Sunday, March 25, 2018

2018-7 Empire Ranch, Sanoita Arizona


2018-7

Empire Ranch, Sanoita Arizona


Empire Ranch, Long grain prairie grass


Sanoita population: 14,287
Patagonia population: 878

Campground: Empire Ranch (Cieneguita campground) elevation 4,893 ft. (Tucson is 2,428 ft). Higher elevations, cooler temperatures. Dispersed camping (no hookups). Water is available next to new restrooms at the Ranch hdqts. Cost: free

Refilling 3 propane tanks: $40.93, though I think one of the tanks was previously empty before this camping trip.

My last Travel Club meeting was on Wednesday and we had a great turnout. Sharing one more Rv tip, and discussing some interesting places to visit in Texas. We even had time for open discussions which was my favorite part. Thanks to all the campers at Desert Trails who attended.

The Snowbird Season has ended and I’m back on the road to adventure. After a last minute laser surgery on both eye on Thursday, I packed up the camper and was out on the road by 9:30. heading out of Tucson along Ajo Highway before getting onto I-10.

Pronghorn Antelope

Distance Traveled: 48 miles


Floating Angel named:
Christine/Ann
I’ve arrived at the Empire Ranch, one of my first places to truly do some boondocking. I was here
exactly 2 years ago and was able to get the same campsite as I had back then. 20 minutes later and all of the 6 dispersed campsites would have been filled and I would have had to move to one of the other campsites in the area. Lady Luck was on my side, or was it my “floating angel named Christine/Ann”.

My first day I set up the connections for the Westinghouse WGen3600DF generator. I will be using the propane feature instead of gas. It has a remote control to start it and I’ve already learned that especially for the break in period, I need to turn the main breaker switch in the camper off while starting the generator or unplug at the generator side. As soon as it gets going, I can turn the breaker switch back on and all works great.

The generator works well and during the day, I’m able to have my solar/inverter running to power all my needs. Last night I ran the generator in the evening to build up the batteries to full charge so they would be able to run the furnace all night. Last night it got down to 44 and next couple of nights are expected to be 30 and 36. Nice to know I have backup when needed. I can live with a lot of things, but cold is not one of them. I’m also surprised at how quiet the generator is. It sits in the back of the truck, which I park in the front of the camper away from windows and doors.


Generator Notes:


There is a specific sequence to running my new propane generator.

  • Disconnect power line to camper (requires no load for starting)
  • open valve on propane tank
  • turn the on/off switch to ON
  • press start button or use remote control to turn on generator
  • Generator will start, if not, it will try a total of three times
  • once generator is running, it’s ok to plug in the power cord to camper

Turning off generator.

  • Turn valve off propane tank, this will use remainder of propane in line and generator will stop
  • turn OFF the on/off button (this disconnects the battery as well)
  • cover generator overnight to avoid any moisture or possible rain on machine

I learned all these steps from my first few days of dry camping. Especially this morning, with temps in the 30’s, the generator would not start. Apparently, leaving the propane on overnight flooded the engine and it would not start. Yes there can be a build up of propane in the engine compartment. It really does help to read the manual.

So with the temperatures in the 30’s last night, I was able to charge up the batteries fully before bedtime, along with watching TV, running the lights and charging up all those electronic devices. This provided enough battery power to run the propane furnace fan throughout the night.

views from Empire Ranch


so many varied sunsets

dirt road to campsite

The Empire Ranch is now owned by the Government BLM and Forestry departments. Work is currently going on to restore the main ranch house and out buildings, with a temporary hold on work as some unexpected surprised came up while removing ceilings wall coverings and roofing. Hopefully it will be restored and open to the public this summer. The property consists of about 65,000 acres of one of the last remaining tall grass prairie lands. The ranch is still leased out for cattle farming and has gone through numerous hands before the Government was able to purchase the land. At one time it consisted of over a million acres of land. I talked to the locals about the vast prairie grasses and they tell me, though much of the year, the grasses are a light shade of dried straw (golden yellow to almost white) the whole valley turns green with the onset of the Monsoon season.

Empire Ranch Sunsets

golden hues

moody

I’m drawn here due to the wide open spaces, rolling landscape, mountains and giant views of the sky and clouds. And last night when I went out to turn off the generator, I looked up into the clear black sky and saw the brightest stars I’ve ever seen. The stars were so clear, they appeared to be much closer to the ground then I’ve ever seen before. Off in the distance, beyond the mountain range the lights from Green Valley created an eerie glow on the horizon. Showing how light pollution dampens any view of the night sky.

Tomorrow night I plan on bundling up, laying back on my outdoor lounge chair and just immerse myself looking up at the night sky. Later,,,, stars and a crescent moon hanging low in the sky were awesome, ahhhhh

Sandy and Erich, such good friends from Washington state

Had a lovely visit with the first set of friends coming down from Tucson, Sandy and Erich. What enjoyable friends to share a bit of the local scenery, lunch and a look at some great local Indian art and jewelry. Kathy, Randy, Chris and Tom will be here on Friday, always a fun group.

Kathy, trying on a new look
(my traveling buddy from last summer)

Randy and Kathy, Patagonia Artist Co-op

Tom and Christine, back at the campsite
mucho good friends from Washington state

Well I was all set to turn on the propane generator, use the microwave and do some nuking of a dinner meal last night. A couple of minutes into it all I ran out of fuel. Checked a second backup tank and it was empty as well. A third one that I use for the furnace/fridge etc was also empty. I was down to just one 20# propane tank. Went into the little town of Sanoita this morning figuring I’d have breakfast and get the tanks filled. Not a single restaurant opened for breakfast that I could find, but I did get a bad cup of coffee from the local gas station/convenience store (it was instant, yuck) then went to the local farming supply store and filled the propane tanks at an inflated price of $3.20 a gallon,,, said it was a convenience for the locals.

Rv Tip: Go to the Tractor Supply store to fill up your propane tanks, it’s usually the cheapest. Lately it’s been available in the 2.10 to 2.30 range.

New Generator update: After changing out the propane tank to the generator, I noticed there was a leak at the hose connections to the generator. That fixed, I was hoping the generator would start right up. It didn’t, and so I’ll have to wait until Monday morning to call tech support. The joys of working with new equipment. Possible engine flooded with propane?

in front of a mission style church
in Patagonia

art co-op in Patagonia

inspiration for my creative sister Ann

main street in Patagonia

silvery sunset at campsite

a large barn conversion to a motel
in Sanoita AZ

barn/hotel

Indian Fetish, Sanoita AZ
Many Horses Trading Co

Many Horses Trading Co

Many Horses Trading Co

Patagonia, AZ

Patagonia Hotel Lobby

Excellent Native Indian jewelry
art, fetishes. Sanoita AZ


Native Indian started to make toys for grandson
and it became a business

Cafe in Sonita

Empire Ranch, big skies

Empire Ranch

Vineyard Cafe, Sanoita

Empire Ranch, preserving long Prairie grass




That’s enough babble for this week, check in next week to find out if the generator has been repaired.

Photos


Empire Ranch/SanoitaArizona  a ton of pictures to go through




Sunday, March 11, 2018

2018-6 Tucson Arizona


2018-6

Tucson Arizona

Tucson Arizona, last report before heading out....


March 2018

campground: 15 more days at private residence in Tucson. $250 for 15 days, full hookups



campground: Empire Ranch. Boonedocking (dry camping) cost: $0. Stunning setting on former ranch with original long prairie grasses, cattle, etc. see next report....

There are so many different ways to travel through this life. Of course we all have had to work, take care of our homes and maybe occasionally travel. But when we are able to retire, the options for “what to do” expand as far as our imaginations will allow.

I am so glad I found the Rv lifestyle, especially for the places and people I meet along the way. The number of friends I've made in the Rv community has been a real joy. So, once I got back out to Arizona, what have I done? Well the previous report will give you some idea and I'll continue on the same vein today.

Exploring the area, you'd think I'd have seen it all and done it all by now, having visited the Tucson area for a good half a dozen years or more. But there's always something new.

Parker Lake


Parker Lake, southern Arizona

Tom, Christine, Ruth-Ann, Kathy and Randy and I took a day trip up into the moutains to Parker Lake. Not all that far from the Mexican boarder. Half the fun was the drive out into the country, up the mountain passes higher and higher until we finally arrived at the tree line and a bit further and we were at Parker Dam Lake. A cool bright sunny day with intense blue skies greeted us for our walk around the lake, a visit to the remote campground (no hookups) but water was available along with a country store that occasionally has prepared lunch fare when the mood strikes. We had brought picnic fare to enjoy while sitting next to the lake.













Nogales Mexico




Another day would bring a small group of us across the boarder into Nogales Mexico where we played tourist to numerous vendors all wanting to sell us their trinkets. Blankets, silver jewelry, brightly painted tin outdoor decorations and Mexican pottery. And of course a stop at one of the phamaceies to check out current prices of prescription drugs, often cheaper than purchasing them in the states. Many U.S. Citizens come across the boarder to get teeth worked on as well as eyeglasses.

As Susan mentioned, it's not always easy going over the boarder, as there are so many needy people asking for a hand out or hoping you'll buy something from them. The blind man asking for help near the entrance into Nogales along with a person in a wheel chair, all making it hard to just walk on by and not give them something. We would go over a pedestrian walkway to LaRoca Bar and Restaurant. Tons of local charm, the back wall being carved out of the mountain side. A mariachie band playing in the background, good service and food in one of the few upscale places in town. A must for tourists as well as locals. Thanks Christine and Tom for buying our lunch today.









it was a quiet day, not many shoppers

a recently remodeled hotel in Nogales Mexico 
a favorite shot, taken at a dead end st




the boarder wall does exist....

Travel Club 101


travel club fun


awesome, meeting friends from Houghton Michigan!


I've also been leading the TRAVEL CLUB, as we explore places to visit in various U.S. States. The meeting have been well attended, even when they have not been overly advertised. I get to not only share some Rv tips, Rv travel apps, but along the way as we discuss each state, like Arizona, Florida, Utah and others, I often am able to pick up some good tips from the audience as well. Only adding to my ever expanding bucket list of places to visit. So far we've shared info on Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Utah.

full powered generator can operate A/C and all
appliances in camper.  Along with my solar panels
it has expanded my options for Boone-docking greatly 

I recently purchased a good sized Westinghouse generator (WGen 3600df) that can run on gas or propane fuel. It even comes with a remote control. It's capable of running one a/c unit as well as the microwave with no problem. I consider it a backup to my three solar panels and battery storage for those days when sunlight just isn't available. Although I'm not particularly fond of the additional noise a generator makes, it will enable to me “boondock” just about anywhere. And the western part of the U.S. Has a ton of locations to choose from.

NEW APP TO ADD TO YOUR LIST:


I've added an additional resource to my list of apps/web sites for finding campgrounds and it's called CAMPPENDIUM. I think it will be a great  additional resource for all of us Rv'ers.

I've also had a couple of the usual Doctors appointments, three being to the Glaucoma specialist and one to a general practitioner for my annual checkup and medication renewals. All is well at this time.

Wayne's World Autos, Tucson AZ

Another intown adventure was a trip to Wayne's World. A collection of vintage autos. I particularly liked the Cadillac restored to perfection. Afterwords our group went to CowTown, a great lunch menu with everthing from the expected steak to some excellent seafood choices.



this Studebaker was built the year I was born
1949

Cattle Town








my favorite, a 1950 Cadillac

beautiful lines



the 1950 Cadillac



a woody, restored



Pontiac



And a few pictures from my regular walks around Kennedy Lake, Tucson Az.











More photos:




Waynes World

next week I'll share my move to Empire Ranch....