So, in yesterday’s post I mentioned that I got caught in a wind-dust-rain-thunder storm. I have found out the name of that type of storm: Haboob (accent on second syllable)
And, somebody posted a video of it on YouTube. This is exactly what I saw – I big wall of dust and whatnot. Take a look! Pretty epic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ays-uWzPffc
Anyway, I woke up kinda early this morning which is why I already did one post today. Got my stuff together, checked out, got gas, and headed out to Florence AZ for the Pinal County Historical Museum. It was a pleasant drive, two lane roads, pretty desert views. Here is a photo from Florence Junction (intersection of Hwys 60 and 79):
And scenes from the Museum. First, here is the link to the museum:
http://www.pinalcountyhistoricalmuseum.org/index.htm
They have a myriad of stuff. Old glassware, old dishes, cards made from deer skin. Most notably (and gruesome) is they have many nooses that were around the necks of people that were executed. I thought it would be bad juju to take photos of those so I didn’t. They also had a gas chamber chair. And, they also had photos of people that had been executed and what their last meal requests were. Lots of eggs, bacon, toast. A fair amount of burritos and chimichangas. Also a fair number of steaks, some specified for NY Steaks.
The proprietor lady knew her stuff and wasn’t afraid to say “don’t miss the thing-a-majigee over there in the corner – that is very rare” and other stuff like that. And this museum has been on ‘Mysteries At The Museum’ twice – once for a sock puppet made by an inmate and once for Florence AZ being the location where a real crime occurred and was made into a film starring Vincent Price.
Anyway, here are some photos from the museum:
These cards are the very rare ones made out of deer skin
This is a manual jigsaw
This glass has manganese in it. They were originally clear (manganese is an element. I hope I am remembering this right). But, when the glass is exposed to UV rays, it turns a ‘lovely shade of violet.’
Art objects made from human hair! Uh. No thank you!
The cotton ‘tree’ is on top of a table made from cactus!
Anyway, I spent about 45 minutes there because I was afraid the proprietess lady would yell at me if I didn’t take long enough :-). And then, it was on my way to Miraval.
It rained a bit but it was a beautiful drive. Here are some more photos:
That rain cloud is epic!
Saw the Tom Mix Memorial. He was a famous Cowboy Star back in the day. Note the bullet holes in the horse:
So, this memorial is near the ‘Tom Mix Wash.’ As the story goes, Tom Mix was driving his little sports car along Hwy 79, going at a pretty good clip. Too late he noticed that there was road work going on. So, he slammed on his brakes. Witnesses say it looked like he was standing on the brake pedal. He couldn’t slow down fast enough and his car went into the wash. He had an aluminum suitcase and it apparently bounced up and hit him in the back of his head, and apparently he was wearing his Stetson hat. Anyway, the car made it all right, and so did Tom, at first. He got out of the car, apparently unscathed, but then he crumpled. The suitcase hit had broken his neck.
Anyway. After the requisite photos taken there, it was on to Miraval. I have been here for about 4 hours now, and it is wonderful. Everybody is so nice. I ended up having a psychic reading today and boy was she right on. Naysayers hold your tongue. Tonight I’m having dinner at an ‘Community Table.’ If you sit there you get a free glass of wine, and you sit with a bunch of people you don’t know. What the heck. I’m up for that … I think.
But anyway, here are some photos from Miraval:
My ‘patio’ with Fireplace that starts just by flipping a switch! I’ll try it out later!
Outdoor shower!
Yes, I ‘banged the gong’
OK, I think that’s it for now. I’m supposed to get up for a 6am hike tomorrow morning, but it is so peaceful here that I will probably go to bed early and it won’t be a problem. I’m here for 3 nights and am very excited about that!
Until next time dear readers!