AL SPENDS THE NIGHT IN A TUCSON HOSPITAL:((

SOUTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 80 THROUGH THE SAN PEDRO VALLEY
Tuesday’s all day rain enabled me to finish the blog and post it on the early side yesterday.  Good thing I did because about half an hour later I suddenly felt a worsening pain in my lower left back.  Within minutes I recognized the tell tale signs of an old and very painful enemy.  Kidney Stone!!!!

Anyone ever having a kidney stone will understand the world of pain I am talking about.  Had one back in October of 07.  We were heading for the Southwest at the time when I ended up in a hospital emergency room in Limon, Colorado.

Tuesday nights pain just continued to get worse.  Tried a couple extra strength Tylenol but who was I trying to kid.  Last place I wanted to go was the hospital again but by 10 o’clock I could not stand the pain any longer and through in the  towel.  I knew what this was going to do to our health insurance coverage next year.

Kelly had gone to bed but I had to wake her up.  Threw up in the washroom because of the pain.  Kelly scrambled to get dressed and we were soon in the Jeep with our Garmin looking for a hospital.  At least Kelly got dressed, I didn’t.  I was still in my pajamas.  You will remember my mismatched night attire from a few blogs ago.  A few wrong turns along the way but we finally managed to find THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MEDICAL CENTER.  You may remember this hospital as the one Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was taken to after being shot on January 8th of this year during a meeting with constituents in a Tucson shopping plaza.

I’m not going to go into a long detailed story about what happened next so let’s just give the hospital the benefit of the doubt and say they were very busy I guess.  Despite my obvious writhing in pain I did not receive a saving shot of morphine until nearly two hours after walking through the doors of the Emergency room.  After all, the reams of paperwork are of prime concern, right!!

I was placed on a comfy bed in an isolation room with a pressure/heart/temperature monitoring system on one arm and and an IV drip on the other.  That IV thing was painful going into my arm.  Buckets of blood were drained.  Turns out, despite the pain, I was the lucky one though.  Poor Kelly spent the entire night sitting on a chair near my bed.  I insisted she go back to the rig but she opted to stay.  If you knew of Kelly’s sleep priority you would understand her sacrifice.

The morphine shot only took the edge of the pain and at 3 a.m. they administered something else called, T?????  and that did the trick in bringing the pain factor down to zero.  Also put me into the woozy zone.  I remember seeing Kelly sitting at an odd angle in the straight backed chair with eyes closed trying to find a few scraps of sleep.

Sometime in the predawn hours I was wheeled down a series of hallways finally ending up face to face with a ‘Cat Scan’ machine.  This was a painless procedure that took only a few minutes.  Noticed in that short period of time the Scan operator received 7 cell phone calls.

A Doctor finally came in sometime later apologizing profusely for all the delays that had occurred after we had first entered the hospital.  He also had the results of the Cat Scan.  Not so good:((  I have a large 1.5 centimeter kidney stone that is too large to be pass naturally.  Only 3 ways to get a stone that large out of the human body.  Dynamite, ultra sound waves to smash the stone and…..well, let’s just say the third procedure just kinda makes my eyes water a bit!!

I was going to have to see a Urologist as soon as possible because they are the people who perform those kinds of procedures.  As hard as he tried, the Doctor could not get me an appointment until December 21rst.  Not good but that is the way it is.  I have to be back at the Tucson hospital at 10 a.m. to have this large rock removed one way or the other.  Maybe the dynamite option would be quick and painless. 

HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS DEAD AHEAD
Kelly did manage to slip back to our rig for an hour around 6:30 to let the poor little doggy guys out for a pee.  She returned to the hospital and we waited until after nine to get the final paperwork and prescriptions all worked out.  I am not a pill guy and do not like having to take pills of any kind but it looks like the next 7 days they have me on some pretty powerful pain killing drugs.  Oxycodone 325mg and Ibuprofen 800mg.  It was another 40 minute wait at the hospitals pharmacy to get these prescriptions filled.  And yes, I was aware of the stares I was getting with my mismatched plaid pajama outfit, old green robe, brown hush puppies and beige baseball with Bayfield Bunch Canada written on it.

How nice it was to walk out of that 10 hour hospital ordeal into a bright sunny morning.  The snow on the surrounding mountains looked especially beautiful and picturesque.  Of all large cites in North America I think Tucson is one of my favs.  I drove the mile or so back to the rig making the usual wrong turns of course.  Kelly made those same  wrong turns when driving back earlier in the dark in the morning rush.

EXITING THE TUCSON HOSPITAL THIS MORNING
We weren’t long in getting the rig packed up for travel and by 10:35 we rolled out of the Lazy Days service yard headed for Cochise County and the Ranch.  I just kept marveling at the snow capped mountains and blue skies with big white puffy clouds.  What a great feeling it was knowing we were heading for the land of many memories.

A right turn off I-10 on highway 90 at Benson took us south past the Kartchner Caverns and down the San Pedro Valley.  The landscape took on a warm familiar look as I gazed across the Valley at the Dragoon Mountains to the East.  Straight ahead lay the memorable Huachuca Mountains.  The domed Naco Peak in Mexico loomed high off the desert floor.  To the east of Naco Peak lay the Mule Mountains with their arms lovingly wrapped around their little Alpine jewel, Bisbee.
South of Tombstone we swung east on Davis Road and rolled right on through between the Dragoon and Mule Mountains.  This winding road over hill and dale led us into the Sulphur Springs Valley where the Ranch is located.  How great it was to once again see the heavily snow capped Chiricahua Mountains to the far left and the Swiss Helm Mountains straight ahead.  So many memories and so many memories to come.

Rolled through the gates of the ranch at 12:30 making it in slightly under 2 hours from Tucson.  Jeanie and Ray were working about in the yard and how great to see them again.  Ranch dogs Pearce and Gleeson are fine but have noticeably slowed down from a couple years ago when we were here.  Chickens are all doing great but don’t lay eggs anymore.  Charlie the cat has moved indoors.  And, ranch donkeys Poncho and Sarah are still here but married off their young daughter Nellie to a handsome young donkey fellow up the valley.

IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING SET UP AT THE RANCH
Kelly and Jeanie headed off to Sierra Vista for a little shopping while Ray and I got caught up on 'what’s new'.  So nice to be back at the Ranch again after a couple years.  Last year we were at a different property a few miles away over near Elfrida.  Awwww yes, let those big beautiful sunrises and sunsets begin:))

ON DAVIS ROAD BETWEEN THE MULE AND DRAGOON MOUNTAIN RANGES
GROANER’S CORNER:((  After a long, dry sermon, the minister announced that he wished to meet with the board following the close of the service.
The first man to arrive and greet the minister was a total stranger. "You misunderstood my announcement. This is a meeting of the board members," explained the minister.
"I know," said the man, "but if there is anyone here more bored than I am, then I'd like to meet him..."
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The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
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TUCSON ARIZONA TO DARBY WELLS ROAD…AJO

HEADING WEST THIS MORNING ON HIGHWAY 86 WITH KITT PEAK AHEAD
How nice to not only step outside Thursday night under starry skies but to step outside in a warmer desert sky was a real treat.  The sky was alive with stars and constellations.  Spotted winter’s dominant constellation Orion rising in the East just above the large rock face behind our rig.  Orion will travel high across the southern sky for the entire winter.

KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY AS SEEN THROUGH MY CAMERA LENS EARLY THIS MORNING
Parked just across from us was a fellow and his dog camped in their Class A Motorhome.  His name was Mike and his little dog was Corky.  Corky and the Pheebs got along famously and ran, jumped and played together this morning while we talked to Mike.  Boon docking sites and information were exchanged and we now have a few more ideas.

MIKE AND CORKY’S HOUSE
 
CORKY, MIKE AND PHEEBS….CORKY
Almost 10 a.m. before got the big wheels rolling west along a familiar stretch of road.  The Ajo Way highway heading west out of southern Tucson is a scenic drive. It’s a quiet mainly straight road running across the floor of the Sonoran desert ending at a T intersection in Why Arizona nearly a hundred miles away. The KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY is accessed from this highway.

CORKY PLANTS A SMOOCH ON PHEEBE’S NOSE
The highway slowly picks it’s way through Saguaro Cactus, Mesquite and Palo Verde trees, Cholla, Sotol, Desert Spoons, Prickly and Beaver Tail Cactus to mention just a few of the abundant green growing desert plant life. I particularly enjoy the mountain scenery ringing the horizon all way round.  Highway 86 is a fairly straight and flat road for about two thirds of it’s way and is a nice quiet alternative heading west if your not in a big hurry and want to avoid going through Tucson along busy I-10.

EVEN LITTLE CORA GOT INTO THE ACTION THIS MORNING 
But, a few cautions about this highway. It is a narrow ‘no mistakes’ road with no shoulders as you travel further west. If you drop a wheel off the pavement you are in some very big serious trouble. But, the challenge and excitement are there and the scenery is great.  The road is guaranteed to keep you on your toes. At the western end maybe 20 miles east of Why Arizona the road also has enough tricky curves, dips and hollows in it for you to keep both hands on the steering wheel:)) 

HIGHWAY 86 HEADING WEST
Nice memories as we rolled past the road leading up to Kitt Peak.  We were driving a truck and fifth wheel the day we pulled of the road at the base of the mountain that time.  Unhooked the fifth wheel and I drove the truck up to see the Observatories.  Great scenic and winding drive up and down that mountain.  Kelly stayed with the 5th wheel digging up some cactus and gathering some rocks.

Our continuing drive west to Why today under cloudy skies was uneventful and it was nice to relive some more old memories as we passed by the Hickiwan Trails RV Park.  Kelly and I did their blogsite for them about 3 years ago.  I will always remember Hickiwan Trails for the many great morning desert walks we used to take.  It was our first Snow Bird year on the road and Hickiwan Trails was the first RV Park we really stopped at and spent any time.  Max, Checkers and the Motormouse were a little younger then and the two big guys really liked fanning out on either side of us exploring the flat desert floor ahead.  I miss those two big guys.

We will slip back to Hickiwan Trails in the next few days and visit with Hickiwan Ray who looks after the Park.  Nice personable fellow and easy to get along with.  He has made this Park what it is today.

Highway 86 will also land you just a few short miles from Organ Pipe National Monument where you can take a very scenic 25 mile loop drive through the Ajo Mountain range. We have done that loop 3 times.

Eleven miles past Hickiwan Trails on the highway leading from Gila Bend to Lukeville on the Mexican border is the once booming town of Ajo Arizona.  Not too much booming there anymore but it’s a quiet little place and home to a fair few Snow Birders.  West of Ajo is a loop road called Darby Wells.  This is a great scenic boon docking area that we stayed at for about week back in February of 2008.  We knew it would be quiet here and easy for us to find a good spot this time of year.   Gets busier after Christmas when the boon docking Snow Birds land in this area.

The Sonoran desert is thought of as the ‘green desert’ because of it’s wide diversity of vegetation and plant life. It is the greenest of all desert types and for that reason it is our favorite. This whole area is just another great scenic part of big beautiful Arizona.

TURNING WEST ONTO THE SOUTHERN END OF DARBY WELLS ROAD…THE MOUNTAIN AT TOP LEFT WAS MADE BY NATURE AND THE ONE ON RIGHT WAS MADE BY MAN.
Parked the rig at the side of dusty Darby Wells road and unhooked the Jeep.  With laptop on board we Jeeped ourselves around the area looking at different spots among the tall cactus.  Some roads are not much different than a couple wide hard packed tire tacks and we had to keep in mind the size and ease with which we could get the big rig down some of these little tire track roads.  Every time we found a possible site Kelly checked the laptop for a Verizon connection.  Only saw 4 other rigs scattered about and I should add that we did later get an acceptable Verizon connection and half a dozen clear TV channels.  No cell phone.

JEEPING AROUND LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE BOON DOCKING SITE
Finally picked a spot not far from where we had parked the rig.  Managed to get me some fresh desert pin stripping on the coach as I wiggled and squiggled it in and around some scratchy Mesquite shrubs and prickly Cholla cactus.   Leveled it up near some towering Saguaro Cactus and that was it.   Ocotillo’s, Organ Pipe Cactus and a variety of other desert shrubs are now back dropped by yet another new set of surrounding mountains.  Love it when we can just change our surroundings any time we want.  Our weather is a bit on the cold side with a slight breeze under cloudy skies but I am sure the big Arizona sun will find us shortly once it knows we are here:))

THAT’S AN ORGAN PIPE CACTUS IN OUR SIDE YARD:))
A Shout out to Renee and Dave up there in that Datil place in New Mexico.  We plan to be in your area on our return journey in late winter or early Spring.  It has been on our list for the past 3 years.  Interested in the lay of the land and property values in your neighborhood:))
RV TRAVELS IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE joined our Blog Followers list a few days ago and we say welcome folks and thanks for climbing aboard.

HOPE THAT HEAVY OVERCAST BLOWS AWAY OVERNIGHT
GROANER’S CORNER:((  After spending nearly half a day enduring the long lines, surly clerks and insane regulations at the department of motor vehicles, a lady stops at a toy store to pick up a baseball bat as a gift for her son.  Cash or charge, the clerk asks.  Cash, she snaps. Then, apologizing for her rudeness, she explains I’ve spent the afternoon at the motor-vehicle bureau. I am way past sane.  Shall I gift-wrap the bat the clerk asks sweetly, or are you going back there?
---------------------------------------------------------------Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
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The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
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FROM A FREEZING 32F THIS MORNING IN NEW MEXICO TO A SWELTERING 81F THIS AFTERNOON IN ARIZONA:))

FROST ON THE JEEP’S WINDSHIELD AND FROM A FREEZING 32F THIS MORNING WE HEADED FURTHER WEST TO A SWELTERING 81F THIS AFTERNOON
After double checking the areas weather again this morning in Truth Or Consequences New Mexico we made a snap decision to change our plans and make some fast tracks further west into Arizona.  On Thursday we had planned to do laundry and take a drive over to Elephant Butte State Park to see if we could locate RV SUE AND HER CANINE CREW as well as another couple she knows there.  Friday we had planned to head up into the Silver City area to Glenwood and do the ‘Catwalk’ that John and Judy at RV LIFE ON WHEELS had done last week.  With the incoming storm front packing possibly heavy rains we just did not feel like sitting here in this areas colder temperatures for the next 3 or 4 days with a poor Verizon connection, no cell phone and few TV channels.  We also received an email that required attention so needed a strong Skype connection.  Our plans are to slide back this way on our return journey later this winter and do the Glenwood area and some other New Mexico spots then.  Just gotta love New Mexico:))

WE QUIETLY TIPPY TOED THROUGH DOWNTOWN TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES EARLY THIS MORNING
Due to our poor Verizon connection in T or C I have not been able to access photos in some blogs or leave comments in others. My ‘Shout Box’ and ‘Blog Followers’ list wouldn’t open either. Fell asleep waiting for my blog to publish Wednesday night so it may have taken nearly an hour or maybe more.

THIS ONE PHOTO ABOUT SUMS UP THE CHILI PEPPER NEW MEXICO TOWN OF HATCH
I had unhooked the Jeep Wednesday night in preparation for our stay in Truth or Consequences but first thing this morning at 32F I scraped the ice off the Jeep’s windshield and hooked it back up to the Motor Home.  Total distance driving the Jeep while unhooked…oh maybe 30 feet!!  We were back on the road by 7:20 heading for that big old Arizony State and the Sonoran Desert.  I programed Tucson into my computer head, pulled my hat down, fixed me a stare on the western horizon, wiggled my ears, twitched my nose and we were off. Oh, how we are looking forward to warmer temps and big Saguaro Cactus again:))))))))

NOW, THAT IS A LOT OF SOLAR POWER
Ok, before I go any further, here’s something I messed up in Tuesday’s blog.  I mentioned about a self guided audio Auto Tour at Valley Of Fires.  That is incorrect!!  I got the Auto Tour mixed up with the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.  No driving tours over the Lava Flow!!  I have since made the correction in Tuesday’s post.
I THINK SOMEBODY HAS A ‘MAD ON’

Once again a beautiful clear morning for driving.  Heading south on I-25 the surrounding distant mountains looked majestic wrapped in their early morning blue gray haze.  Took the shortcut to Deming through Hatch and rolled through there at 8:10.  A distant wave and hello to fellow RV Blogger BOONIE somewhere in the desert south of Hatch.  We met Boonie up in Silver City one time.

THE TEXAS CANYON REST AREA ON I-10 JUST EAST OF BENSON ARIZONA
About 25 minutes later I recognized a familiar mountain ridge looming out of the desert floor on the southwestern horizon.  It was the razor backed ridge of the Little Florida Mountains.  I knew Deming was just to the northwest of them and by 9 we were in downtown Deming itself.

LOOKING WEST ALONG I-10 IN THE DIRECTION OF BENSON
An hour later we were westbound out of Deming with a full fuel tank, full propane tank and 4 full tummy tanks.  I was able to share a couple McDonald’s Burritos with the Kids:))  Looked southward as we left Deming to see another favorite set of mountains.  The 3 Sisters just north of Columbus were still there so all was still right with the world.

Two heads are better than one and not long after leaving Deming we had another example of that again.  First, let me say, just as I always have….I believe women are far smarter than men…period!! At normal highway speed our rig’s tachometer usually runs about 2100 rpms.  I noticed after awhile we were running at 32 and 3300 rpms and the rig didn’t seem to want to shift into it’s final gear.  I spent a fair bit of time thinking about this, slowing down, speeding up, shifting gears and just basically grumbling to myself with all kinds of worse case scenarios.  Finally mentioned it to Kelly who took all of 3 seconds to diagnose the problem.  She said, “is that overdrive switch in the right place?”  BINGO!!  Seems a little Pheebs nose, paw or happily wagging Bum had clipped that switch which is low on the dash.  I flicked the overdrive switch back to where it should be and the rig immediately shifted into it’s normal drive mode and the revs dropped back down to 2100.  Let me tell you folks, I happen to know a few things about the fair opposite sex and when I tell you they have it all over us guys I know what I am talking about.  Trust me:))

THESE TWO LITTLE DOGGY BUMS ARE FOCUSED ON MY TURKEY SANDWICH WHICH JUST CAME UP FROM THE RIG’S GALLEY
East of Lordsburg I began scanning the mountain ranges to the south because we were approaching some very familiar territory and it wasn’t long before I spotted the long hulking grey shape of the mighty Chiricahua Mountains towering higher than the closer Peloncillo Mountains.

A big wave to John and Judy at RV LIFE ON WHEELS who we knew were just down the Animas Valley at RUSTY'S RV RANCH near Portal Arizona.  Crossed the Arizona State line 5 minutes later.  If any of you folks have not been to the Portal Arizona area, mark it down in your travel plans because you are going to want to go there.  Type Portal or Paradise or even John McAfee into our ‘Search’ bar.

As we headed west on I-10 between Wilcox and Benson Arizona my head was awhirl with countless great memories from our time spent here in the Sulphur Springs Valley between the Chiricahua and Dragoon Mountain ranges.  There was Bowie peak which brought back our hike to Fort Bowie a couple years ago.  Remember to type these places into our Search bar.  The twin peaks of Dos Cabezas brought more memories.  Passed the Cochise Stronghold exit at 12:20 p.m.  Caught a distant glimpse of the Swiss Helm Mountains and the memories in my head just rolled on and on.  Tombstone, Elfrida, The Ranch, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Paws and Hooves, Pearce, Grapevine Canyon Ranch, the Lazy W Ranch, Bisbee, Rucker Canyon and on and on and on.  I am already looking forward to getting back to this whole area later this winter.  The very area that has been so good to us these past 3 years and an area I definitely consider our second home.

KELLY AND THE MOTORMOUSE ARE DWARFED BY THE HUGE ROCKS AT THE TEX CANYON REST AREA
A big Hi-Ho Silver wave to JERRY AND SUZY as we rolled past Benson Arizona at 1 o’clock.  See you guys later this winter:))  Noticed the traffic really picked up at Benson and was steady all the way to Tucson.

PICKING OUR WAY WEST ON THE AJO WAY IN SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA
There is a stretch of I-10 where we always closely watch for our first Saguaro Cactus every time.  Watch for the small sign that says Davidson Canyon and look immediately down to your right.  Saguaros:))  Yaaaay, we are in the Sonoran desert once again.

PHEEBS KICKS UP DUST AS SHE RACES FOR THE MOTOR HOME AFTER KELLY CALLED HER FOR SUPPER…WEST OF TUCSON ARIZONA NEAR THE AJO WAY
It’s the day before Thanksgiving and one of the heaviest traffic days of the year so I wasn’t wasting any time as I swung the rig off I-10 onto the Ajo Way.  Traffic was heavy stop and go from traffic light to traffic light with a couple jamming stops for amber lights which re-arranged some furniture for us.  But, it wasn’t long and we were free of the City’s grip and out onto the desert floor.

SUDDEN STOPS HAVE A WAY OF RE-ORGANIZING THINGS IN RV VEHICLES
A few years ago we had spotted a boon docking area on the northeast corner of Ajo Way and San Joaquin road so that is where we headed and that is where we are right now nestled up against a large rock face with the whole city of Tucson just on the other side.  It’s 81F and we are just a cookin.  Didn’t take me long to haul off my too warm T-shirt and get myself into a light cooling shirt.  Looking forward to the cooler desert nights.  Yep, we are finally in nice warm air and that’s a big 10-4:))  In the morning we will be on the road again for another hundred miles and tomorrow night we’ll be all set up in one of our all time favorite boon docking areas. But, if there is poor or no Verizon service there we will have to move on.  It is imperative that Kelly has a good Verizon and cell phone connection for her Deer Park Lodge work.

WE ARE ALL SNUGLY TUCKED AWAY FOR THE NIGHT UNDER WARM ARIZONA SKY’S
While typing this tonight I suddenly remembered something.  We have 4 boxes of Shreddies cereal packed away for an RV couple camp hosting at the Kartchner Caverns.  We totally forgot to drop those off today and blew right by that exit back in Benson.  I hope those folks can hold out until we get back in the area later.

THIS IS A 300mm SHOT OF KITT PEAK ABOUT 45 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE WE ARE BOON DOCKED…YOU CAN SEE A COUPLE OF THE OBSERVATORIES JUST LEFT OF CENTER…I SPENT A COUPLE HOURS UP THERE 4 YEARS AGO AND REMEMBER TOURING THE TALLER ONE VISIBLE IN THE PHOTO…IF I WOULD HAVE HAD A STRONGER VERIZON SIGNAL TONIGHT I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE LINKS
GROANER’S CORNER:((     A professor was walking along a very narrow hall when he came face to face with a rival.
The passage way was too narrow for two to pass. The rival, pulling himself up to his full height, said with a sneer, "I never make way for fools!"  Smiling, the gracious professor stepped aside and with a bow replied, "I always do."
---------------------------------------------------------------Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

CAMPED AMID THE SAGUARO CACTUS

 

LOTS OF WAGGING TAILS THIS MORNING AS WE SAY GOODBYE  (photo taken by Jeanie)

The sandman worked overtime last night weaving his nocturnal magic on two fronts.  First he put me gently to sleep & then he removed my lingering last day sadness.  I woke up this morning looking forward to the day instead of looking back on my previous melancholy 24 hours.

   

SUNDAY’S MORNING MOON

I was up at 4 & Kelly was up at 5:30.  Big game of toys with all the dogs & then it was out the door into the frigid 34F morning to feed the critters.  No more thoughts of 'lasts' this morning, it was just get on with the job & get things done.  Took the satellite dish down & put in the slides just as Jeanie & Ray rolled through the front gate in their jeep.  They had left their rig up in the Wilcox area & were planning on taking Gleason & Pearce back up that way to do some hiking in the Dragoon mountains.  Nice to see them & we all had us big chin wag.  Ingrid & Tom rolled in to drop off Corky so it was like a last minute circus before we left.  Jeanie & Ray asked us to come back next winter & we told them to pencil us in:))  And, they brought me 2 jars of 'natural peanut butter.'  My favorite kind......Yaaaaaa:))  Thanks guys.

  

A FEW OF THIS MORNING’S MEMORIES

In a flurry of wagging tails, laughter, hand shakes, hugs, & see ya later's, we had the big wheels rolling out the gate by 9:25 a.m.  A last look back, a wave, & we were gone on down the road.  It was the beginning of a new journey. 

JEANIE & RAY………..SEE YA LATER GUYS & THANKS FOR THE PEANUT BUTTER:))

Beautiful blue morning in the Sulphur Springs Valley as we headed north through Elfrida, Sunsites, & Sunizona on our way to I-10.  Mountain ranges on all horizons as we swung the rigs nose west on I-10 heading for Tucson.  Fired up Garmin Gertie, our on board GPS system, & programmed her to take us through Tucson north to Casa Grande.  Motoring through Tucson the past 2 years has been a nightmare for us because of  major construction going on & we were twice funneled off the interstate into the backwater of secondary roads.  But, not today.  The I-10 construction has been completed & we sailed right through Tucson with no problem at all in the light Sunday traffic.  A bit of construction in the north end but nothing to worry about. 

 

BORDER PATROL CHECKPOINT AHEAD, COCHISE COUNTY ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY & DOWNTOWN TUCSON

Spotted a 'Cracker Barrel' sign & immediately went into 'lunch mode' wheeling off I-10 & tracking down the Barrel.  It was a snap decision & we failed to consider the time of day & what day it actually was.  Sunday at noon means herds of people flocking out of all the local churches & heading, where else.......Cracker Barrel!!  Waited half an hour before even getting in the door & seated.  I was very impressed with myself as I sat quietly on a bench outside without uttering a single bluster.  Food was great but slow because of the crowd.  Finally rolled back up onto I-10 at 1:20 p.m.  That little lunch break had taken about an hour & a half.  Yep, I was real proud of myself alright, not one bluster.

PATIENTLY WAITING IN THE CRACKER BARREL LINE UP

Shortly before reaching Tucson earlier in the morning we were still discussing where we were going & with the turn off for Why, Arizona less than a mile ahead we finally decided to go straight north through Tucson & head for a boondocking campground we had stopped at a year ago while heading east.  It was west of Casa Grande on I-8.  We knew if we went this way we could let the dogs out to run around without all the stress of having them on leashes in an RV Park.  HICKIWAN TRAILS in Why Arizona will always be one of our favorite little places & we were thinking of going there but by the sounds of it they are pretty full so we decided to maybe roll through there on our return in late March sometime if we go that way.

JIM KORTSEN PINAL PARK……& WE’RE CLOSE TO THE INTERSTATE!!

Currently we are in the Jim Kortsen West Pinal Park alongside I-8 about 20 minutes west of Casa Grande.  Strictly boondocking here & a bit of traffic noise from I-8 but we have mountains on 3 sides & lots of stately Saguaro Cactus.  Great Verizon signal & lots of TV channels with just the antennae up.  Sites are large & we have no visible neighbors.  Now, how nice is that......and it's all free.  I will never understand why most people insist on jamming themselves into overpriced crowded RV Parks!!

     

JIM KORTSEN  PINAL PARK…..WEST OF CASA GRANDE ON I-8

Gassed up ($150-2.84 a gal) at a nearby gas bar on I-8 & that is the first gas fill up since Deming New Mexico in late October of last year.  In the morning we'll head west to Gila Bend where we'll pick up some propane & water before heading either north to Buckeye on our way west to Quartzite or southwest to Yuma & then up to Quartzite.  We'll probably head into the desert about 6 miles south of Quartzite because we are familiar with that area & there is a much better chance of fewer people.  I would rather have skipped Quartzite but Kelly convinced me we needed a new flag pole & afterall, that is the best place to get one.  Whether I'll go into town remains to be seen.  I think me & the furry guys might just hang out in the quiet desert while Kelly goes into town to do battle with the people hordes.   She's got a lot more patience for that sort of madness than I do.  Besides, 'shopping' is an 8 letter word that nearly gags me every time I think of it!!

So, that's if for tonight in the shadow of Antelope Peak here alongside I-8 in the greening Sonoran desert.  Tomorrow we head west for the big Q.........& a quiet time in the desert for Al:))

GROANER'S CORNER:((  What is the highest 'noise' frequency a human can make......Mariah Carey!!

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