Enough of freezing nights and chilly days.  We have had a lovely time in Kartchner Caverns and this is certainly the most carefully preserved cavern we have ever seen.  Following thier discovery in 1974 the two spelunkers who found it kept it a secret with a small expanding circle for fourteen years.  It was 24 years, 1999, before the caves were ready for tours by the public.  The wait was worth it.  I have no pictures because they permit no cameras, cell phones, or anything else that might harm the cave.  For the best information Click on http://www.pr.state.az.us/parks/KACA/index.html

It has not gotten over 45 degrees here and it is forecast to stay cool through the week.  We planned to go to Patagonia State Park for birding, but is it only 60 miles away and will also be cool.  The Yuma area looks to be our best bet for warm within a day’s drive.  By tomorrow afternoon we expect to be situated at or near Senator Wash on the CA side of the river, but still operating on AZ time, sort of.  Time has limited meaning there.  Phone service will be less than ideal, but if past experience is any guide, we will be able to on line and although we cannot have a lengthy conversation at the coach, it is five minute walk to better reception. 

I could rant on about Arizona’s destruction of its tourist infrastructure.  They have closed most of the highway rest areas and the most recent announcement on the state parks web site says that by June there will only be nine state parks left operational in the state.  The state has stripped the Parks of almost all their funding.  New York looks good, only by comparison.