Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef)  > The Journey in States... > Arizona > The Chiricahua Mountains... Arizona
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Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > An ad in a Magazine caught my attention... The New York History Natural Museum has a Research Center  in the Chiricahua Mountains, south east Arizona, about 5 miles up the road from Portal, 60 miles north of the border, exactly where the paved road stops, 5400 feet elevation, they needed a cook 3 days a week, and it was not too long after that I managed to get the job. Being overqualified my honesty to the situation let me jump through the hoops, take advantage of it I said... and soon it was a done deal and my path  toward the west started.
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > From day one, from my first ride up through Portal, the mountain road leading to the Station, I was marveled at the beauty Mother Nature had put together!... and this lasted every day throughout my stay. It is an area unlike any other... due mostly to the  surrounding mountains colors and shapes. Their surfaces are covered year round by a unique moss and throughout the day, with the different sun intensities the colors are constantly changing.
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > We had volunteers from all over the World... volunteers worked a minimum of 8 weeks, 24 hrs a  week and in exchange were given full room and board, and the chance to mingle and help the Scientists present, also from all over the World in search of bugs... birds... rattle snakes... many species unique only to the local Mountains. I have to say... it was fun, entertaining, specially having been given a brand new 2  room cabin considering that everyone else was rooming 5 per. The advantages of... cooking!
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > The stream that you see was right behind my cabin!... the one over the road had to be crossed at least twice a day...

As you go West on Hwy #10, passed the New Mexico State line  Hwy #80 will take you South and past Hwy #9 which only goes left you will make a right toward Portal where the ascent starts toward the Station. A third of the way up, making a right will take you to Paradise, another small town and continuing straight will take you over the Mountain on a non paved road... a great 32 mile run, on  which I use to time myself... full of twisties... ruts... no so much incredibly challenging but definitely fun enough where one can pick up some speed and literally do some sliding around the curves...
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > The other side of the Mountain is the Chiricahua National Monument where the rocks are balanced on other rocks  like magic, placed there by some giant fingers many moons ago when the whole area was an active volcano, the Turkey Creek Volcano which erupted 27 million years ago... Many come for the day... with close to 12000 acres and 300 bird species... much more time is needed!... and trust me a big memory card for your  camera...
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > The deserts surrounding the area offered many loops. From a day ride to a few days, and as long as one had enough spare gas and  water, a good sleeping bag as the nights were cool, a small tent to avoid the crawling creatures, it was just a choice as to where to pitch! One does a lot of thinking when so isolated... the thought of overpopulated cities, incessant noises and its annoyances do crosses one&#8217;s mind.
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > I think those were the times I decided deep down, as I had already lived on sailboats for 28 years, that the "house" scenario was just not for  me... even though as you might know I did try it again not too long ago, spending 16 months at the foothills of the beautiful Georgia Mountains...
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > Going over the Mountains to the National Monuments will take you west and a left turn will take you south then... coming on 181  making a left will dead end you into the Chiricahua Park at an altitude of 9788 feet where the view is just astonishing. I can use many words to describe my views, but none will do justice and for the sake of not being redundant... you just need to go there yourself!
Ara Gureghian (Beemerchef) > When I arrived at the Station, end of February the  mountain pass was still not passable... covered with snow, cold... I had to wait over a month to finally adventure myself into riding those loops. Riding south a few more miles, making a left was another road parallel to the Station&#8217;s road... a little more challenging as I remember having to walk the bike through a couple  dry river beds where now only fairly nice size rocks were laying.
An ad in a Magazine caught my attention... The New York History Natural Museum has a Research Center in the Chiricahua Mountains, south east Arizona, about 5 miles up the road from Portal, 60 miles north of the border, exactly where the paved road stops, 5400 feet elevation, they needed a cook 3 days a week, and it was not too long after that I managed to get the job. Being overqualified my honesty to the situation let me jump through the hoops, take advantage of it I said... and soon it was a done deal and my path toward the west started.
 > An ad in a Magazine caught my attention... The New York History Natural Museum has a Research Center  in the Chiricahua Mountains, south east Arizona, about 5 miles up the road from Portal, 60 miles north of the border, exactly where the paved road stops, 5400 feet elevation, they needed a cook 3 days a week, and it was not too long after that I managed to get the job. Being overqualified my honesty to the situation let me jump through the hoops, take advantage of it I said... and soon it was a done deal and my path  toward the west started.
An ad in a Magazine caught my attention... The New York History Natural Museum has a Research Center in the Chiricahua Mountains, south east Arizona, about 5 miles up the road from Portal, 60 miles north of the border, exactly where the paved road stops, 5400 feet elevation, they needed a cook 3 days a week, and it was not too long after that I managed to get the job. Being overqualified my honesty to the situation let me jump through the hoops, take advantage of it I said... and soon it was a done deal and my path toward the west started.
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