Arizona's Fort Courage Ruins Bulldozed

Above, a vintage post card of Fort Courage from the 1970s.

Drivers on Interstate 40 in eastern Arizona would see the ruins of Fort Courage, a one-time tourist trading post in Houck. It was built in 1967 and closed around 2014. It was sort of a salute to the television comedy, F Troop.

I imagine it was a popular stop during the 1960s and 1970s, but it went out of business.  

As I mentioned at the start, I would pass by Fort Courage whenever I was heading on Interstate 40 in Arizona. This time, while en route to the clamp-out in Prescott, I saw that Fort Courage was bulldozed into oblivion. The only remaining structures are the lookout tower and sign. It looks like the tower may be saved and incorporated into whatever is going to be built there. 

While on my way home today, I stopped and took some photos of the site.

Here's some photos I took today:

To read more about Fort Courage, go here.

I read that Speedy's will be building a truck stop at the site. 

Stopped At Jack Rabbit Trading Post

Above, the big Jack Rabbit was decorated with Christmas decorations. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I drove home from Lake Havasu City, Arizona after spending Christmas with Holly & Mitch Geriminsky.

Along the way on Interstate 40, I made a few stops. One of which was at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. While there I chatted for a bit with the proprietors Tony and Cindy Jacquez. I has been a while since I last visited. I mentioned that we lost Russell Azbill in October as he enjoyed stopping at their trading post. He liked their t-shirts.  I mentioned that I finally was able to see the inside of the dome of Meteor City Trading Post. 

I picked up a miniature replica sign of their iconic sign that sits out on Historic Route 66. They said that it is one of their biggest sellers.

Above, my new Jack Rabbit Trading Post sign in the den. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting for a while, I then headed off towards home, with a stop at the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona for cigars. 

A Stop At The Meteor City Trading Post

Yesterday, I drove home from Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Along the way, I made a stop at the newly-reopened Meteor City Trading Post. I stopped a few weeks ago, but they weren't open until 10:00. So I made it a point to stop there on the way home.

I bought a t-shirt from the trading post and before leaving, I took some photos.

Here they are:

Custer Battlefield Trading Post

Above, the front of the Custer Battlefield Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After touring the Little Bighorn Battlefield, we headed out and went to Custer Battlefield Trading Post. 

Above, inside the restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with a big gift store, they also have a restaurant. I had an Indian Taco (known in New Mexico as a Navajo taco). It was quite good and filling.

Above, the Indian taco. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Outside the park, they are the nearest restaurant to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. 

For more information, go here.

Drive To Joe Milo's Trading Post

Above, the front of Joe Milo's Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, Mitch Geriminsky and I headed out to Red Rock Park near Gallup to view the Red Rock Balloon Rally ascension that was supposed to take place at 7:30. 

We got there about 7:40 but there were no balloons in the launching field. The only balloons there were packed away at various campsites at the campground next to the field. A number of people were wandering, and wondering, why no balloons were being launched.

Above, Joe Milo's White Water Trading Co. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We decided to head into Gallup to have breakfast at the Cracker Barrel.

After breakfast, we went to different Gallup trading posts to do some browsing. We eventually ended up going 16 or so miles south of town towards the Zuni Pueblo. I had never been in that area, so it was interesting for me to see what's down there. 

Above, Joe Milo's is ready for Christmas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We stopped at Joe Milo's White Water Trading Co. in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. Next to the Hubbell trading post in Ganado, Arizona, Joe Milo's has the most interesting collections of merchandise, including raw turquoise, silver, guns, ammo, art and goods to make jewelry. I ended up buying a dream catcher. I got lucky as it was 50% off the regular price. I've seen Joe Milo's billboards in and around Gallup, but I have never been there until now.

Above, Joe Milo's Trading Co. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along the road to Joe Milo's, were many ranches of various sizes. It turned out to be a nice area for a drive.

Continental Divide Then & Now

Every so often, I'll head about eight miles east on Interstate 40 to Continental Divide, New Mexico to do some shopping (or just browsing) at the Indian Market on Historic Route 66.

A friend sent me a post card photo of what Continental Divide looked like on Route 66 in the 1940s.

The old gas station is gone, but there is still a Phillips 66 there today.

Here's Continental Divide today:

Here's Continental Divide in the 1940s:

Home Again

Above, the Tsaya Trading Post looks like it had been there a while. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening, I made it home to Jamestown, New Mexico.

It was a smooth ride until I reached Farmington, New Mexico. The traffic there was heavy. Plus, the lack of signage had me "mighty bewildered" (as Daniel Boone used to say) and I had to stop and use Google Maps to get me to the right road and out of town. I think I will avoid this route (Hwy. 550) in the future.

The day started in Durango after packing up everything when I went to the Lone Spur Cafe in town. As luck would have it (again), I finished breakfast just in time to see and video (below) the Durango train depart Durango Station.

After that, since I had a couple of hours to kill before the screening of Godzilla vs. Kong, I stopped at a gun store to see what they had. Unfortunately, they didn't have what I wanted (Winchester .30-.30 ammo).

But, that worked out good because before going to the theater, I filled The Beast's gas tank and went to a neighboring coin-operated car wash (that accepts credit cards) and gave The Beast a good, badly-needed wash.

Following that, I headed over to the theater to see the movie. The theater had stadium seating. Each seat reclined and had a swivel tray. The seat was too comfortable as I had to keep from dozing off.

Above, this had to be the fanciest theater seat I ever seen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the movie, I headed out of Durango for home. I made one stop. It was the Tsaya Trading Post that's a few miles north of Crownpoint, New Mexico. The route in New Mexico took me through the Navajo Nation. 

After unpacking, I watched a Blu-ray on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad I bought at the Durango Station gift shop.

All in all, it was a good trip and very enjoyable.