Quartzsite to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Quartzsite to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

January 24 - 29, 2019

On Monday, January 21 we went into Quartzsite to the Big Tent for the RV Show.  We were disappointed that a lot of what was in there wasn't RV related, and was more like a home show.  The vendors outside the big tent had more RV related things for sale, and we did get a generator cover.

We also got some ice cream that was churned by a hit and miss motor.  It was good too!

We found out that Dave & Shirley from the YouTube channel Down the Road We Go were at the show and got to meet them.  They are a super nice couple and we enjoy watching their videos.

We left Quartzsite after 10 days and headed to Holt's Shell RV Park in Gila Bend, AZ with friends Jim & Vickie, and Cleve & Debbie.  That is a busy place this time of year and it's not easy to get a site but we did thanks to Cleve & Debbie.  It's not fancy but it has full hookups and works when you have a pile of laundry to do!

At the gas station/truck stop/rv park they have all these rusty metal dinosaurs.  Jack would have loved it and I'll bet he knows the names of all of them!

On Thursday we drove down to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument without the RVs.  We weren't sure if they were open due to the government shutdown so wanted to check it out.  The campground was open, so Friday we picked some sites and set up camp.  It's a beautiful campground with lots of cactus and plants between each site.  There aren't that many people here right now but I think it would be private even if there were.  I got this picture of the sunset and organ pipe cactus reflecting on the 5th wheel.

On Saturday we went on the Ajo Mountain Scenic Loop Drive.  It's 21 miles through the Sonoran desert on a dirt road that winds and dips over the mountain.

There are so many varieties of beautiful cactus.  I took so many pictures it's hard to pick out some for the blog.

This is a huge organ pipe cactus, with another one behind it and a saguaro growing with it.

This is a closeup of one.

There's also the saguaro cactus.  They don't start producing their first arms until they are 90-100 years old.  They live to about 200 years old.

Here's a baby one.

Then there are the cholla cactus.  However soft and fuzzy these look you do not want to mess with them.  They have needle like barbs that will attach to anything they touch.  Even though I was trying to be very careful one attached to the back of my boot.  Fortunately Jim & Vickie had pliers to get it out.

There is the teddy bear cholla, the silver cholla, and the jumping cholla.

There is the ocotillo cactus.  It blooms this time of year.

They used the dead branches to make this shelter roof.

It was a beautiful drive! 

Today we hiked to the visitors center since the government shutdown is over and it was open.  They have a nature trail with more information about the cactus.

There was information on the ocotillo, cholla, and saguaro cactus.

I also got a picture of a barrel cactus.

When we got to the campground we were warned about the packrats.  They hate any light, come out at night and crawl into vehicle engines.  It's warm and dark and they like to chew the wiring and insulation to make nests.  Everyone leaves their vehicle hoods open at night so the moon shines into the engines.

We were also able to meet Ray and Anne from the YouTube channel Love Your RV and had a nice visit with them.  John has been following them for several years and we've learned a lot about boondocking from them.  I forgot to get a picture.

The sunsets here are beautiful.  I still haven't been able to capture the true colors on my cell phone but they're still pretty.  These were taken from the campground.

We have enjoyed our time here and this place is on our list of places to return.  Jim & Vickie left for Tucson this morning to do some RV driving classes for a rally.  Tomorrow we head for Yuma with Cleve & Debbie.

Roving on...