After having a great meal at the lodge we retired for the night(at a reasonable hour). The problem with changing time zones is that the sun comes up so early when you have just crossed over. We were awake before 5:00 and the sun was up at 5:30. Breakfast was going to be served in the dining room starting at 8:00. So we checked out early and was on the road by 6:30. The temperature there was 29 degrees and ice had frozen in the humming bird feeders. Continued south on 191 (the scenic route). And it was scenic. Scenic and crooked and steep. Took us about 3 hours to go 50 miles. But it was worth it. The biggest thing we saw, and it is so big I don't know how to describe it. It was an open pit copper mine that has been in existence since 1937. It is so big that they moved the town of Mercino to a new location and the old town is now part of the mine. This mine produces the largest amount of copper in the United States. Pictures to follow. Stopped for a late breakfast in Mericino and continued South on 191 to I-10. Then on to Tuscon and the Saguaro National Park. We found a campground based on a conversation with a man back in Pie Town NM. Set the camper up and then headed for the park. Spent several hours there wandering around, amazed by the Saguaro Cactus found there.
Tomorrow we head west again, toward Yuma. Having trouble deciding whether to go to one of the parks on our agenda. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are still under winter conditions in many sections and parts of the parks have not opened. So we may go to Death Valley, and then head for the coast. There are plenty of Redwoods and Sequoias out there.