Sunday, December 22, 2019

Pipeline Road

Ajo, Arizona

 This morning was warm but cloudy when I woke got up at 8:30.  Calls for 74 degrees but no sun today.  

 We had breakfast and walked around the area a number of times today, but just didn't have the interest to go anywhere, so we stayed in and watched football play-offs most of the day.

 Yesterday, Yuma and I did take a 25 mile Jeep ride late in the day.  It was 3 o'clock when we started, so I knew we couldn't go far before the sun set.

 I hate it when I see Pipeline Road, because it means exactly that.  A maintenance road that runs along a gas pipeline in a straight line forever. 

 The road is located at the site of the cemetery marker I talked about the other day, so it is only about three miles from our camp.

 I had heard there was a corral or ranch on this road, so we went to find it.  Ended up going about 12 miles East and then retracing our tracks coming back.  We made it back just as the sun set but there were clouds by that time in the West so no pictures of the sunset.

 I was sure it would be a maintained road and would be easy to follow, but I was wrong.  This was the roughest road I have been on this winter so far.

 The mountains directly East of Ajo are the Poso Redondo Mountains and the Pipeline Road headed directly towards that pass in the middle.  It does appear to go forever.
 The road started out bad from the gitgo, if you want to call it a road.





We finally found the corral and it was in a valley inside the pass we saw at the beginning.  Again, it was the wind mill that identified it.  It was off the road and if it had not been for that we would have gone on by.
 Again, there was no wind wheel at the top,
 because it had fallen to the ground sometime in years past.

Took pictures of the mountains around us and headed home.




 Yuma says "I don't want to go any further, Dad."
And we didn't.  See you later.


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22 comments:

  1. Dolly LaningDecember 22, 2019 at 10:05 PM

    That doesn't sound like a very fun trip for you and Yuma! The skies, cactus and mountains were pretty, though.The broken windmill makes me feel sad forit.

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  2. Doug LaningDecember 22, 2019 at 10:43 PM

    Thanks Dolly. At least it wasn't too bumpy for Yuma because we had to go so slow most of the time. It was pretty in the valley with mountains everywhere.

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  3. Al BossenceDecember 23, 2019 at 5:42 AM

    We found that road really rough as well years ago and went about as far as you did I think. Heading east we were looking for a large crested Saguaro Cactus which we actually found. Came across several border patrol vehicles as I recall. Because the road was straight as an arrow it got a little boring after awhile.

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:37 AM

      It goes all the way into the Indian reservation. I always look out crested saguaros but not good at finding them. I'm glad we started late so I had a reason to turn around sooner than later.

      Delete
  4. Nancy KissackDecember 23, 2019 at 7:28 AM

    Looks more like a trail in some places than a road. Still, it's fun to see new territory.

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:40 AM

      You're right Nancy. The valley was beautiful with mountains all around but a rough road.

      Delete
  5. MoonFly13December 23, 2019 at 7:45 AM

    You've been having lots of nice weather to enjoy - And a nice mix between relaxing and bouncing around in the Jeep. Yuma is good at knowing when enough is enough.! 😎

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:44 AM

      Yes he is. I kinda wanted to go further but Yuma didn't want to ride that road after dark. The weather has been wonderful but changes are coming. Going to get out before Darby Well road turns from dust to mud.

      Delete
  6. Patsy Irene (Chillin' with Patsy)December 23, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    You had a better day than we did. We hardly saw the sun at all.
    That so called 'road' does not look like fun although the picture with saguaro all around is gorgeous!!!
    Thank you for travelling Pipeline Road for us, now we don't have to. :)

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:46 AM

      Thanks Patsy. I don't think Black Beauty would have liked Pipeline Road.

      Delete
  7. Ken and ShirleyDecember 23, 2019 at 8:49 AM

    Love the old ranch! The stories it could tell don't ya think! Sure is pretty where you are!

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:52 AM

      Thanks Shirley. It was 25 miles of bad road but it was beautiful in the valley with mountains all around. I can imagine living in this country in 1865.

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  8. Gail in Buckeye AZDecember 23, 2019 at 9:03 AM

    Great pictures, thanks for sharing!

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  9. Tom and DebDecember 23, 2019 at 9:26 AM

    Really liked your sunset pictures in the previous post. That looks like a nice ride, making a note.
    Today's ride does look a little rough in places and that is one long straight rode. Seeing all the cacti would probably make it worth the bumps though.
    It sounds like you and Yuma are having some wonderful days.

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 10:58 AM

      Thank you Deb. You and Tom would feel right at home on Pipeline Road. I really do like the Ajo area. Lots to see and do. Looks like how out West should look like.

      Delete
  10. Rick and Kathy RousseauDecember 23, 2019 at 10:04 AM

    That looked like an interesting road to explore. Especially loved all the Cactus growing in the area.
    Be Safe and Enjoy the Holiday Season.

    It's about time.

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    1. Doug LaningDecember 23, 2019 at 11:02 AM

      Thank you Rick. It would be fun to take that road between mountains into the Indian reservation and catch highway 86 to come home. You and Kathy have a great Christmas too.

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    2. SteveDecember 23, 2019 at 1:37 PM

      Looked like a pretty rough ride! Hopefully your back is doing good! Seems like most of the windmills you come across are missing the wind wheel.

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    3. Doug LaningJanuary 11, 2020 at 9:46 AM

      They tend to fall off after a hundred years or so. My back is better.

      Delete
  11. On a long and lonesome highway....December 23, 2019 at 12:29 PM

    You're having some great weather. Love those temperatures. I always enjoy your photos. You have a good eye.

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  12. Doug LaningJanuary 11, 2020 at 9:47 AM

    Thank you Deb.

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