My dad lived in Ajo, AZ, in the 1930s and 40s, and I grew up with stories of the Christmas when he wore a wool suit to mass and nearly melted, of his best friend Charlie Corella, of the cross on the hill overlooking the mine…
He was in his late 20s, and it was a very special time in his life. He always had a story from Ajo to share. When I visited here last year, I found my dad’s name on their museum’s Wall of Honor for World War II veterans who left from Ajo.
Yesterday, we arrived at the museum after closing, but Louie Walters, the museum president, was just locking up and offered to let us in.
While I took my mom to the Wall of Honor, Louie pulled out a binder and started researching my dad’s name. A few flips of the binder pages and he found a reference to Eugene Joseph Hughes from the Ajo Copper News. It mentioned an Elks banquet in 1941 honoring dad for answering the call of duty.
It was a thrill to find another tidbit from my dad’s life. I miss him terribly, and it’s moments like this that bring back fresh memories of the most important man in my life.
After Dark
Between the extra time we spent exchanging stories with Louie about my dad’s life in Ajo and the time it took to eat our meal at the local “fancy” restaurant (burgers and tacos for us), it was after dark before we started figuring where we’d stay for the night. My mom was really hoping for a “real” shower. Unfortunately, the place in town with the best showers had no vacancy, as did the #2 place in town.
We opted to head to Why, where the campground is nice, but the showers aren’t quite as pretty.
January Showers
This morning, we had desert drizzle… it was raining, but we weren’t really getting wet. I walked my mom down to the showers. To address the mildew issue inside, she brought Lysol and disinfectant wipes. While she was busy washing up, I chatted with a guy who has been hopping around the country, but settled in Ajo.
After about thirty minutes, mom walked out of the bathroom with a disgusted look on her face. “I couldn’t get any hot water… And I wasn’t about to clean another shower to see if it had hot water.” All that work, and she didn’t get her shower.
Back to the RV, where I helped her take an RV shower. I won’t share the details, but let’s just say we had to laugh… otherwise, we’d both cry from embarrassment.
Looking Back
Here’s a little video we did about our visit last year… yesterday, we found out that Charlie’s wife Carmelita died last May. Rest in peace Carmelita and Charlie… and dad.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the fact you’re traveling with your mom. It must be such a (different) but sweet experience to share.
You’re a dandy, Liam…I hope you’re having a wonderful time hosting your mom. My best to all of you.
I always thought your mom and dad, were from Ishpeming? how did they get from Arizona to the U.P.?
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to friendship. If only we had known you were looking for mother. I can see her face with surprise and delight had the meeting taken place. We, their children, will have to continue their journey by adding chapters to their beautiful friendship.
Wow, Liam, I wish my Nana (Carmelita) was here to greet you. She would have been overjoyed to share stories of my Tata and Ajo with you. Thank you for remembering them in your travels. Peace to you on your journey.