Jim East
What do ostriches and the Civil War have in common? Read on and discover what the Rovin’ Pebbles RV Club experienced in the vicinity of Picacho Peak.
On the weekend of March 19 and 20, the western-most Civil War battles were re-enacted to the delight of hundreds of curious eyes observing from various vantage points on the lava-strewn hillsides of Picacho Peak State Park. Re-enactments of the Arizona Civil War skirmish and the New Mexico battles of Glorieta and Valerde were on display. Besides the battles, we were entertained with an artillery demonstration, an inside-out look of ladies fashions in the 1860s and a traveling theatrical troupe amidst the tent replicas of living quarters.
The Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, located just one mile from Picacho Peak State Park, has been called one of the best roadside attractions in America. Besides the curiosity of the ostriches, feeding and petting of miniature donkeys, dwarf goats, ducks, bunnies, fallow deer and rainbow lorikeets delight visitors. But the real fun happens when the monster truck careens across the desert floor of the multi-acre farm with a driver right out of Dukes of Hazzard. Our entire group of 20 squeezed into the bench seats 12 feet off the ground as the crazed driver whooped and hollered while taking the truck through its paces, stopping periodically to explain delicate desert habitats, plants, creatures and critters.
Besides our traditional arrival-day potluck, St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated with a traditional Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and soda bread prepared by our very own Marian Hansen-Kaucheck followed by chocolate bread pudding for dessert – yum. We do eat well.
Come join the fun! The Rovin’ Pebbles RV Club meets the first Wednesday of each month (except summer months) at 3:00 p.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.