Bird watching at Patagonia Lake.

Our friends from NY state that we've met while camping at Cinnamon Bay, USVI, told us about this great place for bird watching.  Unfortunately they weren't able to join us, but we decided to get out the binocs and the super zoom lens for our camera and see if we could bird watch.

Success!!

 

Only 12 miles from the Mexican border, Patagonia Lake was made by damming the Sonoita Creek.  Now 265 acres of cool blue water, the birds have discovered this oasis in this dry southern Arizona land.  In only an hour on a guided pontoon birding trip, over 50 species were spotted.  We actually thought this was pretty good.  Future birding to come.





We then heard about the artsy town of Patagonia and the excellent vineyards on the road to Elgin....  In Arizona?  Yes, it's true.  We stopped at Callaghan Vineyards for a tasting, and left with a bottle of Dry Genache Rose and a bottle of Padres (a blend of Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon). 

Who would have thought ? !!!

Driving south out of Tucson, we had to stop and fill up BIW!  And we thought $1.99 was a good price.  RVing here we come!

Ten Days in Tucson

Did we ever pick the right place to be!  Great friends to visit, wonderful desert hikes among the Saguaros, terrific & authentic Mexican food, and record warm temperatures in the 80s (it even hit 91 degrees).

Our "old" friends, Mike & Vicki, from our 1970s Ann Arbor couples club, spent two days with us -- showing us the sights.

First stop, White Water Draw reservoir where the migrating Sandhill Cranes were wintering.  Arrived to see the cranes heading back in massive waves. Cool.  Next on to Bisbee, a copper mining town, that today has become a tourism shopping and restaurant town.
We even spent a fun time checking out some of the antique shops, spotting many of our old possessions from the 50's and 60's.

The next day the four of us headed to a number of the old Spanish missions from the 1600s.  For lunch we went south of the border to Mexico in Nogalas.  Finished the day shopping for Mexican pottery in Tubec.  And during these two days, we ate good Mexican food!




Another visit, when we stopped at Jon & Susan's home (recent transplants from Boston) and then a hike in Sabino Canyon with Jon.

Tucson is a great place to RV with lots to do.  We must say that the best is the great hiking here.   Our favorite hike was the 6 mile hike to Romero Pools from our Catalina State Park campground.  After a climb of over 1,000 feet through the granite rocks and the cactus, we arrived at a cool lunch stop.  Nice!  We also did some hiking in the Saguaro National Park and at the Desert Museum when we were camped at Gilbert Ray County Park.  We have gained a real love for all of the desert landscape, particularly the Saguaro . their arms and nubs.

We will be back to Tucson with BIW.  And back to both of these nice campgrounds.  Does camping get better than this?!

It's HOT !!!

Five years ago, we were in the Tucson area and it was record cold....7 degrees!
Now, we're here and it's record heat....over 90 degrees!!  The year's earliest recorded temperature over 90!!  Now that's HOT !

On the road to Tucson....Casa Grande & Picacho Peak

Traveling down the road with BIW, we stopped at the oldest established National Monument, Casa Grande.  Rediscovered by the Spaniards in the 1500's, and then again when the stagecoach started heading out West, Casa Grande is a four story pueblo surrounded by lower village buildings, 17,000 acres of cultivated and irrigated farmlands, and boasted a population over 2,500, 750 years ago.

We followed an excellent docent lead tour and were amazed that after all this time, the pueblo remains.  The NM museum and film did an excellent job of portraying life of these ancient native Americans,  and displayed a number of intricately decorated jugs and baskets.

Another half hour back in our motorhome, where we arrived at Picacho Peak for a couple of nights camping in the Saguaro filled dessert.  We were not prepared with heavy gloves to climb to the top of the peak which is reached by pulling yourself along a steel cable, but we did have a nice hike toward the summit.  It's nice here for a couple of days before reaching the Tucson area.

Lost Dutchman State Park....

Just outside of  Phoenix, we arrived at this state park.  Great views, lots of those really cool saguaro cactus, and some great sites to set up camp.  Having waited to make reservations until about 45 days out, we chose one of the last sites available.  We should have realized that this is a holiday weekend, Presidents Day.  Our site 33 has the great vistas; but 8 boards later, we almost got level.  Fortunately level enough to run our refrigerator and keep the ice flowing for our gin & tonics.

Met back up with our friends, Dan & Gail, who were staying nearby in Mesa.  Once again, Dan had a hike picked out!  After 5 miles on a gravel road to the base of the canyon, we set out on the Peralta Trail, 1,400 foot climb and 2.1 miles to the top.  With temps getting up to 86, we were glad we carried just enough water.  What a magnificent hike!! Lots of rocks to step up and over, but even more great views.  When we got to the top of the "saddle", we enjoyed our lunch and the scenery on both sides of the mountain.

We ended the day, eating outside with our good friends, some wine, and some great spaghetti from our world renowned resident chef, Ruthie!  (photo is from prior night's dinner setup...should have used our tripod for a group shot of our celebration with our good friends)

We're loving the Arizona weather and life style !!

We're here in Sedona...Vortex exploring

All week long we have searched for one or more of the vortexes, known to be in and around Sedona.  After setting up camp at Dead Horse State Park, a nice campground with great views of Cottonwood, we set out every day in search for the special places where we could feel the power of the vortex.

We hiked to Cathedral rock.  We hiked around Courthouse and Bell rock.  We hiked to Devils Bridge and Boynton Vista.  Yes, over 40 miles, and yes we think we felt the vortex at a number of places.  How mystical and far out!  We even attempted the West Fork trail through the snow which crosses Oak Creek Canyon 13 times; but we only succeeded in crossing the creek once; the snow and ice were just too treacherous.  So we guess we missed getting in the proximity of this vortex.

In addition to vortex exploring, we took time to relax.  Stopped at a local winery, Page Springs, for a tasting, surprisingly good.  Even better was listening to some live music while we shared another glass of wine and some cheese.  Speaking of relaxing, following our last hike (sadly) here in Sedona we stopped at Javelina Cantina for some margaritas and nachos -- And then headed up to Airport Mesa to watch the sunset.  All in celebration of this mystical area.

Traveling thru the 3-Corners area

"3-Corners" ???  Yep, California to Nevada to Arizona. 

Sadly left Death Valley after a Furnace Creek Resort hotel tour...pretty cool.  Just one small step up from our campsite.  Truly in the middle of nowhere; and magnificent.

After an overnight in the big metropolis of Shoshone and a dinner at The Crowbar featuring Mexican food, we drove through the Mohave National Preserve....2400 square miles of desert.

Midway through the preserve we reached Kelso Depot.  Built 90 years ago as a source of spring water to replenish the steam locomotives, and with a engine yard to add some pushers to get over the 2400 foot pass, the Depot was saved from the wrecking ball.... and then restored to its former glory.

Unfortunately ??  the post office across the street did not get restored.  Is this the first post office in our country to ever be closed?  Where were the Nevada legislators?  Why didn't they keep this one open?

Then on to Laughlin Nevada.  Camped in a 750 foot RV parking lot, adjacent to the River Casino.  Had a lucky day, only losing $3, and getting 2 margaritas for our efforts.

Finally to Lake Mohave and a NPS campsite for $10 a night.  No hookups, but great views.  Hunkered down while the 40+ mile windstorm blew through.  All ok, just cleaning up all of the new dust/sand throughout our home.