N to O to P: Las Cienegas NCA, AZ to Sentinel, AZ via Kitt Peak National Observatory

We woke up as the sun was rising and Max immediately noticed that Buzz was no longer in the van with us. She had pushed open the small vent window (which was open just enough to allow the extension cord for the exterior light to pass through) and jumped out into the desert, full of coyotes. We spent about an hour walking around calling for her, and as soon as we were sure that she had been eaten, she walked out from where she was hiding, about 300 feet from the van. Her new nickname is "Porkchop."We were packing up to leave when three pickup trucks drove up to our spot and started unloading dirt bikes. Max went to talk to them and learned that they were all unemployed physicists, and had worked on the infrared technologies that allows us to see further than a light year into space. They also told us that they had found a dead body of a illegal immigrant while they were riding in the desert not too long ago. Maybe the BLM people weren't exaggerating after all.After stopping for supplies at Safeway in Tucson, we drove to Kitt Peak National Observatory and had lunch next to a giant radio wave tower. After walking around the visitor center, exhibits and checking out some of the telescopes we drove through the desert filled with saguaro cacti through Why, AZ and up to the Sedona Desert National Monument east of Gila Bend, AZ. We had a detailed BLM map of the area and thought that we had made the correct turn off Maricopa Rd. After driving a half mile, we turned into what looked like what would make a perfect camping spot. The sand sucked our two ton van with brand new, over inflated tires almost axle deep in the rear and within 10 feet we were totally stuck. After calling the Border Patrol and 911, we called a tow truck with a winch, who pulled us out right as it was getting dark. We nursed our hurt egos at the Space Age Restaurant in Gila Bend (Double-Decker Burger and Broaster Chicken, yum) and browsed for a less sandy boondocking spot. We found one right off I-10 near Sentinel, AZ and the site of the Oates Massacre. We read about the massacre on the drive over, and probably shouldn't have.

Links: Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Space Age Restaurant, Sentinel, AZ BLM camping spot

<<<<< Previous - Winter Road Trip Home - Next >>>>>