3/13/15

Tucson Mountain Park, Gilbert Ray and the Desert Museum

 

DSC_0051

It’s early on Friday the 13th of March. The wind is whipping around the trailer here in Montgomery, Alabama and we are on the last two days of the Green Eggs and Ham rally! 

But I want to write about our last few days in Arizona…while the memory is still intact.

We leave our lovely parking lot in the Tonto National Forest.  It is time for David to have his blood tested again and there are groceries to be bought.  Between the wait at Walgreens’ clinic and fighting the senior crowd at Fry’s, we leave Apache Junction much later than planned.

Our destination is the Desert Museum in Tucson.  There’s a nice campground close to the museum but it may be full.  It does not take reservations.  I research free camping in Tucson in find a BLM close to our destination.  Nina and Paul warn that the road is rough and there’s some broken glass scattered throughout the camp.

After several hours of negotiating traffic, we find the area and, at first glance, it does not look too bad.

2015-02-28 12.31.57

  The sunset gives us another visual delight.

2015-02-27 18.34.06

David settles in with his book.

2015-02-27 18.35.42

We notice a bit of broken glass as we park.  By the next day, with the changing sunlight, I realize that we are surrounded by glass and dog poo!  David decides to nap and I decide to go find Gilbert Ray, the campground that keeps coming up in conversations.

After consulting Google Maps and making a few turns, I arrive at Tucson Mountain Park.  The beauty is overwhelming!  How can this be so pretty and our spot be so….less than pretty?

On to Gilbert Ray, stopping at the office to find that there are campsites available..even though it is Saturday afternoon!  After riding through all the loops, drinking in the lovely landscape, I wonder what kind of mood the husband will be in if I suggest that we break camp and move…NOW!

Luckily…the nap is over….and we break camp in record speed!

DSC_0006 

DSC_0001

DSC_0005

Love this guy!  He looks like he is directing traffic!

Camping at Gilbert Ray is like camping in a desert garden!

We pay for two nights…staying long enough to visit the Desert Museum.  And feeling nostalgic…already sad that our paradise visit is ending.

We hear from our neighbor to not miss the museum’s free flight show. 

DSC_0039

DSC_0029

DSC_0043

DSC_0037

The show is astounding!  It starts with two ravens, then a great-horned owl, then hawks….two are red tail hawks.  The birds fly freely, soaring out of sight into the clouds.  The handlers are not concerned when wild red tails bombard their wards, trying to knock them out of the wild birds’ territory.  They explain that their birds know where good living and easy food can be found…so they always return.DSC_0035

We return to camp for lunch and return to see the rest of the park.

DSC_0046

There are coyotes.

DSC_0048

DSC_0049

Big Horn Sheep.

DSC_0050

And hummingbirds!

It’s a perfect day and a perfect way to end our winter in the desert.

DSC_0019

DSC_0013

18 comments:

  1. Keep that up and you're going to force us to drive down the road always just to see what everyone is raving about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The area reminds me of the Tonto NF....just a little different. I like Gilbert Ray almost as much as Lost Dutchman. Will definitely make it a part of our annual visit.
      The raptor flight show will make it worth the drive.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  2. Glad you got to experience the raptor flight. What a show!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The museum birds tangling with the wild ones, 100s of feet in the air, made it more thrilling!

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  3. Love that last picture as it looks like the wings of a bird in flight. Isn't it nice to know that it will be there for you next time - as soon as you can make it. I love this time of the year here in TorC, as the spring rains are approaching and they come, maybe leave some rain, but there always seems to be the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I can't get enough of it. Our elevation is around 5,000 ft so we aren't warm yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Emily! It is that 5000 ft in elevation that keeps hindering us from exploring TorC!
      Love the West...glad you made a way to land out there.....we are thinking...maybe someday.

      Delete
  4. WOW....Have never heard of that park...its now on my list...thanks for sharing!!!...and what a magnificent show, you got some awesome shots...I am envious....and then you had to deal with Texas.. :) Safe travels...BTW...nice sunset photo..Horst sends

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Horst. I do like Texas...and getting better at dealing with the weather extremes.

      Yes...put Gilbert Ray and the Desert Museum on your list!

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  5. I stopped by earlier but the pictures wouldn't load for me. This time i could see them all!

    The saguaro with crab eyes directing traffic is a hoot; the splendor of the sunset is beyond description. And just WOW at the bird and critter photos!

    Just about when I decide I love camping in the East and have no real desire to go out West, I see pictures like yours that muddy up my decision!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sharon.
      Just don't make any decisions and let it flow.
      Congratulations on this amazing feat of camping all winter.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  6. Great posts! Not sure which I'll add to my list first - wolves or raptors - two of my favorites. Thanks for sharing wildlife finds!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Forgot to mention I'm a Toyota + 16' Casita too

    ReplyDelete
  8. Welcome to our blog! Thank you for your kind words. Another 16'! We are rare!

    ReplyDelete