November 29 to December 5th - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
We left Casa Grande by 9am, stopped for fuel and propane and were on our way to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Ray stopped the coach at Gila Bend to stretch our legs, grab a hamburger from McDonalds and give Freya a walk. The highway from Gila Bend sure is a straight shot south. After going through Ajo and Why we found our way to Gunsight Wash, a lovely BLM area just north of the Organ Pipe Cactus NM.
By 1:30 we were all set up and enjoying sitting in the sunshine. Freya sure likes being off leash and running here and there chasing her ball and/or stick.
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| This Teddy Bear Cholla is looking for a nice warm hug! |
At the Pride station in Casa Grande, we got our 20lb propane filled up as well, even though it was a trade in. Unfortunately when it was time to start the propane heater inside as the temps were down to 34F during the night … it failed to work. No gas!!! Ray tried putting it on the camp stove but it did not work either. So needless to say we had a chilly night. I even turned on the generator at 2am for 15 minutes to heat everything up again and invited Freya on the bed with us with the doors shut on both sides of the bedroom to keep the heat in. We all managed to stay warm though. Ray headed into Ajo first thing in the morning to trade the tank in for another one. We were warm the next night!
Later Monday morning we took a drive into the park to get the pamphlet and decided to take the 21 mile Ajo drive. Beautiful. They even have a crested Organ Pipe Cactus. The road is fairly rough but I drove slowly with Ray popping out here and there to take pictures.
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| Aho Mountain |
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| Arch Canyon |
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| Crested Saguaro |
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| Diablo Mtn above and below |
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| Diaz Peak, Diaz Spire and Mt. Aho |
I thought that this looked cool. These are Saguaro Ribs exposed as the cactus died.
Tuesday, Dec 1st, was a stay home and do some chores day. Ray took a short drive into Ajo to mail a parcel to his mom and take some pictures of the Ajo’s Plaza Park. Beautiful, all decorated for Christmas. I put up all of our solar lights outside.
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| Immaculate Conception Church |
Wednesday, we decided to get going early before it got hot as we were leaving Freya in the coach to do the short Desert View Trail that starts at the Parks campsite. Good thing the sun is out as the temperature is only 43F when we left the parking lot. The trail was a 1.5 mile loop with a gentle climb up the hill. Coming down was quite a bit steeper so we were glad we started the way we chose.
Back on the Highway towards our camping spot, right out of the park we saw 2 more crested Saguaro, one right beside the road. Pretty lucky as they are kind of rare. See the moon down on the bottom?
I set up the 2 hummingbird feeders and Ray sat in his lounger and played with taking bird shots with his camera. We also had a couple of Gila Woodpeckers partaking of the sweet food.
While we were watching these small birds some very large ones swooped overhead!
Holy Fuckhorse Duck! Incoming!
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| No wonder they have this mural in downtown Ajo |
They were really close to the tops of our motorhomes. The Warthog training range is not that far up the highway from here so I guess they are on training missions and use looking for the migrants as part of it.
Thursday morning is quite windy, so we stayed inside a little later in the morning. All of a sudden I looked out my window and there was a migrant outside kneeling with his hands in prayer form asking for help??? I shook my head no as we were told by the camp host who is a short distance away from us to not give them anything … it is illegal. I noticed the young man was drinking water from his jug so I did not feel too bad not talking with him. He stayed for about 20 minutes sitting under our tree before moving on. I made Freya bark (she thought there was a “rascally rabbit” outside) but the guy still stayed for awhile. Thank goodness he finally moved on. Ray thinks he stopped by us because the Canadian Flag was flying so we took it down for the rest of our stay. I'm really conflicted about this. Is it wrong to want a better life? But I do not want to get in trouble with the authorities either. He had water … if he did not I probably would have thrown some bottled water out the window in spite of the warnings. He was only 20 miles from the border so he had not been without food for very long.
Friday we decided to take a trip on the Puerto Blanco Drive accessed from the Visitor Center. The 10 mile road was in pretty good shape. We did not see much that was photo worthy on this side of the park. After giving Freya a pee break we drove back to the highway and decided to try the very south drive called South Puerto Blanco Drive along the Mexican Border. After about 2 miles we gave up as the road was extremely washboarded. You can see the border fence though.
We carried on the 2 miles into “Lukeville” which only had a fuel station and restaurant and duty free store. The main purpose is the border crossing into Mexico.
Back on the highway towards home, we took the short drive in to the Alamo Primitive Campground. Absolutely gorgeous. Definitely picture worthy. Ray will come back for some “golden light” night shots. After arriving home, we decided to go for lunch at the pub in Ajo a few miles down the road. What an eclectic place. The owners are quite the foodies and have about 10 craft beers on tap. Yumm. We both ordered the Belly Burgers which contained pork belly. They were great. Apparently the couple were well known five star chefs in NY but decided to slow down and come here of all places!
When he got back we went over to the get together. There were 11 of us total. It was nice meeting other people in the campsite, hearing about their journeys and having a fire was great.
December 6-8 Buckeye Hills Regional Park
After dumping and filling with water at the Holt’s Shell Travel Station in Gila Bend we headed north towards Phoenix. Ray broke his glasses and we need to get to a bigger center to have them fixed. I had this spot ear marked for a few years as a possible boondocking location. It turned out to be great, only a few miles from the I-10, so an easy run into Phoenix for shopping.
After returning some things to Bass Pro it was off to lunch at BJ’s Brewhouse. Boy we sure like that franchise. Great beer.
We stayed for 3 days, (no, not at the Brewhouse!). Had some interesting neighbours … kind of out there!
Buckeye Sunrise
Just before we left, the generator quit after running for 45 minutes this morning. We didn't think we were low on fuel but headed to the Holt Shell in Gila Bend as we were planning to dump and fill anyway. (Had 2 great showers knowing we could get more water and dump!) The coach only took 50gal of fuel so that was not the problem. I called Cummins and after they had me try a few things with the generator switch we were told to bring it in. Fortunately we were only 1 hour away, so back we went to Phoenix! Arrive at 11:30 and after filling out paperwork etc. they took it in and we had it back by 2pm. It turned out to be a loose connection on the fuel pump … their fault from the servicing so fixed at no charge Yeah!
We ate lunch at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant as we’ve read they have good food. It was pretty reasonable and okay, but nothing we would write home about!. The store part is very eclectic.
December 8 - 12th - Painted Rock Petroglyphs BLM
Back on the road by 2:30 we headed for our original destination Painted Rock Petroglyphs if Ray’s back holds out. Fortunately we arrived by 3:30 so we could set up before it started to get dark. Here I am standing in the Petroglyphs behind me is our campsite.
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I started a Christmas craft project for some easy decorations and easy gifts for friends. Bottle Christmas Trees using my new sewing machine which is my Christmas present from Ray’s Mum.
Not too shabby for a non-crafty person!. Thanks Martha Stewart!
We have some amazing sunsets and sunrises here at the Painted Rocks.
Sunrise
Sunset
Ray had a difficult couple of days with his back. He just spasmed up so much, he could barely walk even though he had been sitting mostly in his chair the last couple days as the weather has been cool and windy. Pain medication is in order including a muscle relaxant at bed time. Sunday morning he seemed to be feeling better thankfully after a good night’s sleep.
December 13 - 15th - Kofa Escapee Park in Yuma
Time to catch up on the laundry so we have decided to spend a few days at the Escapee Park in Yuma to check it out for the possibility of spending more time there in the future when we do not travel as much. Also Ray is in need of a couple of days in a hot tub. We had a beautiful lot assigned to us and even attended “an ice cream social”.
Since we had power, Ray set up the outside Christmas lights. One gentleman stopped and said Ray must be the “Christmas Angel”!
I was quite busy for the 3 days with many loads of laundry, baking day for cookies and bread with a lovely dinner of clam linquini and a huge restocking shopping trip before going boondocking again which took up most of a morning. This also meant several trips to the hot tub to get over all the aches and pains associated with lots of housework! Other than the first day we got here, it turned quite blustery and cold so it was the perfect time to take care of all these chores. Ray is able to rest up as well in his chair playing with all of his pictures.
My inside lights were not too shabby either.
December 16 - 18th - Kofa Castle Dome
We left Kofa Escapee Park shortly after 9am, stopped on the way to fuel up, and arrived at Castle Dome by 11:30 am. We set up fairly quickly and then sat outside to enjoy the sun. although windy and only 60 degrees it is quite warm on the passenger side of the coach out of the wind.
Unfortunately, I could not get our Big Buddy heater working. This is the second exchange propane tank that has failed to work, so we had a pretty chilly night. I got up at 12:30 am and started the genie and heated everything up and then just put a green bottle into the heater and it managed on low to keep us good until 5am when it ran out. Thursday morning after determining that the tank had failed for sure, we decided to drive back into Yuma to Lowes, an hour away and give the tank in for a refund and bought a brand new one with a replacement regulator so not to have this tank problem any more. Also as back up, bought 4 little green bottles. Since we were in town I also did the final grocery Christmas shop instead of having to do it in Quartzsite.
After shopping and getting the new tank filled we stopped at Fortuna Pond BLM to check it out for future reference. Way too close to each other for us guys.
When we arrived back at camp Ray took Freya for a walk while I stowed all of the groceries. Next it was bed for Ray as his back is extremely sore and his leg was giving out again. So ice for him and he needed to take some pain medication. I sat out and enjoyed the sunshine for an hour or so and took Freya for another walk in the wash.
We gathered up a little bunch of deadwood branches the day before to have a campfire, so when it cooled down outside at 4pm I started the fire and then he came out to join me. Between the two of us we managed to roll a “Yule Log” onto the fire which kept going all evening and the fire pit was still hot the next day.
Friday we woke up nice and warm and Ray’s back is better … Yeah! Today we will tour the Castle Dome Mine Museum a few miles up the road. They mined silver here, and there are mine shafts everywhere.
The remains of Castle Dome Landing, once on the banks of the Colorado River, are now submerged beneath the Imperial Dam reservoir in Martinez Lake. The property that was previously Castle Dome town and mining camp was purchased in 1994 by Allen and Stephanie Armstrong, and turned into the Castle Dome Mines Museum. The museum site houses 23 restored and recreated buildings — seven original to the town, and the rest are period representations built mostly from locally scavenged materials. Each building, among them a saloon, a hotel, a mill, and a blacksmith, is staged to look like it might have looked in the town's hey-day, some 100 years ago .
We had a wonderful time wandering around all of the artifacts. They even had a “50’s and “70’s” section as the mine was still running then.
The weather is supposed to get up to 66F today, which will be a treat as the past few have been quite chilly. Hopefully it will get a little warmer in Q as the forecast temp this morning (Friday) was 34F and felt like 28! The temps were perfect for the tour… not too hot but comfortable.
The old water system
Blacksmith Forge
The old Saloon where the stagecoach used to stop. I think the lady in the next picture had a few too many!
They have dummies set up in different scenes to bring the ghost town to life.
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| Oops, that's not a dummy! |
What a great picture Ray.
The big drill.
Next it was off to see the “70’s” They have a garage with 2 old cars in it.
My new trailer. lol
You open the curtain to the bathroom and this is what you saw!
The old cookhouse and on the right the Flora Temple Mineshaft. They have lots of depression glass. You walk into a mine and they have some of the glass under a black light to show how it glows.
Loved this reflection shot, which includes the lamp, aged wood, old lock and Castle Dome Mountain.
Now, a few of the other great stuff to view
So many other pictures but enough for now.
December 19th to ??? - Quartzsite
We arrived on Saturday morning by 11am as planned. Steve and Dianne nicely picked out a spot for us on the wash about a 1/4 mile from their rig so perfect. This site is nicely decorated with rocks by the previous owner last year.
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After setting up, we had a short visit with Dianne and Steve. I invited them over for prime rib as long as she made the potatoes and salad. It was a great evening and we were able to catch up and hear about their 2 week 60th birthday (Dianne) trip to Cabo San Lucas they just returned from.
It is great to be able to spend Christmas with friends who are family to us!
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| Here's a spiffy old timer! |
Sunday we spent the day setting up camp, especially the solar lights for Christmas. As it gets dark fairly early, we put up the electric x-mas trees and laser lights to run when the generator is on in the evening.
Xmas lights and flags
Tuesday we were invited for dinner at Dianne and Steve’s for ribs. Yumm. I spent the day making gluten-free brownies for dessert and shortbread for us, as well as starting the broth for the turkey gravy for Xmas. It was another cloudy, cool windy day. Roberts Mobile Wash came and finished washing and waxing the car and coach around lunch time. It is sure nice to have that taken care of again. Yesterday Ray managed to pick up a nail in the car tire so we had to get Steve to change it so Ray could drive into Q and get it fixed this morning. Busy day for us all. Another great evening spent with friends, we are so fortunate.
Wednesday we just hung out around camp as I was doing prep for Christmas Dinner in stages as my oven is so small.
Thursday, Christmas Eve, we went into town for some firewood that I could chop for kindling. We managed to find a place that also made walking sticks and canes. Ray managed to find 1 of each that he loved, so the cane problem is now solved. One of them was just the rough branch and Ray was able to help the lady with the design he wanted and the finishing of it. He is thrilled, but sad at the same time as he needs these as support for when his leg gives out.
Friday, Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny although cool with a wind. I as usual woke up early on Christmas morning 4am! And could not go back to sleep. Oh well, Christmas always excites me and I guess after 58 years of getting excited it is doubtful I will change. We drank hot chocolate first until we could have our morning coffee with Baily’s after waiting for 6am to arrive so we could turn on the generator. Once we were sitting down with our coffee it was time to open our presents. Freya really enjoys opening up gifts and is pretty talented at it. Of course “Santa” spoiled her rotten with new squeaky toys. Ray ended up with some bird feeders to help him take photographs of the birds from his chair and I received some beautiful earrings to go with a pendant I received from him earlier in the year.
Dianne and Steve were invited over for x-mas breakfast, eggs bene with mimosas (I freshly squeezed the oranges) Yummm. Since I prepped most of the Christmas dinner in the past 2 days I had a relaxing afternoon. Dianne contributed the mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole and dessert. Lots of wine, great food and mucho laughs. A great evening had by all.
I even had Xmas elves do my dishes!
Boxing Day is very quiet … well not so much, as we the wind gusted up to 40 miles per hour all day. Both driver side slides were pulled in and the dish down. We did go into town for a drive around to look for “camels” for Ray to photograph and went for lunch at the Yacht Club. New owners but crappy food. Oh well, I did not have to cook. At 6pm we were finally able to open up again and watch TV. Freya was very very bored with being in-side all day and especially with the limited room for moving around. She is not impressed at all. Hopefully tomorrow is better.
Sunday we drove into town to see Lori regarding Ray’s walking cane. She does beautiful work. I will have to get me a walking stick too I think as it helps my back walking in the desert.
We took Dianne with us to see some of the vendors in particular Gem World. Later in the afternoon we hosted happy hour so Steve and Dianne came as well as their RV Dreamer friends Jim and Barb. Spent about 1 1/2 hours gabbing and then it became too cold so everyone went home. Ray and I ate so many good appetizers that we decided against dinner and I saved it for the next night.
Monday we went back to see Lori and I picked out a stick for me. With her help we made the decisions on how to decorate it and I left it with her overnight to get it done. I will pick it up tomorrow. Funnily enough, this Lori looks very similar to Lori Sherriff, our old neighbour from Port Alberni.
Tuesday, December 29th. Today it is time to take Christmas down so we can dump and fill. We might even have enough water to have proper showers today. Ray took off right at sunrise to start getting some "local" sights over the next couple of weeks. First off is Hagley's General Merchandise store circa 1893.
Next up is the Tyson Wells Stage Museum.
I will have to go back to town and get my new walking partner. “Raven” looks beautiful. Happy to have her. Stopped in town and got the rubber end for our walking sticks, picked up some propane and came home for lunch. Quesada's yummm. Quiet afternoon. Ray racking some bedtime with football and back icing and I sat outside and read. Another lovely day. I made Janice Glover’s Brandied Chicken for dinner.
Wednesday, I think I will do a grocery shop today and just see if my partner in crime wants to go to Blythe. Dianne came and we left at 9am and drove into Blythe. A couple hours of shopping and we were back home at noon. We'd been invited over for Happy Hour at Jim and Barb’s with Red and Pam, Dianne and Steve and us. Turned out it was Jim’s birthday. After an hour and a half we all departed as it got quite cold. Ray ate leftovers for dinner. Another quiet night.
Ray got his new bird feeder out and it managed to attract a Road Runner.
Thursday, New Year’s Eve, I prepared beef and broccoli in the crock pot and then picked up Barb for 8am to go into town and do 2 weeks worth of laundry. It was quite busy at the Laundromat, but we managed to get our clothes in the appropriate amount of washers. While we were waiting for the wash loads to be done we had breakfast. After the clothes were dry and folded, as we left the building Jim was there to pick up Barb, so I made my way back home and arrived at 10:15. The prices for laundry were quite reasonable $2.50 per double load and 25cents per 6.6 minutes in the dryer. 5 washes and 4 dryers totaled $18.50.
Ray took some pics from the roof showing the surrounding area before "the show".
3pm we made our way over to Brian and Sues for our potluck New Year’s Dinner. It was fairly chilly out so they had all of the food inside their trailer and we all sat in his covered shed with a heater so everyone stayed warm.
After dinner, we all gathered around the campfire. Bob with Gerry and Linda trying to light a Sky Lantern... Even though the temperature was somewhere around 42 degrees we were all very toasty.
We decided to celebrate New Year's Eve on New York time...so at 9:00, we had the "countdown to midnight" and Brian really stoked the fire. Yikes that's hot...time to move back!
It wasn't much later that we called it a night and headed home. We had a great time celebrating the end of 2015 and the start of 2016 with good friends and good food!
Happy New Year. Ray and I stayed up until 10pm and watched the New York’s ball drop and I taped the rest. We were snoozing on our pillow shortly after. A great 2015.
