2024 RTRs

 We've been hanging out in the desert enjoying the warm weather and the company of friends. I've been lazy about posting but in reality we haven't been doing much worthy of posting. :D

However there was the RTR in January! As always a lot of fun! 

The Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous started out a little cold. Columbia Sportswear donated $8,000 in cold weather gear to HOWA and all who needed a jacket, hat, gloves, or socks but couldn't afford to buy them were able to get what they needed to stay warm and cozy. 

 The weather improved after the first day - prefect for sitting in the ball field and enjoying the music and seminars.  Other popular attractions included the free pile, games and crafts, and the meet and greet with Bob Wells. We added a few new things this year - a donation thermometer, a colorful information booth canopy, direction signs, and a ramp to access the stage. 

See everyone next year or maybe on the road somewhere! RTRs  33.676, -114.2102

 

Historic Erie Street

 Lowell, Arizona was established in 1904 by the Copper Queen Mining Company and quickly became a thriving town with a vibrant commercial district. For years deep mine shafts were required to access the cooper ore but in 1950 Phelps Dodge which controlled most of the mining operations in Lowell, Bisbee, and the surrounding area began open pit mining. The pit swallowed up the residential district of Lowell. Houses and business were either moved to newly formed towns south of the city or demolished after home owners received market value for their property. One small section of Erie Street remained.

The closing of the mine in 1974 doomed the business that lined both sides of Erie Street. Local businesses and the Lowell Americana Project have been preserving the buildings and adding to the atmosphere by parking antique cars, trucks, busses along the street. The only business that appears to still be open is the Bisbee Breakfast Club but it's fun to see all of the old cars and restored signs. There's an overlook of the pit at the north end of the street where the parking lot is located but for a better view drive north on Route 80 to the Lavender Pit Viewing Area.

 

The sidewalks on Erie Street are in poor condition with steps and cracks - not accessible. When we visited on a cool, rainy December day there wasn't any traffic and we could use the street. It has a good slope so wheelchair users may need assistance. 

Parking is located at the north end of Erie Street. RVs will fit if pulled through the spaces or parked at the far end of the lot. Erie Street  31.43138, -109.89499

Louisiana State Capitol

 The Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest state Capitol building in the US. Good views of the river and city can be seen from the observation deck on the 27th floor. The first floor and the basement are the main areas of interest to most visitors. The first floor has the Senate and House chambers plus beautiful murals and bronze plaques depicting important events in Louisiana's history. The basement has a few cases with crafts and artifacts.

The Louisiana State Capitol Building is the tallest Capitol building in the US. Good views of the river and city can be seen from an observation deck on the 27th floor. The first floor and basements are the main areas of interest to most visitors. The first floor has the House and Senate chambers plus beautiful murals and bronze plaques depicting important events in Louisiana's history. The basement has a few display cases of local crafts and artifacts. An large statue of Huey Long, who served as governor from from 1928 - 1932, stands on the Capitol grounds. Long was popular with rural and poor voters for his infrastructure projects that paved roads and built bridges.  He also improved health facilities, established night schools for adults, and supplied school children with free text books. He pushed against opposition for construction of the new Capitol building which was finished after his term as governor. In 1935 while serving as a state senator he was shot and killed by the son-in-law of a political opponent. 

 A large statue of Huey Long, who served as governor from 1928 - 1932, stands on the Capitol grounds. Long was popular with rural and poor voters for his infrastructure projects that paved roads and built bridges.  He also improved health facilities, established night schools for adults, and supplied school children with free text books. He pushed against opposition for construction of the new Capitol building which was finished after his term as governor. In 1935 while serving as a state senator he was shot and killed by the son-in-law of a political opponent.

Paths circle around in the Capitol Garden. Veterans Memorial Park to the east of the Capitol features the Old Arsenal Powder Magazine Museum (closed when we visited), an Indian mound, and paths along the water. 

I think there's an accessible entrance on either side of the long flight of steps at the Capitol building. We used the entrance on the left side.The basement and the first floor of the Capitol are accessible. Two elevators must be used to go to the 27th floor. The observation deck is not accessible due to a high threshold. The paths in the park are paved and accessible. The steep path to the top of the Indian mound is not accessible.

RVs can be parked on the streets south of the Capitol or in the lot parallel to Route 190 to the west of the Capitol. Capitol   30.45661, -91.18735

 

is the tallest Capitol building in the US. An observation deck on 27 floor circles the building for great views of the city and the river. There are not many exhibits but visitors are free to roam around. The first floor is the only floor of interest to most visitors but the basement does have a few exhibit cases. The second floor has the House and Senate Chambers and a large hall with beautiful murals and bronze plaques with details on important events in Louisiana's history.

 is the tallest Capitol building in the US.  27 floor where there's an observation deck that circles the building with great views of the city and the river. There are very few exhibits but visitors are free to roam around. The first floor and the basement are the only floor of interest to most visitors. The first floor has the House and Senate Chambers and a large hall with beautiful murals and bronze plaques with important events in Louisiana's history.