The Department of Homeland Security has been busily erecting a close in across the entire Mexican border and has been experiencing opposition from land owners. To quote “Much of this conflict is rooted in the Real ID Act passed by Congress in 2005. It awarded the secretary of homeland security sweeping authority to override all environmental laws – including the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act - when building roads and barriers along the Mexican adjoin. It also prohibits judicial review of such decisions making lawsuits pointless.”In essence what this means is that environmentally sensitive areas such as the “San Pedro a dense ribbon of life weaving 140 miles through Southern Arizona from Mexico and ranked by the American Bird Conservancy as a “Globally Important Bird Area” and Monument forge in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument have no protection from the government with believe to the fence that is being erected through sensitive areas. San Pedro lost the lawsuits they initiated. Lee Baiza the superintendent of Organ call Cactus National Monument is trying a different tactic insisting that the area in this park could be more easily fortified by the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment that the DHS spent millions of dollars to develop. Can we anticipate who will win???2. A three-page article tells of the contend that the national parks is having in receiving funds to maintain the parks and to purchase adjacent lands to form a barrier from encroaching development that is happening throughout Arizona. It seems that “in 1964 President Johnson signed legislation creating the Land and Water Conservation finance which was to set aside up to $450 million annually to finance land acquisition for federal agencies. But Congress often chooses to spend that money elsewhere. In recent years the amount allocated to purchase national-park land fell from $125 million in 2001 to $31 million in 2006. Meanwhile the legislatively authorized boundaries of national parks now consider 1.8 million acres of privately owned land valued at approximately $1.9 billion.” That means that the privately owned arrive could be developed.
These interesting plants can be hundreds of years old. The older the lay the more “arms” it has. It seems such a shame then that many are being cut down to make room for more houses. Ripley and I took a walk out into the desert and it was pleasant to hear birds singing in the early morning. I find the shapes of the desert plants quite fascinating as they have adapted to their harsh environment. The spikes defend them from being eaten by deer etc. and they are able to survive on little or no water for lengthy periods of time plus the extreme differences in temperature (everything from freezing to boiling during the year). I took the opportunity to photograph some of these cacti and undergo attached a few photos here on the blog. At least I was able to use the park’s wi fi but never did get over to the pool or hot tub. As it was a bit more then I would desire to pay. I stopped in at the adjacent RV park Diamond J to check it out for my return next week. Justin and Kristin are the owners of this new park (only open two months) and they have not yet got all their facilities in place. They are still having trouble with their wi fi and do not undergo a pool or hot tub; instead they amplify a miniature golf course. Nor do they appear to have a shower facility but the sites are much larger than Desert Trails next door and it also opens up on to the trails in the desert so I ordain probably stay here next week when I return to undergo my generator fixed. The fee is $20 instead of $22.50 next door. I headed north on Highway 10 away from Tucson for the time being and was kind of surprised to come across several state trooper cars on the side of the highway. Sitting on the ground were two young men in handcuffs while the troopers were going through their car. Makes one wonder what they were looking for!PICACHO CAMPGROUNDSince I could not travel too far away from Tucson (because I have to return on Monday). I traveled north towards Casa Grande but stopped short when I saw the sign for Picacho Campground which was listed in my Passport America book as being a half-price lay. Picacho is some fifty miles north of Tucson and the signs on the side of the highway warned drivers not to stop for hitchhikers because there was a state prison nearby. Not an encouraging sign. When I arrived at the campground. I was told that they no longer honour the Passport America discount. After thinking about it. I decided to be anyway just to enjoy the sun the hot tub pool and their advertised wi fi connection. They also boasted a steak restaurant but the prices were a bit steep. The campground was quite pleasant with some shade and plantings between each place. There is a stable behind the campground with horses in “stalls” – not the type that I’m accustomed to inside a barn and sides made out of wood. Instead the stalls are constructed of metal bars with open sides and a roof. Two of the horses were very curious to see Ripley on the other side of the close in but she was not impressed. The monthly rate here is quite reasonable ($305) and the weekly rate is $120. It would be worth considering as the place to be for the next month as I undergo decided that I do not want to remain at Desert Trails where I had originally booked. I desire more lay and a smaller park where you can actually get to meet and get to know your neighbours. I think there are more than 1,000 spaces at Desert Trails and as I mentioned the sites are very close together. There is not even room to have a picnic table nor to put out my awning. Picacho is a much smaller lay (approximately 50 sites) with nice amenities and still halfway between Tucson and Phoenix. The hot tub felt good.
PICACHO NOT THE ONE. AFTER ALLWell my mind has changed about Picacho Campground as the displace to stay! When I tried to use the wi fi it would not work. I’ve never had to remove my own wi fi connection and use the park’s software program instead and the lady in the office told me that a lot of people are having affect using it. This was disappointing enough but I thought that I would use the hot tub once again before leaving and the share area was closed until noon! Under the circumstances. I felt that I should get a refund especially since they no longer honour Passport America discounts. So. I was feeling a bit disgruntled as I got underway to continue north. It didn’t help that I woke up with a headache! My neck and back are all out of alignment causing pressure on nerves and I really do be to get to a massage therapist. In any event my mood was not the greatest and I have discounted Picacho as the place to pay a month. One of the things that I wanted to do while in Arizona was to visit some of the ancient native sites and Casa Grande Ruins Monument was close enough to stop there now. Strangely enough the Ruins are not located in the city of Casa Grande but in the nearby town of Coolidge straight up highway 87. I was quite surprised to find two huge flocks of sheep in this farming community along with fields of alfalfa hay watered with an irrigation system. As I passed through the town of Coolidge. I noticed two RV parks and thought that I would analyse them out on the way approve from visiting the Ruins. It was another glorious day in southern Arizona. Temperature in the mid 70’s and not a cloud in the sky. CASA GRANDE RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENTThe Casa Grande Ruins National Monument allows dogs on the grounds. I was pleased to construe and we entered together after having paid the admission fee. The remains of an ancient Hohokam farming village are preserved in this park and the most significant structure is the Great House protected from the elements by a cover built some time ago. I joined a group of visitors listening to a volunteer guide who described the lives of the people who once lived here. The walled village consisted of several individual houses some with several rooms and they relied upon the desert for much of their food source. They hunted mule deer pronghorn antelope bighorn sheep rabbits and pack rats waterfowl and turtles. They harvested the fruit of the saguaro cactus mesquite pods and also planted corn and beans using the nearby Gila River as irrigation as well as for fishing. The building material for their village was underneath their feet. Caliche is a concrete-like mixture of sand clay and limestone all of which were found in the sub-soil. The people traded with others as far away as California and Mexico trading their pottery and jewelry for macaws mirrors copper bells and other items. The site is one of many that once dotted the leave area but some time in the 1400’s the culture died out throughout the region the theory being that the life-sustaining river dried up and they were forced to leave in order to defeat. It is thought that these ancient people are still represented in present-day generations. Interestingly the word “Hohokam” means “all gone” in the Pima Indian language.
American flute apparently a very difficult instrument to compete. He referred to it as an ego buster. He has added some other sounds utilizing a synthesizer rattles and a small bird-like flute to make a blending of sounds. The haunting appear of the minor key of the instrument made for a beautiful concert (and it was free!). Of course I had to buy his CD. INDIAN SKIES RV RESORTIt was getting later in the afternoon. I didn’t be to travel too far and journeyed down the road about four miles to the southern end of Coolidge to Indian Skies RV apply which advertised that it took overnight guests. The park has about 200 spacious sites many of which are rented by the season or annually boasting a large rec hall a billiards room craft room reading and card room a pool hot tub and remove wi fi. Many of the guests are Canadians and as I registered. Steve and Anna from Collingwood. Ontario offered to help me to back in and to set up. All the populate I met were extremely friendly and I had a good feeling about this park. The only drawback is that there are certain areas off limits to pets; but there is a large open area in the back of the park where dogs do their “thing”. The park is quite obtain with a concrete wall in front and close in around the other three sides and the gate is locked at night. Residents have a go label to change state the gate after hours. I was surprised at the number of activities listed in the pelt I was given. It is possible to be busy all the time every day if one is so inclined. Just about every kind of card game is offered; there are aquafit classes exercise classes crafts quilting singalongs line dancing woodcarving shuffleboard horseshoes dances entertainers and dinners. When I settled in. I enjoyed hearing crickets outside my window. My site backs onto a row of oleanders and my neighbour Sherry on one side (who is a permanent resident) has a fence so that I have some privacy in my bedroom. On the other side. Hoppy and Georgia from Montana came to accept me and to offer any help if needed. There is a concrete pad right outside my door and I have decided that this is where I will pay the next month once I return from Tucson. The pool and hot tub are open 24 hours a day and I enjoyed hopping in later in the evening and looking up at the stars.
I went over to the office to ask Rosemarry (her spelling) if there was dwell for me for a month. The fee is $355 which is $50 cheaper than it would undergo been if I had gone to leave Trails in Tucson. Electricity is extra and depends upon the amount used (there is a measure at each site). Fortunately the site where I am currently is available and I have opted not to get telecommunicate TV ($45 extra). I can make do with the five channels that I get on my antenna. The temperature is in the mid 70’s again today and I had to remind myself to put on sunscreen. It is too easy to get a sunburn here. I took Ripley for a walk outside the lay. The town of Coolidge is not very pretty. There are many houses that have seen better days and it is easy to see that this is one of the areas that has been hit hard economically. There are many houses for sale and many storefronts are shut. CANADA DINNERToday is one of the “special” dinners hosted by Canadians this time. For $6. I was able to enjoy a cook complain dinner complete with mashed potatoes cole slaw peas carrots and red Jello with a Canadian flag on the whipped cream. I was assigned to Table 11 and sat opposite Jean and Tony from Massachusetts. Tony was a commercial fisherman for many years and was in the Navy in WW2. I would guess him to be in his early 80’s but comfort very spry as was Jean. Unfortunately the din was so bad in the rec hall that it was almost impossible to comprehend what they were saying or to talk at all. I was told that there had been acoustic tiles on the ceiling which helped keep the noise level down but that the owner took them down!We sang both the Canadian and American anthems before dinner and I remembered all the words to both! And as a comedy act the announcer said that there was a special messenger from Prime Minister Stephen Harper who would make an announcement. With that. Jean Pierre came in wearing a clown suit with maple leafs all over it and gave a bilingual speech that was very funny!
BACK TO TUCSONJan Barnes had suggested that we go to a swap meet (otherwise known as a flea market) today so I got an early go away on the road back to Tucson. I figured that on a Sunday morning it shouldn’t take me more than 1 ½ hours to control my RV back to Diamond J RV Resort but I had not counted on the be of traffic moving in to Tucson to the Gem and Mineral show that is currently on; nor did I make any allowances for the fact that ALL of the downtown exits are closed for construction. This meant that I had to detour on the northern end of Tucson on to a side road make my way slowly past the site of the Gem show where people were slowing down searching for parking spots and then on to the southwestern part of the city. I should have in mind that the Gem and Mineral Show is a really big deal here. There are literally hundreds of sites where merchants come and set up their booths to buy and sell gems. It goes on for about two weeks in be and attracts interested people from all over the world. I had no idea of the extent of it when I first heard about it last week. Eventually I got to Diamond J and registered. The site that Kristen had given me was near the front entrance but when I arrived the neighbour next to me had parked his truck in my sight! I don’t know what he was thinking but he certainly was hogging a spot not allocated to him. Kristen gave me a different site which had a little garden attached to it.
SWAP MEET. TUCSON STYLEThese are always fun and I always end up buying things I didn’t know I needed. Jan managed to find some goodies for her grand daughter and I found some gifts for folks back home. But what I really enjoyed was the fresh fruit. We split a bag of oranges and I also got plantains pineapple strawberries and a mango. Yum!I couldn’t find any cassettes (which shows the age of my RV) and managed to elude buying some of the gorgeous turquoise jewelry. Jan bought a lawn ornament of a sleeping Mexican to put out in lie of their bus when they park for awhile. It seems to be a tradition for most RV’ers to decorate their little bit of lawn when they are stopped. Most likely I would do the same thing if I were to stay in one spot long enough. It feels more like your home then. When we returned to Diamond J. I invited Jan to stay for lunch – sandwiches with deli meats and of course Ripley was delighted to see Jan again. However after lunch she had to be on her way and get back to work preparing ad copy. The day was still wonderfully warm so I took Ripley out for another long walk in the desert. Just as we were getting far enough away from other walkers and enjoying the solitude of the desert an ATV came whipping by! These are a penalise and if I had anything to do with it. I would ban them. They are noisy; they begrime the environment and undo delicate plants that thoughtless people roll over. The area I was in is just outside the boundaries of the National lay and I gather there are no laws to prevent ATV’s from using this area. What a shame. Diamond J have just installed wi fi but I wasn’t able to pick up their signal; instead. I got the signal from Desert Trails next door and signed in there!Jan forgot to take her share of the oranges home with her; she’ll meet me at Simonsen’s Generator tomorrow morning.
I found my way back to Simonsen’s Generator with no affect and Ripley and I said one last farewell to Jan and Brad who are on their way back to Texas. Ripley hopped into their car with no problem and was all set to go for a ride with them!My appointment was for 9:00 a m. At 4:30 p m the mechanic was finally done with my generator. It cost $495.28. Can you create by mental act how disturb I was? Can you imagine how annoyed I was to be told by these people that the generator had been installed improperly in the first place that anyone who knew anything about generators would have known this fact that the way it was installed was a potential fire hazard because there was no way for the heat to get out and was next to the exhaust pipe increasing the hazard? In order to fix this they had to remove the door panel and its lining take the generator out cut a hit in the body of the RV re-work the exhaust pipe properly install a new air scroll put the generator back in and re-install the door. That is what took the entire day. I will be looking for compensation from Hughes RV in Orangeville. Ontario who sold me the RV. GILBERT RAY CAMPGROUNDWhen I came to Tucson with my then husband some twenty years ago. I recall that we camped in a tent in the desert surrounding Tucson. The city has grown dramatically since then but the campground is still there nestled in Tucson Mountain Park and I wanted to spend the night there. Despite the warning signs not to drive an RV on the road. I took a chance and made my way through the dips very carefully. The personnel had gone by the time I arrived at the park just at dusk so I chose a site where I could check the sun go down and left my payment in the envelope provided. It was glorious to be there to listen to the birds as they settled down for the night and just be out of the city again. The park offered electricity but no water hook-up so I used my storage wet for the evening. I wish I had go here sooner.
When I arrived yesterday. I asked Rosemarry if there was a bus to act me in to Phoenix to choose up my rental car. I had no idea that it was about sixty miles further north. It didn’t look that far on the map. Steve and Anna offered to control me but suggested that I look into renting a car in nearby Casa Grande only 17 miles away. I got online and found that sure enough there was an Enterprise Car Rental dealer there and arranged to get my car there instead. CASA GRANDESo this morning Steve and Anna took me into Casa Grande where I rented a PT Cruiser for a month. Since my liability insurance on my car is comfort in effect. I am being charged $652 instead of over $1,000. It is expensive but still will give me the freedom to toodle around using much less gas and to go places where I can’t lay the RV. I didn’t cognise that Casa Grande offered so many stores. Just about every arrange store you can imagine can be found here – Wal Mart. Target. Dillard’s. Beall’s. Lowes. Home Depot – and a movie theatre!AHH – AT LAST!And a licensed massage therapist (thank goodness). At long last. Kathy Burchett took away the pain that I have been living with for some weeks now. The muscles in my neck and lower spine are once again relaxed allowing the nerves to relax. She used some techniques different from what I’m used to – but they worked! And we enjoyed a nice conversation as come up. She has recently moved to Casa Grande from Mesa and is enjoying living here. Her preserve has moved around a good deal in his bring home the bacon in construction but they are now settled here. Afterwards. I treated myself to a real ice cream cone at Cornerstone Creamery – it tasted wonderful!Heading back to the lay. I took the desire way just in case I might get lost. Time for laundry ($1 for washer. 50 cents for dryer – the cheapest so far). As I was walking Ripley later. I met a man whose name I forget and his wife Karen who drove from Wiarton. Ontario on their motorcycles and have rented a place two sites drink from me. They invited me in where I chatted briefly but as I hadn’t had supper yet and it was already 8:30 p m.. I excused myself. Later on. I headed for the hot tub. I have found that after 10:00 there is nobody there and the cool evening air is just alter.
Dogs are only allowed in certain parts of the RV park so now that I have a car. I like to take Ripley away somewhere where I can let her off bind to explore. I found just such a displace on the other side of the close in from the park. In order to get to it. I have to drive around a block and come in on the other side. There is an irrigation gulley on one side and an alfalfa field on the other where Ripley has discovered all sorts of smells and holes to investigate. There was plenty of roast complain left over from the dinner the other night and it was offered as a soup and devise eat for $3.50. The complain and vegetable soup was really delicious; I desire I could make soup like that. There were only approximately fifty people there for lunch and the remainder of the meat was sold off at $2.99 a pound. I couldn’t resist a bargain like that and bought just over a pound of sliced cook beef which ordain be great in sandwiches for Ripley and me. I spent the be of the day cleaning accommodate. It is amazing how much dust collects in a short period of measure. I even shampooed the rugs and organized some of my boxes. It is difficult to hold on everything in a limited amount of space and the large plastic boxes with lids are ideal for this purpose. I wanted to explore more of the country near Coolidge and Ripley and I headed off. This is a primarily agricultural area the main crops seeming to be hay and cotton. I found the remnants of the cotton harvest and kept a small piece as a souvenir. Raw cotton looks just like the fluffy like balls that you buy in pharmacies except that there are still seeds inside. Later into the hot tub once again.
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