In Search of Warmer Weather

Above picture is Sunrise at the Gravel Pits - Ahhhhhhhhh!

We left behind many good memories in Texas, but the itch to begin a new adventure was brewing so we decided to try a less traveled day – the day after Thanksgiving.  So after a final “Adios” to Terlingua we started our journey westward to what we had hoped would be warmer weather. 

 
With pretty much flat land for driving, Kay drove the RV from Marfa to just outside of El Paso (before the craziness begins).  The day was bright and sunny so it was pretty uneventful.   Just outside of Marfa we snapped this shot of what we thought was some sort of tethered plane used for weather, but after researching it on the Internet, it wasn’t that at all, but what they refer to as balloon-borne radar.

Click on the below link if you want to get the skinny on this most unusual sight.

US Air Force Balloon-borne Radar

We picked up Interstate 10 at Van Horn, Texas which runs almost parallel to the Mexican border on our way to El Paso.  Needless to say, that meant that we would have to stop at the Border Patrol checkpoint before crossing into New Mexico.  No problems there, as they waived us through.  A definitely change in drivers was going to be needed especially with the hustle and bustle of a drive right through El Paso.  Not a problem – relinquishing the driving back to Jeff for the drive through and up into Las Cruces, New Mexico – getting another hour on our clocks as we changed to Mountain Time.

Driving through Las Cruces at around 3pm in the afternoon was very busy and crazy as we continued west toward Deming.  We pulled into the Escapee’s, Dream Catcher RV Park where we would stay until that next Monday . . . still in search of the elusive WARMER WEATHER!!!  Our main intent at staying the Escapee RV Park was to take on fresh water, empty grey and black tanks and to stock up on some grocery items before heading into the Arizona desert for some dry camping.

  

Deming (pop. 15,000; 4,300 ft. elevation) resides in the SW part of New Mexico, about 33 miles north of the Mexican border.  Getting an additional hour on our clocks by moving into Mountain Time we took a drive to St Clair Winery (New Mexico’s largest winery with a six-generation history of wine making).  The relaxing atmosphere and knowledgeable staff made our “tasting” experience a success.  We came away with wines to enjoy on our travels, and would highly recommend their St Clair, Blue Teal and D.H. Lescombes wines that range from traditional styles to the uniquely southwestern flavors.  Salute!

Florida Mountains (pronounced "flow-rida")

What fun we had taste testing wine!



A side trip to Silver City (approx. 50 miles from Deming) brought us back via a visit to the Faywood Hot Springs located between Silver City and Deming.  We weren’t able to take pictures inside of the resort, but we would definitely come back when the weather is much warmer as it claims to be a high desert oasis that hosts natural geothermal pools of “rejuvenating mineral water to soothe the body and soul”.  It sounds pretty good to us?  All we need is WARMER WEATHER!!!

 

We did not find any warm weather at Hot Well Dunes, outside of Bowie, AZ but we were able to enjoy the natural springs at 106 degrees that were available for visitors to this BLM area in the form of two very nice soaking areas.  It was good but with anything that hot you definitely have to be very careful with how long you stay in (also drink plenty of water and definitely no alcohol before or after a soaking period).  This area is very popular for ATVs and dune buggies on the weekends so having the area pretty much to ourselves for the 2 days we camped in the middle of the week was heavenly.

The road traveled at Hot Well Dunes



Water was 106 degrees...HOT!

 

Our campsite - sand and more sand!

A beautiful sunrise that we just couldn't pass up!

An old Mesquite tree.

On our morning walk.

 

A grove of pecan trees outside of Bowie AZ

 

Our next planned stop was going to be around the Tucson/Phoenix area to visit Jeff’s cousin who lives in Apache Junction, but because of our early arrival and their schedules, we will have to catch up with them in the spring months.  I guess that means that we  continue westward toward Yuma where we would arrive in that city with a whole new understanding of just how important lettuce is to Yuma County.  You will also be amazed after clicking on this link to read some pretty amazing farming in this part of the country.

 

Yuma County: America's Winter Vegetable Capital

Our overnight free boondocking site in Yuma would be via the Laguna Dam Road, along the canal, approx. 5+ miles east of Interstate 8 at Exit 2.  The directions said that it was large rig friendly, but not having been there before we were needless to say a little uneasy about the road – going from a paved then to a wide dusty gravel road.  Upon our arrival to the site we made it work for a one night stay in a very secluded spot that turned out to be just fine.  We had the opportunity to view fields of several varieties of lettuce that were all being worked by migrant Mexican workers (see above photo) – all of whom were bussed in daily across the border to work.

Beautiful scenery along the interstate heading toward Yuma

 

The Canal is to the left of the RV

 



The Colorado River outside of Yuma

 


Chuck looking for food from Dad
 

Back on the open road that following morning took us in the direction of Brawley, CA which is 70 miles west of Yuma and Pacific Time.  One more hour ahead on the clocks for us!  With directions in hand, Jeff drives us to what is known as the “gravel pits” – near the Five Palm Oasis Pond within the desert area where Army maneuvers were conducted prior to WWII by General Patton (see picture of mortar round we found while on a hike).  Since there was a need for water the Army drilled for wells and low and behold hot springs were found.  Five Palm Oasis is about a mile from where we are currently dry camping in a gravel pit that is near BLM land, but privately owned so camping here is okay.  We were told that the water temp in the “pond” is about 92-95 degrees.  Currently there are about 2-3 remaining hot springs in and around this area where the temp is considerably warmer than Five Palms.

Imperial Sand Dunes (BLM land)

Our first campfire at the gravel pit

That's us on the hill to the right!

Five Palms Oasis

 

Access to the pond for relaxing

Jeff and our friend, Louise - a perfect day for a hike

Louise's creation made of individual stones

Unexploded motor shell found on our hike....ouch!

We have met some pretty awesome people also camping in this area that are from British Columbia.  We owe this awesome experience to a couple of very special people – both originally from Minnesota – who instilled in us the desire to find this location in the desert.  Therefore, this Blog update is dedicated to our good friends, Richard Sanders (for the contact information) and to Glenn Larson (who has been coming out to this area for the past 10-12 years) – THANKS, GUYS!

Tomorrow our circle of friends will be doing a day trip to Anza-Borrego.  Pictures and story will follow so until then . . .

 

WE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR WARMER WEATHER!

 

Hugs to all ~

Kay & Jeff