Fort Bowie Part II

These ruins have seen many moons since activity flourished at this fort.

There were numerous plaques along the trail to help identify plants and trees.This was once the Trading Post.

Riding out below the Trading Post... this really brings this site to life!

The foreground foundation was the Quartermasters Storehouse and the Infantry Barracks immediately behind.

The Quartermaster Storehouse... the hub of this community.  The Quartermaster was responsible for supplies, construction and maintenance of the buildings, contracts for forage and firewood, and all forms of transportation.  He also hired all civilian employees... teamsters, blacksmiths, carpenters and masons.

Soldiers drew equipment and clothing from this office and received work orders for post construction projects.

The infantry barracks appeared to be the largest building here.

Privacy was not a feature of barracks life.

The barracks were delightful to photograph... such interesting shapes remaining with windows and doors.

The Commanding Officers Quarters... an elaborate Victorian style duplex style structure had 13 rooms and cost a whooping $4,000 at the time.  This was the nicest rock foundation at this site.

This foundations was where the school was located.  On the left behind the new building is a Visitors Centre... a small museum maintained by the park with staff to answer question and sell memorabilia.

This Trading Post provided for sale items not supplied by the army... and provided a place for the women to satisfy their need to "shop."

I really enjoyed all these signs on each foundation here.  It helped to bring these ruins to life.

The capture of Geronimo marked the end of hassles with the Apaches... and soon after this fort was wound down.

This was Shirley's capture of the barracks ruins... we just loved coming to this place.

There were numerous plaques along the trail to help identify plants and trees.

The Yucca does not flower every year... but when it does the fruit yields black seeds.

This is a Soaptree Yucca before growing the stalk.

And here is a Yucca that has died.

The Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus

Close up as we were heading back to the car and the sun was setting.

We saw a sign for this viewpoint of Fort Bowie on our way to the trailhead... it said 200 feet to the viewpoint... but we wisely passed it by until the end of the day on our way out.

If one had not been there first, how would you ever see Fort Bowie unless you had some powerful binoculars.

But with full zoom on the telephoto lens one can see the fort in the centre of this photo.  When you know where to look you can also pick out the original fort site and Apache Springs.

It was amazing to see the land that we walked to get to and from this incredible site... an unforgettable day.

My Mayne Island Run Loop

There is a loop road around our island that gives me a 12 km run... which I do once a week. Today I will post 13 photos of things I see along the route.  Most photos taken today.

Usually we will see more deer than people or cars when we go anywhere on our island.  Our population is about 950... except this weekend it may be more like 3,000!

For more than a month this rose bush has given me a lot of enjoyment but I just kept jogging.  Today I stopped to smell the roses.

"One may live without bread, not without roses." -Jean Richepin

Here is a novel way to post your house number.  That broken chair is still serving a purpose.

Another application of the 3-R's.  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

A bee dropped by while I was capturing this thistle bloosom.

"A bee is never as busy as it seems; it's just that it can't buzz any slower." -Kin Hubbard

This was the first year since we have been here that anyone has baled the hay in this field.  New owners make a difference.

"You will eat, by and by,
In that glorious land above the sky;
Work and pray, live on hay,
You'll get pie in the sky when you die. "
-Joe Hill, Songs of the Workers, the Preacher and the Slave.

This is obviously an pretty old song.  Today we want "cake on our plate while we wait..."  not hay!

Outside our Post Office these hanging baskets give a lift to my day.

"Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature."  -Gerard De Nerval

I asked the clerk here one day what I could trade for some bananas.  She said she could only take money.  So I asked her why the name said Trading Post?  I  have not hardly gone back since, but I do admire the flower boxes... every year they are home run!

Our ferry from Vancouver was in the dock this morning... not many people arrived today.  But I have heard the weekend is totally booked, so without a ferry reservation on this long holiday weekend you will not be sailing here on BC Ferries.

The new owners of this snack shack at the ferry terminal have really spiffed up the place... as well as the menu.  I enjoyed a Reuben sandwich this week and they apparently have quite a good reputation for making Friday night Pizza here on Mayne Island.

"And I don't cook, either. Not as long as they still deliver pizza." -Tiger Woods

There are several artists and artisans here on Mayne Island.  We overheard quite a lengthy debate on the ferry one evening as to the difference between an artist and an artisian.  The artist is one who practices an imaginative art... the artisan is a creative craftsman.  Can you add to this?

Our neighbors alpacas are such cute creatures... and with their winter coats trimmed off are even cuter! Their names are Rudy, Shogun and Buttercup... good boys names, eh?

"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." -Samuel Butler

Our neighbor, Noreen, was tending her garden park as we returned home today.  The ducks were doing what they do  best... float!

"Flatter not thyself in thy faith in God if thou hast not charity for thy neighbor." -Francis Quarles

Her dog, Jesse, is such a freindly dog and came out of the pond to say hello to us.

"They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation." - Jerome K. Jerome

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