Southern Arizona

This past week was spent at Empire Ranch – a working cattle ranch that also allows camping.  It is rather high altitude so the nights are quite cold but the days have been warm and sunny.  Much of it is grassland surrounded by mountains and many come to ride their horses.  The countryside is one where a number of western movies have been made.

There two other couples camping here with us so it has been a perfect time to get in lots of visiting which has been great.  What a great place to stay – visiting with friends, lovely days, peace and quiet like very few places – almost perfect.  The only downfall has been the lack of cell service.  It is amazing how dependent we have become to be constantly linked to the outside world.   There is also some wildlife to be seen.  Thanks to our group photographer,  Myrna, I am able to share some of her photos as well as ours.

Since it was fairly warm when we arrived, there were several sightings of snakes, including rattlesnakes.  This was a baby rattler which  lost a war with a vehicle.

 An antelope herd was in the area among the cattle

Of course, the coyote.

Got this stickbug climbing on the wheel - looking to hitch a ride?

The black tailed prairie dog had been pretty well eliminated from this area.  However, they were introduced by creating underground tunnels using drainage pipe.  These dogs were kept in cages for a couple of weeks and soon created their own tunnels.  They have certainly reproduced as there are burrows everywhere.

We took a little drive to a small town – Patagonia.  What a lovely little town with a number of craft shops.  We had lunch, walked around, and came home.

The past couple of nights were cold (-2.8C Sunday night) and today, while it is 16C, there is an incredibly cold wind.  I know - don't complain, there is no snow!!!  This week we will be heading out – stop by next week to see where our next address is.  Until then, have a great week!!