20 May 2024 – Trip Day 50
by Alan
We had originally planned to visit Ft. Bowie NHS when we came west from New Mexico, but we changed the plan due to the required RV repairs. I cut out the visiting days and we pressed on to Tucson, so we could turn in the RV to the shop and get the repairs started.
Once the RV was delivered to the shop, and we were settled in the AirBnB, we got to work visiting the various sites we had passed up.
Ft. Bowie is a little town along I-10, of which if you are not careful you would miss it. It seems that their major activity is pecans or another tree nut – there were large orchards of them there. The other big store was the combo gas station/ jerky store/ RV park, where we stayed at one night on our way through the first time.
Our campsite at Ft. Bowie, AZ. We had a very nice sunset.
Arriving at the trail head and parking area, this is the valley that you have to hike up to get the historic site.
Before we commenced the hike, we had lunch.
A quick look at the information signs at the trail head: 
Arya helps Garrett across a bridge. 
The trail started out on a gentle climb through the woods.
Garrett insisted on walking for a bit. That worked out O.K. for a little while, but he ended up in the pack before long.
We encountered the ruins of the Apache Indian Agency building along the trail.
As we climbed out of the valley and up in elevation towards the Fort site, we passed an Apache shelter that was re-created.
We passed by Apache Spring on the way up to the visitor center. The spring was the source of conflict over the site, being able to sustain the Fort or the Indians.
We enjoyed some spring flower on the way up as well.
We came up on the site of the first Ft. Bowie, which was abandoned around the time of the Civil War. After the Civil War, a second Fort was re-established up the hill a little ways.
A view of the ruins of Ft Bowie. Not much remains but the foundations of the buildings.
The kids worked on their Junior Ranger badges at the visitor center slash museum. Randal enjoyed some pack free time to stretch his legs.
The museum contained a number of artifacts from the site:
Arya talks with the Ranger about her book, while Evan restrains Randal, who is very interested in the display.
The kids completed their books and were sworn in by the Ranger.
We took the Overlook Ridge Trail back to the parking area.
As we headed back, clouds were blowing in. Fortunately, no rain fell. Getting caught in a desert rain storm was not my idea of fun.
Beautiful desert cactus flowers greeted us along the trail. 
As we went down the trail, we pass a fault where the geology and plant life changed rather dramatically to a more forested area.
The trail provided wonder vistas of the mountains and valley.
We came down off the ridge into a small forest (bosque) along the main wash.
Stopping for a photo at the bottom. Somewhere along the trail I lost my hat, which had been tucked in the pack. I wonder if Ducky had pulled it out?
I got to break in my new walking stick that I had picked up at Guadalupe Mountains park.
Despite the signs saying it’s a 1.5 mi walk, it’s more of a 2 mile hike in and out to/from the visitor center.
Wow amazing trip and hike with so much history surrounding you. Looks like a great time
so much history surrounding you what a wonderful adventure.