Ft. Bowie, AZ
Ft. Bowie was another family site we wanted to visit. Thomas Hall Forsyth was stationed here, so this was the home of Dru's grandmother when she was a teenager.
The Trek In
One has to hike 1.5 miles to visit the fort. It's a modestly difficult hike, but it took about an hour and a half, mostly because there were plenty of opportunities to pause and read markers or simply to enjoy the scenery.
Don't argue with this bush!
A horney toad
Amazingly, flowers abound.
Thistles and cactus
The cemetery, located about half way in. Remains of military personnel and dependents were moved to San Francisco National Cemetery years ago. Non-military related civilians remain. The grave in the center is that of a little boy who was run over by a wagon in a wagon train as his family was moving west.
These may be what our guide at Casa Malpais, Mike Rising, was referring to. He called them indian tomatoes, but he said they tasted nothing like a tomato.
More flowers
A peaceful, shady little spot along the trail.
The same spot from the other side - Dru and Mark resting while the photographer labored in the hot sun.
Want to stay overnight?
More flowers just before arriving at the fort.
Take more of our eastern Arizona tour: