Civil War Re-Enactment

We have 2 stores located on Interstate 10 (Exit 219) between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.  Our Picacho Peak store not only offers souvenirs, Indian Handmade Jewelry, and other fine gifts, but the Dairy Queen (attached to our store) serves a full selection of Brazier items and DQ Treats all day long. It is a welcome oasis as you travel in the southern Arizona desert. Why not sit for a spell and look out the huge picture windows while you lunch on an Ultimate Burger or cool off with a DQ Blizzard. Scenic Picacho Peak sits directly in front of you, its towering chimney-like presence dotted with Saguro cactus that have lived in this area for hundreds of years. 

Our second store, Picacho Peak Plaza,  is right across the street. Picacho Peak Plaza is the newer, state-of-the-art Travel Center, added to the list of Bowlin stores serving the southwest. It is located directly across from its sister location on Interstate 10 (Exit 219), the Picacho Peak Dairy Queen Travel Center. This beautifully designed store is stunning...and it's stocked full of your favorite Bowlin merchandise as well as a few new surprises. We carry an enormous selection of southwestern gifts and souvenirs. We also have Native American handcrafted jewelry, Mexican Imports, and much much more. When you stop in you will be amazed by our life sized grizzly bear and our homage to John Wayne on his horse. We even have a nice Convenience Store section with tables and chairs for relaxin'.  Bowlin Travel Centers have been a part of the Picacho Peak landscape since 1985 and serve the traveling public for both the north and southbound traffic.

These stores are a perfect place to stop if you plan on attending the 2012 Civil War Re-Enactment on March 9-11. Each year, for the past 150 years, visitors travel from around the country to experience historic battle re-enactments complete with lifestyles of the soldiers in the southwest during the 1860s. Be a part of this exciting event...and make sure to stop and enjoy our beautiful jewelry, Mexican pottery, or souvenir items. Our staff at Picacho Peak Dairy Queen Travel Center and Picacho Peak Plaza will be sure to show you true southwestern hospitality!

Western Boots Just In!

We are very excited to introduce our addition of western boots sold exclusively online! These men and women boots are made by Montana Boots USA.  For over 70 years, the workers and artisans of Montana Boots have used the finest leather and boot making skills to create comfortable, durable and fashionable western boots. These boots are made using exotic leathers from around the world, some with the most intricate inlays, others out of rugged leathers for cowboys riding the range. Montana Boots are authentic in quality, style, and construction. Each boot is hand lasted, hand stitched, and hand cut. The leather soles are cut from leather bends at the factory and genuine leather heels are crafted layer-by-layer. The three-quarter welt boots are hand-pegged with 44 wood pegs, and each boot is hand finished by expert finishers. Each stage of construction is an example of the best possible methods in boot making.  Head to our online store at www.bowlinonline.com to check out our wide variety of western boots!
 Montana Boots USA - The Authentic Western Boot Still Handmade Since 1938

Flying C Ranch

 

Bowlin Travel Centers, Inc. has 10 store locations and 5 Dairy Queens across New Mexico and Arizona.  Most of our stores are along Interstate 10 and Interstate 40.  Our featured store this month is Flying C Ranch, located on Interstate 40, close to the middle of New Mexico.  

Flying C Ranch is not a real "working" ranch, but it is a tremendous place to stop for a while when traveling through the vast expanse of New Mexico.  This store is located approximately 70 miles east of Albuquerque and 40 miles west of Santa Rosa. Flying C Ranch has the original, large selection of merchandise that is offered at all of our Bowlin Stores, but this store has a better than average selection of T-shirts, bajas, Indian and Mexican made blankets, and Native American Handcrafted Jewelry. Exxon® fuel is available along with 24 hr. pay at the pump service. 

In addition to the store, we also feature a Dairy Queen located here. This Dairy Queen® has a large menu of Brazier® items and DQ Treats® available for you any time of the day.  Before you head on down the road, you will want to be sure to fill yourself up too. So on your next trip through New Mexico, why not stop at the Flying C Ranch and let us show you some true southern hospitality!

Hand Painted Ornaments

Christmas is here, and that means many of us are decorating our Christmas trees!  If you want bright, colorful ornaments, visit us online at www.bowlinonline.com.  We offer a wonderful assortment of hand painted ornaments. All of these ornaments are hand painted from the inside!  Each ornament is hand-painted by a skilled artisan using special narrow brushes and pointed sticks. 

The painting begins with the artist carefully outlining the design for the ornament inside the globe.  Next comes the more difficult step of slowly filling in the colors that brings these designs to life using the reverse glass painting technique.

This entire process in creating these ornaments requires several days to complete, and since each ornament is hand painted, no two are alike.  Each ornament is a unique collectible (that comes in its own gift box)!  These beautiful ornaments are the perfect addition to any Christmas tree! 

Native American Artifacts

Our carefully crafted artifacts are modern day replicas of historical artifacts used by the Native Americans.  Take a look at the Medicine Wheel to the right. It represents the circle of life.  The center cross bar symbolizes the four winds, four seasons, four directions and four teachers.  It is considered to be good luck by the Native Americans.  Many Natives display it in their homes for protection. When you purchase one of our artifacts, you will receive a Certificate of Authenticity including the name of the Native American responsible for crafting it.

One of our Featured Artists-Curtis Bitsui
Curtis Bitsui is a great example of a modern Native American Navajo who is preserving his heritage while working in the 21st century world.  The Navajo Nation, where Bitsui and many skilled artisans originate, extends into the states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. 

Curtis has been making artifacts for over 15 years.  His bows, quivers, and arrows are all made by hand using buckskin with hand stitching and braiding, representing traditional handcrafted Indian artifacts.  Many of his bow and quiver sets also have genuine red fox or coyote fur, real glass beads, and prayer feathers.  Curtis' business has grown from a one-man shop to employing many Native Americans from the Reservation.  As a leader among his people, he offers hand crafted Indian crafts that have become sought after around the world.

Rattlesnake Beer Mug

Our company is notorious for carrying unique, one of a kind items.  For years we have sold the coiled rattlesnake beer mug featured at the right, but it wasn't until just recently that they became extremely popular!  An actress bought this mug-the same one we have been selling for years-for night time talk show host Craig Ferguson.  Since that episode aired, we have been selling these mugs at an unbelievable rate! 

Our mugs are different from others in the sense that our coiled rattlesnake mugs are hand painted...created by artist Jack Graham.  Upon the purchase of one of these coiled rattlesnake mugs, you will find Graham's name signed on the bottom!  Why not go to www.bowlinonline.com and purchase one of these unique, nationally televised coiled rattlesnake mugs for Christmas!  It is sure to be the hit in any home or office!

The Legend of Black Hills Gold

Most people don't know the story of how Black Hills Gold came to be.  Well, as the legend goes, a young Frenchman came to the Black Hills in South Dakota, seeking a fortune in gold.  His search for gold was more difficult than expected...discouraged, tired, and homesick, he fell in to a deep sleep.  That night, he dreamed of the beautiful vineyards in his homeland.
 
Awakening feeling refreshed, this Frenchman decided he would purchase gold from other prospectors, and harden the metal into green, rose, and yellow karat gold.  Inspired by his dream, he made grape leaves and clusters of 3 colors...creating Black Hills Gold!

This authentic Black Hills Gold Jewelry by South Dakota Gold is made in the USA.  The pure 10 karat gold is alloyed to create the soft colors of pink and green that you see on these jewelry pieces.  Each piece is warranted against defects in workmanship and manufacturing for the life of the product.

Come visit us at www.bowlinonline.com where all of our Black Hills Gold is currently 50% off!   Happy Shopping!