Friday, March 27, 2020

Cold and windy first day in the grasslands

Location:  Empire Ranch in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Arizona


Slept good last night.  Didn't wake up till after the sun was out.  It's cool outside and will only get up to around 50 today.  Tomorrow will be 11 degrees warmer.   Last night I parked in a turn-out on the main road into the Empire Ranch because I didn't want to go too far with darkness quickly coming.

So, before breakfast, I drove on into the interior and through Empire Creek
Luckily, there is cement underneath the water.
and parked in the main area on the other side.  I then unhooked the Jeep and drove around looking for a good place to stay for awhile.  Luckily, it's not crowded here.  I did see my old site was available but the road there is mighty rough to take the WL so I parked near some trees closer to the main area.



Today is going to be an inside day because of the wind and cool weather.  After getting parked I happened to look out and there were cows around the WL.




A couple of little ones playing.
The dark clouds came in and out throughout the day  bringing sprinkles to some areas, but thankfully nothing over us.

Around 1 o'clock, Yuma and I decided to go into Sonoita and get several bottles of propane that I had forgotten to get at Walmart.  Pictures taken on my drive into town.
Whetstone Mountains to the east.

Mustang Mountains to the southeast.
One of the four metal signs.
There are four roads in and out of Sonoita and each road has a different metal sculpture.  Before leaving I hope to get all four.
Only kind of cactus I've seen.
Looks real  but are metal sculptures.  Pretty neat.
There were no propane cannisters in Sonoita I could find.  What a bummer.  Going to have to make a longer trip somewhere to get some pretty soon.  Got gas for the Jeep and came back home.

Tonight is Gold Rush night, so hooked up the Dish and now as the sun sets, I'm watching TV.  Hopefully, tomorrow is a much warmer day.  I hate to be cold.

See you later.

27 comments:

  1. Well, you did sound bummer with the cold and no propane. Tomorrow is another day; hopefully, warmer at least. Those metal sculptures really do look real! Your spot in the trees looks super. I'll bet Yuma was happy to see some friendly cows. Glad you got your Dish going in time for Gold Rush.

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Yuma does want to "play" with the cows but luckily they wander off pretty quickly. I like the Australian adventure Parker is on.

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  2. You're in wine country!, any tasting reviews forthcoming? We had hail at the beach!, that cold front seems to be short lived. Enjoy the nice weather coming.

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    1. Sorry Jeff, but neither Yuma nor I are wine connoisseurs:)) We'll just explore. Weather is much better now.

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  3. Have always loved the wide open spaces of the grasslands with it's sweeping panoramic views. I think I know the exact spot you are in. Was always someone there when we were there.

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    1. I'm lucky I got here early Friday. A bunch of people poured in later. Pretty area with the wide views.

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  4. Sorry for the chilly weather. It should warm up this week and be nicer. That country is just so beautiful, I love it. Enjoy the moos!!!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Haven't seen any cows this morning:((. It's already warmed up nicely this morning.

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  5. I really enjoy that area around Sonoita - it reminds me of the Serengeti. And, it's a great place for Yuma to run like the Wind.! 🎃

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    1. You're right Moonfly. It does look like the Serengeti. Hopefully the WL is the only lion I see:)). Yuma does like it here, but if the cows are around I'll have to keep him on a leash. :((

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  6. I laughed when I read about the cows. I guess I will have to cross that spot off as a place to stay. One of my dogs would go crazy. He barks at a cow on TV.

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    1. Luckily Yuma only looks at them. No barking. I'm sure it would be different if he was outside with them. Thankfully they dissappear soon.

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  7. Metal sculpture or not, awesome picture! I know you talked about heading back in another week or so. I wouldn't be in a real hurry to get back. Right now everyone is suppose to shelter at home. I'm not sure how soon this will pass. Right now I'm working one day and then have two off. All State Farmers are working from home. Honestly you are probably in a pretty good position not being around people much. Stay safe. Hopefully the weather will warm up for you!

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    1. That one needs to as my header. It does look neat. You may be right about rushing home. At least now I can move my home around to different places:))

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  8. Too bad it was cold but it sure is beautiful where you are! Love the metal sculptures too! Maybe a hardware store for propane? Love the windmill picture!

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    1. Thanks Shirley. Only a few stores in town and I asked at each and no one had any or knew of anyone that had some. :(( I love that picture too and the cowboy taking the cows home.

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  9. I love the metal works around Sonoita. Especially the cowboy on the hill. I take a picture each visit through.
    Sorry about the propane bottles and the cold...........well, actually 50F sounds warm to me NOW! haha Take care, Doug.

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    1. Thanks Patsy. Wonder if you've ever visited the Empire Ranch. I made it through the 28 degree night fine with one bottle and my Buddy Heater. Last cold night thank goodness. I guess cold is relative :))

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  10. Rather then going through all the One Pound Propane Canisters the first thing we did was buy an adapter hose and Twenty Pound Tank which lasted nearly a year when we were Fulltiming. Doing it again I would get a Ten Pounder or do like many others and have a connection added to the RV Propane System.
    Next Fall when you return to RV Lifestyle in Quartzsite invest in a Hearth-Rite Heater. It sips Propane rather than guzzling it like the furnace.
    Doing that will stop your need to hunt for the smaller containers.
    As Steve said you are probably in the Safest places in the country at this time.
    Like the scenery and pictures.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Thanks Rick. I plan on hooking my larger propane heater to the main propane tank when I get home. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the Hurricane diesel heating system to work. I've got a manual with some troubleshooting idea I'm going to try today. If not, the green cannisters will do me till I get home.

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  11. My cousin is spending her "at home time" looking at the cows behind her property....lol. Wonderful photos.

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    1. Thanks Elva. I just need to be careful with Yuma and look around to make sure none are around when I let him out. Otherwise, it's the leash :((

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  12. Do cows just roam anywhere they want?

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    1. Well hi Kristi. Yes they do. This is an open range cattle ranch. And I'm living in the middle of it. Beautiful area for cows and horses.

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  13. I really enjoy those cowboy silhouette signs, especially how they handled the highlights in the "Welcome to Sonoita" sign. I clicked on it to enlarge, and noticed the long vertical format. Do you take your photos with a smart phone? Or what camera do you normally use?

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  14. Thanks Phil. I sometimes take picture vertically with my camera and sometimes I crop. I use a a Canon PowerShot SX70 HS. I like it better it has a 65 x zoom so I don't have to change lenses for long shots.

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    1. I remember when an SX70 was a folding Polaroid covered with genuine leather.I think I have 2 in my closet.

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