These are the photos I couldn’t post last night. I didn’t really figure out what the issue was Logged out and back in but that wasn’t enough I then closed a lot of tabs That worked But I don’t k ow which was causing the problem
The chance of rain tomorrow meant we got going this morning to do a hike on the Arizona Trail. Well, we didn’t really know what we were going to do when we left camp. We wanted to go up the Gardner Canyon Road where there are several trails. When we got up there we chose the AZ Trail northbound. We did some of that trail 2 years ago but didn’t go more than a couple miles. Today when we stopped for lunch and checked the map we realized we had the time & energy to go to Kentucky Camp. We had been at KY Camp 3 years ago and did a short hike there, so this would connect to that.
We met 3 people on the trail today. One was a trail steward south of here who had gone to KY Camp out of curiosity. She had heard of a trail relocation and had gone to look for it, but didn’t find it. The next couple had gone to Greaterville, a 12 mile round trip. And it wasn’t noon yet.
It was a very nice stretch of trail with some good uphill to start then leveling off for long portions a couple of times. Once at KY Camp we saw the caretaker and recognized him from our last visit. Also met his brother who is working with him. Their father started care taking there 20 years ago and the first brother started 10 years ago every January and February.
When we got back to camp we saw that Will and Linda were out at the other neighbor’s camp, They gave us a big wave as we drove in, so we went over to meet n greet Skye made a good new friend really quick Dixie is a small Brittany and they hit it off great Despite a long hike Skye was in full play mode
We’re not sure what we’ll do tomorrow. It is supposed to be showers starting around 7. We’re not hiking in the rain, but will find something.
I am puzzled that my phone won’t let me post photos tonight Those below were on my iPad
A bright sunny warm day to move again. This time it was a short 40 mile drive south to the Empire Ranch in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. More BLM land with AZ State land adjacent. We are parked here for a week before going to EOT next (more on that later).
It was a good day for cleaning up our acts. Get showers, wash the clothes. Wash the dog. Yup, Skye says she had a bad day, lots of abuse. You guys who said “stop spoiling her” got their day. We took her to the beauty shop, PetSmart, for a bath. She is now pretty, clean, and sweet smelling. She is not happy about that at all. She is looking forward to visiting the cows at Empire Ranch.
While she was getting spiffy we took a drive around the loop at Saguaro National Park. We get in there for something on most of our visits here. It is such a special place. While there we met a couple from Hartland VT. They had flown over for a week’s vacation and were enjoying the amazing Saguaro forest.
Back at camp we had a long chat with the campers next door. They’re from Colorado Springs and have been coming here about as long as we have. They were saying how they used to have several friends to do this with but most of them had quit long term camping. They all used to go to Quartzite, a very large BLM area in west AZ. We have driven through the area and were not interested. Maybe with a group.
Today’s photos are all from the park
It was a pretty interesting morning as we left our boondock site in Safford. It seems like Safford didn’t want us to leave! I had been looking at the way they graded the road at our site when they did the paving project. I knew there was a chance that the trailer would drag as we came off the higher ground down into the ditch and back up onto the pavement. I hoped it would be OK, but had doubts. It turned out to be very well “grounded” doubts!
We dug in the hitch Jack, I hadn’t anticipated that. Back up. Dig a trench for that and the rear jacks and try again. The ground was very solid from driving on it. Got into the road but the rear jacks didn’t clear the ground. Back up. I tried to remove the jacks, only 3 screws in each. But it’s frozen.
Carlene notices where someone else went out on another spot that was still soft ground. We looked at that and I got out the shovels. I come prepared. Dug out that spot and gave it a try. The rear jacks still hit ground so we dug some more and finally got out! All that time only 2 vehicles came by.
After that going to Tucson was a breeze. Got a campsite at the Pima County Fairgrounds with full hookups. Water tank refilled for Empire Ranch. Went shopping, got the gas pistons for the bed, if you recall that topic. O’Reilly had them. And some groceries.
After 9 days in remote country wi heard one coyote call tonight at the edge of Tucson I hear a whole pack of coyotes outside the fairgrounds fence. Twice.
Skye has an appointment at the doggie beauty shop tomorrow morning.
