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Sonoran Desert boondocking south of Ajo AZ

Cactus Wren bird desert Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZwhite Desert Star flowers Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

desert Ajo Mts reverse sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZSonoran Desert boondocking during Spring means birdwatching and walks among the cactus and flowers plus expansive and colorful sunset skies.  And even a few sunrises.

desert leaving cg clouds ORPI NM AZAfter a couple days visiting Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Richard and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Granny’s in Why.  He hit the road about 11am and after coming out of my parked camper I thought Paul and Gary’s campers were in the lot so I went back into the restaurant, walked up to a table and said, “you folks really have to stop following me.” Before realizing they weren’t people I know. Oops.  They laughed along with me, or maybe at me.

camper rainbow around sun Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZI continued north to Darby Well Road and found a camp, exactly where I parked in 2020 while waiting to hear about returning to work at Bryce Canyon during the pandemic.

Cactus wren bird Ocotillo Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZGreeted by the song of a Cactus Wren cinched the site.

Purple Phacelia flowers Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Phacelia flowers Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZNot to mention the lovely purple cast of Phacelia to the surroundings.

Sierra cat at camper door Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZSierra approved the view.

desert Ajo Mts reverse sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZAnd at 65° I enjoyed a 360 sunset from my newest home view of Sonoran Desert boondocking.

desert mts sunrise clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Saguaro desert mt Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZA real surprise waking up in time for sunrise and early light on the western mountains.

Saguaro desert light Ajo Mts Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZThen I spent most of the day taking care of housekeeping, on the computer because I rarely do housework.  The hard drive was almost full, lots of photos, so I had to back these up on external drives to clear space for more.

Saguaro desert windmill Locomotive Mt Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZIn the afternoon I spent time sitting outside under mostly cloudy skies reading and taking photos as the mood, and light, struck.

desert mts sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZFinally, sunset put on a show.

Saguaro desert Black Mt Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZThe next morning my phone switched to daylight savings.  What the hell, we don’t do that in Arizona, especially when Sonoran Desert boondocking.  Took me a while to fix it.

trail-cam coyoteThen I checked the trail-cam, and sure enough a coyote came through the previous night.  I put out a pan of water and they must sniff it out.

Chiliquilies breakfastAfter that delicious breakfast at Granny’s, I was inspired to make one-pan Chilaquiles for breakfast.  Even took video of the process that may eventually make it to my YouTube channel.  Turned out real tasty.

unidentified bird Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

unidentified bird Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZUnidentified bird

Spent the rest of the day writing the last blog post and watching birds through the windows from my truckcamper birdhide while Sonoran Desert boondocking.

trail-cam coyote

trail-cam coyoteOnce again the trail-cam caught a coyote during the night.  They aren’t usually out during daylight when I can see them.

desert camper Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Annas Hummingbird Darby Well BLM Ajo AZPhainopepla bird Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

                                    Anna’s Hummingbird                                                                                     Phainopepla

But I do see a lot of birds during the day, especially when I get out for a walk.

Organ Pipe Cactus desert Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZPlus lots of other discoveries while walking near my Sonoran Desert boondocking.

late light Saguaro desert clouds Darby Well BLM Ajo AZ

desert truckcamper sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZThe partly cloudy day makes for nice backdrops that turn into superb sunsets.

trail-cam view Darby Well Rd Ajo AZSometimes the trail-cam catches nothing at all, could be the wind in the flowers and Palo Verde tree.  Birds don’t set it off flying by.

Curve-billed Thrasher bird Saguaro Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Curve-billed Thrasher bird in flight Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Curve-billed Thrasher bird in flight Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZHowever I saw plenty of birds, especially while walking in the Sonoran desert.  I’d been photographing a Curve-billed Thrasher on a Saguaro in the distance when it took off in flight and headed my way.

desert truckcamper Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZOne of the things I love about walking in the desert, I’m never far from or rarely out of sight of camp and that way my no-trail wanderings don’t get me lost.

Cholla desert Locomotive Mt moon Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

Black-throated Sparrow Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZBlack-throated Sparrow

Wonderful views in every direction and all times of day.

desert late light Ajo Mts Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZCloudless in the morning changed to layers of gray as a prelude of the rainy next day predicted.

desert Ajo Mts dark clouds Bates Well Rd BLM Ajo AZI woke to a light rain that lasted intermittently all day.  And at 70° with windows open the air smelled fresh with creosote petrichor.

Sierra cat sniffing outside air from window in camperEven Sierra enjoyed the aroma.

trail-cam coyote

trail-cam coyoteTrail-cam caught coyote four times between 2-5am.

Ocotillo Saguaro desert clouds Bates Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

desert mts clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZI spent most of the day working on a video and enjoying the cloudy views from my windows while Sonoran Desert boondocking.

desert light on Ajo Mts Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZSun broke through late to highlight the Ajo Mountains to the distant north.

desert sunrise clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZ

truckcamper shadow desert mt Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZAnother partly cloudy morning greeting with a pretty sunrise.

first light desert Black Mt moon clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZOther than a short walk around camp I again worked on a video.  I like the challenge of making videos but it does take a lot of time to edit which cuts into my outside play time and reading.  Plus I need a strong signal to load the finished video onto YouTube.  I’m really not complaining, just stating a fact.

trail-cam coyoteOnce more the trail-cam caught coyote overnight, along with a spiderweb.  Time to clean the lens.

bumper rock collection Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZBumper rock collection from Darby Well Road camp

That’s OK, because it had to be packed away for my trip to town.  I was almost out of cream for coffee and had no fresh fruit.

lunch Tacos el Tarasco Ajo AZPlus I figured to treat myself to lunch at Tacos el Tarasco with green sauce for St. Patrick’s Day. Seems an extra treat because town is only about 20 minutes away.  And while in town I had enough signal to load the next video of my drive from Owl to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  Yes, I am weeks behind posting both video and blog posts.   This all happened between March 10th to 17th.

Gaelyn & Sierra selfies in camper Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZOnce back in camp Sierra waited her turn to get online.  Then we settled in for another week of Sonoran Desert boondocking.

I will make a trail-cam coyote video soon, so watch for it on my Youtube channel.  What, not subscribed yet?  Why not?

How would you feel about listening to my story along with photos and video, instead of reading?

Ajo, Arizona, Places I've been, Sonoran desert, United States , , , 25 Comments

Cactus & cristates at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

blooming Brittlebush desert Ajo Mts clouds Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZSpent a few days exploring with a friend at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument searching for wildflowers and cactus cristates, an unusual growth that I’ll tell you more about.

bushes full moon set Mohawk Mts BLM Owl AZHowever, before leaving the Mohawk Mountains boondock in Owl, Arizona I caught the moon set with better luck than the dark of the night before.  Back on Interstate 8 east to Gila Bend, taking video along the way.  Absolutely scored finding diesel at $3.99/gal.  Though that’s still too much it was the first time all winter I found under $4/gal.  Sure does limit the miles I drive.

purple Lupin & yellow Bladderpod flowers SR85 ORPI NM AZLupine surrounded by Bladderpod

From there I got off the interstate and headed south on SR85 through lush Sonoran desert to Ajo.  The shoulders on both sides teased with strips of wildflower colors in yellow, blue, orange, purple, white, and shades of green.

plaza Ajo AZ

lunch Tacos El Tarasco Ajo AZMade a stop in Ajo for a few last minute groceries and lunch at Tacos El Tarasco at the Plaza.  Travel days I don’t make time to prepare meals so usually treat myself.  Why not?  Flowers continued to line the road for the 30 minute drive to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument visitor center, passing through Why, Arizona along the way.

truckcamper cg ORPI NM AZA Facebook photographer friend as yet unmet, Richard Strange, had a campground reservation for two nights.  I assumed I’d be able to get a first-come campsite at Twin Peaks Campground when I got there.  But of course now everything is reservations that MUST be made online through rec. gov.  (More about them through links at the bottom of this post.)  I should know better, but don’t frequent campgrounds on public lands preferring to boondock nearby instead.  With barely a signal at the visitor center I managed to signup with the reservation site and get two nights camping, with my pass $10/night.  It’s a beautiful campground (here’s my site view) with over 200 sites nestled privately amongst the desert vegetation.  Richard hadn’t arrived yet, being distracted for over an hour by a couple large Caracara birds along his drive from the Phoenix area.

cg trl desert Ajo Mts ORPI NM AZ

Sonoran Desert cg trl ORPI NM AZI took a short walk on one of the many trails that leave from the campground and felt immediately immersed in this dense and diverse Sonoran desert.

window sunset cg ORPI NM AZ

Richard & RockyRichard & Rocky obviously not outside my door

After dinner Richard texted me.  What I didn’t realize at first was he was right outside my door with his walker and dog.  I went outside, we met, chatted away like old friends, and made a plan to meet in the morning to explore Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

RockyRichard, and his dog Rocky, rearranged the minivan so I could sit in the passenger seat.  Rocky is the most loveable Pitbull I’ve ever met.  He’s a rescue from dog fighting, and now a service dog.  Of course he thinks he’s human so really didn’t understand why I didn’t sit in the back.  But he shared the seat and immediately moved when I wanted to sit there.

Redtailed hawk preparing for flight off pole N Puerto Blanco Dr ORPI NM AZWe started with the North Puerto Blanco Drive for the miles allowed non 4x4s.  I almost immediately saw a Red-tailed hawk perched and Richard understood the command to “STOP”.

yellow brittlebush flowers desert mts N Puerto Blanco Dr ORPI NM AZ

desert N Puerto Blanco Dr ORPI NM AZWe saw some flowers but not endless views of colors.  The yellows of Brittlebush and Bladderpod were most prevalent with a few orange patches of Poppy.  In fact as we drove by an area of orange along the banks of a dry wash I saw a vehicle I thought looked familiar.  And sure enough more known photographers were set up to shoot complete with reflectors.  We chatted briefly before moving on.

Cholla Saguaro cristate SR85 ORPI NM AZ

Saguaro cristate SR85 ORPI NM AZNext Richard shared some awesome crested Saguaro cactus not too far off the main road.  Referred to as a mutation, or abnormal growth, the crest or cristate, is certainly unusual and not all that frequently seen.  I suppose first, you have to be actively looking for them.  There is debate about what causes these typically fan-like shapes.  We spent a lot of time speculating on various growth patterns seen over the day.

Saguaro cristate SR85 ORPI NM AZFrom Wikipedia: “Fasciation (or cresting) is a relatively rare condition of abnormal growth in vascular plants in which the apical meristem (growing tip), which normally is concentrated around a single point and produces approximately cylindrical tissue, instead becomes elongated perpendicularly to the direction of growth, thus, producing flattened, ribbon-like, crested, or elaborately contorted tissue. Fasciation may also cause plant parts to increase in weight and volume in some instances. The phenomenon may occur in the stem, root, fruit, or flower head. Some plants are grown and prized aesthetically for their development of fasciation. Any occurrence of fasciation has several possible causes, including hormonal, genetic, bacterial, fungal, viral and environmental causes.”

the Wall Gachado Line Camp Rd ORPI NM AZA very short jaunt took us to the border where neither of us wanted to be distracted by the wall.

yellow flowering desert Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZWe spent the rest of the afternoon lollygagging along the 21-mile mostly one-way Ajo Mountain Loop drive.  We searched for flowers and cristates, and ended up with a whole lot more.

Saguaro glomerate Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZAt one point Richard stopped because of seeing some weird growth on a cactus barely visible from the road.  I walked out to get a closer look and took photos with my camera and his 300mm lens Nikon.  It was at least two feet long.  Found out later from the Crested Cactus Society this anomaly is called a glomerate.  You may have seen nursery grown plants and cactus hybridized to create this look.

Redtailed hawk bird Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZRed-tailed Hawk

Cactus wasn’t the only sighting.

Saguaro crest Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZStopped for lunch at an actual picnic area with table—few and far between—offering an awesome view into a valley and another crested Saguaro not too far up a hill from the road.  If you get the guide for the Ajo Mountain Loop drive it’s #7.

desert cactus ORPI NM AZWe took advantage of almost every spot wide enough to park, and a few that weren’t.  Though I’ve taken this drive several times, I see it differently every time.

Saguaro anomaly desert Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZYet another unusual growth with wavy patterns are known as “spiral” or “checkerboard”.  Made us wonder if that was a sign for more crests to come.

bifurcated Saguaro Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZ

Saguaro bifurcation Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZSaguaro bifurcation Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZ g-2

And then there’s bifurcation, when the cactus, or an arm, divides into a split instead of the usual arm growth with a ring-shaped joint.

Crested Organ Pipe Cactus Ajo Mt Dr ORPI NM AZ

Sonoran desert crested organ pipe cactus Ajo Mt Rd ORPI NM AZFinally we got to #9.  Exactly six years previous to the day I saw this most amazing growth which I named the “octopuses’ garden”, my first ever crested Organ Pipe Cactus.

dead Organ Pipe Cactus with cristate Poppies at Organ Pipe Cactus NM AZI’d been told by a Ranger friend it had died since then.  I was sad.  Yet I’ve seen a lot of these Organ Pipe Cactus dying or dead during this visit.

dead Organ Pipe cactus sketleton cristate ORPI NM AZI was still anxious to see it, and got a closer look at the skeleton which clearly shows a very different growth pattern for the flatter cristate versus regular columnar cactus arms.

desert cloud virga ORPI NM AZWe continued with our drive-stop pattern, joking about the “plethora” of poppy patches, NOT.

crest Organ Pipe cactus Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZcrest Organ Pipe cactus Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZ

Richard shared a known-to-him/new-to-me crested Organ Pipe cactus that grows almost on the road.  It has several bifurcated and cristate growths.  How did I miss this one before?

desert Poppy flowers mt Ajo Mt Lp ORPI NM AZ

Poppies ORPI NM AZAs we came around the last third of the loop drive more flowers appeared.  Finally, some poppies.

Cactus Wren bird ORPI NM AZAnd a Cactus Wren too.

Sonoran desert Ajo Mts cg trl ORPI NM AZWe returned to our respective campsites exhausted from a long and wonderful day exploring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

Granny's Kitchen Why AZRichard and I pulled out of camp at 9am then slowly made our way north to Why for breakfast at Granny’s. Had to stop a few times for pics and Richard was scolded by Border Patrol for parking on the road.

desert Black Mt clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZWe parted ways after a delicious breakfast at Granny’s Kitchen and I continued north towards Ajo and my next camp.

desert Ajo Mts reverse sunset clouds Darby Well Rd BLM Ajo AZAll this happened weeks ago and I’ve been busy so am way behind real time.

Rec. gov & film permits

Did you know that rec. gov is a private company with a government contract that makes a bundle of money but not much reaches the feds?   I highly recommend Todd/Park Junkie’s explanation about who is rec. gov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ab9frl8zE & about a Lawsuit Against Rec. Gov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7vYpSeAn6U .  This could be changed during the renewal of the Federal Lands Recreation & Enhancement Act.  Which also includes the issue of needing permits to share videos and photographs on social media for commercial purposes including YouTube, Istagram, and others.  So even though I don’t personally make any money on my social media platforms, somebody does, so legally I should have a permit.  Every park’s permitting system is different and the process takes time.  There goes spontaneity.  I’m going to do it anyway as my constitutional right to free speech and freedom of the press.  If I go to jail, I hope you’ll consider bailing me out.

Arizona, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Places I've been, United States , , , , , 23 Comments

Day 17 of Social Distancing in the Sonoran Desert

desert mountain BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaYes, I’m still hanging out and practicing social distancing in the Sonoran Desert near Ajo, Arizona—thank you BLM—partially because I have no where else to go.  I am staying at home in my camper, and right now, this is home.  When I settled in here on the 9th the plan was not to be here quite this long.  But like everyone right now, plans have changed.  To what, I don’t know.  I’m just grateful to have a safe, and beautiful, place to be.  I know many full-time RVers that also don’t have a home base and that’s what I was going to blog about.  But it became a bit of a rant so I put it aside.  Here, neighbors come and go waving from a safe distance.  Instead I’ll share what’s been going on in the last week since I posted.

It’s a good thing I keep a daily journal as one day rather blends into another out here in the desert.  Sierra and I have a morning routine.  After the coffee is made she gets her morning treats then I sit down on the computer, with her curled next to me, and catch up with the news.  Lately that’s a rather sad and frustrating activity so as I feel my anxiety rise I change to looking at and processing photos taken the day before and usually share a few on Facebook, a place I spend waste way too much time.

mining equipment desert BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaIn the afternoon I usually go out for a walk and take more photos.  I try to head a slightly different direction from camp every day.  To the east along the dirt road I’m parked off of there is some old mining equipment.  With that large Palo Verde tree growing through I’d say it hasn’t been used in a while.

orange Globe Mallow flowers BLM Darby Well Road Ajo Arizonapink Fairyduster flowers BLM Darby Well Road Ajo Arizona

desicated Sonoran Toad BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI spot a few flowers: Globe Mallow and Fairyduster.  Then the weirdest thing, a desiccated Sonoran Toad encircled with rocks which is the only reason I even saw it.  A friend/Ranger who works in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument says it’s not uncommon to find these carcasses as it doesn’t take much sun to dry them out.  This thing was as big as my outstretched hand.

two Saguaro cactus BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaA few new neighbors moved in, keeping a respectful distance.

Saguaro cactus mountains sunset clouds run rays BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaThat evening the clouds rolled in as a harbinger of predicted storms for the next several days.  I think clouds improve on sunsets most of the time.

Saguaro cactus Sonoran Desert mountain BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaGreetings from the morning sky brought more clouds.  I sent several Facebook messages and emails to people checking on how they are doing through these troubled days.  Felt good to get, and give, reassurances of wellness and safety.  I am practiced at self imposed isolation for most of the winter anyway.  Yet sure glad to have a strong signal for phone and internet to connect via social media.

red flowering Ocotillo desert storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaBefore noon the wind picked up a bit followed by intermittent gentle rain.  Moist enough that two Cattle Egrets found puddles on my roof.  Hours later the wind increased, temperature dropped, and rain turned briefly to hail blowing sideways.  The camper and Saguaros were rocking.

truckcamper desert rainbow BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaNot more than 30 minutes later, rain almost stoped, patches of blue showed as the clouds broke apart and that means look for the rainbow.

Sonoran Desert rainbow BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaSure enough, it’s a double.

Saguaro cactus desert mountain storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaAnother day of partly cloudy and cool had me climbing in and out of the camper to take photos of light and shadows.  Heck, I was still processing from the day before.

road desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaAfternoon warmed up enough—with an extra layer on—to open the door and windows.  The spring bird songs are melodious and all the sound I need.  The current Sonoran Desert theme song on play all day by the Cactus Wren.  A friend from childhood, and also online, asked if I can record the song.  Hmm, I am not practiced at videography and suggested she google it.  Yet several days later I used my phone and although the image is fuzzy I caught the sound.  It’s on my YouTube, here.

desert Black Mountain sunset clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaSure is a pretty desert to live in for right now.

blue Lupine flowers Organ Pipe Cactus Palo Verde tree BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaThe following day, a light gray sky seemed to hold down the desert quiet even with no rain in the forecast.  Below, puffy clouds moved northward keeping distant from each other just like us folks.  A fine afternoon for a walk to the west of camp.  I followed a faded two-track or just wandered between the vegetation.  My pace was slow.  I looked ahead to not only find my path and next ten foot destination but search the ground to avoid potential critters.  Warming temperatures bring out snakes but so far I’ve only seen tiny lizards and active ants.  Butterflies flit about too fast to capture a pic.

orange Globe Mallow flowers BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaLovely wildflowers speckle the land without enough density for a carpet of color.  Makes it more fun to search for but difficult to photograph.  Along the edge of a now dry wash and under the shade of the Palo Verde trees moist ground produced clusters of brilliant orange Globe Mallow on their two foot stalks surrounded by lush grass.

Wildflowers Sonoran Desert BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaClockwise: Phacelia & Chicory, unknown, Globe Mallow, Phacelia, unknown, Lupine, Maidenhair Vine, unknown

Clumps of Lupine in various shades of blue are interspersed with deep purple Phacelia and other unknown whites and yellows.

flowers cactus desert BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaShades of yellow and green spread across the desert as Creosote bushes and Brittlebush bloom to steal the show.

yellow flowers Brittlebush Organ Pipe Cactus BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaFinally, a morning of clear blue sky and temperatures in the 70s.  A perfect day for another walk in the same direction as the day before but try to get a little further along.  I found myself inspecting Organ Pipe Cactus for crests, or cristates.  It was in this general area a few years ago, I took photos of the most magnificent example I’ve ever seen.  And though I haven’t found that one yet I’m not complaining as the views, scents, and sights are beyond beautiful.  I am beginning to run out of descriptive words.

sunset clouds BLM Darby Well Ajo ArizonaI’m not entirely alone out here.  Turns out one of my nearest neighbors is fellow blogger and winter desert boondocker Doug and his dog Yuma.  He wandered into camp when I was sitting outside reading.  Thanks to Al, Bayfield Bunch blogger, for recognizing that we took photos of the same scene and gave Doug a heads up.  Mind you, we spoke from a safe distance.

yellow Creosote flowers Saguaro cactus clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaSierra and I both bolted awake to the sound of loud tapping on the camper.  Seems drips of condensation fall on the bumper and provided a morning drink for a woodpecker.  It was time to get up anyway and start the day.

Sierra cat & Gaelyn selfie BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaA friend asked for a social distancing selfie, so we obliged.

A Cactus Wren sat atop the nearby leaning Saguaro and sang a varied tune for well over a minute.

desert mountain sunset BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI puttered, as usual, resting up for town the next day.

desert BLM Scenic Loop Road Ajo Arizona

desert boulders BLM Scenic Loop Road Ajo ArizonaHaving made it eight days it was time to fill the propane tank before I ran out and the ice cream could melt.  Was on the road before 10am and decided to take the 4.5 mile Scenic Loop Road to Ajo.  I’d never been that way because I drive only a few gravel miles on Darby Well Road to find a camp.

desert mountain BLM Scenic Loop Road Ajo ArizonaIt was Gorgeous!  I probably won’t drive it again.  I really don’t mind slow but there were many rough spots and dips through dry washes and it took me almost an hour.  Truck can do it but sure shakes the shit out of my camper/house.

yellow Brittlebush flowers Saguaro cactus mountain BLM Scenic Loop Road Ajo ArizonaBrittlebush

That with barely stopping for a few photos.

desert view BLM Scenic Loop Road Ajo ArizonaSaw lots more nice looking camping areas near the town end of this road with boulders and flowers galore.  But located on the wrong side of too many washes for me to consider a move.

Happily, the grocery store was open and had most things I needed though I did forget to get myself some birthday cake.  I wore latex gloves and wiped down all my groceries before they went into the camper.  Then went to Belly Acres for propane and that Texas good ole boy doesn’t understand personal space.  I basically hope for the best being in this remote area with no known cases of COVID-19.  I’m good for another week, except for chocolate cake.

late light Saguaro desert BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI returned to the same place to camp.  Why not?  Good neighbor, high ground, great views, and lots of desert to walk.

Saguaro cactus sun setting clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaWhich I did that afternoon.

How much longer I’ll be here is currently impossible to say.  I still have a start date of April 12th at Bryce Canyon National Park, provided it’s still open.  Their visitor center is closed and entrance is free.  Please believe the reason for no entrance fees at park sites has more to do with protecting staff than getting more visitors.

Sonoran Desert rainbow BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI’m doing OK as I now face Day 17 of social distancing in the Sonoran Desert, and actually I’ve been doing that most of 2020 so far anyway.  Hope you are all doing well whether it’s staying home or not.

Gail Lynn Olmsted hours old 3-26-1954March 26, 1954

Happy Birthday to me!

Ajo, Arizona, COVID-19, Places I've been, United States , , , 49 Comments

Lijit

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