Move to the Grasslands

 During the night the wind started to pick up and by the time I got up at 8:45, it was blowing hard.  Checked the weather forecast and it was expected to die down around noon.  That's good.  I actually woke at 8 o'clock but laid in bed reading blogs, the news and texting Dolly.  A common occurrence most mornings before getting up.

We had our breakfast and chatted with our young neighbors a bit while the pups played and at 11:30 we were out of there.  It's only a two hour drive south to the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.

On I-19 merging onto I-10

Hwy 83 heading south

Highway 83 is very hilly with lots of curves as it goes through the Santa Rita Hills, so I had to drive carefully.  That is Mt. Wrightson with the snow still on top of it.  It is west of the grasslands.

Soon we were entering the massive conservation area known to me as the grasslands.

Yuma is getting used to lying on the dash as I drive along.  He's seeing the Whetstone Mountains east of the grasslands.  It wasn't long before we passed the entrance to the Empire Ranch and then crossed over the Empire creek which was completely dry and to our new home.

I quickly unpacked things and let out the slide to get comfortable.  I'm planning to stay here for at least two weeks if all goes well.  There is a lot of room in this area to boondock.  Being a ranch, it is basically a huge feeding ground for cattle.  Here are a few pictures of my surroundings.

Cottonwood Trees lining Empire Creek

The Mustang Mountains to the southeast

The Santa Rita Hills to the north and Mica Mountain behind them.

The Whetstone Mountains to the east

Even though we are in the middle of nowhere, the Verizon reception is 3 bars of 4G which is great.  I was shocked by the large numbers of 4 wheelers here this year.  There are two large groups of weekend warriors here with their toys and their kids having a grand ole time running up and down the dirt roads.  Lots of dust.  I think the Tucson crowd has discovered this place 😩

Also, it looks very dry here this year.  I noticed that when their was no water in the Empire Creek.  Normally, I run through over a foot of water crossing the road, but not this year.

I'm hoping to have a nice slow paced visit here and prepare for the long journey back home.  One of my regular commenters, Rawn Stone lives over in Green Valley not far from here is wanting to get together and I'm all up for that if we can make it work.  Hoping that Nancy can bring her new rig down to try out a little boondocking too.  So, hopefully I have a busy couple of weeks.

Time for me to rest now.  I've already finished dinner and I'm ready for some dessert and then bed.  Even short moves wear me out.  Thanks for stopping by.