BajaNomad

Tucson AZ, Baja connections, Savannah turns 2 tomorrow.

David K - 8-23-2012 at 04:47 PM

I drove to Tucson, Arizona where my daughter and granddaughter have been for the past several months (no jobs in California)...

While there we visited the wonderful desert museum and got close to some desert critters, including a few boojums!

On the way home, at the rest stop near El Centro, are several California/ Baja California joint history display signs... not bad, only a couple of historic errors!





































































Not bad CalTrans... Baja was California first, after all!

I was gone from Sunday to Wednesday... It was a 7 hour (455 mile drive) from here. Gasoline in Tucson was $3.24 a gallon on Sunday and that morning I left, the cheapest near my home was $3.99. Yuma was about the halfway point, and a top off there was at $3.54 a gallon (Circle K).

On the way home, it was $3.36 in Tucson, $3.63 in Yuma, and $4.19 in Oceanside.

It was great see my 'little girls'...

Ken Cooke - 8-23-2012 at 05:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I drove to Tucson, Arizona where my daughter and granddaughter have been for the past several months

It was great see my 'little girls'...


I traveled throughout Arizona extensively in the early and then late '90s - I remember some of these desert parks, but it has been such a long time.

I remember seeing the Organ Pipe Cactii in Arizona and looking in books for their nearest location to Northern Baja California where I could easily visit (w/the ex-wife). It is great that your Granddaughter will be turning 2! Time flies.

David K - 8-23-2012 at 05:35 PM

Thanks Ken, the pitaya dulce (organ pipe cactus) almost all are south of San Borja... We took photos of them along the road between El Arco and San Francisquito. You see them everywhere along the highway between Loreto and Insurgentes... then again south of La Paz.

The pitaya agria (sour pitaya/ galloping cactus) is also excellent eating (despite the name) and is found all over northern Baja deserts, more so on the Pacific from Ensenada south, specially near El Rosario.



[Edited on 8-24-2012 by David K]

Ken Cooke - 8-23-2012 at 05:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Thanks Ken, the pitaya dulce (organ pipe cactus) almost all are south of San Borja... We took photos of them along the road between El Arco and San Francisquito. You see them everywhere along the highway between Loreto and Insurgentes... then again south of La Paz.

The pitaya agria (sour pitaya/ galloping cactus) is also excellent eating (despite the name) and is found all over northern Baja deserts, more so on the Pacific from Ensenada south, specially near El Rosario.



[Edited on 8-24-2012 by David K]


I remember driving and hiking around the Organ Pipe Natl' Monument, driving in my Ford Ranger. These beautiful Organ Pipe Cactii were everywhere between El Barril and San Francisquito, and on the way to El Arco. Very beautiful country - but like Baja, Arizona is piping hot right about now. Be careful.:!:

David K - 8-23-2012 at 05:46 PM

It wasn't bad this week (95-100) and yesterday in poured heavy all morning until I was almost to Casa Grande (50 miles from Tucson). Every night was an hour of rain, too... It was great!

Ken Cooke - 8-23-2012 at 05:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
It wasn't bad this week (95-100) and yesterday in poured heavy all morning until I was almost to Casa Grande (50 miles from Tucson). Every night was an hour of rain, too... It was great!


I forgot that this is Tucson's rainy season. The Mexican food there is incredible. The thick tortillas are good enough to buy extras and bring home to savor. The Waffle House makes a great Breakfast stop. They are located in Phoenix - not sure if Tucson has one or not. Great food and eating in Arizona.

Ateo - 8-23-2012 at 06:09 PM

Happy BDay to your granddaughter. Cool that you got to go visit............

David K - 8-23-2012 at 06:17 PM

Thank you Ateo... I was having grandfather withdrawals!

Ken, yes, I saw a Waffle House there... but when I traveled in the Carolinas and Georgia on business in the 90's, my rep said they call them "Awful Houses" and I have never been in once since hearing that!!

El Vergel - 8-31-2012 at 08:49 PM

The kids' smiles are what I see most. Happy B-Day Savannah !

Thanks 4 the share, David. Boojum's, Occotillo's, lizards and snakes...a cat or 2 replete with long-horn sheep?

Nice!

David K - 8-31-2012 at 10:16 PM

Thanks Vern for the birthday wish to my baby's baby!

dizzyspots - 9-1-2012 at 06:37 AM

Hey David...next time your in Tucson give me a call
check your pm's for phone number
eastside I-10 Exit 279

David K - 9-1-2012 at 10:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dizzyspots
Hey David...next time your in Tucson give me a call
check your pm's for phone number
eastside I-10 Exit 279


Very kind, thanks!

Bob H - 9-1-2012 at 10:56 AM

Wow, great photos... thanks for sharing them. Sarah and Savannah photos were great!! The last time I saw Sarah was at the 2004 Matomi run. I think she was 13 at the time.

[Edited on 9-1-2012 by Bob H]

David K - 9-1-2012 at 11:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Wow, great photos... thanks for sharing them. Looks like happy family photos for sure!!


Thanks Bob... you remember Sarah when we all camped together at Nuevo Mazatlan in Feb., 2004... It's a long time from age 13 to age 22!







[Edited on 9-1-2012 by David K]

shari - 9-1-2012 at 11:02 AM

feliz cumpleanos Savannah...some day her and Izaak have to get together! Nice to see her playing with trucks...and your daughter sure is looking trim these days...good for her!

Bob H - 9-1-2012 at 11:03 AM

Yes... here is your link on that trip

http://www.vivabaja.com/204/

David K - 9-1-2012 at 11:11 AM

Thanks Shari, yah she got rid of the baby fat... I just don't get the desire kids have these days for tatoos and piercings... :no: Oh well, it is her body and she is an adult and on her own. The good thing is she wants to go back to Baja and bring Savannah since Sarah was first in Baja by the time she was two!