And on into Spring…

Last time, we visited the AF aircraft boneyard in Tucson, then I showed some pics of John’s cactus blooming. It wasn’t long after that that I decided to head north. The inducement to head north was because I’ve been monitoring the homes for sale up around my stomping grounds in Oregon and there were 2-3 homes I wanted to visit during the poor weather conditions up there, before the prices rise. So on the 15th of March, started my trip heading northerly.

This year, instead of taking the all freeway over to Quartzsite route, I wanted to take the back road to Ajo first, then up to Gila Bend. So headed west on AZ86 direct to the town of Ajo where the highway turns north. And here’s what it looks like on the highway just a few miles west of John’s place on Ajo Way. Lots of open land, some of it BLM land with a small community development occasionally along the way. Small cluster of buildings usually surrounding a fuel station and cafe and then a smattering of homes nearby in the desert. Passed through Why and it’s interesting in the number of large industrial buildings along the highway. Didn’t seen any corporate signs indicating what types of businesses though but there were lots of large machines with wheels.

Yes, it’s two lane but traffic was light, only had a few drivers trying to pass me. And eventually see this in the distance. I took the pic because I didn’t know what it is and it was curious with all the white dirt piled up, gypsum perhaps? Some curious geology? Or mine tailings from underground? The map I posted above isn’t any help though it does call out N&S Tailings ponds which is a tip off of a mine I suppose.

And a few miles beyond that is this sign for an RV park just beyond Ajo with a clever name. Ha!

And shortly after entering Ajo.

There’s this mural in downtown. There is a cafe across the street where I had lunch years ago. I’d forgotten about that visit. The mural and seeing the cafe brought it back to me.

And then the old church. Built in 1924. Many tourists stop in the plaza because of the nearby historical buildings and such.

Typical Ajo neighborhood on the highway out of town.

And then the suburbs. This is on the north end of Ajo.

And 45 miles later I’m in Gila Bend. It’s been so long since I’ve been there I forgot that I wanted to get on the freeway, drive 2-3 miles east and take the exit 119 which bypasses the freakin’ stop sign they have where a light should be. There were at least 50 cars in front of me all trying to get past all the traffic to turn onto the road into Gila. Anyway, made it through Gila Bend and headed north.

First stop, 2 hours from Gila Bend as always is in Quartzsite where I pulled into some RV park that I don’t for sure recall the name of. It has a Q in the name but it’s not Quail Run. It’s a large park, been there for years, and I arrived around 2 pm on a Sunday. The office was locked, there were no instructions for after hours arrival, no payment kiosk, there was no place to drop an envelope with cash or a check on the door. I’m standing there scratching my head and a guy on a bicycle stopped and said they’re not open until Tuesday and I only planned on one night stay. I asked about paying and he said they don’t care so don’t even bother. I have been here many times over the years and it suits my purposes so drove over to a 50 amp spot and set up. If they wanted to bother, they could come ask me for money. I think they make enough money before, during, and after the gem show here (over 1,000,000 visitors to Quartzsite) that they don’t care about a few bucks lost during the off season. It’s right on AZ95 just 3-4 blocks from Silly Al’s where I want to, and usually get, a pizza when in Quartzsite.

Got my pizza, had a beer, went home and next morning got back on the road towards Pahrump. Tried to get a decent picture of the boondocking RVs on BLM land but there was too much plant life this year.

And soon in Parker, AZ crossing the Colorado River. One of my favorite places.

And some road construction. Quite a bit of traffic heading north to LV.

Doesn’t take long for the traffic to thin out. Plus it turned into a divided highway as soon as you get into Nevada.

And shortly after, on the outskirts of Las Vegas.

And once again, (around 50% of the trips when I head to Pahrump) missed the turnoff from the freeway onto the Blue Diamond highway. DOH! The GPS shows the turnoff just a minute or two before the exit and I keep missing it. As a result I take the next exit that takes a route (suitable for an RV but through residential areas) that adds around 20 minutes to the trip through south Las Vegas. Not fun. Blue Diamond is a restricted access 6 lane and has stop lights but it’s a straight shot.

Eventually was climbing the hills outside of LV east of Pahrump and arrived at Preferred RV park around 5. Set up and here I sit now on April 22nd. I’ve been monitoring the weather up north and it just didn’t get to an early spring this year. I’m not going to risk my RV on a snow covered road into the hills and mountains so I’ve kept stalling. I was determined to leave yesterday and boom, a giant storm hit the coast and was soon over the Walla Walla valley with severe weather warnings due to massive amounts of rain. Nope, nopity nope. I’ll stay here another week. But the weather next week looks pretty good. So maybe…

Anyway, thanks for reading my ramblings! See you on the road!