Coronado Trail

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

Another Coronado Trail Run in the books. Number 6? Dan Shinn called in sick so now there are only 2 of us who have made every trip. Scotty and Me. As always, too much driving for me. I’ll complain for 6 months then go again. Weather was perfect so I’m told. My windows were rolled up with A/C on. Started with several Panteras and a Porsche but they left us when we stopped at Apache Gold Casino to pick up 2 more members. All went well out to Safford where we found a bigger, better Giant Gas Station on the east side of Rte 70 about 2 blocks before the Rte 191 intersection. Our group got separated in Safford. My group drove up to the Three Way intersection. Most went on to Morenci but Karl and I decided to try the AZ78 to NM180 route for something new. Karl in his Corvette and I’m in my Mustang. Well, things went south from there. Actually we went south. My fault completely. Karl just followed. I took a right on AZ75 instead of AZ78 and we drove 20 miles out of our way to a small town named Duncan where apparently teeth are not allowed. So, 40 miles out and back, then we took AZ78 to NM180 and ended up in Alpine where both my Garmin NAV and my iphone Google Maps said the Hannagan Meadows Lodge was just 2 miles south. Turns out it was 22 miles south. It was already 2pm so we decided to head north to Springerville and check in. I just went to MdDonalds in town for a late lunch then a nap. Karl was magnanimous about my screw ups. Just upholding our colorful history of wrong turns here.
Several of us gathered in chairs outside for cigars, booze and music then a dinner trip to Booga Reds at about 6:30pm. We all (so we thought) piled into a bunch of Mustangs and headed to a fun time in the back most bar at the restaurant. Found out the next day we left Keith behind. So sorry Keith. Cobra Jim entertained us with his mopping ability. Looked like Gene Kelley in “Singing in the Rain.” Tales of Gary & Vicky from St Martens. Shared Dog photos and Benny’s police experience while watching the Diamondbacks lose.
Sunday morning 5 of us were ready to go by 7am so we did. Still stopped for breakfast at the Show Low Café but Benny had some starter problems so Scotty stayed with him and Bruce, Keith and I headed toward Payson for quick pit stop and on to Camp Verde for a Blizzard at the DQ. Got home about 1pm after a total of 693 miles. Another nap. Lots of bugs to clean off but car ran great and got about 21mpg.

AZ Bob