Tuesday 1/30

Cochise Stronghold CG did not get the attention it deserved. I pulled in late after the problem with Bill. (SideNote; I just had it in to Gomer’s before i left and they had to remove that stuff to do what they did. SHAME on me for not looking under the hood!) Mentally tired but happy I got it sorted out. So Joe, the mechanic, took the time to show me on my Edge tuner, where to find the trouble codes and where to reset them! That in itself is worth a lot. These new rigs are computers with wheels….how about this, self driving RV with the seats, no loungers, set to whatever view you want with treats at hand….nope… I like my way but I could see something like that happening.

Anyways, a long drive up a #1 gravel to a 10 site canyon CG in the oaks. Nice. There was a walk…didn’t take it. Started rereading Larry McMurtry “Dead Man’s Walk Lonesome Dove #3” It’s good. It’s a canyon, it’s late, it’s cold. About 4500’. Lil Buddy on, potatoes and cube steak with caeser salad. That’s better.

Today, we are crossing this valley (36 miles, I think a Apache could get it done in a day at a dog trot but what do I know?) Go up Lost Turkey Canyon to a CG and check it out for tonight before I cross back over the valley to Wilcox to load up for the push thru Texas and return, once more across the valley to camp at Lost turkey or Chiricahua NP. A wonderful road and with as many Border Patrol I see, most likely the safest. Lost Turkey is a bust after 4.3 miles of rough road. Back 4.3 to highway and on to Wilcox across the valley.

Okay, propane. Google maps far out preforms Garmin GPS. Looks like cake, hmmm, what, my little car isn’t going where it should on my phone. Crap, you have to hit GO. Get there, the operator is at lunch so i hang out and cleanup. Fuel, check. Groceries, check…Twin Lake Golf Course, why not. Little 9H with a iron driving range. Hit a bucket but didn’t play. THERE were a lot of people there. Flat and dry, the desert of Arizona for christ sake. Now, back across for the last time and tomorrow head south around the Chiricahuas and get on NM9 towards El Paso TX! If all goes to plan past there to Guadeloupe NP. I camped there with the green snail last time I was in Texas.

Back to camping, one CG, full at Chiricahua NP. There looks like a CG 6-7 miles up what looks #4 gravel but soon deteriorates to shit, but after sucking me in for 4 miles. The worse washboard, and let me tell you I got some time on washboard, I have ever been on. It was PERFECT washboard. The only way to deal with washboard is to go fast enough that you skim the valleys. But going 35mph on a, at best 25mph road has it’s own hazards. Finally I see a spot off the road 20 -30 yards and get myself pulled in and settle for the night. There is a nice grave headstone. Not what I was expecting to see. This is a sketchy area. Mexico isn’t that far away. I reconnoiter a bit, it seems fine. I feel okay about it. So I look everything over, hmmm is the driver’s front tire low? Ahhh, maybe not, it’s dusk, it’s sitting in sand, it’s fine. Lonesome Dove on the Kindle, Lonesome Dove on the movie. Good night.

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