Gotta find another word for Wow! We just kept saying it over and over again walking along the Echo Canyon trail yesterday in Chiricahua Nat'l Monument.

We started the day in Willcox, AZ and visited the Rex Allen museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame. Rex Allen was right up there with Roy Rogers and he was from Willcox. Here is his statue. He was a real cowboy to start with, then turned to music and movies. Although, Jim remembers him best as the voice of the narrator on the Wonderful World of Disney. When we got to the Chiricahua Visitor Center, we discovered that the narrator for their intro film was none other than Rex Allen Sr. Ah yes, a very memorable deep, resonant voice.





Then we took the 35 mile drive thru the desert to Chiricahua. What a difference! We're in pine forests at 6, 7000 feet. What a contrast to the creosote and yucca on the valley floor.





The best part was hiking the 3.3 mile Echo Canyon trail. It went up and down and wound around thru canyons of rock formations and beautiful forests. All at over 6300 feet.









Even though this is their high season, we only saw 3-4 other people along the trail. This is a real 'off-the-beaten-path' find! Thanx for the tip Lizzie!

This next picture is actually 8 photos stitched together. Click on the picture to see a larger version.



Today, it's on to Texas!

AWESOME! That last photo looks like Jim is really tuckered out--should be! Just a couple days ago you were at almost SEA LEVEL and then you go for 3.3 mile hike at 6,300 feet elevation.

What are you trying to do? Kill yourselves! I know--just trying to lose a couple inches--huh?