We’re In Apache Junction, Arizona…

Yesterday we transited the about 175 miles from Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to Apache Junction, Arizona….which is about 25 miles east of Phoenix.

Along the way as we traveled north on Arizona Highway 85 and about 30 miles from Mexico we came across a United States Border Patrol checkpoint.

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

About another 30 miles north we came across a second checkpoint…

We passed through both checkpoints with no problems.

We decided to press on to Apache Junction where we are parked behind Moose Lodge #2039. This in my home Moose Lodge where I joined a number of years ago. I seldom get back here. Last time was two years ago.

Last night’s sunset wasn’t as pretty as some we have seen recently…

Today we will enter the Golden Sun RV Resort for a ten-day stay during which time we will visit friends in the area.

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – Day 3

Yesterday Mary and I took the Bronco on the Puerto Blanco Drive. It’s 37 miles long, however since 2006, only the north section of the Puerto Blanco Drive has been open to the public, as far as mile 5 (Pinkley Peak, site of a new picnic area) – just past the turn off to Red Tanks Tinaja. The remainder is closed to vehicle traffic ‘indefinitely’ according to the NPS, because of concerns about drug trafficking and illegal cross-border immigration. In addition we took a one mile hike into the desert to view the Red Tank Tinjua…a natural desert rock that collects rainwater. Our outing lasted 2.5 hours.

To see a map of the park and the Puerto Blanco Drive, click this link…
http___www.nps.gov_orpi_planyourvisit_loader

Here are a few photos that I took…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

First a pre-sunrise at our campsite…

And a few photos from the drive…

To see the other 24 photos I took, click this link…
https://picasaweb.google.com/110455945462646142273/PuertoBlancoDrive

Today we will continue our last day exploration of the monument.

You can find out all about the Organ Pipe Cactus National monument by clicking this government link…
http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm

You may also click this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_Pipe_Cactus_National_Monument

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona – Day 1

We arrived here yesterday after about a 40 mile drive from Ajo, Arizona. The way the crow flies (presumably in a straight line), our campground is only 4.2 miles from Mexico. In the below Google Earth image “X” marks our campground and “B” indicates the border crossing…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

This is the border crossing that I used for my 2004, 343 day, 16,000+ mile RV trip through Mexico and Central America. See my previous blog entry by clicking this link…
http://wp.me/pDCku-3sb

I have crossed into Mexico over the years three different times at this border crossing, but have never taken the time to stop and enjoy Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument…but this year is different. I’m expecting we will be here for a four-day stay.

Approaching our campground area…

Our campsite is delightfully pretty, peaceful and quiet…

After we got everything set up, we went to the visitors center about 1.5 miles away…

During two hours there we saw a hawk in a nearby tree…

I took this photo of a photo of a Gila Monster as I do not expect to see one in person…

In addition we watched nice 15 minute video about the Sonoran Desert and enjoyed an informative 20 minute talk by a park ranger…

We found out the Sonoran Desert is in excess of 100,000 square miles and relatively young at about only 10,000 years old. Also the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is 516 square miles.

Here’s last night’s sunset photo…

After it got really dark, we sat outside for a while and stared at a few million stars. Really neat! The weather forecast for the next several days is for sun and temperatures in the mid to low 70′s. really neat!

Today we will begin our exploration of the monument.

You can find out all about the Organ Pipe Cactus National monument by clicking this government link…
http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm

You may also click this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_Pipe_Cactus_National_Monument

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust