Saturday, December 19, 2015

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.......


15 comments:

  1. Yeah...the steps are fixed!
    Sure love those desert views...

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    1. Such a big deal! Tessa was able to make the big jump, but that step ladder was a pain for me. I'm very happy to have them back!! We are also happy to be back in the desert :-))))

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  2. The mine looks almost like a stadium. Crazy huge holes.

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    1. They really do look like an old stadium ruin! I know it would cost too much, and the dust would probably be a horrible pollutant, but it would be so wonderful if they could push the ugly dirt piles back in the ugly big holes!!

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  3. Those black jugs and the fence are very intimidating. We saw several jugs, clothing, food cans, etc way out on two of our hikes. It did make me a little nervous knowing someone illegal had been there at some point. Wonder why that person was out by the fence?? Tessa, aka Desert Dog, is such a cute one:) Isn't it fun to do things just because you can:) Sounds like you are enjoying your time in Ajo:)

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    1. Forgot to mention the steps!! Wahoo! We had difficulty with our steps at one point, also. Boy was I glad to have them back! The simple things in life give us so much happiness:)

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    2. We did love Ajo - such a contrast between the little town and the surrounding beauty, but it works. That might be a memorial at the top on the Mexico side, but I couldn't pull it in. Never taking those steps for granted again :-)

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  4. Glad you finally have steps again! I'm looking forward to Ajo on our way to PHX area. Nice to hear you felt safe while there. Tessa looks to be having a good time too. Good to know about the RV park in case we choose not to boondock those couple days.

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    1. There are some sweet boondock spots on Darby Well and probably other places - but definitely try this park if you need hookups! There's some really pretty views from Gila Bend to Ajo where the black rock outcroppings are close to the road - like Arizona post card stuff! Enjoy and safe travels.

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  5. That southern desert is wonderful, even if close to the ugly fence border. Sure glad the steps are fixed. Jealous that you are in AB. I'll be headed north into snowy Utah.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas Gaelyn. You'll enjoy Bill's family, and I hope they get warmer temps while you're there :-) After our cold nights in Tombstone, I'm loving that AB is much warmer!

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  6. Oh YAY your steps are fixed!! So glad you enjoyed your time at Organ Pipe NM -- we loved it there, too, and want to return. Don't you just love that your dreams are coming true? Keep on dreaming! :-)

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    1. Just last night we were looking at maps and weather patterns and seeing what we want to see next - and agreeing that we're definitely living the dream :-) Love having steps!

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  7. Love your cactus pictures! Sure wish they hadn't closed Gringo Pass. Such a great name, I'd love to have seen it. I agree about filling the big holes. Wish they would/could. HooRAY the steps. How in the world have you been getting in and out? David once forgot to put the steps out and nearly broke his leg when he stepped out into mid air! JOYOUS SOLSTICE to you!!!

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    1. Fortunately we brought a two-step ladder with a tall handle that made it pretty easy - more so for Bill's long legs. Tessa made the full leap in and out! Wish I'd gotten a pic of the motel sign - it just cracked me up!

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