#57: Southern Arizona & Saguaro National Park

I went back and forth a lot with how to navigate Arizona. It's a massive state with so much to offer. I spent a lot of time mapping out what route makes the most sense. If I've learned anything on this trip, it's: do not wait to do something. If I want to do it, I can't think, "I'll do it later." I need to do it now. So, with this mantra in mind, I headed to the southeast part of the state.

While I was in southern Arizona, mainly for Saguaro National Park, I had two little towns on my radar: Bisbee and Tombstone. I checked out Bisbee first.

Bisbee

Like most of these small western towns, Bisbee started as a mining town in the late 1800s. The primary industry was mining until the 1970s when the mines closed. As people moved away for other opportunities, an influx of free-spirited artists found Bisbee an affordable place of creative inspiration. Now, it's culturally rich with a diverse population.

Addie and I got a last-minute reservation at an RV park right in the town called Queen Mine RV Park. Not only was the location convenient to explore Bisbee, but I also filled up and dumped Airstream tanks and charged the battery. 

Bisbee was cute. I'm not sure I "got" it, exactly, but it was eclectic, historic, and colorful. 

Tombstone

Tombstone is only about 30 minutes from Bisbee. I was psyched to see this place. Regretfully, I didn’t do enough research before visiting - I still haven’t seen the entire Tombstone movie. Rookie mistake. But, it was still very cool and “western.” Some would argue it’s a bit hokey, with the gunfight theaters and people dressed in period, but I ate it up. I also bought a pair of boots.

Some free, dispersed camping (boondocking) spots are great, and some are not. I happened to find an excellent one on the way from Tombstone to Saguaro. It was clean, quiet, spaced out, and far enough away to be secluded but close enough to be easy. It was also scenic.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is in the Sonoran Desert. There are two sections of Saguaro National Park - Saguaro East (Rincon Mountain District) and Saguaro West (Tucson Mountain District). In the morning, we visited the east side, followed by the west side.

There are some trails to hike, and Addie and I did a few nature walks, but we mostly drove and shot photos. The west side seemed to bring me more excitement. The loop road becomes a dirt road, which is always more fun. Also, the west side seemed a lot less commercial. However, both were beautiful and filled with Saguaro and other types of cacti.

Here are some fun facts about Saguaros. I find them fascinating.

1. Saguaros are exclusive to the Sonoran Desert.

2. They are the largest cactus in the United States.

3. A saguaro can live to be 100-200 years old.

4. Saguaros have become a black market commodity, raking in thousands for hauls.

5. Saguaros may bloom flowers - the Arizona state flower - but only after the age of 35 years.

6. The roots are shallow and expand like an accordion to absorb water.

At this point of my journey, and for the past several weeks, I am feeling, well, tired. The travel has been so exhilarating, and I am ever-so-grateful to be experiencing what I am. However, I yearn to be stationary. I’m happy and good and enjoying it all, but I just wanted to acknowledge that for a second. I wouldn’t trade it for a second, and I’m fortunate to have an opportunity like this, but there are times when I wish I had a couch to lay on, nowhere to go, and a normal-sized freezer for ample cartons of ice cream.

For now, though, I’ll happily take my memory foam mattress pad on top of my Basecamp cushions, more exciting things to see and do in Arizona, and a freezer only large enough for a few Trader Joe’s pre-sauced pasta dishes.

Onward and upward…Perfect timing to meet my friend Alfredo at Lost Dutchman State Park outside Phoenix.

#56: Long-awaited Arizona

I headline this post the way I do because getting to Arizona took a while. My original plan was to visit Arizona after New Mexico in the spring, but because of COVID, I sheltered in place in Texas for two months. I didn’t get back on the road until May, and by then, I deemed it too hot to enjoy Arizona comfortably. Here I was, six months later, finally getting there.

I entered the state in the northeast corner. Even though it was out of the way, I was keen on visiting - or at least seeing - Monument Valley. Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nation, which is currently closed down due to COVID, so it wasn’t an option for me to go to the actual park. However, I could still drive to “Forest Gump Hill,” of which Monument Valley the backdrop.

If I were to have visited the park, I would have kept going straight on this road. However, because it was closed, combined with the fact that I wasn’t going in that direction, I turned around and headed back towards the road that would ultimately take me to Petrified Forest National Park.

It was a LONG drive to get there through the Navajo Nation - it seemed somewhat abandoned because nothing was open. Fuel stations weren’t even available. Also, I wanted to see a few other things in this area I couldn’t - Four Corners and Antelope Canyon. As I’ve said before, I can’t do everything - for one reason or another.

I had two options for camping at the south entrance of the park. Shockingly, they were both free, and both outside petrified wood gift shops. I opted for one - without really having a preference - and joined a few other campers. Or shall I say, “characters.” It was an eclectic group at the campground.

The entrance to the park was right there - this campground couldn’t have been more convenient.

Petrified Forest National Park started on the right foot with me because it’s dog-friendly. At the gate, I asked the ranger his recommendations for my day, and we were off.

The first stop was to the Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center. The Giant Logs Trail followed, where we got our first glimpse of petrified logs. I was astounded by the colors and textures - unbelievable.

If you are curious, here is how petrified wood forms:

The Crystal Forest Trail warranted even more fascinating petrified wood. I found myself in awe, just staring at the colors and minerals in the wood-turned-rock.

I did not realize this, but “badlands” is a type of rock/land formation. I thought Badlands is only the name of the national park in South Dakota, but at Petrified Forest, there are “badlands.” Blue Mesa is a one-mile loop winding through purple, gray, and blue badlands.

The park’s northern end, north of the historic Route 66, is home to the Painted Desert Visitor Center and many beautiful overlook points. There is no doubt that the Painted Desert lives up to its name.

After only one day, we hit just about the entire park. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised: an easy park to navigate, small yet fulfilling, awe-inspiring, and dog friendly. Success.

#16: March 18

Greetings from a Target parking lot in New Mexico.

First, I realize I’m a little behind on my blog posts. I have a few entries in the works including more on West Texas, Guadalupe National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and New Mexico. However, I wanted to insert a quick post regarding my thoughts and reflections on the recent Coronavirus situation and my current status.

I have been laying low in New Mexico since last week when things started getting more serious on a national level with this virus. Simultaneously, I’ve had a few mishaps with the Airstream: 1) Leak in the roof, and 2) Thermostat will not turn on (yes, the same thermostat I successfully replaced last month). These are two things that I don’t want to continue traveling with while not fully functioning.

With the help of Airstream head office, I was able to get a service appointment at Airstream of New Mexico today (typically these Airstream dealerships book out months in advance for service appointments). They are taking a look at it and I’m waiting on a call to understand whether or not they need to keep it overnight. If they need to order a part, it may take a few days to arrive from the head office. I just don’t know.

This all brings me to my current status. I am in the Target parking lot because, well, I really don’t know where else to go. I don’t want to walk around stores, and all restaurants and coffee shops are only doing take-out (plus, I have Addie with me). And my “home” is in the shop. Tonight could go a few different ways:

Pending the Airstream needs to stay overnight:

1) I could stay in a hotel (not ideal given COVID-19).

2) I could ask the Airstream dealer if I could have the trailer back until the part arrives so I can sleep in it.

Pending all is fixed today:

1) I will find a campsite for tonight and figure out tomorrow’s destination.

Regardless of when, the Airstream will get fixed. Then, I need to figure out what I’m doing, exactly. New Mexico state parks have been closed to overnight campers. However, I’ve done all I want to do in New Mexico, so that’s neither here nor there. The next stop will be Arizona.

National Parks remain open however, many visitor centers have been closed, or they are limiting the number of people allowed inside at a time. Specific restrictions vary park by park. I am fully aware that the parks - state or national - could close any day. Like everything else, we just don’t know.

Despite feeling a little unsettled about it, I will continue to camp and explore nature. I am, by default, practicing social distancing, as well as keeping my hands washed, limiting outings to only places necessary and planning to not move around as much. Hopefully, I’ll find a beautiful spot to camp in Arizona and hunker down there for a longer duration of time. If things progressively get worse and I don’t feel safe for any reason, I’ll reevaluate.

At times I feel I’ve chosen the perfect timing to embark on this adventure, but at other times, I feel it’s the worst timing. I will take it day by day, just like everyone else is doing. That’s really all we can do. Please stay safe!

By the way, if anyone has any questions/advice, please let me know!