Wow, what a BUSY two weeks! We left Deming January 17, stopping at the Walmart Hilton in Buckeye AZ overnight as going all the way to Bouse was too far for me. (I get tired and I make mistakes when it's over 300 miles.) I am pulling Mike's Yamaha Rhino on my trailer behind the Jeep and he is pulling the RPOD behind his truck. Our friend from Hidden Valley, Gilbert Minzenmayer, is with us with his big trailer and truck.
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| Gilbert and Mike at the Walmart Hilton patio. |
Found the park in Bouse (rhymes with house) the next day and got checked in. Immediately unloaded the ATV's and hit the trails right out of the park. Great access.
The trails were originally cut into the desert to support mining operations, some from the late 19th century, others from the 20th.
Another interesting fact about this tiny town: it was the location of a super secret Army training base during WWII.
There is a one-room museum here (which also doubles as the Chamber of Commerce). We stopped by the other day during one of the few days/hours it is open.
There is a little general store here, A&C Mercantile, which carries (mostly) beer, chips, lunch stuff. Step inside and you are back in the 1930's. The other little market has even less...beer, ice, beer, beer, beer...
Thoughts on desert botany:
I am astounded at the diversity and tenacity of the desert plants we are seeing. It's very different from what grows around Deming...some mesquite and greasewood and creosote but the species of cacti are quite different.
The cacti are beautiful and very well armed. If you are not careful and you brush against one, you will be very sorry. Mike clipped one with the Yamaha. Result below.
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| This one forms "forests." |
And the plants take root and thrive in the unlikeliest-looking places, in solid rock.
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| Saguaro growing out of a mountainside. |
The saguaro cactus is unique to the Sonoran desert and there are many around Bouse.
Much more to come as we continue to explore this fascinating area over the next two weeks.
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