Distancing . . . no problem

Social distancing is proving to be easy at Pumpkin Patch Ranch. We can't even squint and see our neighbors! Sam and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and hot chocolate while watching the sunrise a few days ago.

Sam is home on extended school break and is working on projects, indoors and out. I sure like having him around.

He installed aluminum edging on Mom's steps, making them easier to see at night and in low light.

Then last night we had a cold snap and had to move the flower pots into the greenhouse. This gave us the incentive to make a pot strap for the garden cart we bought secondhand. It works beautifully and Sam's back thanks him!

We do occasionally go to Walmart and other local businesses to get supplies. Last week we drove to Sierra Vista, which is slightly closer than Tucson, and while there we sought out the world's first drive-thru McDonalds. Sam heard about it, and it's a great story. Click here:
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/sierra-vista-home-to-the-first-ever-mcdonalds-with-a-drive-thru-window

We invited friends over a couple of times and Sam greeted them with his coronavirus headgear.

They brought their own food and we enjoyed visiting at the patio table outdoors. These new ways of interacting have been strange and we hope it's over soon.

I don't think we've shown you our greenhouse. Several weeks ago we started several dozen seeds and they're starting to come up! There's broccoli in front and radishes in the second tub.

Also cucumbers, peppers, tomatillos and tomatoes, several varieties of each. It's exciting to see their progress day to day.

Mom Virginia is doing pretty well. She takes a walk most days, and we're not taking her out in public except to Becky and Juan's a week ago. Oh, and to the clinic in Benson for a minor ailment.

Spring flowers showed up a couple weeks ago, but so far aren't as prolific as we thought after our rains.

We do enjoy them, however!

I call these Mormon tea, and I don't know if the golden pods are flower buds or seeds. I'll be watching them.

There are also orange, blue and cream colored blooms, but most are too small to photograph.

We often see hawks and ravens on the wing. This big guy was on our neighbors' gate.

There's still snow on Mt. Graham, 60 miles northeast, but it's melting fast. Spring is definitely here.

I hope you all can enjoy your days and feel peace in spite of this strange chapter in our lives. Be well.

Train ride!

We've been wanting to take a train trip for several years, so Sam finally just went ahead and planned it!

We drove to the historic downtown Tucson depot. No, this isn't our train!

Tucson has had a train depot since 1880 and in 1882, it played a part in the Wyatt Earp, OK Corral and Tombstone story.

Mom Virginia Vae garnered the attention of the station manager, resulting in a motorized ride to the loading platform.

Once the train pulled in...

...we were on our way.

Sam and I enjoyed looking for our favorite Tucson landmarks, such as the Rattlesnake Bridge, over which we have bicycled many times.

We've wondered what the train yard looks like from the inside (believe it or not, Juan!), and now we know.

We cruised by the power plant on the south side of town. Mom had the window seat.

And the Air and Space Museum, which my dad loved to visit every year. And we soon caught a glimpse of Sam's bus yard in Vail. It was fascinating to see things from a different perspective, and so much more relaxing than driving in traffic.

Soon we were out of town heading east on the two parallel Union Pacific tracks. We had hoped to take the lower route that winds along Cienega Creek, but Sam soon realized that we changed tracks several times to accommodate boarding and departing passengers.

Approaching Mescal, we caught a glimpse of our Rincon Peak.

And soon glided past our crossing at Mescal Road. Hundreds of times we've watched freight trains and even the weekly Amtrak from our car at this very crossing!

The first stop was our hometown of Benson, where we pointed out local businesses such as Benson Fuel and the ice cream shop.

Caught a glimpse of the Benson water tower.

And the back side of our favorite Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Thrift Store. Have I mentioned that we love thrift stores?

Then there was Dragoon and Willcox, and it was time for lunch in the dining car.

Where we had an amazing view of the spring flowers on the hillsides as we neared New Mexico.

They're even more prolific than we saw last spring along this same stretch of highway.

Thanks, guys! In no time we were stepping off in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Where the train depot is actually a bit larger than in Benson!

Mom and I rested at the "depot" while Sam walked a mile to our hotel, where we had deposited our car the day before.

Sam strapped Mom into the car, with a lot of antics and laughter.

Our hotel welcomed us with this tree full of blossoms. They smelled real nice.

We walked down to a local market that looks like it's been a successful business for many years.

The following morning we discovered nearby Shakespeare, an old mining ghost town from the 1880's.

Since the 1930's it's been owned by the Hill family as a working cattle ranch, and they give riveting, reasonably priced tours.

The saloon, one of 17 in town in its 1800's heyday, was very small, unlike those shown in western movies.

Most buildings were built of adobe brick, and the subsequent owners have made repairs consistent with the original structures.

It was fascinating to see what life was like 100 years ago in the old west. There's also an amazing gun collection displayed in a walk-in safe.

Sam discovered a waffle iron he coveted. He owns 5 others, but this was much older. In spite of Sam's tongue-in-cheek wheedling, our good-natured guide David, 3rd generation owner, wouldn't sell.

One of our last stops, and our favorite, was the blacksmith shop. It was roomy and packed full of authentic working machinery and tools.

As always, later that evening we were delighted to return to our Pumpkin Patch Ranch.

We love our quiet corner of this earth.

Work continues on the new shower.

We installed grab bars, which Mom loves.

Sam hooked up the dishwasher, which I love!

And installed a new kitchen faucet.

We hope you are all doing well and enjoying your week in spite of the recent changes to our worlds. I'm thankful we can trust our God to walk by our side.