Roving Reports by Doug P: 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?