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Back in the Desert

written by Amanda April 29, 2019

April 1-18
We flew back to Arizona to reunite with our tiny rolling home during the first week of April. It felt great to return home after a cold few months in the northeast. With temps in the low 80s and the desert bursting with more greenery and flowers than I ever thought possible, it was a joyous homecoming.

While we were gone I missed my small, tidy house, my comfy bed surrounded by windows, and the ability to pee in the night without having to climb an entire flight of stairs (it’s the little things). But for sure, the thing I missed the most was the ability to go outside and enjoy nature.

Hugh Norris Trail Saguaro National Park
Yup, hard not to miss this

Southern Connecticut is not exactly a nature lover’s paradise. Especially in the winter. In Vermont, we amused ourselves during the long winter by getting out and enjoying the snow. In Connecticut, winter just means everything is frozen and dead, with only an occasional smattering of snow. And even when (if) it does snow, there’s nowhere to enjoy it. So yeah, we didn’t spend much time outside while we were there.

Ocotillo Flower in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
An Ocotillo flower about to burst open

After all this nature deprivation, the first order of business upon returning home was a hike. I arrived in AZ a few days before Tim and immediately took myself for a hike in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. We had left the trailer at Coyote Howls in Why, and the monument is only a short drive down the road. I chose an easy trail that traveled between the visitor center and the campground and then extended it by hiking the Desert View loop. It was glorious!

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Greenery in the desert
Twin Peaks Campground
The Twin Peaks campground looked empty & so inviting

After Tim made it back and I successfully picked him up at the airport in Phoenix (I swear if we never have to go back to Phoenix again I will not be disappointed) we made a beeline to Yuma for some Mexican dentistry. Tim had started the process for a tooth implant last winter and it was past time to finish it up. Fortunately, it all went very smooth and we only had to stay a few days.

Sans End RV Park in Yuma, AZ
Sunset at the Sans End RV Park

Of course, the few days we were there it happened to be hot – like high 90s hot – so we found an RV park instead of boondocking. The AC was much appreciated and we even enjoyed the pool one afternoon.

Sans End RV Park
The solar heated pool was around 95-degrees!

As soon as we could get out of Yuma, we hightailed it east to Tucson for more outdoor time. A few days at Gilbert Ray – our very favorite Tucson area campground – was just what we needed. Even though we didn’t get settled into our site that first day until nearly 3 pm, we couldn’t resist an afternoon hike on the Brown Mtn Loop.

Brown Mountain Trail
Late afternoon on the Brown Mtn Trail

The rest of our time in Tucson was all about hiking. We climbed up Wasson Peak via the Hugh Norris Trail, drove over to Catalina SP and hiked the Romero Pools trail, and tackled the Bren Peak loop off of the Gates Pass Rd.

Saguaro National Park
Saguaro mania at Saguaro National Park
Buckhorn Cholla Flowers
The Buckhorn Cholla flowers were just starting to open!
Saguaro Cactus Buds
The Saguaro Cactus flowers were very close to opening
Romero Pools Trail at Catalina State Park
Tim admiring one of the Romero Pools at Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
The desert is looking very fine this spring!

While it feels great to back in the west, our plan for the next month is to travel back to the northeast for the summer. We will be helping Tim’s mom through some more health issues and plan to be there all summer and into the fall. Which means from Tucson, the only real option was to continue heading east.

Tucson, AZ
One more saguaro photo before we leave the Sonoran desert

We explored some ideas for places to stop on our way through the state, including a night of tenting at White Sands, but in the end, a forecast filled with wind and rain led us to forgo that idea and instead continue on to Oliver Lee State Park.

A few years ago, we spent several months touring around New Mexico. Since then, we’ve driven through a couple of different times, but always while on the way somewhere else. Once again, we find ourselves traveling through the state with little time to stop and explore. Someday we’ll get back for a longer visit New Mexico, I promise!

For now, we settled on a brief three-night stay at Oliver Lee State Park. It was just enough time to relax and enjoy the views from our scenic site.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, New Mexico
One year after polishing and still looking shiny!

We also hiked the 11-mile Dog Canyon Trail. The only trail in the park, this grueling uphill trek is not for the faint of heart. It starts off strong with a 600-foot climb up a series of switchbacks that rise quickly up a cliff behind the visitor center. From the top, we could see the campground below and the desert beyond.

Dog Canyon Trail at Oliver Lee State Park
Looking down at the campground

A few miles of steady, gradual uphill took us across an open grassy area to the edge of the canyon. From there, we descended into the canyon, passed uncle Tom’s cabin, and began climbing up the other side. This is where things got interesting. The trail hugs the edge of a steep-sided cliff while rising rapidly up through the prickly pear studded boulders.

Dog Canyon Trail at Oliver Lee State Park
Yucca flowers on the side of the trail
Dog Canyon Trail at Oliver Lee State Park
Climbing up and out of the canyon
Dog Canyon Trail at Oliver Lee State Park
Still going up…

In retrospect, we probably should have stopped and turned around at the top of the cliff, but I was determined to finish out the trail. I am pretty sure Tim would have happily called it a day, but I kept thinking that if we just went a few more miles another amazing view would open up. It never did, and after 5.5 miles we reached an unforgettable crossroads where the trail met up with an old 4×4 road. It was time to turn around.

Dog Canyon Trail at Oliver Lee State Park
This sign does not lie -” Very strenuous!”

The next morning, feeling only slightly sore after our canyon adventure, we packed up and headed into Texas for one last wild west adventure before we leave the mountains and canyons behind.

Saguaro National Park
16 comments
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Amanda

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A Different Kind of Winter: Arizona, Florida, and the Northeast
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Exploring Big Bend: Desert, Mountains, River

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16 comments

Jeff Pierce April 29, 2019 - 8:43 pm

It sure shows that you missed your walks/hikes in the warmth of the desert southwest. We need to get out there more! Thanks for sharing .

Reply
Amanda May 1, 2019 - 9:02 am

We really did! I think spending time in the cold northeast made us appreciate that warm desert even more!

Reply
Laurel April 30, 2019 - 8:51 am

We enjoyed the Dog Canyon Trail but had a picnic at the top of the cliff with a great view and then turned around. It sounds like we made the right decision, LOL! :-) Your blooming cacti photos from Tucson are beautiful.
So sorry to hear that Tim’s mom is having more health issues. We’re in the midst of navigating health challenges for my mom and dad, too. Wishing you the best.

Reply
Amanda May 1, 2019 - 9:04 am

Yup, there really is no need to hike the entire trail. Even just the first mile or two would make for a great outing. Thanks for the well wishes for Tim’s mom!

Reply
Laura April 30, 2019 - 12:25 pm

Ah, Connecticut. The worst state ever. I should know, I grew up there. We are actually headed that way this summer too to spend time with family. It’s one of the few states you never read about on travel blogs… because it sucks.

Ha ha. Just kidding (No I’m not.)

Safe travels!

Reply
Amanda May 1, 2019 - 9:08 am

Ha! Since I have to spend the summer there, I am trying to adopt a less negative attitude, but the truth is that I find it incredibly boring and can’t believe anyone would choose to live there. It’s also a terrible state for RVing with little to no campground options.

Reply
Jodee Gravel May 1, 2019 - 11:28 pm

It’s been such a beautiful year in the desert – glad you made it back in time to enjoy the green and blooms! Great pics.

Reply
Amanda May 3, 2019 - 9:42 am

Yes! It was an amazing year in the desert and we feel very fortunate that we got to enjoy it for a few weeks this spring.

Reply
Joodie May 2, 2019 - 12:35 pm

We are currently at Oliver Lee, and just yesterday we hiked Dog Canyon but made our stop at the cabin. The locals had assured us the rest was a lot of unrewarding slogging and you have definitely confirmed that! We’ve never been to Connecticut, so thanks for saving us from that, too! I’m sorry to hear of family health struggles, though, and hope the summer turns out better than expected in all regards.

Reply
Amanda May 3, 2019 - 9:44 am

Yup, no real point in going farther than the cabin. The views didn’t get much better and it was soooo steep! As for CT, it’s not a terrible place but certainly not any sort of destination for camping or RVing. They do have good pizza though:)

Reply
Bill Bennett May 2, 2019 - 9:15 pm

When camping, as a child, our dog disappeared, and did not return for two nights. My Mother told me that I cried to sleep each night till pooch returned. At 89 I no longer have that affliction, but I sorely miss some friends who leave for an extended time, so please Amanda/Tim, don’t be gone for so long!

Reply
Amanda May 3, 2019 - 9:48 am

Ha! We’ll try not to disappear for so long ever again. Though this summer looks to be pretty low on the adventure scale so the posts may be less exciting than usual. We’ll do our best to find some fun things to share!

Reply
SuzyP May 9, 2019 - 10:48 pm

I totally get the cozy bed and distance to the bathroom thing — I’ve said the same when we transition from 3-4mos in the trailer back to the house! Hope Tim’s mom gets through her health issues and you guys find the good parts of being in Connecticut/New England this summer

Reply
Amanda May 11, 2019 - 11:26 am

The transition from a small compact space to full-size house is not easy! Thanks for the well wishes for Tim’s mom :)

Reply
suzette weaver May 10, 2019 - 10:26 am

I always enjoy your blogs and all of your pictures.
You have also inspired me to pick up an old hobby…needle point/embroidery.
Thank you!

Reply
Amanda May 11, 2019 - 11:27 am

Yay for needlepoint and embroidery! I may be biased but I think they are the best hobbies around!

Reply

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days on the road

About The Watsons

About The Watsons

This is the story of Tim & Amanda. Since 2012, we have traveled the U.S. while living and working from our renovated 25-foot Airstream. Follow us on our crazy journey in search of beautiful scenery, fun adventures, interesting people, tasty foods, and more…

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