Gila Bend, AZ

Our last blog described the last camp ground in Borrego Springs and how much we loved it.  We realized that that particular area was so delightful because the surrounding mountains funneled what winter rains there were onto the desert floor in that valley increasing the amount of moisture at that spot and there by turning the area into a wonderland of flowers at this time of year.   It was sad to say goodbye but such is the life of a traveller.

We had intended to break up this trip by staying in Yuma - famous as the winter location of snowbirds, both Canadian and American. Yuma has 14 campsites listed in our AA campbook and obviously there are many more.  Apparently almost all edged on I8 (not for us).  We are now camped in Gila Bend about a 100 miles further east in a small campsite with more open space and beautiful views of the mountains (and the highway in the distance).

Sunrise at Augie's Quail Trail RV Park - Gila Bend

The drive here was interesting - a more drab desert - but in the southern part of Anza Borrego SP we passed through an Ocotillo forest (a first although we had see had seen many single trees).  We saw our first sugaro and organ pipe cacti for this trip as we moved west - more typical of the desert we are now entering in Arizona. 

As we drove I8 we were able to see sections of the wire fence that separate the US from Mexico and went through one of the immigration check points, few cars actually being stopped and searched but we did see one sniffer dog going through a vehicle. 

I did my first driving today, surprising I know but this trip has been such short little hops that Graham's driving sessions have covered the distance each time.   I guess we'll pay the price for that when we begin driving home. 

Corinne