Day 6, Safford

Well folks, it's the last day in transit, moving from home base in Gaston, to Safford, Arizona.  And mission accomplished.  My motivation for this trip, for several years, has been to revisit Safford and specifically my parents final resting place.  It was a worthwhile trip for that purpose and I'm very glad I came.  Spent many happy Christmas times with both parents here, and with mom after dad left us in 1980.



On the way, another great family experience.  Reconnecting very late in life with cousins from Colorado, I found Janet at her mom's funeral a couple years ago.  I spent a wonderful morning in Tucson with her and her two lovable black cats..  She's an archaeologist and her work is very fascinating to me.  So we talked family and bones and pipelines and freeways.  You'll have to figure that out or ask me more some time.

Went to dinner at a place mom liked, although they have so overhauled it that it's not the same.  But it was nice atmosphere, a tough steak, and a great evening with brother Dick.  Oh, yes, that's the second part of this mission.  He came from San Antonio two days ago.  We arrived together and phase two, the Great Southwest tour, starts tomorrow.  So we've been talking and driving around town - and - getting drenched in a thunderstorm.

 It was forecast.  It's so comfortable and isolated in the restaurant that the thunderstorm raging outside was noticed only by Little Joe.  He did need a bath.  I suggested we wait it out.  Dick said "We won't melt".  So off we went.  Fortunately it was just across the street :)  And I think I sweat more on the drive over from Yuma.  The rain felt great.  Stood out in it for a few minutes just to cool off.

Tomorrow, off to Payson, AZ.  Chapter two, day one.