Organ Pipe, Bull Pasture Trail

Hiked up the Bull Pasture Trail and back down on the Estes Canyon Trail today.  Relatively steep rugged trail compared to many others out here.  Similar to some in Big Bend.  Only 3.5 miles on the chart but I think they used line-of-sight for some of those distances, not accounting for all the switchbacks. 

We went down to Lukeville later this afternoon to visit the post office and get fuel.  Didn't realize that those two stops would mean visiting every business in town!  Oh, not quite.  There was a duty free shop there too.  And of course a rather large border crossing facility.  Really, the whole "village" covered two soccer fields.

Back in camp we went down the street to visit with a couple Vermonters.  We saw the green plates when we left this morning.  Nice couple from Montpelier who spend a good 6 months on the road for winter. 
There is another Vermont plate in the park but we have not seen anyone around the camper yet.

The cactus that ate the truck!  Just looks like some old sci-fi picture

Victoria Mine hike

Since there was a bit of afternoon rain in the forecast we were out by 9 for a hike to Victoria Mine, only 4 miles round trip.  We were pretty sure we could get around the rain that way.  Sure did work out because it hasn't rained yet.  Nice hike through rolling desert landscape.  Saw lots of Saguaro, Cholla, Ocotillo and some Organ Pipe cactus.  Not as much Organ pipe as Carlene expected.

After lunch we took a backcountry drive on a 21 mile loop through the Ajo Mountains.  This time Carlene saw all the Organ Pipe she expected!

Met a guy originally from Putney at the Visitor Center after the drive.  He now lives on Lopez Island off the coast of Washington and is snowbirding down here.

Photos from the hike:

The small white line is the campground

Cholla in bloom

Photos from the drive around Ajo Mountain Rd.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Packed up our covered wagon this morning and said good bye to Winter Range.  Nothing left to keep us there anyway.  Everyone had moved on, except Tazz and Rose who are staying until Thursday and then headed to Florida for a shoot a week later.  They have a laser engraving business in the trailer behind the motor home.  They are shooters and vendors at numerous shoots all over the US, including VT.  They spend so much time on the road that they sold the house in NH are are now full time RV.  Last year Tazz told me they were only home 93 days  last year so why bother.

In a few hours we arrived here at Organ Pipe Cactus Nat. Monument, so named for the organ pipe cactus that grow here.  We are about 3 miles from Mexico.  We are in a beautiful open campground with views in all directions.  No hookups here so the solar panels are out again.  Almost full charge already.  Solar is a great way to go out here.

Also no WiFi here, so I'll only post a few photos.  That uses too much data to use the cell system.  8Gb has to last all month!  Oh I could get an unlimited plan, but Verizon gives me a state employee discount for a measured plan but won't do that for the unlimited plan.

The Organ Pipe Cactus, with Cal and I

Winter Range, day 6, last day

The shooting today was the Top Gun Shootoff  for Wild Bunch and CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting).  Great entertainment but a cold yet sunny morning.  If it weren't for the wind it would have been nice.  The shootoff is the top 16 male and female shooters in each event go head to head in an elimination round until there is only one Top Gun left.  Then the top man and top woman go another round. 
At 11 they had the award ceremony in the main tent.  I won 8th place in Wild Bunch Traditional Senior.  Traditional means I shoot the pistol one handed, along with some pistol specifications, mostly it is an original military spec without enhancements.  The Modern category shoots 2 handed and is allowed some enhancements. 

The Wild Bunch shootoff

The CAS shootoff

Holy Terror & Texas Tiger

Texas Tiger

Scrap P was cold enough for a mask

Bonnie MacFarland & Lacey D'Oyly

Some dress well for competition and it doesn't seem to slow them down

Renegade Roper from NY

In the main tent.  The flags of all participants are displayed.  6 other countries this year.

Winter Range, day 6

Last day of the Main Match shooting.  Great posse, had a lot of fun.  Ready to do it again!
I won 4th place in the Plainsman side event last Wednesday, those awards were passed out tonight after dinner.  Same place I had last year!
Tomorrow is the Top Gun shootoff competition.  The top 16 men and women have a head to head shootoff, kind of a side event for the best shooters.  It does not have any bearing on the main match awards or the National Titles, but participation is based on main match performance.
This afternoon Carlene came out to get some photos, so I'm in a few today.

The campground, our neighbors, Texas Brett, the Mayor of Dubois and Theodore Pucket.  'Three brothers originally from MA who also shoot in New England in the summer

Campers behind us

Wyatt Earp stage performance, portrayed by Wyatt's great nephew

Tom Slick shooting

Boston Lady

The only Indian I saw all week

The family with 3 boys also has 2 younger girls, one of them got sleepy.

These photos are form the costume contest:

Buckaroo costume contestants

Ladies

Couples

Saloon Girl costumes

Working cowboys