Friday, March 11
Picacho Peak as seen when driving out of Picacho Peak State Park, Arizona
The gusty wind this morning has me questioning whether I should move camp.
While walking Bridget and Reggie around the campground, I come upon the camp host in his golf cart and we discuss the wind and the status of our campsite. He drives to the entrance, checks the computer, and reports back to me that our campsite is already reserved by an incoming camper.
“Well, crew? It looks like another travel day, wind or no wind.”
Fine with me. I really don’t want to drop another thirty bucks here anyway.
The way out of the state park to Interstate 10
For approximately fifteen miles on the interstate, the Perfect Tow Vehicle fights a gusty crosswind.
I keep hands tight on the wheel and eyes focused. Trucks and cars drift toward our lane.
Hey, folks. Could you pay attention please?
The speed limit is 75 mph here and I keep us at 60.
It’s a big relief to exit the interstate at Marana.
I could use a second cup of coffee!
I buy a cup of “100% Colombian brew” at a convenience store.
“Okay, I’m set. Let’s do this.”
I have a series of lefts and rights written on a card so I don’t get us lost. Yeah, that’s the plan. I mix up Sanders Road and Sandario Road and then I get that crummy feeling. You know, the feeling that comes when you look around and say out loud . . .
“This can’t be right.”
I spy a big propane tank in front of a feed store and pull into the large parking lot. After buying 4 gallons of propane, I ask for directions.
The man gives me good directions which I effortlessly manage to screw up.
I take a left onto Avra Valley Road instead of a right. I drive us right back to the dang interstate!
“Oh, no! Darn it! I went the wrong way!”
I have a poor sense of direction. I know, I know . . . RVSue? Yes. That’s why my Benchmark atlas is always at my side when we move camp.
I consult the map, get my head turned around, backtrack five miles, and we’re on our way!
For those of you who like to follow along with your map, we take Avra Valley Road to Sandario Road, turn left, go 26 miles south to the Ajo Highway (Route 86), turn right and go southwest six miles to Three Point aka Robles Junction where we stop for a fill-up ($1.79 a gallon unleaded, thirty cents more than at Marana).
Sparsely populated desert ahead and I want a full tank!
Route 286 takes us south through Altar Valley.
Wait a minute. Avra Valley Road to Altar Valley. Sanders Road, Sandario Road. Sheesh.
The windows are down and it’s a beautiful day, cooler than yesterday. No other vehicles for miles and miles as we cruise across the desert.
The crew wakes up, I pull over, and we take a little break.
“Lonesome” Route 286, looking south
On the road again, we pass a Border Patrol checkpoint.
Not asked to stop when you’re going toward Mexico . . .
Near the entrance to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, I slow to a stop and take this photo through the passenger window (after Reggie has a good look!).
Altar Valley and Baboquivari Mountains
We stop at a kiosk near the entrance of the refuge where I pick up a few pamphlets and a map. Thirty-four miles from where we gassed up at Three Points, the Perfect Tow Vehicle turns east onto Arivaca-Sasabe Road.
Arivaca-Sasabe Road and the Las Guijas Mountains
Ever since I read about boondocking in Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge a few years ago, I’ve wanted to come here. I remember popular bloggers camping on a low ridge overlooking the grasslands. I recognize the ridge!
There it is!
I position the Best Little Trailer with her big back window towards the valley and the Baboquivari Mountains. We’re about fifteen miles, as the crow flies, north of the border with Mexico.
Baboquivari Peak (elev. 7,734)
The crew will return in the next post . . .
Along with photos of our new camp!
rvsue
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NOTE ABOUT THE TITLE: Buenos Aires translates to “good air” or “fair winds.”
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