11 October Safford, AZ

Our frustrated "prickly"salute to the politicians of this country!!!

Heard this morning the news that the Utah State are funding the opening of their National Parks for 10 days and then later that Grand Canyon would also be re-opening. Time for decisions, but rather than turning around and heading north and missing out on some of the areas we wanted to see in Southern Utah decided we would continue our circular route then back north west to Las Vegas following the Colorado River.

After refuelling and picking up a few supplies in town we set off south to Roosevelt Lake with the idea we may spend the afternoon and evening camped there. A really good road and drive and as we descended in altitude we saw for the first time the signature cactus of Arizona growing on the hills. These 2 to 3 metre saguaro cacti with their numerous “arms” look so spectacular especially with the light glowing behind them. (Lots of cacti pics today!)

But then the frustrations started, this is a stunning lake (although a little low at the moment) with red rocks hills surrounding it and quite a size, BUT it is in National Forest land and all the many campgrounds and picnic areas that surround it were closed. Felt quite angry really. We did find a small dusty rocky area beside the lake to stop for lunch, and about a dozen campers had squeezed themselves in there, evidently it was one of the only places that was not blocked off because there were no facilities.

We came across a privately owned boat ramp at the bottom of the lake near the dam that had dry camping, but it was completely packed and very dusty and busy….people had to find somewhere to spend their weekend. We passed the Tonto National Monument…again closed. Somehow when we think of the closures we only think of the National Parks, but there are so many other iconic places that are all federal, and we realise how much we are missing the National Forest Campgrounds which in all our travels we have used often, they are good locations and provide a place to overnight at a realistic price.

Bridge over Roosevelt.

Continued our drive into Globe keeping an eye out for a camping spot without luck, so called into the information centre. She suggested a state park about 1 ½ hours further south at Safford which seemed like a good idea. Globe is an historic mining town and large areas are still being mined, it had quite a rough feeling to it and as it was getting later in the afternoon we drove on.

Another really interesting drive, firstly through Apache reservation land, reminding us of the old westerns. Very desolate country with lots of cacti and rocks and really arid….true desert. Getting closer to Safford we entered the Gila Valley a fertile irrigated area, with hundreds of acres cropped growing low plants that at first appeared to have white flowers, but soon realised that this was a cotton growing area and they appeared to be getting close to harvest, somehow always thought of cotton plants as being much bigger.

The frustrations of the day continued as we arrived at the State Park only to find the Full Sign up…the park staff were very sympathetic, said that the closures had brought so many more into the park and it was also Columbus Day weekend, something we hadn’t really appreciated.

We checked out re other campgrounds in town, but there appeared to only be a few, and they were pretty seedy longterm trailer parks, and the county fairground which is often a good place to stay was holding their annual fair! So as the sun set we headed back into town and to good old Walmart…..again!!!!!

It has been a day where we have struggled to make much Lemonade. Tomorrow is another day.

Cotton fields

Back into town - and another Walmart!