th 'Pinto Annie', 6th 'Renegade Roper', 7th 'Miss Behavin', 8th 'Six Packin Jan', 9th 'Misty Moonshine' and 10th 'Winchester Mariah'

For Wild Bunch I placed 3rd in Ladies Traditional – 1st Place went to 'Texas Tiger', 2nd 'Dixie Bell', 3rd me, 4th 'Lacey Doyley' and 5th 'Shotgun Shannon'.

 

Phew! An awesome week finished off with a great dinner at Abuelos with none other than Judge Roy Bean, Justice Lily Kate, Shotglass, Texas Jack Daniels, Squawty Bawdy, Hipshot, Hawkshaw Fred, Hot Tamale, Aspen Filly and her sister Nancy. Thanks for the invite, Jackaroo and I thoroughly enjoyed it and everyone's company.

 

 

Kat xo