Dispersed camping in the Ironwood National Monument, Marana Arizona

   32 28.412, -111 29.868


A BLM ranger stopped to say hello a couple of days ago. He was friendly and chatty, and mentioned the usual: 14-day limit and no dumping. After he had left, we looked around and our neighbors were GONE. I mean the long-timers. Vanished. 
The visit reminded us it was time to scout around for some fresh place. The Ironwood National Monument isn't it (for us), but it doesn't mean it couldn't be (for you).
The road we took into the Monument involves a one-lane bridge with a 6000 pound limit. That's the Prius on grocery day. There is also a dip in the road that we're pretty sure the Duck couldn't survive. So, no-go on that route. It's possible another road will take you around these obstacles; try coming in from I-10 at exit 226.
There may be phone reception, but there was no data coverage. That's the bad, now let me tempt you with the good.

 Big, wide-open, level site. Lovely views of Ragged Top Mountain (where bighorn sheep may be lambing AS I TYPE).

Get a load of the size of that foot.

I have urticating hairs! I will urt you! You are flirtin' with an urtin'.

My feet urt.

 I told you a while back that I had a phone interview. It went well, and he offered me the job. I thought about it for a couple of hours and then let him down easy. Told him it wasn't him, it was me.

Arizona blond tarantulas: do they really have more fun?

Quentin, you've grown!

I am not standing with my foot in this picture just to show off my cute hikers. For perspective, the Arizona blond tarantula wears the same size I do.

He was crossing the road as we approached, but once he lowered the flag we could proceed without tire damage. It's possible he was crossing the road to mate (one more question answered), but we didn't want to stick around to see him reach under the female to insert his pedipalp into her gonopore.

He could easily cover Annie's palm, if he relaxed. He could easily cover Annie's palm, if Annie relaxed. 

Weather feels pretty perfect at this elevation, at this time of the season. Flagstaff nights are too cold for us to deal with in the Duck, but here we're warm enough to sleep with the windows cracked. I always check under the covers before I get in. Sometimes I find Annie under there.

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