We hope everyone has been enjoying their February. We have!!
Being with some great people at Quartzsite and visiting some of our favorite campgrounds.
The Lazy Daze Quartzsite group started to thin out after the RV tent ended. Eventually we were down to 4 Lazy Daze units and then 3 units. The plus side was our campfires were closer together so we could talk with everyone around the circle.
Also, here at the beginning of this blog issue, we would like to thank Dan, Lynn, Steve, Gwen, Klaus,and Laurelee for some great advice on improvements to Lady Blue and also some great campground and destination suggestions.
Regarding the improvements, we will get into some of those on the next issue. Turned out we had quite a few pictures for this one.
The picture above is from one of our walks at Quartzsite.
Being with some great people at Quartzsite and visiting some of our favorite campgrounds.
The Lazy Daze Quartzsite group started to thin out after the RV tent ended. Eventually we were down to 4 Lazy Daze units and then 3 units. The plus side was our campfires were closer together so we could talk with everyone around the circle.
Also, here at the beginning of this blog issue, we would like to thank Dan, Lynn, Steve, Gwen, Klaus,and Laurelee for some great advice on improvements to Lady Blue and also some great campground and destination suggestions.
Regarding the improvements, we will get into some of those on the next issue. Turned out we had quite a few pictures for this one.
The picture above is from one of our walks at Quartzsite.
Another addition to our classic sightings. This 1959 Nash Metropolitan was parked at the RV tent.
Excellent antique!
One of the reasons we enjoy Quartzsite.
The view out our back window is always wonderful.
We decided to add 2 weeks to our LTVA (Long Term Visitors Areas). There were additions and repairs to be done(see the next issue) and fires to enjoy. With our America the Beautiful Senior Pass, each 2 week pass was $40--a total of $80 for the 4 weeks on the desert. For those not familiar, you can generally camp as long as you want on certain BLM lands for free. The $40 allows you to camp in certain areas LTVA and have access to fresh water and dump stations. The LTVA areas are huge---plenty of room!!!
The view out our back window is always wonderful.
We decided to add 2 weeks to our LTVA (Long Term Visitors Areas). There were additions and repairs to be done(see the next issue) and fires to enjoy. With our America the Beautiful Senior Pass, each 2 week pass was $40--a total of $80 for the 4 weeks on the desert. For those not familiar, you can generally camp as long as you want on certain BLM lands for free. The $40 allows you to camp in certain areas LTVA and have access to fresh water and dump stations. The LTVA areas are huge---plenty of room!!!
Not every night, but often the Arizona sunsets are unequaled.
Even the full moon causes people to grab their cameras and rush outside.
From Quartzsite we head south on Route 95 to Yuma and a stay at Cocopah Casino. The Casino has a dry camping section marked off in very large sites--$5 per night. The Casino was close to a recommended RV oil change east of Yuma and a Super Walmart for groceries.
After Yuma we continue east on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend. There we spend one night at KOA Gila Bend Journey. While more expensive, this KOA is a beautifully designed modern campground(originally built by Augie's Quail) with perhaps the cleanest modern laundromat in a campground.
After one night at KOA we head south on Route 85 to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument-one of our favorite campgrounds.
We always do a rest stop in Ajo for a walk around the center. Also always impressed by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
After Yuma we continue east on Interstate 8 to Gila Bend. There we spend one night at KOA Gila Bend Journey. While more expensive, this KOA is a beautifully designed modern campground(originally built by Augie's Quail) with perhaps the cleanest modern laundromat in a campground.
After one night at KOA we head south on Route 85 to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument-one of our favorite campgrounds.
We always do a rest stop in Ajo for a walk around the center. Also always impressed by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
This year there were a number of murals painted on the Arts building. This one celebrating Native American life was quite impressive.
The mural above was a more modern southwest interpretation.
Organ Pipe was a total of 80 miles from Gila Bend KOA. The Twin Peaks Campground is about 3 miles from the Mexican border, at Lukeville. We have found that national parks campgrounds, state park campgrounds, and places like the Gila Bend KOA are now requiring reservations. Some , like Catalina and Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona near Tucson and Phoenix, necessitate reserving a year ahead. Obviously, we will not be staying in those this year. But we also found it necessary to reserve ahead at Organ Pipe--a few weeks ahead. With our Senior Pass , 8 nights was $80.
By now some of you will understand that Saguaro cactus are perhaps Jan's favorite campground plant. So, you can imagine how happy she was to have one right outside her window!
At around 1700 feet of elevation, Organ Pipe is about the same elevation as Quartzsite. But the local mountains and climate create a much greener desert .
The Saguaro come in many different personalities.
Above is a look that many recognize from postcards.
The Saguaro is the tallest cactus in the U.S. It can grow to 40 to 60 feet tall and can weigh up to 4800 pounds. Yet , a 10 year old saguaro might be only 1.5 inches tall. By 70 years about 6 feet tall and producing their first flowers. By 95 to 100 years old they produce their first arm and can live to 200 years old. Some can produce dozens of arms and some produce none. No one knows why! Saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert.
Above is a look that many recognize from postcards.
The Saguaro is the tallest cactus in the U.S. It can grow to 40 to 60 feet tall and can weigh up to 4800 pounds. Yet , a 10 year old saguaro might be only 1.5 inches tall. By 70 years about 6 feet tall and producing their first flowers. By 95 to 100 years old they produce their first arm and can live to 200 years old. Some can produce dozens of arms and some produce none. No one knows why! Saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert.
Our favorite this year was the Pin Cushion Cactus, just inches tall.
This is the very first time to see this. Note the slide out within the bedroom slideout on the Redwood 5th Wheel. Crazy but probably gives tons of room at the foot of the bed.
Quail can be quite common in certain sections. Used to see many in Gila Bend. There were about 4 or 5 here in Organ Pipe. Hard to photograph sometimes because they move so fast from bush to bush.
Nice hike out to Victoria Mine from the campground. Strava recorded 5.6 miles by the time we hiked through the campground and around the mine area.
As noted above and on this map , there are many hiking trails of varying lengths.
Like the Saguaro, Organ Pipe cactus get a helping start by growing in the shade of a Creosote bush or other bush.
Looks like a social gathering of Saguaros.
Note the second from the right---arms outstretched-nose up in the air--obviously telling a great joke or story.
Note the second from the right---arms outstretched-nose up in the air--obviously telling a great joke or story.
Just coming in bloom are Fairy Duster pink and white blossoms.
Minerals found in some of these local mines were silver, copper, lead, and gold. The mines were begun in the 1850's.
Remains of a stone cabin at the entrance to Victoria Mine
At many historic sites , the miscellaneous rusted artifacts can be very interesting. Would have liked to see where this fit into the mining operation. But , the smaller wheel seems to be the carrier or drive for some kind of belt. The wheel might have been part of a contraption to move rejected stone from the mine to a dump pile.
From the trail a view of the Twin Peaks.
The stages of an Organ Pipe Cactus.
The young , green arms. Then the wooden centers left after an arm dies. The post can be used for building corrals and outbuildings.
The young , green arms. Then the wooden centers left after an arm dies. The post can be used for building corrals and outbuildings.
Another view of our site with Saguaro and Organ Pipes around and mountains in the distance.
Windy conditions created a different, entertaining sunset.
A view of the Twin Peaks from the Desert View Trail
Some larger Organ Pipes with yellow Brittle Bush.
A view from the top of the Desert View Trail.
Yellow Brittle Bush, Organ Pipe Cactus, and the campground spread out below.
Yellow Brittle Bush, Organ Pipe Cactus, and the campground spread out below.
Sometimes the Saguaro and Organ Pipe are close together.
Creosote blooms
And a busy honey bee on the Creosote.
Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus
A Barrel Cactus
Looking like a small tag along trailer from the 1960's. This is a new trailer -Retro- made to look like the 1960's.
Many of the Retros are 15 to 20 feet long, but this one appears to be about 26 feet or so.
A Desert Mistletoe growing on a Palo Verde tree.
Berries on the Desert Mistletoe
In and around Organ Pipe campground are many examples of the remains of Saguaro cactus. Often the cactus sheds the entire outer layer of green(turned to black)and separates by the ribs. These ribs are quite strong and are used for roofs of some buildings.
The material inside is a Saguaro's cellulose type of spongy.
It holds the hundreds of pounds of water the Saguaro maintains as it grows.
It holds the hundreds of pounds of water the Saguaro maintains as it grows.
Looks like the Saguaros are going in for a
HUG!!
HUG!!
