Chirichua National Monument

January 4, 2011 (yes, a year ago)

 

One of our favorite places for tourist is the Chirichua National Monument.    Some folks says 'move over Grand Canyon' because the Chirichuas are more spectacular. 

I call it the cherry cows because it is so much easier to spell than Chirichuas for my scribe.    If you drive up past the Chirichua Visiter Center you go to Massai Point.   It is named after Big Foot Massai who is an Indian who stole a horse from a white man.    That was a big offense back then to steal somebody's horse.    Big Foot Massai, the Indian who stole the horse, had a wife who was pregnant and he said that is why he stole the horse, so she could ride.    So the white man chased Big Foot Massai and he apprehended him at Massai's point.   It is still one of the most scenic parts of the Chirichua Monument.  I don't know what happened to Big Foot and his pregnant wife but I suppose he went back to the reservation some way.    I haven't seen him much around the Chirichua Monument but the Massai point still remains.     

Another place of interest in the Chirichuas  is the Faraway Ranch.    It is restored now to an authentic ranch as it was.    The owner of the ranch before it was given to the Chirichua Monument was Lillian Riggs.    This was the time of President Coolidge.   Lillian Riggs was promoted in Life Magazine as the boss of the Faraway Ranch.   Even though she was blind she still rode with the Cowboys to tend the cows.   Her family said she could still shoot a rattlesnake between the eyes while riding her horse.   Lillian Riggs ended up in the nursing home in Willcox when my wife Leona was in charge there as a nurse.   The Faraway Ranch was a rambling ranch house near the entrance of the Chirichua Monument.    It was visited by numerous people including Buffalo Soldiers who stayed there for a while.    It is a must see when you are visiting at the Chirichua National Monument.   

http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/chiricahua/national_monument.html
http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/chiricahua-national-monument-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid8899.html

This is Dick Seidel, rambling along railroad on historic Railroad Avenue.