Desert Delight

We’re on the road now heading toward Michigan.  Weather looks favorable, and we hope to be back in Ypsilanti later this week.

I wanted to add one more blog post to this year’s trip – just for the record.  Our last week in the desert with Annie and her 10-month-old pup, Louise, is worth noting.  They joined us at Patagonia Lake, AZ, after a 15-hour drive from Petaluma, CA.  Annie’s little orange Prius C carried them through torrential Los Angeles area rains and nearby landslides to arrive safely Saturday evening at Site #88.  The rainy cool weather that followed her there helped her decide to not set up her tent, but to join us in the Pickle Bus.  That was cozy!!! (2 people and a dog on the bed, one person and a dog on the couch. Perfect!)

With her people-only, who-cares-about-dogs, throw-me-the-ball disposition, Nina didn’t exactly greet Louise with an open door welcome. However, she was VERY excited to see Annie, and, within 15 or 20 minutes, she was willing to tolerate Louise, too.  After a couple of days, Nina and Louise were sharing food, water, and toys, even those beloved round objects.

On Annie’s 4^th day at Lake Patagonia, when our 2 weeks were up, we moved 3 ½ hours west to Organ Pipe National Monument. We love the Sonoran Desert! It was looking lusher than ever this year after the extra rain southern Arizona has been getting.  Ocotillos were fully green with red buds opening.

We only had  two full days at Organ Pipe and enjoyed every bit of them. The five of us hiked the Desert View and Alamo Canyon trails, drove through Ajo Canyon and picnicked at Interpretive Stop #11, caught sun rises and sunsets, and sat outside in the evening to gaze at Venus, Mars and the stars against the dark sky.

Saturday morning Annie left for home and so did we. I think Nina misses Louise.