Monday, February 17, 2014

On the Move

I would not have minded spending another day at Whitewater Draw, but my demanding travel schedule insisted that I keep moving.  So on it was into Bisbee where I met up again with my brother and his wife who were checking out the area.  From there a night on a hill overlooking Tombstone, and down into Sierra Vista to visit with a friend and his family.  Part of that visit was a trip back to Bisbee Saturday night, where we took in a gallery opening and sampled some of the interesting culinary options available in town.  Bisbee reminds me of a typical ski town, where all the young staff have service jobs, just so they can ski all day.  Not sure what the young folks do in Bisbee …

IMG_1697IMG_1700IMG_1699IMG_1698

Like other turn of the (last) century mining towns I have lived in or visited, Bisbee has some very unique architecture, with buildings and roads clinging to hills and cliffs, and outdoor stairways are everywhere.IMG_1696IMG_1694IMG_1693IMG_1692

After Bisbee and Sierra Vista, my schedule had me booked in for a visit to Tucson, where my brother and I had time for a short hike into the hills just outside town, while his wife was taking an art course.

IMG_1703IMG_1702IMG_1701

Next on my schedule was a couple of months of free time Winking smile, so after a serious look at the maps and weather reports and the toss of a coin, the wheels got rolling to the east again.  P2109569

Hot Well Dunes was the destination that came to mind.  Last time we had followed the route north from Bowie, but there are a few intersections to remember, as well as a fair bit of dusty gravel road.  So this time, for some variety and a change of scenery, we went north on 191 till about MP 105 where the one-lane sandy trail called Tanque Rd led us out across the desert.

IMG_0150IMG_0148

Turns out, the 12 miles was one of the smoothest, nicest back roads I’ve been on lately, with 360* views all the way across, to where it joins the narrow, paved road leading down from Safford.  Along the way there was a wildlife water tank that collects rainwater, and stores it for dry spells.

IMG_0145IMG_0144

IMG_0161IMG_2268

I spent a couple of relaxing days with regular soaks, and drives out into the dunes.  Then the weekend snuck up on me and the ATV’s arrived.  Now I don’t mind ATV’s or ATV’ers, and this is an ATV legal campground, but the ones that arrived pulled in right beside me, and pulled out their industrial generator to charge their house batteries immediately upon arrival!  Hello?  Don’t you have power at home, or doesn’t it charge while you drive, and do you need one loud enough to scare critters into the next county?  Ever see that big bright thing in the sky that provides free, silent power to those who ask for it?  A couple hours of that and a kid on an ATV going in dusty circles around my site was enough for me.  I abandoned my last two paid-for nights and hit the road.  Just a few miles away, and off on a side road there was total peace and quiet – Aaaah!

IMG_0160IMG_0158IMG_0155P2139580

Next day, a pleasant drive into Safford provided the opportunity to re-stock a few items and check online for likely camp spots in the area.  Well we’ve never camped in a box before, but Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area looks to have promise.  Maybe we’ll check it out!

IMG_0176

6 comments:

  1. Wow! You sure are bouncing around. Looks like some promising spots to camp. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ok, I'm officially exhausted! I think we've managed 2 stops to your 15. You're definitely getting around!
    Nina

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed visiting Bisbee. I wanted to visit because I had read a series of fiction books about a lady sheriff who lived in Bisbee!! Quite the little town but not too good for walking lol! Looks like you got a little relaxing in hot tub before the weekend hordes arrived.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I totally understand your move away from the generators. I used to hate those with a passion when we boondocked. They are OK though in a pinch when there is not enough sun to provide electricity.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It seems the older I get the less tolerance I have for human noise. Any kind of human noise!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amazing!It was nice journey. I really would love to visit this place in future.Thanks for sharing.

    SyncVisas

    ReplyDelete