Desert Delight

Odometer 37748

Trip meter- 0

Wednesday December 18th

Joan and I are staying put in Ajo, AZ for the time being.  Several of our close friends have asked us why Ajo? and I will have to admit that got us to thinking- what is it that attracts us to this place?

We do like the Sonoran Desert, and no not every desert is the same- they actually have a very different look and character.  

The Sonoran desert is encompassed by the Southeast tip of California the Southwest 1/4 of Arizona, and continues south into Mexico on both sides of the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) The body of water that separates the Baja peninsula from the mainland of Mexico.

What we love about this desert, is that it seems more lush than most, and to us anyway always seems to be framed by magnificent mountain ranges.

There is a great variety of prickly things that grow out in the hills around here, and they all are such beautiful  creations.

Jumping Cholla (aka Chainfruit Cholla)

The Jumping Cholla is very silvery this time of the year, like they just dressed up for Christmas.  From a distance they look almost furry and soft.  No one would make that characterization up close!

Saguaro Cactus

The Saguaros are prominent in the higher elevations of the Sonoran desert.  They look like stately giants standing tall above all the other growth.  The Gila woodpeckers and flickers carve holes in the Saguaro for nests.  Holes that have been abandoned are often inhabited by other species, including the tiny elf owl.

Organ Pipe Cactus

The Organ pipe Cactus is native only to this area of the US and down into northern Mexico.  In the US the cactus is typically only found in, or within 80 miles of, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument .  The OP National Monument occupies 330,000 acres of land between Ajo and the Mexican border. 

The owners of this RV park have a couple donkeys and a burro in a paddock that adjoins the park.  Joan asked the owners if we could feed them some carrots.  The answer was yes- so now we are stocking carrots for our furry friends.

Your Traveling Friends

Jeff and Joan