Our Winter Trip - AZ and MX February 1-10, 2018

Hi all, yes we are back! I had considered forgetting about blogging this trip but changed my mind.

We actually left Reno in Spring-like weather on February 1, 2018.  So we have been traveling for 10 days so far.  First we made our way down highway 395 and spent two nights at the Navy Weapons Station in Ridgecrest, CA.  $18 per night for full hookups.  We were even able to get LA tv on our digital antenna.   Not too much to talk about except that we were doing a shake down with a safety net.
Ridgecrest Sunset

After 2 days in Ridgecrest we took off for a short trip and did a stop over at another free campsite in the Mojave Desert located at the base of Amboy Crater.  We only spent one night but we did get off to do a hike the next morning and Kappy had a terrible time slipping on the scree but managed to make it to the rim.  Russ said that there would be an easy way down but guess what?  There wasn't.  A well deserved beer and shot that evening.

Inside the Amboy Crater

The Trail to the Crater

 Kappy and Ceilidh nervously standing on the Rim of the Crater


Amboy Crater Selfi

Amboy Crater Sunset - Lucky us

The next day we made it to Quartzite where we dry camped (free) with our friends Pat and Steve Grover for February 4-7.  Here again the desert is beautiful and quiet.  We were able to go into town and do a little flea market type shopping.  Ceilidh and the Grovers' puppies enjoyed the relative freedom of not having to be tied up however, the rocky desert is hard on their feet.


Quartzite Night


February 8th we pulled up stakes, (legs on the trailer) and headed to town to dump our tanks.  We left Quartzite around 9 am and headed toward Gila Bend where we would turn right and continue on to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to camp again before heading to Sonora MX.  Pat and Steve are traveling with us to Puerto Penasco for a week of camping on the beach.

Unfortunately, Russ an I had to purchase 4 new trailer tires -- you know how it goes, you see one looks bad and the tire guys (seeing a sucker coming) sees 4.  I guess we should just be grateful for all the free camping we did in Quartzite and in the long run we needed the tires anyways.

So here we are February 10, 2018 and we have been camped at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument since February 8th.  For seniors with the card, the charge is $9 per night -- this is dry camping at its best.  Cement pads, bathrooms, nicely manicured and lots to do -- hikes and scenic drives as well as Ranger talks at night and all day long.  I highly recommend a trip here -- it is a bit out of the way however and only 7 miles from the Mexican border (which freaks a few folks out).

 This sign was posted in several languages including English, Spanish and Tohono O'odham suggesting that one push the red button if they need help.  According to the sign, help will arrive momentarily.  

 The namesake "Organ Pipe Cactus"


Beautiful Sonoran Desert -- looks like a forest, right?

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