Monday, March 2, 2015

March 1, 2015. Exploring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

CAMPGROUND: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
LOCATION:  Southwest Arizona, near Mexican border
WEATHER:  Cooler and windy. Highs in upper 60s

We hiked a trail around the campground.  We noticed that many of the campers have propped open their car hoods.  Later we found out that it is because there are pack rats in this desert, and they build nests in car engines and chew the wires!  The campers think that the open air will keep them away. 

We went on a ranger-led excursion to a famous spring.  The ride there and back was an hour each way on an impossibly bumpy gravel road.  All roads here have been closed for the last 12 years when a park ranger was killed by a Mexican drug cartel crossing these mountains.  Everything was just recently reopened.

There are so many kind of interesting cacti around here.  This one is called a Teddy  Bear Cholla because it looks so soft and cuddly.  


Not!  It is really prickly and attaches to anything passing by.

Looks like George is sprouting something!

We took a 20-mile drive on a mountain loop.  Very scenic.  These are the organ pipe cacti....


Back at the campground, George built a fire.  Our cupboard is very bare and we made the most of what we have left....

DINNER:  Grilled SPAM slices and onions.  I made spaghetti and tossed cubes of the meat in it with the onions, some jalapeño cream cheese for thickener and Parmesan.  Not too bad, but definitely have to find a store tomorrow!

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