Monday, February 21, 2022

Bates Well Ranch in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and more

 This morning Yuma made up for yesterday and woke me up at 7:30😩.  I threw a robe on and opened the door and he wasn't long before we were both back in bed😀.

Didn't really go back to sleep, but with it being cool in the RV, I laid there and read blogs and the news.  I should skip the news!

We had a nice breakfast, but indoors because of the coolness and wind.  Supposed to be windy all day and partly cloudy in the morning, but that didn't stop us.  We jumped in the Jeep at high noon and headed down Bates Well Road towards the Bates Well Homestead about 10-15 miles south of here.


We're at the north entrance (top) of the park

The scenery is beautiful, remote and rugged.  Being a windy day, we ate a lot of dust in our top down Jeep.








They certainly didn't live the lifestyle of the Yellowstone Ranch 😁.  All you get is two small rooms and some bright colors.


We walked around the ranch looking at the outbuildings.






The plan had started out to only go as far as the ranch and then come back home.  I had done the whole loop around the National Monument once before and knew it was a long long Jeep ride through the Sonoran Desert.  But I wanted Nick to experience it at his age.  Plus, he was doing the driving and Yuma and I could just take in the scenery 😊.

So, off we go for better or worse.
 
And it can be worse!
The only place to stop between here and the border on the Poso Nuevo Road is a watering hole for cattle.  We took some pictures and moved on to the border.


The final stop was right at the border at Quitobaquito Springs.  In Tohono O'odham it means "house ring spring".

Don't want to run that Stop sign!




As we headed home we had one last surprise waiting for us.

A crested Saguaro Cactus!
We arrived home at 5 o'clock after five long hours of hard driving.  Had another steak, potato and corn for dinner and went to work putting this post together.  I know there are a lot of pictures, but just take your time.  Don't have to look at them all at one time 😀.

Thanks for stopping by.
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8 comments:

  1. Dolly LaningFebruary 21, 2022 at 10:18 PM

    Very glad to see all the pictures! It sounds like a fun day, even if it was a dusty jeep ride. Always loved Quitobaquito.

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    1. Doug LaningFebruary 22, 2022 at 9:59 PM

      We had a good time. Like going out in the very far reaches of civilization 😀

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  2. Nancy KissackFebruary 22, 2022 at 6:59 AM

    Hey ... the house has running water and a closet to either hang your clothes or store your food. As my dad said all the time .. what more do you need?? We never spent much time inside anyway since with cattle, you are always working!! Great pictures since I probably won't go that close to the border alone!!

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    1. Doug LaningFebruary 22, 2022 at 10:01 PM

      True Nancy. I bet you miss the good old days with family against the elements. I think the border is safe now.

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  3. SteveFebruary 22, 2022 at 7:05 AM

    Probably good thing you got Nick the whole tour of Bates Wells Road area. Hopefully it wasn't too bad just riding along. Great pictures dad!

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    1. Doug LaningFebruary 22, 2022 at 10:02 PM

      True. At least he won't forget the drive soon 😀

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  4. Jeff PierceFebruary 22, 2022 at 9:10 AM

    I'm sure the Jeep a great time on the back roads. The Trump Wall going thru the park seems like the NPS missed it's charter to preserve nature. It closes the migration paths of the critters that call both sides of the border home.

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    1. Doug LaningFebruary 22, 2022 at 10:05 PM

      We had a good time. I agree it is unfortunate the animals on the other side of the fence can no longer have access to the spring. The wall does distract from the beauty of the spring scenery.

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