The Plaza ~ Ajo Historic District Walking Tour

We finally made it to Ajo just before noon. It had started raining again and wondered if my plan was getting rained out. As we pulled in I saw that most the walk was under cover so I adventured on while hubby went to do his work.

A lot of the stores were already closed up. The rain didn't last long, and as I made my way to the (1) Old Depot which is now the Visitor Center, it was over.

A lovely lady answered many of my questions. One being why are some of the stores closed? A lot of the stores are ran by other business owners and are only open on the weekends. Fortunately she had a few of the artist work in the store. Unfortunately I forgot my wallet at home. Fortunately hubby gave me his ATM card. I went easy on him, LOL!

 I grabbed the map and went about my journey.

I didn't walk in the order of the map. Mainly because I wasn't sure how far I could get and since we just drove through parts of it just a few weeks ago, I wanted to see things we didn't then. As I left the Depot I turned left to walk to the backside of the plaza where there is an Artist Alley. This wasn't on the walking tour (it should be) but the nice lade directed me toward it so I just had to see it. 

Quite some interesting art work. As I came out and around I was now at the front of the plaza again.

Crossing the street I was standing right in front of the (8) Federated Church. On our last trip I got a full shot but didn't notice the doors. 

Across the street from that church is (4) the Immaculate Conception Catholice Church.

Standing in front of the church is the (2) Flag Pole. When we come back together I will get some better pictures of of it.

I stayed on my path which brought me to across the street from (3) Triangle Park. The brochure described it was follows:
"Here are insightful historical photographs and interpretive plaques celebrating Mexican Town and Indian Village, seperate neighborhoods that lasted through the 1970's..." 

"...While here step onto the sidewalk footprints along the highway at the northwest corner of the park to properly view the Copper News mural."
I remained across the street to snap my photo. Since we will be coming back I'll leave this for us to do together as well. 

Instead of heading toward the (6) Curry School, I thought it would be best if I used what legs I had to make my way towards Olsens Marketplace, which was a good distance up the road. Again I will save that for next time. Knowing this would be the route hubby would use to come back, taking it would allow me to see those statues we had seen the last time, and up close.

While at the Visitors Center I had asked about them and she shared the story. An artist built the first trio for her home. Then when she bought another home, she added some there too. She didn't say how many properties were the artist, but as other locals saw what she was creating they commissioned her to create a trio for them. They are all made of recycled items and no three are a like. I suggested she pass on a seed to the artist. If she would make smaller statures to sell in the Visitors Center, I know I would be buying a set. 

I want to learn more about this artist.

Just as I was getting to the first one my legs were sending me warnings that I might not make it to much farther. I reluctantly abandoned my determination to walk all the way and called the hubby. He was just about about to give me a call himself. Perfect timing! I told him I was already walking towards him and to head the same way as earlier. I would watch for him. I could see the first house with the statues just up a couple blocks. Knowing how far he was and that he had to lock up before leaving, I hoped I had enough time to make it. With prayers and smaller steps, I not only made it to the first set, but also the second just as he pulled up. As he went around the block to head back, we just so happened to pull out right at the third set. WIN!!!!!

What an adventure!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Returning to Ajo

Yep!

Tomorrow we are heading back.

Seems a new problem developed that needs his attention. It will be a longer drive this time as we first must head to Tolleson to pick up some parts. Then backtrack back again.

This time I plan to have hubby drop me off at the Plaza.


PLAZA

The heart of the community, the graceful plaza, was built in 1917 under the direction of John Greenway’s wife Isabella. The Spanish Colonial Revival style town square features a center park surrounded by retail shops, a post office and restaurants accented with two mission-style churches. The Catholic Church was built in 1924 and the Federated Church in 1926. The plaza with its beautiful center park is truly Ajo’s town center—a place for festivals and celebrations, morning walks, and meeting friends for coffee. The plaza was purchased by the International Sonoran Desert Alliance in 2008 and is in the midst of a multi-year process of restoration and revitalization.

This photo was taken from their website.

From what I have read, there is a lot within walking distance of each other so I should be able to soak up some of the culture and maybe capture some of it as well. 

I just hope my legs will allow me this adventure. They're not to bad right now. Since PT isn't till Wednesday, they should be good to go. I'll just take it one step at a time and enjoy what journey I can. Come Thursday it might be a different story.

Anything will be better then sitting in a parking lot again waiting and watching him repair their water system. Even that is better then sitting at home!

Here we go again, let the next adventure begin!

Las Vegas Bound!

Did I mention we will be going to Las Vegas for the NASCAR races? 

I don't think I actually wrote about it, but I did post a picture on my 365 A Year blog.

Yep!

I am so excited!

Haven't been to a race in Vegas since 2012. In fact, I think that was the last time we were even in Las Vegas.

We should be there in time for the Parade of Haulers. Only this time we should already be at the track hoping to see them drive in instead of down the strip. Since it will be our first time RVing at LMS (that's Las Vegas Motor Speedway) there will be a learning curve, so we will just have to take it step by step.

On Friday we have tickets to the Kolbart Cookout! This should be a lot of fun. A couple of drivers will be there, one being Jimmie Johnson, WAHOO! We love attending these type of functions. Can't wait to see what it is all about. Hoping for another autograph.

I've been searching for things we can do outside of the track but show times seem to interfere with race times and traffic. I think this time we are just going to wing it and see what happens.

With Daytona this weekend, the opportunity to go slipped right on by. Between illness and business, there was just no way to we could be gone for 2 weeks or more at this time. Maybe next year. It is part of the Bucket List, along with other races, we just have to get all the logistics worked out. We met a couple last year at the Phoenix race who just did a 5 month NASCAR tour. I think they said they made it to 15 of the 36 races. That's about how many are on our list. They gave us some great tips and can't wait till that journey gets to happen. For it to happen, hubby will probably need to fly back and forth for business, but I think I can handle him being gone for a few days. All we can do is make the best plans we can and let God do the rest.

The other day I learned my sister would be traveling through Vegas 2 days after we leave. Bummer! Would have been nice to see her. They'll be heading to the Grand Canyon. Her chances of seeing snow at the canyon are good. It is so beautiful covered with a blanket of snow.

 Picture never serve it justice.

I shared with her the information on the Sky Walk. If you ever get a chance, it's a must do. From the Hoover Dam it takes just over an hour and half to get there. From the Las Vegas Strip it will take you just over 2 hours. Plan to spend at least 2 hours for the tour and soaking up the canyon views and culture. From the Grand Canyon it will take about 4 hours to drive there.

 Yes, it was really freaky walking on glass. It was also very cold. The formation behind us and in the first picture is called the Eagle in Flight Formation.

Just another adventure to look forward to on Our Journey Through LIFE!

It's Torture!

At least it feel like it at times.

Grandma Wednesday!

Yep!

They still exist!

Wednesday are short days at their schools which has allowed
me to have had "Grandma Wednesday's" for 10 years now.

2007 started the "Grandma Wednesday's with this Kindergartner.

Then in 2009 this Kindergartner joined the fun. 

Actually, she had already been having "Grandma Days" 

of her own, they were her "Dance Days". 

Brother would hang out with us on these days too.

It always included them doing their homework and then a lot of swimming.

 So many wonderful days happened during these years.

In September of 2015, our "Grandma Wednesday's" took a BIG change.

The oldest wanted to go live with his dad who, lives 4 hours away. 

It changed more then just "Grandma Wednesday's". 

Coming at the end of a year that had already had so much sorrow, 

it really devastated all of us. Praying just wasn't enough.

It got to a point that I didn't want to hear that saying ever again. 

                     Cancer - "This too shall pass!"

                     Sorrow - "This too shall pass!"

               Challenges - "This too shall pass!"

      

It got to feeling like...

JOY - "This too shall pass!"

...my JOY was beginning to fall through the crack that had developed in my heart.

I had already decided back in 2012 to "Finding My JOY" 

I was not going to let this PASS too! 

Something had to change!

Yes, all those other things shall pass! And they did. Slowly we all began to accept the new norm. It wasn't the first time we have had to overcome some type of hurdle and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last. 

We stood up and did what we do best, journeyed on!

Bridging that gap to keep the Joy in the journey was necessary.

What time we lost grew into something more. 

It didn't happen over night, but over the year a new norm was developing.

Last August was finally the time for this Kindergartner to have his "Grandma Wednesday's"

 New times called for new traditions.
Each week we would go out to lunch.

 Sometimes we would have a picnic at Castle Park.

And sometimes the older "Grand" was here to join us as well.

Sometimes we just hang out and do homework.
Sometimes we go shopping.
Sometimes we play UPS.
Sometimes we feed the horses.
Sometimes we just let the day be what the day is suppose to be.

 Everything does happen for a reason.
It just takes time to see exactly why it happened.