Tour of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Ajo, Arizona - Monday, December 16, 2019

This morning started out sunny and just a tad on the cool side.  High today of 60 with a breeze to keep things cool.  

A perfect day for a Jeep tour I say to myself.  So, after breakfast, a walk, and lots of blog reading and comments, Yuma and I jumped in the Jeep and headed south on highway 85.

Even though I had three quarters of a tank of gas, I stopped at the Why NOT Travel Store in Why and filled up, just in case.  Nicely painted store front.

 There's a sheet of water falling out of the truck window, but I couldn't catch it well with my camera.

Then we headed further south about 20 miles to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to take some pictures.

The Ajo Mountains followed us the whole way on the east side of the highway.  Just before reaching  our destination we went through a checkpoint but they were more interested in those coming north so we passed right through.  About a mile after that we entered the park.

It was at least ten miles to the Visitor Center so had to catch a few pictures of the Ajo Mountain range.

 
Arrived at the Visitor Center around 1 o'clock and checked in and got a map and self guide of the loop.

I had decided to take the Ajo Mountain scenic loop through the mountains today.  I just love mountains, so if you don't then stop here because we're about to have mountain pictures overload.

Directly east of the Visitor Center is the gravel road to the Ajo Mountain Drive.  Any reliable vehicle under 25 feet is a go.

This is a loop through the mountains so I'm going to let you enjoy the view without too much conversation from me.

 The road is one way through the loop.  Yuma doesn't know that and is going the wrong way at a fast clip!

 Just as I entered the one way road I could see someone walking towards me.  As I got closer I could see it was a young Mexican woman with a young child hanging on to her back.  She looked pregnant but found out later it was a water pack she was carrying.

She waved for me to stop and I did.  She could speak no English and I could tell she was very tired and afraid.  We attempted to communicate.  She wanted to know if I was the security patrol and I said no.  Asked it she needed any agua and that is when she pointed to her tummy bump.

Tried to explain it was about two miles to the highway, and she kept asking if security patrol was there and I said yes they were everywhere.

At this point I knew there was nothing more I could do.  We're about five miles from the Mexican border, and she was so tired and tears were falling down her cheeks, I felt so sorry leaving her there.  I wished her a safe journey and we parted.  Won't get into the politics of this, but it is sad.

 Seeing a lot of Organ Pipe Cactus among the Saguaros.

 Thought that was a coyote for a minute there.

There s an arch up there.  In fact two of them.   

 Yuma is bored and wants to go home.  I told him we were over half way.

It's over.  I hope you enjoyed the 21 mile loop tour through the Ajo Mountains.  If you haven't been here before, you have to come and do it.  My pictures don't fairly represent how beautiful this country is.

As I was almost to highway 85 I saw two security patrol trucks partially blocking the road so I stopped to tell them about seeing the young woman.  

He said they had her in the back seat of the truck.  I don't know about the woman, but I was relieved her dangerous journey was over and she could get some rest and aid.

Before heading north towards home, I made a left and drove the five miles to Lukeville right at the border.  No town nor a Trump wall I could see.  Just another security gate and I couldn't go further.

 Went back through the park and the guard at the checkpoint asked a few questions and sent me on my way.

It has been a long day.  By the time we got home it was past 5 'clock and I've got lots to do before bed time.

See you later.