Chiricahua National Monument

27 million years ago in the southeast corner of AZ the Turkey Creek Caldera spewed forth a 2000 foot thick layer of white-hot ash. This ash cooled and hardened into rhyolitic tuff. For the next 27 million years wind and water has eroded the tuff into spectacular hoodoos.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

I was pleasantly surprised how lush and green Organ Pipe was. The park is simply gorgeous. It is unique and has been designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. 12,000 years ago Paleo-Indians hunted mammoths in cooler, wetter woodlands. Today, plants and animals have adapted to high heat and scarce water.

Cholla up front, Saguaro standing tall

Looking across a rift valley

Bending toward the horizon at the end of the day.

Thorny Ocotillo, a spiny scarlet flowered desert shrub on the left

and Oran Pipe Cactus to the right

The Prickly Pear has a beautiful red fruit.

 It is often sought after as a delicacy. 

Serenity's Facial

One of my goals in Rocky Point was to get Serenity's stress fractures, rock chips and a couple of holes fixed.

The aluminum plate is my temporary fix 

for a couple of holes in the side.

Getting those rock chips

Ready to paint

The brown paint

The clear coat

The big reveal

Looking 10 years younger

I am very pleased with Santiago's work. The paint match was better than I expected.  $500

Up Up and Away

The WINs are in warm and sunny Puerto Penasco, Rock Point, MX. Today was Ultralight day. I had my first  thrilling flight. These things are so cool.

Jetty being constructed for cruise ships. 

To be finished someday, maybe.

Puerto Pensado ahead

Our campground. 

You can see some WINs launching their kayaks.

Down low, just off the water

Ah, Cold Air

On the road the other day I was getting hot. I turned on Serenity's dash AC and nary a breath of cold air blew my way. I needed to get the AC fixed before summer heat descends. C J's RV Repair Specialists in Yuma referred me to Bill's Tractor and Auto Repair.

A leak at the condenser. It had been caused because the dryer, a small black canister, had not been anchored to the frame. As it moved and vibrated, it caused the fitting at the condenser to loosen.

The condenser is wet with leaking fluid

Redlands Truck and RV Redlands, CA had forgotten to install this crucial bracket when they replaced my engine. 

I talked to Chris and he said they would take care of me, and they did. 

Harmon and V Y (that is his name) assembling the new condenser.

The critical bracket ready 

to be attached to the frame.

Rechargiing the system.

Claud, Bill's son, did a great job finding a new condenser and getting me out in three days. 

Redlands Truck and RV  stood tall. They covered the total cost, $1,100. They are a one of the great shops and my go to shop in the Southwest.