Empire 7

 Seven days already?   Time is flying.  The fresh water tank still has plenty and the waste tanks have room for more.  So we aren’t in any rush to leave here.

Today we went down to Patagonia.  A little town on the AZ Trail about 20 miles SW of here. Nice little town with some shops and a nice central park to sit and enjoy lunch. A very friendly atmosphere and good friendly volunteers at the visitor center.  

For a hike with a dog they suggested a trail up to an old cemetery.  Dogs are not allowed on the trail we wanted.  We couldn’t find the trail and ended up driving up to it. It sits on top of a small hill with fine views. It isn’t that old, but then south AZ isn’t that old in white history anyway.  The graves showed the strong influence of Mexican culture with many colorful designs and decorations.  

Saw a couple antelope on the way down and more on the return. 

It was a bit frosty again this morning

This hawk, perhaps a red tail, was flying low around us as we rove out

Empire 6

 Went down to Sierra Vista today; it’s a small city about 22 miles away.   Had to get propane and groceries.   Skye was a big hit at the propane store, both guys filling tanks had to go see her with some treats.  

We also went out a few miles further to the San Pedro River Riparian National Conservation Area.  We’ve been there a few times.  Very nice 3 mile hike around the river and adjoining land.  No big bragging rights for bird sightings today. 

Upon returning to Empire Ranch however, we saw the herd of antelope again.  About 15 this time.  

Sunset was nothing but the moonrise was great.  

Carlene got a new shower thing, Skye found it on the bed and claimed it.  

She was very excited and wagging all over the camper with it.

Sunset, with Venus and Jupiter

Full Monnrise

Empire 5

 Took a 5.8 mile hike up the road next to us.  The same road I’ve mentioned before.  It went up to a small dam in the wash holding water for stock.  Skye didn’t care if it was a stock pond, she just wanted to wade in it.  The only wildlife we’re a few birds   Skye got interested in a hawk She chased the bird’s shadow way up the hillside before I called her back  She isn’t always easy to see in the tan grass  She’s kind of grass camo colored out here  

Back home we sat in the sun and enjoyed some reading and cool beverages. 

A solar powered pump for another stock pond. We didn’t see the pond until Skye went over and came back wet!

The sunset was OK, and the views of them from inside the camper are great. 

But the moonrise was terrific!

However the moon is so bright I don’t have a chance to see that green comet that the space sites are talking about. 

Empire 4

 Went back to Parker Canyon Lake in the Coronado National Forest.  That’s about 35 miles south of us and maybe 8 miles north of Mexico.  We were there perhaps 5 years ago. 

The trail around the lake has many great views and is about 5.5 miles.  Not that far, unless you have an eager young dog on a leash. 

This was the first opportunity Skye has had to get into water since the Huntington River got too cold last fall at home   She sure was happy!

Nothing special on the road, except scenery.  No wildlife today. Just cattle.   Oops, I forgot the coyotes singing just after sunup  

 

Empire Ranch 3

 Had a nice leisure morning in camp.  It’s so peaceful here!  This afternoon we went to Sonoita for a few groceries, went out driving around and stopped at a winery.  Had some samples and bought a bottle to go.  I think Carlene’s friends will see it at a pot luck.  

Then a walk up the wash.  Skye enjoyed a good long run off leash!

On the way out we saw another small herd of antelope, 5 this time.  And on the way back the cattle herd was back by the road.  Saw a few calves in the herd, one was white.  That stands out in an Angus herd!

Beautiful sunset tonight!

The white calf is not easy to see in the tall tan grass

Empire Ranch 2

 The neighbor left around noon and we are now on our preferred site.  We are also quite private, nobody else on this site, just the 3 campers a quarter mile up the road.  We sat around camp most of the day.  The first half waiting for “our” space.  Then a brief set-up and then just lounging in the sun, reading our books and watching the birds.  We believe we saw a hawk and another similar bird that remains unidentified.  Then the cows came home.  Well, they came by to visit us.  A dozen or so Angus wandered by grazing.

We went for a walk up that road across from us again.  This time we went up a hill to the north side of the road.  Looking out across we saw a small herd of Antelope!  

Stopped for another chat with Chris from BC and his 3 bird dogs.  Skye got to go off leash to greet the dogs.  She enjoyed her free time wandering around his camp.  Didn’t spend much time with the dogs, they were still tied up.

We’re still waiting for the splendid sunsets that we got here on other nights.

Our camper really is in this photo

Look just left of center

This is BIG country

Cattle seen from our window

Antelope!

Boondocking at Empire Ranch

 Moved camp to a boondock site in the Empire Ranch / Las Cienegas Nat’l Conservation Area in Sonoita AZ.  We have camped here probably 3 other times.  It’s a 60,000 acre former ranch, now BLM land, and still used for ranching on lease.  We have one neighbor who is leaving tomorrow.  We prefer the spot he has so we are still hitched and will move over when he leaves.  There are 3 others a quarter mile away.

Boondocking is free camping without any facilities, you must be fully self contained.  We can handle 10 days before needing to dump waste water and refill the fresh water.

We walked around for a bit, however it is similar to home i.e. colder than normal.  Oh, I know the difference, we are expecting a low of 29, you w/ hazard wind chill warnings, so bad they cancelled the Penguin Plunge.  Your sunset is 5, ours 5:56.  We got a few drops of rain today.  Nothing got wet in this low humidity.