Trip #112 (43): Southern Arizona: Kartchner, Ajo, Lake Havasu

Trip #112 (43): Southern AZ: Kartchner, Organ Pipe, Lake Havasu City

February 9 - 14, 2021

 

Tuesday, Feb. 9 – Left a nice Santa Fe (kind of a warm breeze though cool), drove south non-stop to outside Deming to stay at Butterfield Stage DQ campground. Beautiful day, so walked the length of the CG, got ice cream for later, made dinner and called it a day.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 10 – Moved on to Kartchner (site #56), just a short drive. I would call this park has two things: strict rules (no lights on at night and you can’t feed the birds) and it’s a dog show. Everyone is walking the loop with their dog. Fun to watch. After setting up, did a bit of the perimeter walk. I think I worked this night. There will be some working on this trip.

 

Thursday, Feb. 11 – Got buzzed by a Warthog about 10:30 am! He was so low he had to tip upward to miss the cavern mountain he was headed for! Was hoping for another, but none… Drove about 15 miles south-southeast to the Ghost town of Fairbank, the original train stop for Tombstone in the 1880s. Walked the 4 mile loop past the old (really rough)  cemetery and mill site and back to the town. Perfect day for a walk. And since we are only 9 miles from Tombstone – well, perfect place for lunch/early dinner! Not as busy as last time when there was a biker event last March, but plenty of people there. Had lunch at Crystal Palace, walked around but left empty handed. Oh well, next time.

 

Friday, Feb. 12 – Moved on to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Ajo (site #44), about a 2.5 hour drive from Benson area, and about 7 miles from the Mexican border. Listening to the bullsh*t second impeachment hearings, something to hear on our travels this week. Arrived to cloudy, gray clouds and even got a little rain after setting up, wow it does make a dirt and rain smell… Glad I had already decided to make spaghetti. Still streaming Deadliest Catch when and wherever I can. 40s at night, low 70s in the day

 

Saturday, Feb. 13 – Breezy and overcast, but good day to hike to the Victoria Mine site, just some holes and old rock structure. About 5.5 miles. Sore feet! Must be the rocky trail. Met a nice couple on the trail, in agreement about the Plandemic.. turns out they are right next to us in the CG. Mexico is burning junk, had a weird smoky smell over us a few times. Did some more work, and had taco night, windy out there.

 

Sunday, Feb. 14 – Breezy sunny morning.

 

RIP: Mary Wilson, Larry Flynt, Chick Corea, young Jeopardy guy

 

 

Trip #111 (42): Thanksgiving in Tucson

Trip #111 (42) – Thanksgiving in Tucson

Nov. 23 – 29, 2020

Monday, Nov. 23 –  Left a cool, overcast SF heading south thru NM. Had to stop at San Antonio for a Buckhorn green chile burger. Stayed outside Deming at Bowlin’s roadside unknown campground. Once you get past the souvenir shop and gas station, for $12 you drive west along a (very) dusty road, alongside the Interstate, and choose the full-hookup spot of your choice: electric, water AND sewer! In the middle of nowhere. Not bad for one night, but super windy. The sun was setting so stayed inside anyway.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Drove on to Tucson in a strong headwind, traffic is lighter but still a bit for the holiday week, despite Covid. Of course had to stop at In n Out for another burger… Arrived at Gilbert Ray Campground about 2pm only to find someone in our reserved spot. Skeleton crew here at camp, no hosts, so called the county (county park) and they sent someone out, just to give us another spot. Which turned out better anyway. Since 26A was filled (we think the park forgot to hang the reserved sign), we next took C1, huge, huge, so bill couldn’t figure out how to park (eye roll), ended up just backing in (like I said an hour ago), but it has it’s own water spigot. And no neighbors. Always seems to turn out this way for us. Anyway, beautiful cool 68 – 72 sunny weather, brought the bikes.

Wednesday, Nov. 25 – Bill’s Birthday. The big 71, he is thrilled. Drove around to Saguaro natl park which is closed (visitor center), kind of a crusty place anyway. Dinner at Charro downtown Tucson. Got a note from the host that we can’t hook up directly to the water. As if anyone anywhere would even know it was there. Gimme a break. Behind us and in the bushes.* Seemed more like a host spot.

Thursday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 – Went to the Sonora Desert Museum for almost 3 hours, pretty nice after you get past he imprisoned large animals. Dinner at Pastiche also past downtown. Not bad but busy and got cold food.

Friday, Nov 27 – deciding… hike or shop. We did both. Wandered around the desert a few miles down the road, me killing mistletoe yay!, then on to antique shops looking for a cabinet. Did find one, from a store in India from the 1950s they said, but it wasn’t too exciting, but not bad.

Saturday, Nov 28 – Heading toward home, staying a night at Indian Bread Rocks in AZ, south of Bowie. A boondocking area, pretty full that day, but we managed to find a spot. Not a lot to do there, but walk around the rocks. But it’s one one night. And free, of course.

Sunday, Nov. 29 – Final night in T or C at Presidio Del Rio, a deserted camground east of town near the dam for Elephant Butte lake. A little scary but fine. Looks like the locals use it to walk their dogs… and sell drugs. Seems there was one spot where a squatter setup shop in a shelter along with his little car and had some traffic in and out.

RIP: David Dinkins