Las Cienegas National Conservation Area and (Catch Up of Ajo, AZ Scenic Loop )

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sunday, March 14, 2021

We are presently parked in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area and this is a first for us. We have driven through here more than once and visited with friends who were parked here. Plus, we have taken the self-guided walking tour of the Empire Ranch Headquarters but this is the first time we have brought the Stinger "B" in with us. Doug met us out on the road and guided us in to this spot and we are now parked next to him. The "plan" was to be here Friday afternoon but looking at the weather ahead we decided to error on the side of caution. Saturday brought snow to this area but today we arrived to blue skies and just a few clouds. We missed the horses which would have been fun to see but driving the roads out here in bad weather is not a good idea. The ride over here from Why on AZ-86 was filled with beautiful scenery and Majestic Saguaros which I will share in another catch up blog. 

The White Lion and the Stinger "B" 

and the views surrounding us.

The sun dropped below the mountains before I snapped the

picture but still was able to catch the glow left behind.

Monday, March 15, 2021

Today started out under clear blue skies. Sitting out this morning next to the White Lion having our coffee a few clouds started drifting in but it was still warm enough to enjoy sitting out and catching up. 

Just after lunch we had a surprise visitor, Nancy (Kissack Adventures). What a nice surprise and it was fun to sit and chat. When the sun disappeared behind the clouds and the wind joined us we moved into the Stinger "B" where the conversation continued uninterrupted. Before we knew it the time had flown by and Nancy was getting up to head back home. Time certainly does fly when you are having fun. 

Out for a walk with Doug and Yuma. Well for Yuma it is

mostly a run. Looking closely you can see Yuma ahead on 

the road. Our two rigs are the white rectangles in the

upper left. In the distance the Santa Rita Mountains.

I had not taken one picture until Nancy was leaving. As you

can see the wind had really picked up by then.

Decided not to go out in the wind and cold to take a picture

of the sunset. Then the sky turned a lovely pink out towards 

the southeast and I could not resist stepping out for a picture.

Looking towards the mountains to the northeast.

I believe Doug said these are the Whetstones.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

When I woke up this morning I could hear the wind howling and looking out the window next to my head I could see the sky was filled with dark clouds. When I did get up the sun was already up in the dark clouds and I took the two pictures below from inside the Stinger "B" one through the front windshield and one I did open the door to take and that was as close to being outside I got today.

Doug along with Yuma stopped in for a short visit this afternoon and we have a plan for tomorrow in place. For the most part I crocheted the afternoon away. Tom went out a couple of times but not sure what he was doing besides making sure our trouble light is in our water bay. The weather prediction is for a low of 28 degrees tonight and we do not want anything to freeze. 

As the day progressed the clouds moved on and blue sky along with white fluffy clouds took over and by the time the sun went down the sky was a beautiful blue. 

Out the door 

and out the front windshield this morning.

                                                                         

(Catch up post from when we were parked out on Darby Well Road near Ajo, Arizona)

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

There is a scenic loop road that includes driving through Ajo, along Highway 85, continues on Darby Well Road, and then the Scenic Loop Road. You can actually pick up a brochure at the visitor center and it gives you mile by mile details of what you are looking at. We have driven this road several times when we have visited this area just because of all the beautiful cacti and views along the way. Next time we will use the brochure for more information.  On Wednesday, under lovely blue skies we started at our site on Darby Well Road. Then on Thursday under cloudy sometimes rainy skies we drove the opposite direction starting in Ajo. Below are pictures from both those rides that were mostly taken on the section called Scenic Loop Road.

Barrel Cactus

I believe this is a Jumping Cholla.

Organ Pipe Cactus

Senita Cactus

This is front of an office in Ajo.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Our day started out under blue skies and we took advantage of the sunshine and sat out enjoying the morning and the views around us.

You have probably noticed there are a lot of 

saguaros where we are.

As the clouds start to fill the sky they add shadows 

to the mountains around us.

Our first stop was the plaza.

This stop at the plaza was two fold.

First to stop in at the visitor center and check out the 

gift shop inside. The visitor center is pictured above.

The second stop was at a restaurant called Tacos El Tarasco along the edge of the plaza to sit outside and enjoy a margarita. That was the plan and we stuck to it even as the sky continued to grow darker with clouds.

One more picture looking our from the plaza.

Before heading to the Scenic Loop Road we made one more stop at Olsen's IGA  to pick up a few groceries. By the time we left there the rain was starting to come down.

Ajo's "A" and the Cross that was placed there to honor

 John Campbell Greenway, the first mining superintendent.

The Cross

We are know on the scenic loop.

Standing below looking left I could see the cross

and looking right a Saguaro.

Along the edges the sky was blue.

Back home and even though there is sun shine in the 

distance we will be unloading groceries in the rain.

This was our last day parked out in this lovely spot and as much as we have enjoyed being parked here it is time to move on. 

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.