Views of Mexico for Lunch, Another Friend-Stop, and Plan D is a Success!

I know Pam has seen a crested organ pipe in the park, but don't think to look up the information in their blog before we headed out on Wednesday. Fortunately we found that one great saquaro, but no others.

The next day we follow her note to pick up the "not-so-junior" ranger book at the VC and find we missed several cresteds (officially cristates) on our Ajo Mountain loop - as well as that organ pipe! We could do the loop again, but with only the one day left we decide to check out new territory this time. We will absolutely be back to this beautiful place - with the book!

From the Center we go the opposite direction to Pinkly Peak. Both the peak and the surrounding views are wonderful. The dark rock, luscious green brush, bright yellow cholla, unique organ pipe, and the saquaro that are both majestic and silly - we enjoy the area in every direction.

Ajo Mountains across the valley

Pinkly Peak

First and only sign of illegal activity 

Just five miles to the border, we drive to Lukeville to see - well, not much. A single gas station/convenience store, and the now closed Gringo Pass RV Park - love the name :-) make up the entire town. Across a vacant field, the Wall heads over a nearby hill.

Didn't see the person in Mexico

until I enlarged the pic

We take the first side road on our way back and pull off. We've been watching a fire building in Mexico and we face our chairs to see if we can tell what it is. Too far even with zoom.

Because we can.

The complete quiet of the open desert and views of Ajo Mountain make for a perfect lunch break. Yes, we're very close to the border here, but feel completely safe. Since coming to Ajo we have seen more law enforcement than anywhere we've been: border patrol, county sheriff, highway patrol, tribal police, and national park rangers! Glad we're such law-abiding citizens.

Desert Dog

A quick drive down Darby Well Road to check out the boondocking spots I've read so much about. Pretty with views in two directions, but I'm surprised to see the proximity to the huge tailings pile of the copper mine. Too bad they can't push all that dirt back in and fill the big ugly hole - the mine has been closed 25 years.

Nice boondocking with views on Darby Well Road

Another big ugly hole in the desert - the copper mine that was Ajo's beginning. 

Temps drop into the high 20's again overnight, and it is still very cold as we pull out at 6:45 AM.  We have an appointment in Yuma to see if we can finally have steps again.

CJ's RV Repair is one of those shops where you wonder what's being worked on, and what was abandoned there years ago for spare parts. I spoke with Bob on the phone earlier in the week, but still he tells Bill "Gee, I don't know if we can do anything about that..." when Bill explains (again) our need. 

Still, he gets two guys to look at it immediately so we're encouraged. Bill unhooks the Jeep and Tessa and I go in search of something for brunch while he stays to see what they can do.

They can fix it, and do. 

Woohoo!  The reason all those drill bits and easy-outs were broken in Plans B & C is that the end of the bolt was welded in place! Removing the whole step assembly gave them the needed access, and when I get back they give it a test. We have steps for the first time since leaving Santa Clarita. 

First impressions aside, CJs took us right in and had us back on the road in 90 minutes. Not a cheap repair, but a successful one. They're my new heroes!!

We change locations rather than drive 30+ miles back to Welton, and set up for the night at Arizona Sands RV. Many of the parks in Yuma are big resorts with privately-owned sites to rent, and I'm not a big fan. This basic park has new owners and is clean and quiet with decent size sites. Perfect for a one-nighter. 

Even better because our friend Teri can stop by for a visit on her way home from work. She and Bill were good friends in high school, attended the same college for a couple years, and shared family vacations on the beach. I knew her well in high school, but have only seen her at one reunion since then. It was wonderful to get caught up and to see her so happy. She is running at 5:30 Saturday morning so we say early goodbyes for this time.

Teri and Bill

Two years ago we brought the new-to-us Jeep to Borrego Springs, and dreamed of coming back with a motorhome and spending more time. 

Dreams continue to come true, and Saturday we're back for eight nights, including our first Christmas on the road. 

Lots to see and do here, and a little family coming for a visit.......