December 28, 2005

December 28, 2005

Organ Pipe National Park to Benson, Arizona

YEAR 2 DAY 194

 

Today was sunny and very warm again.

We started the day by going on the Ajo Mountain Scenic Drive in Organ Pipe National Park. It was a 21 mile driving trail through the foothills of the Ajo Mountains, to view the many Organ Pipe Cacti growing in this area. The trail was a one lane, rough gravel road. It took 2 hours to drive it. We were fortunate enough to see a javelina ( pronounced havileena ), a desert animal that looks something like a large, dark coloured pig.

We returned to the campground, and began to prepare for departure. We hitched up, drove over to the trailer dump station, refilled the fresh water, dumped the grey water tanks, and left Organ Pipe National Park just before noon. We drove north on Hwy. 85 to Why, then turned east on Hwy. 86 towards Tucson. After driving for about an hour, we stopped on the side of the road for lunch. We continued on to Tucson, where we found our way to Camping World. We shopped for some supplies, and a new fluorescent light fixture I want to install over my computer desk. From Camping World, we headed through Tucson to Wal-Mart, filling up with diesel on the way. While Joanne began shopping at Wal-Mart, I found a phone book, and phoned the only Aamco in Tucson. The owner / manager, and "parts guy", had both left for the day. The phone was answered by someone who wasn't able to help at all. I'll have to phone back tomorrow < fume >. I joined Joanne, and helped with the shopping. As we were arriving back at the trailer in the parking lot, we were approached by one of Wal-Mart's roving security people. He had noticed our Manitoba license plate, and came over to chat. He was originally from Pine River, Manitoba.

We fought our way through Tucson traffic, and got back onto Interstate 10 just as it got dark. We travelled about another hour east to Benson, and found our way to Saguaro SKP Co-op. It irritates me immensely that I'm going to have to drive an hour back to Tucson to have the rear differential resealed at Aamco. We found our way into one of Saguaro SKP Co-op's late arrival campsites. While Joanne prepared supper, I hooked up the power, water, and TV cable. I'll take care of the rest of the arrival procedures tomorrow.

We had supper. I did today's accounting and journal. We did a lot, and drove a lot today. I'm tired.

DSK