Mileage: 59,371 Cummins Sales and Service Parking Lot/Campground Phoenix, Arizona

We left this morning to go back to Phoenix for our service appointment tomorrow at Cummins.

We stopped in the town of Ajo. There were a lot of murals around town. This we saw as soon as we parked the RV.

We took our bikes down and rode around town. We stopped at the Desert Rain Cafe and had the best breakfast burritos ever!! Tim had eggs with cheese and bacon jam with fresh squeezed blood orange juice. I had eggs and cheese with chorizo. We both added some green chiles at the suggestion of the server…just so yummy!

As we rode around town and through artist ally, we saw this mural.

This was an old copper mining town and there is a lot of history here. The town is quaint and friendly.

An opinion about the border wall in front of a small house on the main road.

We stopped in Gila Bend at the Chevron station for diesel fuel, fresh water, and cleaning our sanitation tanks. We arrived in Phoenix at about noon. I did the shopping and Tim did some RV maintenance.

We got to Cummins at 4:30. This place is amazing so far! They greeted us warmly, checked us in for our appointment tomorrow, and welcomed us to use their parking lot this evening. There are 50 amp plugins available. We got hooked up.

I spent the afternoon catching up on the blog. We went to Carrabba’s for dinner.

Some nice wine and good food…a very productive day!

Day 2 Twin Peaks Campground Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Ajo, Arizona

It rained heavily and steadily all night.  It was still raining this morning with the forecast for more rain.  We packed a picnic lunch knowing we would probably have to sit in the car to eat it. 

We are getting low on supplies and so today was another PBandJ day.  I had bananas and asked Tim if he wanted a PB and banana sandwich?  “Yes, with mayonnaise!”  Do you eat your peanut butter and banana with mayonnaise???

Off we went.  Today we took the 41-mile scenic loop, North Puerto Blanco Drive. 

It rained.

All at once we could see glimpses of blue sky…real or imagined???

“This is not a desert…this is a garden,” said a visiting Saudi Arabian Prince.  The Sonoran Desert is the “hottest, wettest, and most botanically diverse of North American deserts.” 

We saw a couple of black tailed jackrabbits, a cottontail rabbit, and lots of birds.  There was a large bird sitting on a cactus.  Using our super nice binoculars, we could see that it was a huge owl.  We saw another large bird take off spooked by the Jeep.  We saw phainopepla.  We have been noticing them for weeks but did not know until today what they were.  They look like black cardinals.  There were also lots of cactus wrens, white winged doves, and dusky-capped flycatchers. 

Golden Bell Mine, an old copper mine.

Chain fruit cholla.

We have seen several water tanks marked with blue flags.  We don’t believe that they are for tourists but rather for people who have crossed the border.  These are not labeled on any map.

We have also seen these safety stations.  Written in 3 languages is this:

“If you need help push the red button.  Rescue personnel will arrive shortly to help you.  Do not leave this area.”  Along with the water tanks, these stations seem to be there to protect people from dying in this desert.  Today was a cool and damp day.  I can only imagine what walking across this desert would be like in the summer heat.

As we drove a couple of miles from the Mexican border, we saw many sets of fresh footprints in the mud.  We came upon 6 people.  There was one woman, two children around 9 or 10, and 3 men.  They appeared to be trying to dry their things out.  They had blankets and clothing spread across bushes.  They waved happily at us as we approached.  We did not stop.  Soon after passing them, we saw Border Patrol coming toward us.  Whether the van was out on regular patrol or whether someone reported the family, we are not sure.  When we turned the Jeep around after eating our lunch, they were no longer anywhere to be seen. 

Tim loving his sandwich!

The last portion of the scenic loop paralleled the border wall.   For the first 12 miles it was just this short fence.  In some places it was wrapped with barbed wire and in some places there was none.  It is easy to see how anyone who wanted to could easily cross.  We later learned that this is supposed to serve as a vehicle barrier to keep people from driving across the border.

The last 2 miles of wall were high with razor wire.

Last night during the heavy rain, my thoughts and Tim’s coincidentally returned to the young man we had seen walking earlier in the day.  We both independently wondered where he was and if he was safe.  Being this close to the border and witnessing these families has stirred up a lot of complex thoughts and feelings and made for an awful lot of good discussion.  As a mother, I cannot imagine how desperate you would have to be, to walk your children across the border.  To risk not only your life but the life of your children for the opportunity for a better future.   I understand that there are humanitarian issues, political issues, and economic consequences.  I also know that as people who live far away…we really do not understand what is happening here.  I’m also not sure that there is a good answer.  The people we saw these past two days are not smugglers.  You can bet the smugglers have a far more sophisticated means of staying out of sight.  I am reminded of what Stan told us in Big Bend.  He commented that he and I had the good fortune to be born on this side of the fence while the Mexican people had the misfortune to be born on the other side.  How easily we take for granted the life we have here and all its privileges and freedoms.  It seems really inappropriate for us to judge these people.  After all what we all really want is the best possible life for our children.

There is memorial at the visitor center for this young ranger who lost his life when a violent altercation that began in Mexico ended in the shooting of the young man when he was called to intervene. Since then, there have been a lot of changes to make things safer for everyone.

Mileage:  59,235 Twin Peaks Campground Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Ajo, Arizona

Our day started early.  We were at Camping World before they opened at 8:00 am.  We were hoping to get our transmission serviced today before we left Phoenix. 

Camping World had a 2-week backlog.  They did recommend Cummins Sales and Service but they couldn’t see us until Thursday.  Cummins recommended Freightliner who couldn’t see us until the 19^th.  Just another day on the road, solving problems.  We decided to go to Cummins on Thursday.  In the meantime, we had a couple of extra days to explore.  Our good friend Claudia from Tucson had said that Organ Pipe was a great place to visit.  It was 2 hours due south of Phoenix.  We took 85 south toward Ajo.  A quick internet search and a phone call to recreation.gov and we had a campsite in the park.  With Tim’s Lifetime Senior Pass it was $10.00 a night…perfect.

We passed the Barry Goldwater Range.  This is a military training area two times the size of Delaware.  It is a tactical aviation range.  Pilots from all the military branches fly here.  We have been hearing and seeing lots of military jets and today was no exception.

Our campsite.

Apparently pack rats are a real concern here. They advise you to leave your hood open to avoid having pack rats eating away at your engine parts. The rats like insulation and other soft stuff for their nests. We saw one in a garden near the visitor center. He was 4-5 inches long and fast.

There were also warnings about Africanized bees rattlesnakes, and feeding coyote.

After we settled, we packed a lunch and went for a drive on the 21-mile scenic loop, Ajo Mountain Drive.  Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument “celebrates the wildlife and plants that have mastered survival in the extreme temperatures and little rainfall that characterizes the Sonoran Desert.”  The air temperature in the summer can reach about 115 degrees.  The ground temperature though, can reach 175 degrees…ouch!

This is a green desert, lush with groundcover, tons of wildflowers and 28 species of cactus.  The park is named for the organ pipe cactus.  Early settlers noted that dead organ pipe cacti looked like church organ pipes.  These cacti don’t grow naturally in any other place in the United States, though they are common to Mexico.  The cactus blooms in the summer months with a lavender white flower.  The cacti only produce flowers after 35 years.  The plants themselves live about 150 years.  The blossoms only open at night.  The plants are pollinated by bats. 

Fairy duster flowers, so delicate and pretty!

Tim putting some glass on it!

The drive along Ajo Mountain Drive was lovely. 

There was a young man walking when we entered the trail.  About two hours later, on our way out of the park, we passed him again, still walking.  He wasn’t carrying anything with him.  Tim stopped to ask him if he needed water.  He replied in Spanish saying “Hablo Español…no hablo Ingles.”  Tim asked “agua?”  The man replied “Si!”  We stopped the Jeep and Tim gave the guy water.  The man hastily opened the bottle of water and gulped it down.  Tim noticed that the man’s lips were dry and peeling.  He reached into the cooler and gave him apricots, two more bottles of water, and our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  The man was very grateful, and thirsty, and hungry.  As we drove away, I saw him sit on the side of the gravel road and eat the first sandwich.  I’m proud that he stopped to do the right thing.

We got back to the RV just as fat raindrops fell.  A nice afternoon siesta!

Later in the afternoon we went back out to explore the town of Lukeville.  This is really only a tiny little border crossing town with a gas station/convenience store.  We noticed a dirt road, Camino de los dos Republicas and decided to follow it awhile.  This park shares 31 miles of its southern boundary with the border of Mexico.  There is a brown sign at every park entrance. 

We could see the wall in the distance.

Then closer.

Then, the road ran parallel to the wall. 

For about two miles the wall was wrapped in razor wire…then all at once, there was only this short fence.  

We have seen firsthand how porous the border is.  We passed the Ajo Border Patrol Headquarters on our way here.  There was an inspection station that was closed today. 

Border Patrol trucks were everywhere. 

The whole issue of wall or no wall is extremely complicated…what isn’t so very complicated is treating one man with kindness and compassion. 

Day 2 South Dunes Campground ISM Raceway Phoenix, Arizona

I was so confused this morning. Yesterday we crossed into Arizona from California. There is an hour time difference. Last night was daylight savings time. Arizona doesn’t do daylight savings time. My phone said it was 11:02 am. Tim’s phone said it was 10:02 am.

I googled “what time is it in Arizona right now?” and this is what Google told me…

I still really didn’t know what time it was…I texted Kyle and subtracted 3 hours. Tim’s phone was correct. All this time we have been traveling back and forth from California and Arizona and our phones have automatically updated. It’s not usually any big deal…we have NO schedule whatsoever, but today we had race tickets!

Tim really really likes NASCAR and I don’t mind going along. When we found out that the Phoenix race was the same weekend that Kyle and Allison needed to be at the Phoenix airport…we took it as a sign. This is the view from the roof of the RV.

It was a beautiful day for a race!

In the background you can see the infamous Rattlesnake Hill. You can pay $20.00 for a spot on the hill and watch the race.

The 16 year old girl, Chevel Shepherd from The Voice did an outstanding rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. The fireworks, the soldiers with the flag, and the Blue Angels flying overhead…what a rush!!

Happy Hamlin fan.

My favorite part of going to a live race is the first time the group of race-cars comes around the corner at full throttle. Such speed and power…Even if you are not a race fan…you have to appreciate the machine!

Watching Joey’s pit crew during a pit stop.

Kyle Busch was a strong contender all day and won the race.

We walked back to the RV for a quiet evening.

Thanks MOM for our Christmas gift!!! We had a great day!!!

We are really not certain where we will go tomorrow. We need to get some routine maintenance done on the RV and we want to get it done here in Phoenix. Stay tuned!

Mileage: 59,094 South Dunes Campground ISM Raceway Phoenix, Arizona

Our mission today was to get to Phoenix. Tim and Kyle took turns driving the RV. We were about 300 miles away.

Tim and I are staying in Phoenix for the NASCAR race. Allison and Kyle were flying back home today.

Tim parked the RV close to the track and we disconnected the Jeep so I could drive the kids to the airport. We are sad today to see Kyle and Allison go. We have loved having them both. Our time together brought us all joy! The very hardest part of this gypsy life we live is being away from friends and family. We are so grateful that a piece of home found us here in Arizona! There is nothing better than sharing something you love with the people that you love!

We got to the racetrack and got set up. We actually have a really nice site that faces the mountains.

We rested a short while and then got on our bikes to scope things out. By the time we got to the track, many of the vendors and kiosks had closed for the day. We did find an open grill and had our dinner there.

Sadly, the front of our RV is covered in painted lady corpses…a macabre abstract art project…

Sunset at the track.

Palm Mountain Campground Ocotillo, California

We were slow moving this morning.  We drove to Palm Mountain Campground.  On the way, we stopped to make pancakes for our breakfast in a beautiful breakfast spot.  Kyle collected a prickly pear pad, carefully removing the spines with a pair of needle nose pliers.  We intended to try to cook some for our dinner.  We didn’t actually though.

Once we were at the campground, Kyle and Allison went for an off-road drive in Indian Canyon. 

Tim and I hiked in Palm Mountain Canyon while the kids took naps.

Later in the day, Kyle and Allison rode out again to find cell phone service so they could check-in for their flight tomorrow.

It was a quiet, low key day.  Happy hour started at 5:00.  We cooked tilapia and mac and cheese and made spinach salad for our dinner.  We played more UNO and I had 614 points…I win?!?

Ocotillo Wells Vehicular Park Borrego Springs, California

We moved the short distance to Ocotillo Wells this morning.  We packed our lunch and headed to Sandstone Canyon.  This trail was also closed as a result of the Valentine’s Day rain.  There was a rockfall ½ mile into the canyon.  As of this morning, the status of the trail was changed to passable.

Tim and I sat in the back of the Jeep while Kyle drove.  This was our view.

We took a quick hike to Diablo Drop-off.  We had to see what all the fuss was about.

In Sandstone Canyon we met a Jeep stopped ahead of us.  It was hung up on the rockfall.  This area was completely clear when we drove through on February 13^th. 

We watched as they used their winch to pull themselves up and over the rock obstacle. 

Kyle and Tim worked to build a bridge with rock so that we could get through as well.  The other Jeep waited to make sure that we made it through safely. 

Allison and I watched and took pictures and video.

The other Jeep owners had this giant poodle…dyed blue (the Mohawk on his neck) and purple (his ears) and green (around his ankles)…poor dog…whatever floats your boat I guess…

Lunch spot.

The other Jeep drove through the next squeeze while we stopped for our lunch.  By the time they returned we were packing up.  We assisted one another to get back over the rockfall.

At some places, the canyon walls were close enough to touch. 

We hiked to the wind caves.  The wind caves were formed by blowing wind “sandblasting” depressions into the sandstone.  The caves were amazing.

Even more spectacular was the view of the Corrizo Badlands from the peak.

Good thinking spot.

Allison took her turn 4 wheeling and she drove us straight to the Iron Door, “a small dive bar in the middle of nowhere!”  We all had our after-trail drinks…I had pink wine this time!

Kyle and I grilled veggie and/or chicken quesadillas together. We added some salad, and papaya for our dinner.

We all drank wine and played Uno until 9:30 and then we slept.

Day 2 Palm Canyon Resort Borrego Springs, California

We began the day with a drive through the giant metal sculptures at Galleta Meadows. 

From there, we took the Coyote Canyon Trail.  The wildflowers here were so pretty and again there were lots of “tourists!” 

This trail was one of our favorites when were in Borrego a couple of weeks ago.  The Valentine’s Day rain had rendered the trail impassable and we were disappointed.  We really wanted to share this ride with Kyle and Allison.  The trail was reopened just 2 days ago…still we had heard that the drop-off to Sheep Canyon was still closed for repair.

The were tens of thousands of painted lady butterflies fluttering all around us.  I was so delighted…I felt like a little girl, giggling as we walked and they brushed past us!  These butterflies overwintered in Mexico.  They are migrating north in search of a place to lay their eggs. 

Painted ladies and ladies painting in the desert.

We continued into Coyote Canyon.  We passed a group of cyclists who recommended that we take the hike to Cougar Canyon.   The drop-off to Sheep Canyon was open after all!  We ate our lunch and hiked along and through Indian Creek.  The valley was especially wonderful, green and lovely!  The kids hiked up and into the rocky canyon.

There were these very dark rain clouds hovering over these mountains all day long.  The other cottony white clouds were moving quickly across the sky but these steely grey clouds stayed put on the other side of the craggy peaks.  At one point there was a vividly intense rainbow beneath the charcoal layer.

Kyle, Allison, and I went into town for supplies.  We had hoped to bring back pizza but all we could find was pizza that looked like gas station pizza.  It was our last opportunity to go out for dinner.  We went to Carlee’s and Kyle treated us to a delicious dinner.

Kyle, Allison, and I stayed up drinking wine and playing UNO.

Palm Canyon Resort Borrego Springs, California

We drove from Kofa to Borrego Springs.  It was a hot and sunny day with temperatures in the eighties.  Kyle took a turn driving the RV while Tim coached.

Just outside of Borrego Springs, we saw the wildflowers.  There were lots of people taking pictures.  Up close, the flowers were yellow and white and pink and purple but when you looked across the valley, you could see great swaths of brilliant fuchsia sand verbena…just gorgeous.

We camped at Palm Canyon Resort. Here we are in town and have full hookups.

Allison and Kyle went to lunch and then the pool while I caught up on laundry.  Later in the afternoon they both biked to town.  Tim and I met them there for dinner at Pablito’s.  We sat on the patio and drank not one, but two pitchers of mango margaritas.

Day 3 Kofa Wildlife Refuge Quartzsite, Arizona

There is a part of Kofa that Tim and I did not get to see when we spent time camping here.  This was the intended plan for today’s Jeep ride.  We knew it was going to be a long day and Tim wondered aloud if this might be an over ambitious plan but we were all in and excited!

We rode through the desert and up into the mountains through Red Rock Pass. 

Lunch spot.

The road was dusty, rough, and rugged and the going was slow…less than 10 miles per hour in most places.  Our whole trip was 141 miles and it took us 10 ½ hours!!  We did get to see beautiful views all day long.  We honestly didn’t take too many pictures…we were enjoying the ride!!!

The best part of the day was sunset.  We were riding in a wash at the very bottom of a canyon.  The setting sun cast shadows and glorious colors on the surrounding mountains.

We saw a big buck, lots of hummingbirds and lizards, a few hawks, a couple of mice and a ground squirrel.

It was a long ride but we all agreed that it was worth it.  We passed only a van with a couple of tents the whole day on the back road.  We felt grateful that we got to see this incredible place.  We ate dinner at 8:30 and we were all tucked into bed soon thereafter.