With spring almost here it was time to say good-bye to good friends in Green Valley, AZ where Lulu became a common sight in the landscape for 3 months.
Lulu plugged in behind Dan and Cheryl’s home. An oversized yard ornament.
First stop was Gilbert Ray County Campground for several nights, my 4th stay at this park. A mere 18 miles from the Tucson airport, just down the road from The Sonoran Desert Museum and Saguaro National Park, there’s a variety of hiking trails, spectacular SW sunsets and sunrises, and it’s affordable at $20/night.
Brad and Elise, a couple who coincidentally are also full-timers after selling their home in Greenlake in Seattle. would be making a stop at Gilbert Ray and we’d have a chance to really visit. Our initial encounter last September in upper Michigan at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park was brief: early morning at the dumpster when I was leaving and they were walking their dogs. But long enough to share plans and discover we’d all be in the Tucson area sometime during winter months.
After 2 evenings of visiting with Brad and Elise and the day before I was to leave Gilbert Ray, my good friend from Sitka phoned (Chris) to inquire my plans for the coming week. With no set itinerary, it was easy to postpone departure one day, pick her up from the Tucson airport the following evening, and next morning we were on a road trip together! She’s an expert at spontaneity.
Surprise! Surprise! Road-trip’in with Chris
A long day of driving found us at Agua Caliente campground nestled in the hills and mountains near Anza-Borrega State Park in Californina. It was a lucky find with mineral pools, hiking trails, views, full moon, sunrises, quiet and remote. A relaxing, enjoyable stay. But we had to leave after 3 nights as the campground would be full for the weekend.
Sunrise
MoonsetIii
Often, chance encounters occur which show me what’s next. Before even considering ‘what’s next’ for the remainder of the week with Chris, I just happened to cross paths with Diane-the-camp-host from the lesser known campground 5 miles down the road. Waa-la! Chris and I found ourselves at the even more rustic, less populated Vallecito Campground our remaining four nights together.
It was a bit chilly and a lot windy. Doing a jigsaw puzzle was fun and engaging.
Walking trails which parallel the quiet road.
Strange looking scat. Coyotes main diet of rabbits were scarce last year due to disease. Thus, this dried scat is full of seeds from mesquite trees.
The week with Chris was spent camping in quiet campgrounds with only two days of travel: getting there, and dropping her at the Palm Desert airport. A very relaxing enjoyable week.
What fun! Great place to reconnect with a friend and enjoy the desert.