Sonoran Desert Town

Ajo (pronounced AH-ho) means garlic in Spanish.  It is a small town (approx. 3000 population) situated 33 miles north of the Mexican border in SW Arizona.  The landscape in and around where we are currently parked – off Rocalla Ave and Alley Road – and not too far outside of town is on BLM land.

The mountain terrain is abundant with Saguaro, Organ Pipe and other types of cacti that are truly magnificent!  Our friends from Alberta that we met camping at Ogilby Road in Winterhaven, California, Chuck and Shelia, were able to show us the area of Ajo before they headed onward to new adventures for them north of Tucson.

 

 Once a copper mining community (New Cornelia Mine), Ajo became something of a retirement community in the 1980s after mining operations stopped.  But, a recent influx of Border Patrol agents has kept the town alive.  What’s really unique about the town was that it was designed in 1914 specifically to keep its copper miners happy and productive – part of a “City Beautiful Movement” then common in US cities.  The Spanish Colonial Revival architecture used was carefully planned with that in mind and with that the town flourished during the mining period until its demise in 1985 when falling copper prices resulted in the closure of many Arizona mines.

The blue is the copper ore that was mined

We took the walking tour through Ajo’s historic district starting at the Depot & Visitors Center and continuing on to include the Catholic and Federated Churches, Curley School (now a renovated living/work space for artists) and shops along the Plaza (fitness center, community market, art stop/gallery). 
 

 

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Federated Church

Curley School

Close up of the wise Old Owl (in the door arch)

We enjoy a delicious lunch at the Oasis Café, and met a very unique individual, Arturo, who worked at Vasquez North of the Border shop that sold Mexican pottery.  We must have spent a half-hour listening to his travels from Mexico to LA, and how he ended up in Ajo.  Such a genuine individual!

 

 

Here is a sampling of some of the more up-scale homes near Ajo's Town Center that were probably built after 1985 when the mine closed.  Housing within the town from pre-1985 has a lot to be desired currently with residents not really taking pride in the outward appearances of their homes.  Very sad.  But, there is hope as there are local community organizations that are working to make "Ajo Rocks" again!

The Saguaro Cactus is pretty abundant in this part of the Sonoran Desert.  A few facts to share with you are this:

1) At 9 years old – the Saguaro stands only about 6 inches tall

   2) At 20 years old – it experiences a growth spurt and gains about 2 inches a year.
   3) Between 30-50 years old – its first flowers appear.  Talk about your late bloomer!
   4) The cacti has an accordion skin that the thorns grow from and when the cacti is full of water it will expand; when it’s dry, it will contract.
   5) The flower blossom is the Arizona State Flower.

 

It sure does stand "stately"!

 

Accordion skin for water retention

The following photos are just a glimpse of some of the many wonderful desert windflowers and cacti that we've been able to enjoy in Ajo.  As for the birds - no hummers at this point (or photos, yet) but many white-winged doves, Gila woodpeckers, Gambrel's quail, Cactus wren, Phainopepla (we call them “red-eyes”), Rufous-winged sparrows and Curved-bill Thrashers.

~ CACTI ~

Teddybear Cholla

Baby Organ Pipe

Flowering Barrel

Prickly Pear

Fish Hook - look close for the hooks!

Pencil Cholla

~ DESERT WILDFLOWERS ~

 

Devil's Fingers

Desert Chicory

I couldn't find the name, but wanted to include.

Desert Mallow (apricot flowers)

Mexican Poppy

Fairy Dust Bush (found in washes)

Desert Dandelion

Fremont Pincushion

The entrance to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is about 43 miles from Ajo.  Travel plans are for us to leave Ajo this morning (Tuesday) and travel to the main entrance of the Monument where we will set up our home.  There is much to do: a 21-mile scenic loop drive, various hiking trails and a lot of cacti, flowers and birds to photograph.   The organ pipe is a large cactus found rarely in the US, although it is common in Mexico.  We will be able to give you that glimpse of its US population when we enter the park and take you on a tour of fun facts and breathtaking photos.





Sunrise on our first morning

On another note . . .when you’re on the road, it’s always amazing if you can improve upon your current way of doing something – especially if it saves your solar power.  The one drain of power that boondockers despise is the dreaded use of the toaster or microwave.  Well, we now can get around the toaster use with an invention that our friend, Chuck introduced us to.  We just love it, and we call it “the Chuck” for lack of a better name at the moment.  This amazing “toaster” is used on the stove and works perfectly.  Take a look at the cinnamon toast that Jeff made for us this morning.  It takes about a minute per side and wall-la, its perfect!  Thanks, Chuck!!!  We’ll be forever toasting with you!

Anyone for cinnamon toast?

2 slices for breakfast. . .yummy

Chuck & Shelia

One more fun fact for Ajo ~ In 1972, Paul Newman and Lee Marvin, and a 1959 Buick Electra came to Ajo to film scenes for the film, Pocket Money which was shot on the Plaza.  This mural is painted (with 3D) on the side of the Nappa building outside in Ajo.

Until out next update . . . safe travels if you’re on the open road!

Hugs to all ~

Kay & Jeff