11-21-10 To Pilot Knob

Sunday – 11/21/10

Photos:  http://silverserenity.shutterfly.com/2592

And I thought night before last was bad! Last night we stayed in a truck stop. All the way to the right was an RV and then two open spaces before the line of trucks. We backed in beside the RV and got into our trailer. After realizing that we had parked beside a refrigerated big truck, Thomas backed up as far into the space as he could to get away from the generator. Ok, this is a little better.

THEN, around 2:00am I was roused up by another truck trying to swing into the empty spot between us which he thought was actually two spots. He realized in mid turn that we were parked in one spot. From the brakes and then voices, I could tell that someone wasn’t happy! He back up and then made it into his parking spot only to leave his generator running right at our door/window. Needless to say, I have been up since 2am today!

Our first stop of the day was in Casa Grande, AZ for a shower and breakfast then into Wal-Mart to restock on a few things. By noon we were heading to Yuma, AZ.

There have been fields of cotton growing here. Seems strange to see it here when I am use to seeing it in NC.

Now we hit our first rain of the trip. It was nice to have some of the dust washed off the truck and trailer.

Shortly after the cotton fields were the very tall saguaro cactus. There were many of them. Their arms were sometimes wrapped in different formations. One had one “arm” wrapped around it’s trunk like it was hugging itself. Most of them had been eaten on the bottom by animals or birds. It’s a wonder some were still standing from the destruction.

About 33 miles east of Yuma we turned off the interstate towards a mountain with a large “A” on it. Last January I had taken a photo of this same mountain but didn’t know what it was. This year we are going to Antelope Hill to see some of the hundreds of petroglyphs on a volcanic basalt outcrop that lies next to the Gila River. It is believed to have been utilized for thousands of years but its use is more evident from 500 A.D. until the 1800’s. On the north side of the mountain the petroglyphs can be found with some visible from the parking area. There are several photos to be posted. They ranged from smaller ones to very large. The larger ones were at the top of the hill but it was too windy for us to climb to the top. We were perfectly happy with the ones we found sheltered from the wind.

Back towards Yuma and the surrounding area has become very familiar. This is our fourth trip here and we were here last January. We pass through the valley, on towards the mountain we travel through before entering Fortuna Hills. When going through the mountain the road separates and actually crosses so that the west bound is on the left side and the east bound is on the right.

The wind has picked up again and we travel to Sidewinder Road/Pilot Knob BLM for the area where we can stay for 14 days for free. To get there, you pass through Yuma, AZ on I-8. Continue into CA, past the exit to Mexico, through the Inspection Checkpoint and the next exit is Sidewinder Road. Cross over the interstate to the sign for Pilot Knob. There is a Long Term Visitors Area where you can stay 6 months for $180. (There are 7 of these LTVA’s and the 6 month permit can be spent in all, one or any combination of LTVA’s. This is BLM land.) Turn to the right and follow the dirt road into the desert and parallel to I-8 for 1 ½ miles to get to the “no-fee” 14 day area. There are two small areas designated for the free camping.

Between our camping area and the interstate is approximately 1 mile. The community across the interstate from us is the unincorporated community of Felicity, CA, population 280. Beyond Felicity are the railroad tracks.

Time to set up for the night. Tomorrow will be my first dentist appointment in Mexico.