Saturday, February 26, 2022

Back to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

 Guess what!  My mouse came back last night and I would have never guessed in a million years where it was.

It was in the the Big Buddy Heater.  It must have fallen off the table and down through the heat protection bars.  I had put the heater away when I cleaned up the living area and didn't notice it.  Last evening it was chilly, so I pulled it out and turned it on low for about an hour before going to bed.

When I turned off the heater, I saw the mouse laying in there and assumed it was fried to death 😰.  BUT, it wasn't!  This heater burns only on the left panel for low and medium and both panels on high.   Luckily, the mouse landed on the high side and was not damaged at all.  What a lucky mouse 😇.  Tonight, I'm using my mouse again and things are much smoother.😀

This morning we slept in till 9 and then we started our day with normal routines.  After breakfast, I moved the White Lion around facing the west so we would get early morning sun for the solar panels and the porch area.  It also faces Black Mountain, giving us a nice view.

At 1 o'clock, we headed back down to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument To drive the 21 mile very popular and scenic Ajo Mountain self tour.







Tillotson peak



The double arches were our real destination for the day.  I had told Nick I tried to reach the big arch last year but the hike was too rugged and I tired out to the point of turning back before reaching my destination.

Time for the young gun to give it a try.  

Poor Yuma wanted to go with him but stayed with me.  The whole two hours Yuma kept watching the trail and worrying.  I worried a little too.
He's at the top of a grueling two hour round trip.  Looking down to where I'm parked and I was looking, but could never locate him.  The parking area is where the white line turns to the left in the picture below.
  

Nick zoomed in on me but I could not see him.

Looking through the arch to the east.

Looking up at the arch.

Looking west through the arch.

Heading down.
The arch is about half way through the 21 mile loop through the Ajo Mountains.  Here are a few pictures of the views on the last leg.





Arrived home just before sunset at 5:30 and we were famished.  Had steak, potatoes and French beans for dinner.  Finishing the post at 9 o'clock and then a little dessert before going to bed.

Thanks for stopping by.

16 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures of your trip to the mountain. Is that Ajo Mountain where the arch is? It have been a pretty rugged trek up to the arch. Great pictures, Nick. Poor Yuma - torn between adventure and loyalty. Soybds like a fun day.

    Glad your mouse made return appearance.

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Those mice can hide in the strangest places. It is in the Ajo mountain range but not Ajo Peak.

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  2. Whoa Nelly, you are so lucky!..Mickey-Mighty and Minnie would have put you on a hit list if you had toasted their cuz........(;+)......Great photos as usual, thanks!

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    1. That mouse had a lucky fall. One inch to the left and he would have been toast 😀

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  3. You really did luck out with your mouse. Beautiful pictures of the area and all the cactus around! Nick is going to wear himself doing all that climbing! Take care and be careful!

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    1. Lucky mouse. They can hide good. Nick is enjoying the Ajo area. Lots of activities for young and old.

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  4. I'm glad your little mouse lived!!! Too funny!! Thanks for the tour ... that's one park I've never been to before. Congrats to Nick on making the trek!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Not far from Tucson and the drive to Why on 85 is beautiful.

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  5. Must have been a 'church', so very lucky for your rodent companion. Nick never seems to tire out on his hikes ... ah to be 18 again!
    Nice pics guys!

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    1. Ha ha! Was a lucky mouse for sure. Being young sure has its advantages in this area.

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  6. Glad you found your mouse, I guess it is one that is allowed inside the White Lion. :)
    I had no doubt that Nick would climb to the big arch, he loves a challenge and is young enough to do it.

    The pictures are wonderful again, he's quite the photographer too!

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    1. Thanks Patsy. You're right, Nick is the right age for this adventure. Too bad we didn't have this opportunity back then.

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  7. Love that drive! Good for Nick making t up there! Beautiful pictures! Glad your mouse made it through! :)

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    1. Lucky mouse. Hope it's the only one in the RV😀 Nick enjoyed hike and it was more strenuous than he thought it would be.

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  8. Great pictures. It is a beautiful area. Thank you for loving this area and introducing this AZ native to it. This is a place we would have never traveled to. But after following your blog, the Ajo area was added to the bucket list. Elva

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  9. I recognized a lot of those photos you took including the arch. But not from underneath the arch or anywhere up there near the arch. No need to buy a drone for aerial shots when you've got Nick along,

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