Thursday, March 15, 2018

Jeep ride to Patagonia, Arizona

Thursday, March 15, 2018 – Location:  Las Cienegas NCA near Sonoita, Arizona

A cold front came through last night bringing cooler temperatures and windy conditions for the next few days.  High of 62 degrees today, but with the winds, it will feel cool.  Luckily, the sun is going to shine all day.

Awoke fairly early this morning to turn on the Wave and got back into bed.  Did some blog reading and when it was warm enough, Yuma and I went for our morning walk.  Down in the valley, the wind was not bad. 

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As I was fixing breakfast around 9 o’clock, I looked out my window and saw two riders turn and come up our lane.  Grabbed my camera and the leash for Yuma and stepped outside to greet them.

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I asked if I could take their pictures and they said sure.  I then asked if they were part of the endurance run and was it this weekend.  They  said yes.  It starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday.  Hooray!  I timed it just right.  Got here early enough to get the best seat in the house, same as last year.

I told them I was here last year and just loved watching all the horses go by my camp.  One of the women said she remembered me from last year.  That’s great!

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If I’m going to visit Patagonia, it better be today.  May have other things to do over the weekend.  Around noon, Yuma and I jumped in the Jeep and headed south through Sonoita, turned right on highway 82 towards Patagonia.

Looks like a cowboy following his cow and calf on the hilltop going into Sonoita, but it is actually made of metal.

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Patagonia is 12 miles south of Sonoita, so it didn’t take long to get there,IMG_3167

Patagonia is a colorful small town not far from the Mexican border.  There is a lot of border patrol activity in the area.  No stop lights and a number of colorful buildings.

The marshal has a distinctive car.  Hope the bad guys stay on the main roads.  Actually, it is his personal car and not his patrol truck.

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Note the PIGS.

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After walking down the main street, I decided to take a drive south on Harshaw Road.  It goes past the the now ghost town of Harshaw.  Not much left. 

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Drove back into the area where the town was located, but ran into a farm house that looked occupied so turned around.  Got this picture of this old house as I turned around.  Lots of Keep Out signs everywhere, so didn’t feel comfortable.  People living back here want their privacy.

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Drove another ten miles south but didn’t see much of interest.  The road was a forest road and very poor.  I did see a lot of building going on back in the mountains.   Saw a sign saying no video or cameras allowed to be used in the area.  So, no pictures.  There was a lot of big earth moving equipment in the forest building a road up the mountain.

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Appeared that the government was building a look out compound on top of one of the mountains to watch for illegal aliens passing through the area.

Coming back north on highway 82, I saw this beautiful gate and had to get a photo of it.

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When we drove by the horse camp this afternoon around 3 o’clock, I could see many more horse trailers. 

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Ahead of me on the road were two horses and riders heading down the trail.  I think they are scouting out the area in preparation for their rides tomorrow.

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Two more riders came along before sundown.

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See you later.

13 comments:

  1. It's so wonderful to see all the beautiful horses! Patagonia is a cool little town. Very colorful, for sure. Love the sheriff's car. I don't know if it would be good on those rough roads. I'm sure you and Yuma will enjoy this weekend. Have a good night. ❤

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Car is the same color as my Cobra. Really did a nice job customizing it. Real muscle car.

      Looking forward to the horses and riders. Hope the weather cooperates.

      Good night.😘

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  2. Great timing! Get to see, all the horses again! Patagonia is a neat little town. Cool old farm house, too bad you couldn't explore that area a little more. Take care Dad. Love you.

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    1. Thanks Steve. Looking forward to seeing the horses and riders again this year.

      Afraid I'll get shot in that area if I snoop in the wrong places. Love you.

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  3. A nice drive out to Patagonia a colourful southwest town.
    So nice that you will be able to see the horses again, great timing.

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    1. Thanks George. Going to be a great day for it.

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  4. Lucky you, on time to see the horses and riders again!
    Patagonia looks very cool. And yes, there is the metal rancher up on the hill!
    Be careful where you snoop! I love the Marshall's car, sneaky!

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    1. I'm​looking forward to lots of horses. Hope you're in a place with good WiFi.

      The Marshal probably doesn't get tickets for speeding 😂.

      Glad I went back and got the metal rancher for you.

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  5. Love the ranch gate!!

    Glad you've got another front row seat this year, I know you enjoyed it very much last year. How nice the lady remembered you.

    Patagonia looks like a great little place to visit. Thanks for sharing.

    Enjoy!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Deb. I'm ready for the show. Weather is going to be great.

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  6. Love those first 2 white horses !! And, Look - they were bringing a brown one for YOU to ride bareback !! 😱🐴😀

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  7. Thanks Moonfly. I would do just great riding that horse. Not! Can't remember ever being on a horse, so probably best if I remain a spectator.

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  8. Great pics Doug! I'm sure you are going to enjoy this weekend there! Love the farmhouse!

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