On to Arizona!

From the rest area in Anthony, New Mexico, we got an early start. Our plan was to stop in Deming, New Mexico, at Wal-Mart to pick up what we would need for boondocking in the middle of no where for several days. We also needed to find a lumber store so we could get a 2 x 4 to brace our closet rod. It was only a matter of time before the center support pulled out of the ceiling and it did just that on our way from  Stockton to El Paso. The rod goes most of the width of Sol in the back and the center support was held up with just four small screws in the ceiling, nothing was used to reinforce the ceiling where the support was attached.

We found our way to the Deming Wal-Mart and realized that there was a home improvement store just a few blocks away. We accomplished our mission and then we were on the road again. Our next stop was for lunch and to fix the closet rod. We pulled off the rest area near Gage, New Mexico. It was a nice area with picnic ramadas set around a loop. Bob found a place where we could put the jacks down and put out the bedroom slides so he could measure the length he needed to cut the 2 x 4. After he got it cut, he notched the top to fit the rod and we were once again hanging clothes in the closet!

We were not far from Arizona so I texted our friends Larry and Connie to find the best way to get to the campground where they were staying. Of the three ways in, we chose the paved road which meant we had to get off the interstate at Lordsburg and head northwest on US 70. Just short of Safford, Arizona, we turned south on a local road that took us out into the desert 25 miles. Our destination was Hot Well Dunes BLM area.

 Site number 3 was open next to Larry and Connie so we were set for the next five days!

After getting set up it was time to go to the hot tubs! In the 1920's someone was drilling for oil and hit a hot spring in the middle of the desert. Today, the spring feeds two cement tubs during daylight hours. Over the years, the level of the spring has diminished so now solar panels power the pump which fills the tubs with hot water.  The solar panels are on the slanted roof of the brick building behind this tub.

It was our plan to enjoy the tubs at least once each day as long as the weather permitted during our stay.

Connie and Larry waited to visit Fort Bowie until we arrived. Bob and I visited it on a previous trip west, but we really enjoyed the hike to get to the fort. If you have physical limitations, you can get special permission to drive to the fort, otherwise, it is a 1.5 mile hike to get to the fort and another 1.5 mile hike back to the parking area. When you add all the side trips to see exhibits along the way, the hike is closer to 5 miles.

Along the way you pass the Butterfield Stage Coach stop, a cemetery, the foundation of a miner's house, and several Native American exhibits. This wiki-up is located near Apache Springs.

 This is Apache Spring which was the cause of much fighting in the 1800's. In the desert, everyone wants control of the fresh water.

We walked around the ruins of the fort before heading back on the ridge trail. This picture overlooks the visitor center which is at 5000 feet elevation. The spiky plant is an ocotillo. When it gets a little water, it is covered in green leaves and you cannot see the spikes!

We took advantage of the bench on the overlook trail for photos. The tallest mountain behind us was used as a heliograph station by the army. They used a mirror to send messages to Ft. Huachuca, 90 miles west.

It was a sunny, warm day, just right for a hike before lunch.

Unfortunately, the next day was not as nice. Our tour that day was to Chiricahua National Monument, one of my favorite places. Once we got into the Chiricahua Mountains, it was cold and windy. Larry drove us to Massai Point at the top of the mountain. We were able to hike the short nature trail before the cold got too bad.

Chiricahua is literally an 'island in the sky.' As you drive to Chiricahua the desert looks just like the pictures of Ft. Bowie, but once in the park you see fabulous rock formations!

We didn't stay long in the cold, but we enjoyed the views and snapped a few pictures.

 It was time to head back to Hot Well Dunes and hit the hot tubs! Boy, did they feel good that day.