Betwixt

Hurricane & Fredonia there's a large canyon to the north that catches the eye. This year I finally made the stop and hiked back to the large pouroff at the back of a small side shoot.

Resupplying In Page

It doesn't get anymore mundane. But at the Safeway bakery I needed the bread to be slices. Afterward, watching her balance the loaf on one hand while sliding the plastic bag over it with the other made the whole trip worthwhile. A performance non-pareil! 

I had beef heart to cook and Phoebe's glovebox refused to stay closed. My small propane bottles, the little green ones, had to be refilled.

I had to take the platform out to solve the glovebox....a bit of a job in itself. I got a bath, sharpened the knife, cut up the meat. Washed dishes afterward. Finally started on glovebox. Got platform in only to realize I forgot to replace floor mat. Platform back out...floor mat in.

Then into town. Walmart app doesn't correspond to store layout. Greeter finally admits she doesn't know where item to be found. Fortunately, Native American woman, an employee, seated nearby, overheard conversation and takes initiative; leads me to it.

In electronics, Walmart manager explains online prices are cheaper than instore. I pointed out I set the app to instore availability. After about ten minutes and mentioning I was gonna contact Corporate, he relented. I saved $3.00 on can of compressed air needed to save laptop keyboard. (Electronic devices and sand don't go together well.)

At Safeway, Customer Service couldn't sell me a roll of quarters (needed for water dispensor). I asked for $2.50 worth and gave her a five. She gave me $2.00 in quarters and three ones. I had to ask for another dollar's worth. She sighed. 🧐

Gas up the hill - from the highway -- is 20¢ a gallon cheaper. I'm going across the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Last time Phoebe had to be carried the last 15 miles at a cost of $300. At the shop they couldn't figure out why the secondary belt wouldn't stay on. I came back to ABQ and Daniel diagnosed the problem. I've forgotten how much it cost but he was amazed I made it there.

Navajo Mountain

Camp Verde - A Memento

Intimacy

Thrill-Rider

Li'l Yellow Flowers (LYFs)

Crowded

No sooner had I shut off the motor at 7 pm than someone started shooting. It was hard to tell how close they were but I decided to take the hint. Besides, the highway noise was too loud.

I scouted two other places; they were all full. Turning into my last-ditch effort, it was nearing last-light as I headed down a rocky trail away from the near-highway-horde. About a mile out I came across an intrepid in the nice spot next to the juniper; we kept going.

A half-mile later we were crawling up the far side of the valley avoiding the gulley that'd formed where the road used to be. At a breather spot I switched into 4 whl low and we commenced to climb. It's true, I'm a lightweight when it comes to four-wheeling but I've had one passenger get out and walk when I KNEW we were okay. Still, I don't have the cash for a rescue or breakdown so I drive accordingly.

We came out onto the sweetest little grassy hilltop since Heidi. And it wasn't occupied.

Camomille

As we all know, camomille is supposed to calm the nerves. Unfortunately, it's never held appeal, though I sure could've used a calmative. The place was swarmimg, SWARMING I tell you, with ATVs and shootists.

The first set showed up bright and early at 8:30...a mere 200 feet away! To get revenge I got out the accordion. Thing was, it sounded pretty good. I suspect I was more surprised than they, but it worked; they soon left.

Too exhausted from the excitement of Phoebe's repairs and meeting Sherry in Benson to contend with the onslaught, I put in earplugs, took off my clothes, except for a white shirt to protect from the sun, and ambled up the hill across the way (see video. Fear not, I'm not in it.).

That held 'em off for awhile, but once back at camp I was no longer so obvious and it wasn't long before another batch showed up.

Finally, around 4 pm, with them blamming away, I managed to pack up and leave. They tell me on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays I'd likely have it to myself.

The View From Above

Phoebe's New Knees

Mr. Tadeo called 'em "half-shafts." I referred to 'em as CV joints. $520 including a $40 tip.

Some years ago, back when I could amble to the tops of hills, I discovered an amazing echo. Like the Lost Dutchman Mine, I've not been able to find it again, but I've kept trying.

This attempt had me closely scrutinizing the topo map to see where it might be. But standing in the road looking up, I had to acknowledge my days of ambling "uphill" are over.

It's a bit of a trek from Douglas to the National Forest and whoever owns the land is adamant about keeping people off; it's posted all along the 10 miles or so.

I camped next to a corral -- in the National Forest -- only to have the rancher appear, on his side-by-side, out of the dark. We exchanged pleasantries though it took a few seconds to assimilate his pronunciation of "water," which, when I asked, he clarified with, "a pipeline." He'd been unsuccessful at repairing a tank's plumbing and commented that the store was two hours away. After expressing my sympathy, we bid each good evening.

In the morning I noticed anothor of the odd lugnuts. Without the means to remove it and being out of range of roadside assistance, I, like the rancher, had no choice but to return to town.

Mr. Tadeo explained how these odd nuts have a cover that sometimes falls off when subjected to the torque of a pnuematic wrench. I 'splained how "I didn't do it!" in my best 8-year-old voice and as with the whole car, I got taken to the cleaners.

I found Joey's cat in an alley. I've always enjoyed alleys and went down this one to get to The Blueberry Cafe.

Trump's Wall Pt II - Naco, AZ

Notable as the location of a contingent of Buffalo Soldiers, I was amused, though I'm not sure why, by the new sign in Spanish.

The other info-boards extoll, though almost too faded to be readable, the virtue of preserving this remnant.

In recognition of the futility of

the effort of keeping 'em on their side,

the fort was eventually closed.

Brian A. Terry was a Black man. I've yet to ferret out who made the decision to name the station after him, but he was killed while President Obama was in office.

Between the two walls

Brian A. Terry

Border Patrol Station

Why Two?

Why ONE?!!!

Tough Steel

Bisbee

We came here together the first time on February 22, 2018.

On February 18, 2020, the manzanita were blooming and the odour was almost cloying.

Today, April 9, I'm by myself. I was lucky to find a small spot next to the road; all the others are taken.

We're, Phoebe and I, enroute to Tadeo's Auto Repair in Douglas. Phoebe has a torn CV boot and may need new brake pads.

West of Gila Bend

We could fit three of her into my white shirt she's wearing.

Curious phenomena

Creosote...or A Botanical Interlude

Images

Though it is a native of the region, creosote is also regarded as invasive, and the plants tends to spread into soil that has been disturbed or into areas that've been overgrazed by livestock.

Their offspring are clones of the previous plant, meaning that a colony of creosote bushes is a single organism.

At about 90 years old, a plant will crown and then die, leaving a new plant spreading out from the old one. One seed will create numerous crown stems, which create a colony.

Image may be copyrighted

The oldest known colony is the “King Clone,” which is located in the Mojave Desert in California and is believed to be almost 12,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.

Creosotes have learned (plants are sentient!) to extend their lives by storing and preventing water loss by coating their leaves with a waxy film.

Creosotes help to prevent erosion and are home and food base for over 60 species of insects and small creatures including beetles, millipedes, mice, jackrabbits and kangaroo rats. They're also the only food source for 22 species of bees, which get their food from the yellow flowers they put on throughout the year. The bees then help pollinate other plants. Imagine what would happen to the food chain if the creosotes were to disappear!

Source: https://pitchstonewaters.com/creosote-bush-an-unassuming-but-ancient-form-of-life-all-around-us/

Sahuarita Mélange

 Sunset

Sunrise

Light on the Shoulders

Light on the Tippy-Tops

Sunset - Sahuarita

 

Sahuarita

It rained most of the day but just before sunset...

A Portion Of The Santa Ritas

And then...

Checking The Perimeter

The Experimental Range is a large tract owned by the University of Arizona. The part I'm exploring looks as if it hasn't been grazed in a while. I've only seen grass like this one other time...in the Animas Mountains in Southwestern New Mexico that The Turners bought and were rehabilitating.

I plan to make some phone calls next year to learn what this is all about.

There's some sturdy fence around it.

East Side Vibe

Southern Vibe

Tubac, Arizona

Unable to get into the Green Valley post office's parking lot, I changed my mail to Tubac, an arts community 20 miles south of Green Valley. This set off a flurry that concluded with:

How much pac could a Tupac bac if a Tupac could Tubac?

https://images.app.goo.gl/Eraz6AwTB2CXQ5DUA

Sahuarita

Nothing noteworthy...simply documenting.

Camp

Snow

Walmart ensemble

Note sexy ankle-showing...albeit with sock. Come summer though...

A Small, But Comfortable, Space

Functioning in so small a space is still a source of pleasure; rarely is it an annoyance.

Yesterday was a bit of a wrangle as I worked to cut down a box to fit a special need. As the sun set and the chill dampened my enthusiasm, I piled everything in upon itself. Fortunately, I'm not expecting company. 

At top right is a bag of trash under which are the remnant pieces of cardboard. Under those are my overalls; to the left, the blue bag has extra garbage bags & toilet paper, now only used as kleenex. Boots got thrown in the middle. The laptop, at the left, slipped between it all and this morning's need, at the edge of my crossed legs, coffee filters.

The outside is just a step away.

Update: 7:00 a.m. 9.Dec.

My rich diet of braunsweiger & beef tartare had me out in the cold & damp. I fired up the engine and pulled the settee, pictured above, next to the door so I'd have some heat. Nothing impedes a sphincter like cold. It's one of those rare mornings when something just can't wait.

Mornings - Coffee & Wine

I was 17 - Fresh from a Boulder, Colorado school for dropouts - I'd barely finished the ninth grade. I'd read about Sylvan Hart, The Last of the Mountain Men, and set out with a boy-scout backpack to find him.

Eschewing maps, I wandered the Salmon River Wilderness -- as it was known in them days. At the end of the road, before it turned up French Creek and wound up the mountain to Burgdorf, lived a tall, ninety-year-old string bean who started his day with a shot of whiskey.

I met him when I followed the road past the turnoff to see what there was. I walked in those days and, as now, was something of an anomoly -- just like everybody else in that part of the world. 

On Friday and Saturday nights around 10pm or so, I'd see his truck go by. The road was a narrow lane cut into the steep mountainside. There were sheer dropoffs into the river where folks dumped their unwanted cars and a few who missed the turn came to their end.

Accordion, Cup o' Wine & Boiled 'Taters

I start the day, after breakfast, with a bite of coffee. Wine in the evening causes reflux so I decided to copy the old man. And it facilitates accordion practice and cooking. 50+ years later, I toast his memory with a couple of sips -- on a fine day somewhat like then, for wandering.

It's 1:30 or later by the time I'm ready to roll. The wine, 

incompatible with the heart meds, has LONG since worn off. 

The Hazards of Piddling

I'm 4.5 miles south of I-8 and the road, all along the way, is CAMPED UP! Everyone has 1,000 acres, but every space is taken.

It was almost dark when I got to a BLM road. I fired up the GPS to note the location on the laptop. Climbing back into the cab, I noticed a light. I couldn't guage the distance, but drove ahead, thinking to find a place beyond them. 

Almost immediately I discovered they were only a few hundred feet ahead. I went past but after about 1,000 feet, there was an impassable wash. Fortunately, the road took a sharp dip just before. By now it was completely dark and I was exhausted. I made camp. I'm too close for proper etiquette, but we can't see each other...I just hope they don't have a dog.

Sheesh! Two years ago no one was out here. 

I got going today at 4:00 pm, so had an hour and a half to drive which, for me, translates to 45 minutes. I stopped in Gila Bend to get water and drove the remaining half hour (with the sun above the horizon) to the exit. I drove into four possible sites before finally settling here. The first two were still too noisy and the others were taken....with vehicles hidden by vegetation until I got close.

In one of Michael Pollan's books he interviewed an Idaho potato farmer. The family had a garden where they grew theirs. The farmer said they wouldn't eat the ones grown for commercial sale...too many chemicals 

I was surprised by how much cleaner the organics were. The rinse water for the regulars was muddy, but the water for these was so clean I used it to rinse dishes.

Buckeye, Arizona

A fruitful stop. I had a slow leak in the port side aft. A bolt, he said.

After the tire I went across the street & picked up a new battery from Walmart. Phoebe's is due to poop out any day. Price dropped $40.00. Last one was $100.00. This one $57.00. Same kind.

Nice supper of canned peas & porkchops with popcorn for dessert. Now, 8pm, kicked back with Yogi Egyptian Licorice tea...a recent introduction thanks to She-of-the-Capri.