Right Brain Right Lane : November 2017

Show Time!!

19 Nov, 2017; Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson AZ

All their hard work pays off on show day!

The animals are trimmed and shiny, the handlers and riders are dressed in their best and it's time to strut their stuff. The weather offers some challenge with a very breezy day that spooks some horses and musses the carefully brushed coats on some of the fancier long-haired dogs.

The Poultry barn was just fun! I've never seen so many different kinds of chickens; there were a lot of other kinds of poultry as well - turkey, ducks, geese, peacocks, racing pigeons, and species that I couldn't even identify!

this guy was my favorite!

NOT for the dinner table

The entire exhibit hall was covered with cages

The wind knocked over flower box decorations and caused a few of the horses to get spooky in the arena and get disqualified - a disappointing result after so much training.

Peaceful end of the day . . . .

Cooling out at the end of the day

Pre-show warm up days

17 Nov, 2017; Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson AZ

Set up, warm up, final prep . . .

Later in the week, I wander thru the venues, watching the dogs and the horses, their trainers, handlers and riders all getting ready for the big weekend shows. It's fun to get this 'behind-the-scenes' view and chat with various folks. Each has a whole specialized world (think about the movie 'Best in Show' - it was pretty accurate in some ways!), and while I have some experience with the world of horse shows, my experience was a whole different level!

Poodle getting some last minute grooming

Waiting in the wings for a turn in the practice arena - I think she's a Saluki - a sight hound

I can't resist the sight-hounds; this whippet is precious

Acres of tents to protect the dogs in between classes from the sun

Great transition shot between pics of dogs and horses (oooooh, see how I did that?!)

Two hopeful champions meet at the line between venues - and yes, the dog is another sight hound!

There is so much to see - multiple rings for the dogs (easily a dozen) and 5 rings for the horses.

Getting used to the arena and practicing dressage test movements and transistions

Getting a little advice from a trainer

At this level of competition, everyone knows how to share the arena

Almost all the riders are miked - the trainers get to sit in the shade as they quietly provide training advice through their headsets - a high tech improvement that adds to the quiet professionalism of upper level dressage.

Tucson, AZ; Starts out quietly

14 Nov, 2017; Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson AZ

Snowbird season has arrived in the Southwest

Usually, I'm in Tucson a little earlier in the year - but this year I arrive after all the RV Park discounts are over. In addition, the park I usually stay in has closed their pool for the year. So, I decide to stay at Pima County Fairgrounds. The price is right ($125/wk for full hookups) and I remember from the last time I stayed her that the fairgrounds host a lot of fun activities.

I arrive mid-week - the place is almost empty

I remember when I stayed here for the national Escapee RV club convention in March 2015 and the park was packed with over 900 rigs!! Today, I have my choice of spots and a unrestricted view of the sunsets.

Mar 2015 - full rows of packed in rigs by their hookups

The same view today!

I wander over nearer to the fairground buildings and find a well known vendor - ready for the activity to come. They sell all sorts of personalized tags, pins, license plate holders, etc. Despite the sleepy day, I sense anticipation for the weekend - I know the fairgrounds will be filling up for an AKC dog show, a dressage show, and a poultry show (that will be fun!)

And the sunset does not disappoint!

Tombstone and Bisbee, AZ

13 Nov; 2017; Benson, AZ

Tombstone, AZ - site of the famous 'shootout at the OK Corral'

Since I was close, I had to take a side trip to Tombstone. Unfortunately, it's mostly a theme park these days. The OK Corral is fenced in and you have to buy a ticket to see the Corral and a 're-enactment of the shootout.

While there are remains of the original buildings, they tend to be buried in blocks of touristy, theme park stuff (gift shops, bars, restaurants).

Wagons and trolleys give tours of the downtown area

Mini-operas of 'shoot-outs' happen every few minutes on main street

Cochise County Museum

The only attraction I was really interested in was the county museum. It was really interesting and covered the whole Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday historical context.

Some original Tombstone buildings survive

Bisbee, AZ

The focus in Bisbee was the mining - silver and copper - that fueled growth in this area of AZ in the late 1800's. Bisbee is in the mountains so it reminded my a lot of San Francisco - all up and down with lots of steep steps, narrow alleyways and houses perched on hillsides. While Bisbee was also quite commercial, it had less of a theme-park atmosphere and more of a town that kept it's heritage alive while moving forward into the future. I liked that there was live music in the city park when I was there and in many of the restaurants.

Copper Queen Hotel

Brewery

Well, the road didn't look all that curvy on the map!

10 Nov, 2017; Silver City, NM

I was in the mood for a scenic drive . . .

Leaving Truth or Consequences, I decided to take state hwy 152 through the mountains and Silver City. The drive was pretty (except for a huge many miles long burn area) but for over 50 miles, it was very slow. How slow? 15-25mph slow - and that is really slow hour after hour. By the time I got to Silver City, which was supposed to be my lunch stop, I was done for the day!

Rose Valley RV Ranch

I'm rarely impressed by RV Parks - but Rose Valley RV Ranch was definitely different. The sites were well separated with shrubbery and western style fencing. Plus!! They offered recycling! (rare)