Safford, AZ

 This was finally a warm sunny day; a great day to come to Safford Arizona.  One of our favorite places.  A nice easy drive of 130 miles, half being I-10 and the other half US 70 through flat plains in NM and rolling hills in AZ.

This place is never crowded but we were anxious to get our favorite spot.  There is nobody else here!  There are always others across the road to the west, but it’s empty.  OK!  We arrived in time to have lunch here too.  We got all set up then sat out in the sun in T-shirt and shorts for a couple hours.  Then went for a walk.  

No real plans yet.  We’ll be here for a week or more so there is plenty of time for whatever.  There is snow on Mt. Graham, about the same as last year.  The road is new pavement, that’s a big surprise.  It needed it.  Pavement was probably cheaper than filling all the potholes!  But the area has changed a lot.  It must be the drought, there are far fewer plants here.  A lot more open ground.  Many dried up creosote bushes.  When we first camped here several years ago it was hard to maneuver into this spot around the brush.  Now just roll in, make a circle and park.

It is a beautiful night!  The nearly full moon in conjunction with Jupiter and so bright that I can see the snow on Mt. Graham!

The Continental Divide in NM

Doesn’t look like those Colorado photos you’re used to

You see things on the interstate that make you wonder, what is that?

A NM train

Entering AZ

Soaptree Yucca lining the highway 

Our first look at Mt. Graham

Nice new pavement on Haekel Road

Camp Haekel