Feb., 2019
Well It's happened again, I've gotten complacent and over two months has passed since I started the below post. Here's what happened last December. The next post will have pictures from our time here in Tucson.
Dec. 16, 2018
Well It's happened again, I've gotten complacent and over two months has passed since I started the below post. Here's what happened last December. The next post will have pictures from our time here in Tucson.
Dec. 16, 2018
We spent a couple of months in Ajo last year volunteering for Cabeza Preita NWR and staying in Shadow Ridge RV Resort, on Cabeza's dime. We enjoyed our time in Ajo and working for Cabeza but earlier this year we decided to take a break from volunteering and focus on traveling. The desert just south of Ajo is famous for boondocking opportunities. With all our resources topped of in Yuma we were looking forward to sampling the desert life and a nice long stay.
With all the time we spent here last year we never got around to scouting some potential campsites so we were flying by the seat of our pants. I'd done a lot of research, reading blogs from past visitors and studying the Google earth images. However, everything is very different when your on the ground. Also, just because you know of a good site, there may be someone already in it. We stayed on the main road (aka: the Ajo Scenic Loop) for fear of going down a road where we couldn't turn around. Even on the Scenic Loop road, there's a point where we'd have to turn around because of some tight turns and deep dips.
Well to make a long story short...er... we did find a good site. From the road it just looked like a spot to back in and park. However, by going deeper it opened up to a nice level site not obvious from the road. At about 100 yards in we could see vehicles going past but couldn't see the road itself. That kept the noise down significantly and we never got any dust from passing cars. Also, anyone with a rig our size probably thought it was too tight to back into. I on the other hand thought, yeah, we can do that! Well, it proved to be much more difficult than I thought. Yes, we did make it in and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there but it took quite a few try's to find just the right line in.
We stayed 10 days and decided that was about the extent of our time without going into town for a dump and refill.. In these situations you learn the value of conserving resources. We did make some trips into town, just a few miles but it took 20 min. We had to get groceries for a few events we'd be attending and to visit friends.
With all the time we spent here last year we never got around to scouting some potential campsites so we were flying by the seat of our pants. I'd done a lot of research, reading blogs from past visitors and studying the Google earth images. However, everything is very different when your on the ground. Also, just because you know of a good site, there may be someone already in it. We stayed on the main road (aka: the Ajo Scenic Loop) for fear of going down a road where we couldn't turn around. Even on the Scenic Loop road, there's a point where we'd have to turn around because of some tight turns and deep dips.
Well to make a long story short...er... we did find a good site. From the road it just looked like a spot to back in and park. However, by going deeper it opened up to a nice level site not obvious from the road. At about 100 yards in we could see vehicles going past but couldn't see the road itself. That kept the noise down significantly and we never got any dust from passing cars. Also, anyone with a rig our size probably thought it was too tight to back into. I on the other hand thought, yeah, we can do that! Well, it proved to be much more difficult than I thought. Yes, we did make it in and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there but it took quite a few try's to find just the right line in.
We stayed 10 days and decided that was about the extent of our time without going into town for a dump and refill.. In these situations you learn the value of conserving resources. We did make some trips into town, just a few miles but it took 20 min. We had to get groceries for a few events we'd be attending and to visit friends.
Our site as seen from near the road.
Almost full moon rising in the misty eastern sky at sundown.
Another moon rise.
We woke up one morning with a bright orange light filling the windows. By the time I got up and out the door this is what was left of the sunrise, still not bad.
Joan looking at some birds on one of our many walks in the desert.
Ocotillo fully leafed out after the recent rains...
... they usually look like a bunch of thorny sicks.
Baby Organ Pipe Cactus nestled amongst the blooming Desert Senna with grandma Organ Pipe looking on.
When we started traveling 4 years ago, we wanted to get a personalized plate for the front of the truck. The idea kind of lingered without us actively looking for a way to get it done. While in Yuma we went to a flea market and found a booth that could do just what we wanted.
Some friends we met last year, Nick and Gail, invited us to a Winter Solstice party in the desert west of Ajo. Good friends, good food and a good time.
As the sun was setting in the west, the full moon was rising in the east.
As Christmas approached, so did a cold front. We'd been in the desert 10 days and decided to move into Ajo and spend a week at Shadow Ridge RV Resort before heading to Tucson on Jan 1.
Our camper size Christmas tree.
Here's a few pictures from around Ajo.
Be careful what you wish for...
Ok, how'd they get them up there... and how'll they get'm down.
Coming next, Tucson AZ, 2019.
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