Down to Ajo

This week was moving week as we had spent our allowed time of two weeks near Tucson.  So we drove a few hours west to an area just south of Why, AZ which is about thirty miles just north of the Mexican border.


Just before we parked, we had to dump our sewer and fill with fresh water.  In the midst of a parking lot that at one time was a service station is a water tap.  I tasted it and the water tasted great so we filled up.  As we were filling, a large motorhome, towing a car, came off the highway onto the lot.  For some reason, he chose to leave the highway far faster than we would have – that motorhome bounced and rocked across the lot – I imagine a cupboard or two got re-arranged.  That all done, we drove out to the area and were able to park in quite a nice spot.

A desert woodpecker on a tall cactus

And you never know when you might have to lend a helping hand.  The washes, while not necessarily very deep, they usually have some pretty soft sand.  Here is where we got to use the Jeep as a tow vehicle.

As usual, we went for our daily walk, and as usual, we often stop to chat with other folks who are parked along our walk.  We stopped to chat with a couple that were true believers in extraterrestrial beings.  They shared a number of things – there were subs and cruise ships in outer space and anti-gravity devices are used.  They speak to the “beings” on numerous occasions.


The weather has been absolutely wonderful.  This gave me the opportunity to refinish a stand that I felt would just perk it up.  I brought it out, set it up, sanded it and started to varnish it  - oops – the varnish slipped out of my hand.  It is unbelievable how a small amount can spatter.  In my rush to get it off of my glasses, and to wash my shirt, I forgot that it may have spattered on to my hair.  Well, it did, and after it dries, there is no washing it out.


It was time to go into a larger town which is only ten miles away, Ajo, AZ, to get some groceries.   With it being Saturday, there were markets and a festival at a church. 

The church where the festival was held

There was a Mexican band that were very good and they did a great rendition of The Orange Blossom Special.  They also had a group of young girls dancing.  It was a real joy.

The town has a large artist’s school, complete with dormitories,  which is evident with all the murals in town.  There is even an alley called Artist’s Alley.

This is a great idea for the kids

One of the areas had a lot of old and different things.  I came across  this small poster which I thought was so incredibly true.

From 1916 to 1985, there was a huge copper mining operation in town.  While it is no longer operational, there is a view point at the top of the mine.  It is one and a half miles across and twelve hundred feet deep at which has quite a deep lake at the bottom which is spring fed.  There was a couple at the information centre who were incredibly knowledgeable.  The man worked at the mine for 40 years so he and/or his wife, know pretty well everything about this mine.  When you consider that the mine closed almost 35 years ago, he worked there for 40 years – well you can do the math on his approximate age.

 From there we visited the museum  - the curator was very informative.

Mid-week, some folks we had met while at Tucson, came and camped near us.  It is great fun to get together for our evening happy hour.


Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to next week.  I hope you all have a great week!