Wednesday Feb 9, 2012 Going to QBQ

Long day yesterday. Meet at the Visitor Center at 7:45am. The LEs have the first part of the briefing telling how things are going to happen followed by a few annoucements and after getting the "OK" from our security, we loaded up the park staff and volunteers for the trip. Four mile of pavement followed by twenty of dirt, dust, washboards, dips, and some real holes ment an hour of slow going. I was glad that I was driving and not sitting the back. I'm not sure my stomach could take it.
More than an hour was spent touring the area and getting the details of the history and biology of this oasis in the desert. Then lunch. Then back in the vans for another hour of dust, dips, and bumps with a stop halfway to pick up litter. We stopped at an area that seemed to be a busy place because we picked over a dozen large bags in a relatively short time. Another trip could gather another dozen bags easily. This litter can not be blamed of legal park visitors, but either blew in from Mexico which is four feet away or was brought over and discarded by "illegal" park visitors. The terms is UDA ( UnDocumented Alien) Since the installation of the listening devices the numbers of UDAs in this area has dropped significantly. Other areas..... the opposite.

End of the litter patrol and back in the vans and home followed by a quick shower and off to the campground. For the last few days the campground has been nearly filled to capcity. A couple of Escapee camping groups have been fulling us up. Years ago, the campground of 220 sites were full every night this time of year. In the morning, campers waited at the gate for units to leave so that they could take their sites. Since the border issues and troubles in Mexico have developed, the numbers have dwindled. Sixty to seventy was a big night. It's a sad thing because you will not find a prettier desert campground anywhere. The sites are large, well-spaced, pull-thrus. Every spot has several cacti and other desert plants in it making each one unique. The only down side is the lack of electrity at the sites. The bathrooms have power and flush toilets and solar showers, and water is close. Generators are allowed for two hours in the morning and evening to help recharging of batteries.
Getting back to the story, last night was a cattered dinner for all of the Escapees and we volunteers were invited. Great people, wonderful Mexican food, we all felt very welcome there and went home with smiles on our stomachs.
This morning most of the Escapees loaded up and drove down to Puerto Penasco ( Rocky Point) which is on the Gulf of California. This particular Escapee group leads trips to Mexico every year to help newcomers learn that is is safe to travel there and the ins and outs of the trip. They have reservations in one of the many RV parks in town and will spend about ten days looking around before heading out. Most will drive the 60 miles back up north to the US, but some will continue to explore Mexico.
It sounded very tempting to me. There is strength and security in numbers.

The lower photo is of the pond at Quitobaquito. If you look at historic pics of the pond you will see the cottonwood tree then. This is what is looks like now. It is nearly dead but no one has the heart to kill it just yet.

Taco Dinner, Later

The Taco Dinner, as good as it was, did have it's effects.

Tacos at Noon equals toots in the evening.

A Day in Ajo

Today we decided to hit the big city. Well, Ajo, anyway. I needed a haircut. In fact, I have needed one for several weeks so that was our first stop.
Then we drove down the main drag which is Hwy 85, stopped for fuel ( $3.89 for diesel). As we drove by it we noticed an interesting "open" sign in front of a place we had never noticed before. It turned out to be an art studio in which the artist uses recycled materials, spoons, shovels, bedsprings, hubcaps, etc. It was fun to walk around and see figures and forms mades from throw-away materials.
We also found out that there was an art event happening in town today and tomorrow. There were booths in front of several shops along the hwy. In addition, several studios were open for tours. Having absolutely no art talent myself, it is amazing to see what others can produce. Fastinating.
Lunch time found us at the local Assembly of God church for a Taco Dinner.
Homemade rice, refried beans, and three tacos for $6. Good food at a good price. The more shopping. No new art to bring home, however. A good thing about being in a trailer.

We are at ORPI

We arrived Monday at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The trailer is parked two spots from where we were last year. The volunteer building with it's washers and dryers is close by which is appreciated.

This is what we see from our dining

room window.

Deco Liner

Driving through the campground we came upon this vehicle.

The builder, from southern Oregon, purchased a 73 GM motorhome and did some "slight" modifications to get this result. It is a show stopper! Everyone who drove by stopped to check it out. Here are a few pictures. Notice the upper cockpit. The vehicle can also

be driven from the upper driver's area with a attachment of a steering shaft extention.
If you are interested, it is for sale at just under $500k.

Views of La Posa South Campground

Here are some views of one of the six areas that BLM has set up for camping near Quartzsite, AZ. La Posa South is the area we parked our trailer. This area has a camping fee for it's use but others allow you to stay for up to 14 days free. It's $40 for 14 days or $80 for 28 days but if you want to stay for an extended period, it's $160 for 6 months. Some folks actually stay all winter.
The permit holder has access to any of the other camping areas in the Quartzsite and Yuma areas. The permit also allows access to the dump stations and water faucets in the park. Dump stations and water spots are few and far between in the desert.

Where you camp is strictly up to you. Just find an area that looks good. Many folks come back to the same area each year. It's fun to travel and around and see "what they brung". The amount and variety of equipment is astounding.

Quartzsite at Last Jan 7th

We are parked and enjoying the desert at Quartzsite.
First night at Anderson.
Second night at Anderson because of the slide problem.
Third night in Bakersfield.
Fourth night in our spot here on the Mojave.
We have a great spot, with several Ironwood trees around us and a big Saguaro outside our kitchen window.
The nights are spectacular! I had forgotten about the stars. Living in Eugene, your chance at seeing the sky in the winter is poor. Add to that all the ambient light from the city and even on clear nights, the darkness is limited. Not here!

Orion is overhead. There’s Sirius. The moon is a fingernail sliver with Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune in a line. ( I have Google Sky to help me.)

Our trailer is parked in a great spot with several Saguaros and Ironwood Trees.