CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP~#PT 4 (cont.); DEMING, NM & FORTUNA-AZ

December 26th, 2024: Today, when we pulled out of Deming-NM, it was the last day of Holland's Christmas Gift to me; it's the rounding up of a 4-day Loop Drive thru 4 States: AZ-NM-TX & back into AZ ;-)

Route home from Deming-NM

There wasn't much to see this stretch of the journey as it was mostly freeway through varying desert landscapes.

And that was okay with me …

It was peaceful.

It was interesting: no one does landscape like Yeshua, our Creator - his layout is better than anything man can come up with ;-)

It was cozy - Christmas magic was working & love vibes were lighting up our immediate space.

It was exploratory. While traveling, we hoped to find some place suitable to set roots in - we like the southern states, and were hoping to settle in either of the states mentioned above. But that was not to be. The dust that in the air inflames our struggling lungs. Living here, in the south, is not workable for our comfort - the sun is wonderful, the dust is not :-(

It was informative; Holland was telling me about his past time spent on the freeways we were traveling. I always like hearing about where he worked and lived in the southern states we have been visiting during our Road Gypsying adventuring, and explorations.

Holland is a good traveling companion because he's intimately familiar with the regions … and he has personal stories and living experiences to fill in the gaps that recorded History streamlines, and travel brochures know nothing about.

Plus, he's just plain fun during the time he relaxes - like now ;-)

Paul Rodgers - "I Just Wanna See You Smile" 1972 in Jamaica:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeOi7DkF0oY)

Early morning cows; this is the first time cows have shown themselves - Holland says it's because the early morning is cool; the rest of the time they lay down in the shade of the sparse brush  ;-)

Aside from seeing the cows, we also saw some huge boulder piles that kinda reminded us of the Joshua Tree National Park … and some colorful freeway corridors long the road homeward.

Landscape in Benson-AZ; I-10

Benson, lower R corner = Fortuna, upper L corner …

Decorated I-10 overpass.

Tucson-AZ skyline.

Colorful corridor art; Tucson-AZ

Turquoise highlights are everywhere.

This pretty Dragonfly overpass is not completed, yet.

Beautiful, colorful freeway corridor; Tucson-AZ

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: this is the BEST Christmas/BD Gift my husband could have given me :-)

Not all women want material things - some just want a like-minded- partner to go on adventures with; laugh with; cruise the side roads & back roads with; watch sunsets with … in general, someone special to appreciate the simple pleasures of Life with.

When we reached Independence in Fortuna-AZ, and parked Betsy, we had racked up 1,700 miles on our Christmas Holiday Road Trip.

Our bodies were exhausted from the stresses of lung burn due to gritty dust inflammation, and the effects of high altitude - but we had pretty impressive memories branded on our hearts and etched into our minds.

It was a great adventure.

And a very loving thing for my anti-Christmas husband to do for me: I remember when I prayed for the boldness, and finances, to tour America. I remember when I prayed for a traveling companion. I remember the Day (24 months ago) when Holland entered & cemented his place in my Life, in a big way. I remember the Day - 21 months ago - when pulling out of Longview for the last time, Holland smiled that killer smile of his and said to me, "You told me you want to travel … well, buckle up Baby, because I'm about to make your Day."

I remember that Elohim has always been faithful to provide for me when my prayers dovetail with His Plans for me.

Holland is one of those provisional gifting's.

I am eternally thankful and grateful.

**1-2-25: Blog Post - CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ROAD TRIP~#PT 3 (cont.); Roswell-NM & Pecos-TX (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/01/christmas-holiday-road-trippt-3-cont.html)

PATHFINDERS~Phoenix-AZ

Quartzsite-AZ from Tucson-AZ; 3 hr 34 min (241.0 mi) via I-10 W

January 10th: We left Tucson-AZ and headed for Quartzsite-AZ again - surprisingly, the temperature is a little warmer there. Our aging bodies need the warmth.

Last night, we had discussed making some changes to improve our Life Plan … of course we understand that Elohim is ultimately in control of our destiny, and laughs at any Plan we think to implement on our own … but we also understand that sometimes redirection is necessary. So we are making plans, hoping and praying our plans match up with His plans ;-)

Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks - 'Where Your Road Leads' song lyrics:

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omlzz_k9vSU)

 

We had a long drive ahead of us, but we set out with a peaceful outlook, good humor, and a unified agreement: a promising good day aura was definitely embracing us ;-)

The freeway structures, and the sound reflecting freeway walls, are all beautifully decorated with inner city mosaic artwork that is really impressive; and artfully designed gravel work that is visually Toltec inspired. All the way from Tucson through Phoenix. Freeway travel is necessary to get through the desert cities - but it is not a visually boring route, like freeway traffic is in WA and OR states.

Leaving Tucson's chill …

Picacho Peak is situated between Tucson and Phoenix.

My curiosity was piqued - everything in at least 3 Arizona locations revolves around this Picacho {thing}: what is all the hoopla about … I determined to research it when we set up, in Quartzsite-AZ.

Ancient Picacho Peak linked to an American Civil War.

The Battle of Picacho Peak: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Picacho_Pass)

4,959-foot high Picacho Peak is not considered a volcano, but Picacho Peak is a mountain formed of ancient volcanic activity, composed of rhyolite (mostly quartz and feldspar), basaltic, and andesite that solidified at the surface. Volcanic rock is the cornerstone of the peak, but it is not, as once thought, the neck of an ancient volcano. Over time, the mountain had eroded to what it is today.

Rhyolite rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite#:~:text=Rhyolite%20(%2F%CB%88ra%C9%AA.,an%20otherwise%20fine%2Dgrained%20groundmass.)

Feldspar rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feldspar#:~:text=Feldspar%20is%20a%20common%20raw,glass%20containers%20and%20glass%20fibre.)

Andesite rock: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andesite)

Volcanic rock - across from Picacho Peak; pushed upward, out of the ground.

Another Superstition Mountain link …

Toltec:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec#:~:text=The%20Toltec%20culture%20(%2F%CB%88t,from%20950%20to%201150%20CE. & https://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-sacrificetoltec/)

I didn't get to experience the Superstition Mountains - freeway infrastructure cut off the scenery - Holland has seen it, and visited them too … but, my visit will have to wait until a later date.

I have always been attracted to the Mayan and Aztec histories - Holland didn't know anything about either, so I gave him a brief education ;-)

The men were handsome, and the women were beautiful. At it's height, the Aztec Empire stretched & reached from central Mexico into the American heartland. The collapse of the Toltec Empire is enigmatic. According to legends, the city of Tollan was abandoned because of a civil war; however, other possibilities include agricultural and commercial problems, and overcrowding due to continued immigration. In any case, by 1100 CE the Toltec Empire disintegrated.

Dust in the air of Phoenix.

Holland will appreciate my silence as we pass through Phoenix-AZ

2024 will include an exciting move … WE'RE JAZZED!

Phoenix is a HUGE city; 50 miles across, and mostly freeway.

We passed thru about 10 AM - rush hour traffic wasn't too bad. Thank God.

Phoenix is  basically freeway, freeway overpasses, and skyscrapers.

Phoenix has expanded … and new construction is going up everywhere; Holland got excited about the high-rises. He has done that kind of work.

A crazy octopus-type freeway maze of sprawling overpasses.

This tunnel is a new thing along this route Holland used to travel between his home in Phoenix & jobs in California.

Papago Freeway Tunnel:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papago_Freeway_Tunnel)

In the years Holland has been up north, in WA State, Phoenix went through a growth surge, business boomed, and Phoenix absorbed ten smaller towns in their city sprawl: it takes a while to get through Phoenix … even traveling the expansive freeway.

Rocky mountain feature in Harquahala Valley-AZ

Coming into Quartzsite-AZ

Stranded high & dry …

DOWNTOWN TUCSON-AZ~Shabbat Eve

We decided to rise early and go exploring before the day advanced too far into the afternoon hours - there was one particular site we wanted to visit :-)

This building caught our attention when we entered Tucson, Thursday … we were mistaken about what it was.

Southern Arizona VA Health Care: 

(https://www.va.gov/southern-arizona-health-care/)

A BIG pink building.

'Maybe he's color blind …'

As we laughingly re-entered traffic, Holland treated me to downtown sights: he wanted to make sure "you get your pictures, Baby": we don't know what kind of freeze Tucson will experience this weekend - all we know is that whatever happens, will be unprecedented for this region; although higher elevations like Flagstaff annually get a significant snowfall … Holland has only known Phoenix to get a light snow dusting 37 years ago, when he was living and working there.

My loving husband wanted to ensure my week in Tucson isn't a bust, so he ferried me around downtown to see the sights, there … and I agreed if afterwards, he'd lay down and rest when we got back home ;-)

I could see his eyes were hot - that meant his lungs were on fire: he has a chest cold whether he wants to acknowledge that, or not. I'm going to pamper him, and pull the Wife Card when necessary: he needs to rest and heal. There's no time clock to be punched, and no real hurry to get anywhere until the backend of February.

Downtown, Tucson-AZ skyline.

St. Augustine Cathedral; Tucson-AZ

A colorful openwork arch on the Cathedral Plaza.

Openwork Band Shell: 

(https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-oddity-flowery-covering-sets-stage-for-performances/article_21d0e5d4-7137-58cf-adc1-179ceb5e0e20.html)

St. Augustine Cathedral; Tucson-AZ: (https://tucson.com/news/local/watch-now-tucsons-historic-st-augustine-cathedral/video_a819e998-abb0-5dc1-b5c6-96c19474c885.html)

This little stucco church appealed to us; the Primera Iglesia Bautista (First Mexican Baptist Church in English) in the Barrio Viejo historic neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona.

The Primera Iglesia Bautista: 

(https://borderlore.org/inside-tucsons-primera-iglesia-bautista/)

When we saw this building, Holland said, "Look Baby - it's Jewish … I'm gonna pull over so you can check it  out - take your time."

Rose and Maurice Silverman Jewish History Museum Campus, Tucson-AZ

He's trying; and meeting me halfway. And I appreciate it.

Even though it was a holocaust memorial building instead of a synagogue, I was thankful to see it today, on this Sabbath Day: the one day a week, we Jews (Messianic, as well as orthodox) determine to forgive-embrace love and peace-and invite whole-body rest, by declaring a truce between ourselves and the world :-)

Concerning the Sabbath … does it make any difference which Day of the week, we observe? Does the Bible establish Sunday as the Lord's Day? Was the Sabbath given for the Jewish people only - while Christians are commanded to keep Sunday as the Lord's Day?

I try not to get caught up in loop arguments that mean nothing at all in the grand scope of things. What I do believe, and say, is that Elohim ordained a specified Day of Rest (and as far as I can discern, that memorial has never been rescinded); so, every Seventh Day, I set my 24-hour Island of Rest aside: without all the orthodox traditions.

As Yeshua, Himself, exampled.

Personally, I start counting my seven days from the day I begin work (I'm retired … some days, I'm a lazy, laid-back thing ;-)) - so my Shabbat Rest can literally fall on any Day of any week, though I do generally rest on the Day most Jews across the globe, do ;-)

Stained Glass Windows & Gate Motif; Holland pointed both out to me as I got out of the truck to take pictures - "Look at the stained glass windows, Baby … and the gate."

Side view & parking lot.

Rose and Maurice Silverman Jewish History Museum Campus:

 (https://azjewishpost.com/2016/museums-prep-for-grand-re-opening-feb-21/ & https://www.tucsonlocalmedia.com/deserttimes/article_749f9df4-dffb-11e5-b432-87cc1bb4a9b9.html)

Barrio Arches; Tucson-AZ

Five Points Barrio Arches: 

(https://www.kold.com/2021/03/14/five-points-intersection-art-project-construction-complete/ & https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/midtown-news/five-points-why-tucson-began-in-the-barrios)

I pointed to the Cesar Chavez Arch, and asked Holland if he knew who Cesar was - Holland did not know the background history of Cesar Chavez; so I informed him ;-)

Cesar Chavez: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Chavez

I originally supported Cesar … but when he became more a messiah-complexed-politician, than a farm worker advocate … he lost his vision, as well as my support. But, he is still an important historical figure.

Colorful Tucson Barrio Homes: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60950-d561907-Reviews-Barrio_Historico-Tucson_Arizona.html

The Santa Cruz Catholic Church; Tucson-AZ: (https://tv.azpm.org/p/arts/2020/1/13/164301-santa-cruz-church/)

The advertising appeared to be a good deal …

Very expensive 3-gallon propane refill.

In the barrio district.

I just consider the overcharge a Shabbat tzedakah.

Tzedakah:

 (https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4203668/jewish/What-Is-Tzedakah.htm)

In Mexico, the word "barrio", can mean: (1) a slum neighborhood or a dangerous poor neighborhood (2) a new government program where they call "barrios mágicos" those beautiful historical small colonial towns trapped inside a big city.

Very pretty street curb mosaics …

Most of the church buildings we saw today were catholic, and I do not support the catholic religion … but, I admit, the buildings were very lovely - even though the religion itself, is not, and is basically paganist in nature.

What does the Bible really say about the Sabbath? It is generally assumed that Sunday is the correct day. 

Few people realize that the Sabbath vs. Catholic enforced Sunday controversy raged during the first three centuries of the Christian era, and thousands were tortured and put to death over this question both before and after the Emperor Constantine supposedly "resolved" the heated debate in his Sabbatical edict in AD 321.

If so many chose death over observing a man-made-day not commanded by God, could not this dispute be more significant than we may have thought?

Roman Catholicism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great#:~:text=Although%20Constantine%20lived%20much%20of,Church%20and%20the%20Coptic%20Orthodox

Was not The Law … "including the Sabbath - nailed to the cross" … when Christ was crucified? 

Is it possible that all of these churches are wrong on this fundamental doctrine?

And, does it really make any difference?

What about scriptures like Galatians 4:10 or Colossians 2:16: do they not prove that it does not matter which day we keep?

For me … I do what I am led to do concerning adhering to Scripture, and let Elohim sort everyone else out.

We enjoyed our drive.

It was fun to see all those historic buildings.

Holland did come home and rest :-)

And I had a cup of hot cocoa and checked upcoming weather reports (Holland is hoping to squeeze a trip to Tombstone in, before we leave this region).

A mug of hot cocoa with a heart-shaped marshmallow ;-)

Researching general Tucson Winter weather, I read that on the morning of January 7, 1913, the mercury bottomed out at a frigid 6° at the University of Arizona, then the official temperature location in Tucson. Based on newspaper reports some low-lying areas in Tucson did report temperatures as low as zero.

WOWSERS!

I hope, and pray, that the Winter of 2024 will not be a repeat of 1913.

A trip to Tombstone, doesn't look good, either :-(

Tombstone-AZ temperatures, this week …

Winter weather = Tombstone-AZ