Roving Reports by Doug P: 2018-7 Empire Ranch, Sanoita Arizona

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

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

No comments:

Favorite Camping Resource Books

Camping on a Shoestring, 3rd Eastern Edition by Don Wright (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds eastcoast, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
Camping with the Corps of Engineers by S.L. Hinkle (a complete guide to campgrounds owned and operated by the US Army Corps)
Coleman, National Forest Campground & Recreation Directory (A detailed list of all the campgrounds in National Forests)
Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds, Western Edition (Great list of free and cheap campgrounds, lists many city and county park/campgrounds)
GOOGLE SEARCH (Don't forget to use the Internet to search: use (city name, campgound, camping for your search)
Military Travel Guide USA (Lists all the Military campgrounds for DoD and retired military)
Passport America book (lists all the half price campgrounds)
RV Camping in State Parks, D.J Davins (A listing of all state parks)

Camping Club Info:

CAMPING CLUBS:

Joining the various camping clubs can be a great help. Each makes their own mark on camping and building communities within the camping world.

Many of the camping clubs I've listed are 1/2 off clubs. By joining, you get 1/2 off the camping rate for one night, a week and some are unlimited stays at their campgrounds.

Also, most everyone who plans on camping for part of the year or is thinking about full-timing get either the Motor Home or Trailer Life magazine. Both offer tons of helpful hints and trips to take throughout the year. Good Sam’s has Highways magazine which you get free with your membership.

I joined a number of clubs and magazines the first couple of years before I became a full timer, just to get an idea of what the community was like out there. After a couple of years, I’ve kept my favorites and dropped the rest. Listed in no particular order.

TIP: Always call ahead and inform them you are a member of a particular CLUB. Sometimes campgrounds drop out or change their policy. It's always good to call ahead and confirm they are still members in the club you've joined.

Escapees: It’s one of the best communities of Rv’ers you’ll ever find. With great support groups and individual clubs with just about every interest and hobby a person could think of. They own a number of campgrounds that you can get really great rates for camping and they provide a 10-15% discount at other campgrounds throughout the country.

http://escapees.com/index2.asp Membership: $60.00 + $10 enrollment fee.

Good Sam’s Is good, but personally I haven’t had much need for them, and their 10% off campground fees has not been much of an incentive. They do have lots of Rally’s and caravans if you have the inclination and are willing to pay for the trips. The trips can be very pricey.

https://www.goodsamclub.com/Membership: $29.95

Passport America: My favorite club!!!!!!!!

It’s a 50% off camping club that gets you 50% off the campgrounds that have signed up with Passport America, (1,800+ campgrounds) good online web site and book for browsing campsites.

If you join, please let them know your were recommended by:

D Palosaari C-271417

http://www.passport-America.com/main/default.asp

Membership: $44.00

Happy Campers: Another 50% off camping club and mirrors Passport America with perhaps a few different campgrounds than what Passport has. Their camp book is small and doesn't have good maps for directions.

http://www.camphalfprice.com/Membership: $49.95

Camping Club USA: recently merged with Passport America

Recreation USA:

I found this club on the Internet and it advertises that all of it’s campgrounds go for $10.00 a night. They also have a half/off section as well. I have been a member for two years, and though I've stayed at a couple of campgrounds on their list, many are no longer available or haven't heard of Rec. USA and I end up not being able to use the camping club discount. Always call ahead on this one to confirm that they are still participating. I've met the owners of the club and they are nice, it's just that they don't seem to keep up with the campgrounds who are supposed to be participating.

http://www.campingandcampgrounds.com/member_updates.html Membership: $44.00 per year.

Brief History

I grew up in the Copper Country's Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I started working from age 13 at the Copperama during the summer as a dishwasher. I remember being so small that I had to stand on two wooden pepsi crates to put the dishes in the dishwasher. After highschool, I attended Suomi College (a Finish oriented college) renamed to Finlandia University a couple years ago.

I had a chance when I was around 20 to travel to Florida with a co-worker from the Copperama (after our usual layoff in the fall) and upon arriving in Fla, I sent a letter home the second day and said, "I'm Staying". My Mom wrote back and said, "Stay, it's the best decision you made in your life.... and when you get settled, we'll come visit".

It worked out well, having moved from one peninsula in the U.P. to Florida, another peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. I love water.

Mom gave very little advice, but reminded me that no one would ever be able to take care of me after I left home, that I could not come back home after I left (except for a weeks vacation), and that I should never ask for a loan, because they didn't have the money.

What she did give me though, was some advice. And that was to look at the years my Dad struggled with making a living. Getting layed off from his construction work every winter until he finally got a job with the State of Mich. at MTU as a maintenance worker. Life was good after that.

So when I got to Florida, I got the hint and after a short period of working at 7-11 and a couple other small jobs, I started to apply for any Gov. job. City, County, State and Federal.

I finally got a job with the Navy starting out as a GS-2 temporary part time not to exceed 90 days putting cans of beans on the shelves at the commissary. My foot was in the door and a career that eventually spanned 31 years ending up as a Logistics Manager.

my desire to travel was realized after years of camping and enjoying the great outdoors. I got started camping just to save money and it became a lifelong source of joy.

Hint to those just starting out in the working world: Every job has it's fringe benefits, some are written down, some aren't. Learn what they are and take advantage of them.

Example: If I got on committees that required travel, I could travel at the Goverments expense. Plus, I could extend my stay after the work as vacation. The Gov. paid my way out and back for my job and for my vacation!

Dreams do come true. Stay focused and keep working on them and one day, yours will come true too.

Roving Reports by Doug P