IN SEARCH OF THE SAGUARO FOREST

SOMEWHERE EAST OF BURROWS GAP TODAY
Oh how we wait for that welcoming sun to slip up over Black Mountain each morning and cast it’s warming rays through the frosty windows of our coach.  And, before I forget, if you look up at the moon these nights and see a bright object close to it, you are looking at the Planet, Jupiter.  The bright one low in the west is Venus.

MILES UPON MILES OF PEACEFUL TRANQUILITY
Bye 9:45 this morning we were out the door and into the Jeep heading northeast out of Ajo on the desert road called Pipeline.  Again, road is a generous term for the trails and paths that criss cross the desert’s in these parts.  Mike from MEANDERINGS OF WANDERWOLF had told us of a scenic Canyon and Saguaro Forest some 10 miles across the dry valley floor northeast of Burro Gap.   And that’s where we went.

IT’S GOING TO BE A ROCKY DRIVE ACROSS THE VALLEY FLOOR
Until we reached Burro Gap the scenery was nothing to write home about.  A lot of Mesquite scrub and a few Saguaro’s scattered about.  Very dusty, brown looking and dry.  Road was rough in places but what desert road isn’t rough.  Two mountain ranges loomed higher the further we went and we soon became aware of the increasing Saguaro Cacti.  We have seen this before in the Sonoran Desert.

The closer you get to a mountains base, the greener the desert gets.  Generally there is a slight rise in altitude but the main factor for all the green is the increase in moisture.  And that moisture comes down the mountainsides in the form of water.  Any kind of rain or snow in the mountains eventually makes it’s way to the valley floor close to the mountains base and that’s where the abundant desert growth is.

Simply speaking, the further we went, the greener it got.  I had just navigated through a large mud puddle when Kelly excitedly spotted something not often seen in the desert.  In fact it is a much sought after rarity in the Saguaro Cactus world.  Hawkeye had spotted a ‘Crested Saguaro Cactus’ about a hundred yards off the road to our right.  Only other one we have ever seen is near the front entrance of Tucson's Living Desert Museum.  The Crested Saguaro is 11 miles in on Pipeline road once you turn off #85 highway just south of Ajo at the stone cairn on the hill.  When you get in about 11 miles start watching the right shoulder of the road for an old tire laying around a small Mesquite shrub.  This is the marker for the Crested Saguaro which you will see about a hundred yards in off the road.

Noticed another curious Saguaro near the crested Saguaro so took some pics of that feller too.

  
We continued our journey until we saw the soil texture change to a lighter sandy color on a hill.  A couple of very rocky sections of road brought us up to the crest of a small rise.  We had already been driving through many Saguaros, but over this rise the terrain changed slightly and we saw a forest of Saguaros marching onward towards Coffee Pot Mountain.

 
THE SAGUARO FOREST GOES FOR MILES AND MILE
We pulled off on a small road and took a short walk marveling at the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the beauty of all the desert greenery surrounding us.  I couldn’t help but think of all the folks who will never see the beauty of these lands as we see it.

Each year we come to the southwest I am increasingly enthralled and entranced with this desert landscape.  The beauty just never ends if one opens their eyes and minds to see it.  You just never know what is over the next hill or around the next curve in the road.  A scrubby flat rocky landscape can suddenly turn into a forest of Pinion Pines, Arizona Sycamores, Fremont Cottonwood or Quaking Aspen trees.  Seemingly barren rocky outcrops can spring forth with Desert Spoons, Beaver Tail Prickly Pear Cactus, tall flowering Ocotillos, giant Saguaro and Organ Pipe Cactus or Buckhorn and Teddy Bear Cholla.  Today Kelly found a bunch of Desert Christmas Cactus as well.  Unfortunately not in bloom.

Knowing these desert trails meander forever through the desert we decided it was time to turn around and head back to Ajo.  Hadn’t gone far when we noticed a vehicle approaching us.  Soon became evident as it drew closer we were being approached by a Border Patrol vehicle.  We had kind of expected that because we knew we were on one of the main drug and people smuggling routes from Mexico up into the Phoenix area.  There are cameras and hidden ground sensors in the desert to alert the Border Patrol of any activity.  Today, we were that activity.  According to one forum we read Pipeline road is described as a hotbed of human smuggling and drug running.  The Border Patrol vehicle rolled to a stop at the side of the road.  I slowed and stopped as a uniformed young Border Patrol officer stepped out of the vehicle and approached us.  Nice fellow just checking us out and asking us a few questions like where we came from and where we were going.  He could see we were not a couple of Banditos or Desperados so the conversation was relaxed but both Kelly and I noticed the whole time he talked to us his right hand was on the butt of his gun at his hip.

BORDER PATROL WAITS FOR US TO APPROACH
We were soon on our way again bumping and jostling our way towards Ajo.  Kelly spotted two very low flying Army helicopters off to our right but they didn’t approach and flew right on by.

A FEW SLIGHT WATER HAZARDS TO TRAVERSE
By 1:30 we were in Olsen’s grocery story and I had my face buried in a hot roast been sandwich at the store’s deli Café counter while Kelly scooped some groceries.  We were home by 2 and nearly knocked silly by a couple fury wagging doggy tails.

Noticed we have 376 blog followers on the counter now but the display at the top our blog is not showing the newest ones so until that problem resolves itself I have no idea who the new folks are.  And, clicking on the ‘more’ buttons doesn’t seem to help:((

As much as we love this area on Darby Wells road west of Ajo Arizona there are a few cautions and considerations I should mention to anyone planning to boon dock in the area.  If you have pets that are frightened by loud noises this might not be the best spot.  During the week there are a lot of low and high flying jet aircraft twisting and turning in the skies above.  Occasionally the sound barrier is broken causing a loud sonic boom and the roar of jet aircraft at times is like a never ending distant thunder. 

There are a few mine pits around and it’s important to scout out your surrounding boon docking area to make sure you know where they are and keep your pets away from them.  Most are shallow and not a problem but I saw one last week that I couldn’t see the bottom.

My number one pet peeve every year though is not one that only applies to the Darby Wells area, but to just about every boon docking site or area we have ever been.  And, just not boon docking areas but general roadways as well.  It’s something that just fires my anger practically every day when I see it.  Broken glass!!!!  The closer a boon docking spot is to a local town, the more smashed beer bottles one will find.  Darby Wells is no exception.  The young locals have driven the Darby Wells loop road for years throwing their beer bottles out car windows to smash on the rocky ground and some campsites have been used as ‘party central with fire pits littered with smashed bottles, beer cans, shotgun shells, etc.  Broken glass is never picked up in the desert and it is everywhere.  It’s just a fact of life here in the beautiful southwest and it is our biggest worry for doggy paws.  We find this problem just about wherever we go and it just makes me so dam mad!!!!

Anyway, just wanted to throw out a few cautions to be aware of.  Don’t let any of them stop you from coming out to the desert though because the few negatives do not come anywhere close to all the great positives you will find out here in the natural great outdoors.

Neighbor Rick and Pheebs best Pal lady dropped by this afternoon and Rick gave us directions to a Mica Mine in the area complete with an abandoned house still standing. Said last time he was there the house still had furniture in it, so you know where we will be off to sometime in the next few days.

I just love these days of exploring and seeking out new things. What an adventure and what a great lifestyle this RVing is. We are so fortunate to have and to have had these past 5 Snow Bird years on the road. Now if we could just figure out a way to stretch the usual 5 months into maybe 10 months……or more:))

THE DISTANT AJO MOUNTAINS AS SEEN FROM EAST OF BURRO GAP TODAY (NIKON D40 AT 300mm-1/800TH OF A SECOND AT F36)
Sorry for the long post……some days my enthusiasm just carries me away……10-4:))

TONIGHT’S MOON (NIKON D40 AT 300mm-1600 ISO 1/250TH OF A SECOND AT F20 HAND HELD)
GROANER’S CORNER:((  "I'm sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use African violets instead?"
Replied the customer sadly, "No, it was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone."
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-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

TODAY’S MISSION…LOCOMOTIVE ROCK

KELLY CLIMBS A RIDGE AND PEERS INTO THE NEXT VALLEY ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO
Don’t think I will ever get used to the cold desert nights and frosty early mornings.  Had ourselves a nice sunny day but the moderate winds turned the already cool air, cold!!

 
AN EARLY MORNING COLORFUL ORGAN PIPE CACTUS
Neighbor Rick’s dog lady spotted us returning from our morning walk and came running down the hill to see her best Pal, Pheebs.  So nice to see dog’s playing together and having so much fun.

<<< PHEEBS IS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE IN THIS PHOTO
Rick also said those booms we heard a few days ago (another one today) were sonic booms from the overhead fighter jets breaking the sound barrier.

LADIES HOUSE AT LEFT AND PHEEBS HOUSE AT RIGHT:))
A mile or more to the south of us is a large rock formation called the Locomotive.  We knew of a desert road running south off the southeastern end of Darby Wells road that could probably take us there.  The El Camino del Diablo road is a dusty bone jarring road running a hundred miles to the town of Wellton just 20 miles east of Yuma. This road cuts through some of the ruggedest desert around these parts.  It follows along close to the Mexican border.  Countless people have lost their lives in this vast expanse of desert, rocks and bones.  Check out RV’er Diana’s blog entitled, THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE as she and some friend convoyed this stretch of desolate and barren road back in January of 2011. 

LOCOMOTIVE ROCK IN THE DISTANCE…..OUR DESTINATION
Remembered seeing some old corrals along the El Camino road not far from Darby Wells a few years back so that was our first stop.  Whenever I see an old windmill I always like to get a few shots for MIKE up there at North Ranch, Arizona.  He’s a windmill kinda guy:))

I am also intrigued by weathered sun drenched wooden corrals and barns.  No barns left but there were some dusty old cattle pens and corrals still standing.  I plan to go back by myself shortly and work on some better photos.

 
Eased our way around a mess of scratchy Mesquite bushes and got ourselves back onto the El Camino road heading south.

HEADING SOUTH ON THE EL CAMINO DEL DIABLO ROAD

Not too far along we saw a Jeep road cutting off into the desert on our right side heading in the direction of the Locomotive rock formation.  Road wasn’t too bad and we soon came across more great boondocking sites with one site actually having a boondocker tucked into a hillside in his older Class A.  Three big solar panels, bird feeders and a nice lanai type awning.  The fellow was sitting outside reading a book as we waved and jostled by.  He had the whole world to himself and we envied him in his cozy Shangri-la setting.  We will definitely check out this area again if we return through this area later in January.

LOCOMOTIVE ROCK >>>
Just beyond the Class A we could see the road became rougher and a four wheel drive vehicle was definitely needed.  Fortunately, we had one:))  Slowly made our way to the base of Locomotive Rock.  Couple of great camping spots there and I’ll bet IVAN and his truck camper could get in here no problem.  No chance for a Motor Home or trailer of any kind though. 

GREAT CAMPING SPOT NEAR THE BASE OF LOCOMOTIVE ROCK
Again, I just marveled at how beautiful this area is as we parked the Jeep and clambered up a rocky road right to the very base of Locomotive Rock.  Had us a pretty cold wind a blowin so Kelly headed back down to the warmth of the Jeep while I scouted around the base of the huge rock formation looking for an easy way up.  I like climbing up rocks and always have but no, I am not a serious rock climber like those guys with all the ropes and grapples stuff.  Just simple boots on the ground and up you go ass over teakettle….or is that the way a feller comes down.  Hmmmm, can’t remember now:))

 
I could see ways to the top that I could have done, but not today.  If we were camped in that area I can see taking the time to do the climb. 

WHITE DOT AT TOP LEFT OF PHOTO IS OUR RIG AND AT BOTTOM CENTER IS OUR JEEP, WITH KELLY SITTING IN IT:))
Took a bunch of pics and headed back down to the Jeep.  I will post more photos from around this rock formation over the next few days.

Headed back out the rough road past the peaceful Class A digs taking note the fellow was still peacefully reading his book.  We also took note of a couple level spots for future travels to this area.  We were home by noon:((

WE DROVE IN PAST THAT CLASS A MOTOR HOME OUT THERE ON THE LEFT…WE HOPE TO RETURN TO THIS AREA WITH OUR RIG AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE
Cold winds kept us inside for the rest of the day as we both caught up on computer stuff.  What would we all ever do without our computers eh.  Can’t even imagine that one.  Sure has put a lot of extra interest and fun into everyone’s RV lifestyle.

GOTTA LOVE ALL THESE GREAT JEEP ROADS IN THIS AREA
Now, in response to Kenny’s comment on my Saturday post…..No Kenny, (or is it really Mr. Anonymous again using a fake name this time) we have never stayed in one spot 4 or 5 months.  You have obviously never read or followed my blog and no, our RVing style is not anything like somebody staying in an RV Park in Yuma or Mesa.  You either have us totally mixed up with another couple or once again this is a clear cut case of sour grapes by my old arch nemesis, Mr. Anonymous. 
And, while I am on the topic I am curious about something.  Why would someone continue to read a blog they obviously don’t like unless it is to find fault with the writer or the writer’s content.  If I don’t like something someone has written I move on and do not feel compelled to leave rude, sarcastic, or inaccurate comments on their blog.   Now, why don’t you get on with your life and enjoy doing the things you like to do, read the blogs you like to read, and get that chip off your shoulder. 
And a footnote to this…..Thanks Ed:))

Bob over at the CARETAKER CHRONICLES noticed that we have boards under our rig’s wheels instead of having the jacks down.  Had we been faced in the opposite direction I would have used the driver’s side jacks to level the coach because they both work fine.  But, the rear passenger side jack is our problem jack and I do not like to use it.  It won’t retract and I have to crawl underneath, dig a big hole in the ground under it, place a scissors jack in the hole, and jack the rig’s jack back up into place.  Digging a hole in this rocky ground is not an option.

KELLY LOOKS ACROSS A VAST STRETCH OF SONORAN DESERT TO THE FAINTLY DISTANT AJO MOUNTAINS
To answer Gerrit’s question in our Shout Box….Verizon allows us to put our Internet service on ‘temporary suspension’ while we are home for the summer.  Just call Verizon or log into your Verizon account and do it on-line.  Important to remember this is for Verizon Internet and not Verizon cell phone service.

DISTANT LOCOMOTIVE ROCK AS SEEN FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE TO THE SOUTH
And, before I forget, just want to say a word of thanks to the folks in Facebook for your ‘Comments’ and ‘Likes.’  Thanks guys:))

LOOKING SOUTH TOWARDS MEXICO ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY
Close call for TIOGA GEORGE as he confronts an intruder in his rig at 1 a.m. in the morning.  Can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime and I don’t think there is one of us out here who hasn’t forgot to lock a door at one time or another.

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Relatives gathered for the reading of the Last Will And Testament after a long awaited death.
The lawyer opened the envelope, and read solemnly: "Being of sound mind and body, I spent every last dam cent I had before I died."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-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.