March 28-29 - Salton Sea

We hated leaving Arizona, our happy place but had to keep pushing west. Decided to head toward the Salton Sea. 

As we got closer, the terrain was palm trees. These are where dates come from. The Imperial Valley is known for their dates. It’s also know for their citrus. Rows and rows of citrus trees. The road was called grapefruit blvd. 

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The Salton Sea was formed when Colorado River floodwater breached an irrigation canal being constructed in the Imperial Valley in 1905 and flowed into the Salton Sink. The Sea has since been maintained by irrigation runoff in the Imperial and Coachella valleys and local rivers. 

It was a huge recreation area in the 1950s but since it has lost a lot of water and become very salty, the lake isn’t used for recreation as much. 

It’s a beautiful area though and perfect for us to camp by it. 

We are staying here another night to avoid the cooler air and windy weather at Joshua Tree. 

March 29

Sun with clouds and windy. As we drove to our hiking spot, there were acres and acres of citrus trees and date palm trees. Huge farms. 

Hiked about 4 miles in the Box Canyon near Mecca. Few flowers but most were blooming.  

March 27 - Organ Pipe, Mexico Border and Ajo

Another blue sky, high 60s day. After taking the boys on a 4 mile walk where we were camped, we visited Cabeza Prieta National Refuge in Ajo. We got some information on a scenic drive through Organ Pipe National Monument. 

The roadside wildflowers were busting out their blooms as we drove along. 

Look at the size of this saguaro. He’s an oldie for sure. Bill read that the ones have arms got them because there was more water available. 

The Ocotillo are just beginning to bloom. I couldn’t capture that very well. The flowers start to come out on the tops of the stems. 

The last leg of our trip took us along the Mexico Border and the wall. For about 20 miles we were about 50 feet from the border. 

March 26 - Organ Pipe National Forest, Ano, AZ

Celebrating Bill’s birthday as we make our way to our last Arizona stop in Organ Pipe National Monument near Ajo. Organ Pipe National Monument is an International Biosphere Reserve in the Sonoran Desert. It was established to preserve the ecological wonders of the country. 

A scenic drive across the desert to get here. Large Saguaro cacti all along the way with some chollas and wildflowers. . 

Hills with forests of saguaro. We haven’t seen that many saguaro in one spot before. 

When we arrived at the BLM land where we would boondock for the next 2 nights, we had saguaro right out our front door. 

Organ Pipe Monument covers 330,000 acres. From our camping spot, it was 23 miles to the visitor center with the desert scenery all along the drive. 

We hiked among all the desert plants. 

This is a huge example of an Organ Pipe cactus. Not sure I had ever seen one before. 

Back at the camper, Bill grilled his birthday dinner - steak and potatoes. 

March 27 - into the park we go for more cacti viewing. 

March 24-25 - Las Cienegas National Conservation

Wow did we ever score on this spot near Sonoita, Az, the Las Cientegas National Conservation Area. We are about 30 miles from Mexico. 

Beautiful spot with Empire mountains around us. We’re in the middle of a working cattle ranch. The ranch is 45,000 acres of rolling grasslands and woodlands in southeastern Arizona and are protected under the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (NCA). The region’s oak-studded hills connect several "sky island" mountain ranges and lush riparian corridors. 

On our way in to find a spot, we had to stop to let these antelope cross over. 

Lenny and Banjo appreciate the openness. No leashes. And paradise dogs yelling at them. 

Took a ride around this property to the working ranch. There was a hike we took among the cottonwood trees and some interesting history of the area at the ranch. 

Those cottonwood trees can get quite large. 

Decided to drive into the town of Sonoita and guess what we found .. a brewery called Copper Brothel Brewery. 

Southwest artwork to welcome us. 

Back at the RV for a sunset

We will stay here tomorrow to visit Patagonia and Nogales. 

March 25

Bill found a hike for us in the Coronado National Forest on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The trail runs from Utah to Mexico. We hiked 2-1/2 miles towards Mexico and turned around. 

Some volunteers were working on the crossing of a little stream. The trail is in great condition. 

Some of the terrain we covered  









An aloe plant growing on a rock. 

A little barrel cactus. Can you spot it?

Took a drive to Patagonia and Nogales. Patagonia is an artsy town and Nogales is a big town. Was able to pick up some groceries there. 

Back to the RV for the night. We’ll leave for Organ Pipe National Forest in the morning.