"Jacob's Tails . . . (Back-to-the-Land)"
is now in E-Book formats
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There are parkers and there are travellers.
There’s no question that we are not ‘stay-put-in-an-RV-park’ type people although the Kofa Ko-op has its attractions. The hot tub was certainly a BIG attraction and we did meet some keeper new friends.
Again our timing is the pits. The rain started just minutes after we left. Tell me why it is that most of the time the prevailing winds are from the west but not this time. We’re heading south-east and the winds are coming from Mexico (south-east); but then, it’s so good to be travelling again.
As we drove along the main Interstate (8), we were amazed at the number of (what I call) Toy-Hauler type RVs or rigs hauling utility trailers with toys (ATVs, four-wheelers and such) on them.
Playing in the Dunes has become an alluring activity amongst the Young & the Brave of Arizona and California.
Last year we met one father and son team who bring their toys down from Canada every year and spend a couple of months playing in the Dunes.
Local folks often make it into a family get-together somewhere in the Imperial Dunes of California and will spend the time playing together in the Sand.
There are Dune Buggies; ATVs and some fancier toys called Sand Rails that can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars.
The Sand Dunes, themselves are fascinating too.
Dec. 30, 2010
We are presently just outside the very small community of Why, AZ about 10 miles south of Ajo, AZ which is also a small community but not as small as Why. Why got its name because it was situated at the 'Y' in the road. In order to get U.S. Mail delivery, a community had to have a minimum of 3 letters in its name.
There is no longer a 'Y' in the road; it is now a 'T' but they didn’t change the name. Why is on the way to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument just north of the Mexican border.
We have no access to the internet here but there is a fabulous library in Ajo and we will go in periodically to send and check emails etc. By the way, Ajo means garlic in Spanish.
It has turned chilly and yesterday was rain and wind. The wind and coolness have persisted but the sun is shining and that helps as long as we can stay out of the wind.
Today we took a tour up behind Ajo and rediscovered the most incredible Cactus forest. I'm sure there are more Organ Pipe Cacti there than there are in the Park.
Dec. 31, 2010
Ch-ch-ch-chrickey it's cold!! The host here at the park said that the thermometer hit 19 F. Our thermometer went down to 24 F. No matter 19 or 24 - that's cold.
Oh, Happy New Year, even though I know it is going to be very late by the time this gets to you.
Jan. 1, 2011
It is still VERY, VERY cold! - Maybe a couple of degrees warmer but not so you would notice. New Years Eve was very quiet - mostly spent staying warm.
We decided it was warmer to do something than to sit around complaining about the cold, so we went down to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and then down to Lukeville and Gringo Pass (the US-Mexican border) for a Mexican lunch of tortillas, tacos, fruesdos (sp?).
By the time we got back the sun had warmed things up considerably and we were greeted by a vendor selling fresh shrimp from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Mexico - so you know what we're going to be eating.
Jan. 2, 2011
Today was make bread day - even though it is still rather chilly, again the sun was out and that makes all the difference in the world.
A knock at the door can change everything!
“You guys want to go up to Painted Rock west of Gila Bend?” It was Chuck.
Sure, we enjoy exploring new places, especially with Chuck and Sheila because their interests are so similar to ours.
We had heard plenty of stories about Painted Rock but had never been there. So off we went.
Painted Rock is a pile of rocks that somehow had become a meeting and gathering place for many of the ancient peoples and therefore a great site for archaeologists to study these people and their cultures.
“The people that made the designs carved their cultural experiences and personal visions and dreams. Only they themselves knew the meaning of these symbols. In coming of age tests and ceremonies, the teacher or student would record visions important to them during their experiences. Some symbols may seek help from spirits to gather inspiration and ensure a successful hunt. Certain elements or designs may be warnings to travelers about the dangers that lie ahead on the trail. Still other symbols may continue to remind people about important stories of the past to ensure that they are not forgotten.”
Another how do they do that??
So many times we have seen cotton fields and the huge compressed bales but this time we decided to see the cotton up close.
The plants look dead. Some of the heads are still closed; some have exploded into cotton puffs; and there is cotton all over the ground.
So how do they harvest it??
And last but not least – when we got back to our Camp-site, we were greeted by an incomparable Sonoran Desert sunset.
Paul at the Oasis Book Store
