A WEEKEND JAUNT

#44 - A Travelogue

It had been well over two years since I’d taken a break from the same old same old. I needed to take a ride. A getaway from my computer, the internet, and email, knowing all the while there would be some catching up to do upon return. 

Usually, a good two or three hundred-mile out and back does the trick. Long enough to see things from a different perspective. Seems I have to get far enough away so that the ties to reality start coming loose and free-range thinking can get a hold in my head.

Taking a ride used to be my go-to form of entertainment but the last two-three years got complicated. And the price of gas going up so much just irks me. 

Anyway, it had been a while. I left home at 7:00 am. 

As often as not, I have a destination in mind. I am also comfortable just getting on the road, preferably the freeway, and up to cruising speed until I have to return home.  

If I need a break, or I’m driving through the night, I’m good with just stretching out in the back of my SUV and getting some shuteye. Any rest area will do but my favorite places to stop are Love’s or Flying J/Pilot Truck Stops. Gas, clean restrooms, food, and a place to pull over for a few hours' sleep make for efficient traveling. 

Getting back on the road again rested and with a full tank of gas and a cup of coffee just makes me feel good.  

This time I had a destination. A trip to the Caballo Loco Ranch southwest of Tucson, nine hundred miles away. I gave myself three days for the trip. More than enough time to get there and back. I wanted to see it, take pictures, and talk to some folks if I could. 

I took 580 to Interstate 5 south to LA and Interstate 10 east to Indio where I headed south down the east side of the Salton Sea to Interstate 8 and east to Yuma where I closed my eyes for a couple of hours. Another cup of coffee for the road east and I picked up I-10 again at Casa Grande to Tucson. 

Then forty miles to, and through, Robles Junction AKA Three Points on two lane highways and the final eight-mile stretch on a rock and dirt washboard road that required slowing down to fifteen and twenty mph to avoid displacing everything in the vehicle and shaking my teeth out of my head while sliding or skidding off the road into the cactus.  

Often, on washboard roads a comfortable driving speed can be found that allows you to be in sync with the ripples. I couldn’t find it this time. The trade-off in going so slow was seeing the desert beauty in slow motion. I made multiple stops. It was already warm – hot compared to the still cool weather of the Bay Area. Thoroughly enjoyable. 

After an hour on this last stretch, I arrived at the ranch at 8:30 in the morning. 

At 3900’ elevation, nestled in the Sierrita Mountains, it’s a beautiful place. The easily visible observatory at Kitt Peak, on the next mountain range miles away to the west lies prominently on the landscape. 

There are campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs with full hookups if needed. And it’s inexpensive! Most people stay here over the winter for the milder weather and leave for cooler climes come late spring.  

Some are year-rounders and have been here for years with their sites evolving into more permanent structures. Some have horses.  

The ranch has a clubhouse with band stage, a library with WI-FI, an observatory, restrooms and showers, laundry room, generated electricity, a good cell signal, a mail address with mail forwarding, and water providing residents with the essentials. 

The nearest food source is eighteen miles away at the general store/building supply back at Robles Junction/Three Points. Amazon delivers packages there for pickup. 

ATVs, UTVs, and electric bikes abound.  

Rattlesnakes and scorpions also share the environs along with the ubiquitous cactus. One quickly learns to watch one's step. 

I drove through the campgrounds and met several of the campers. All were friendly and very happy with their experience at the ranch. 

One couple, having spent the winter here, were about to leave for Lake Tahoe where they had a paying job for the summer season hosting a campground. They were to return in the fall. 

Another lady was heading back to Vermont to drive a school bus one more season before moving to the ranch permanently.  

A fellow with the University of Arizona Tucson Medical Center works remotely from the ranch up and downloading his work.  

The place serves as a homebase for many nomads. I could easily spend a lot of time here.  

Those who want to stay for an extended time must fill out an application and have a background check. Retirees make up most of the residents though I did see several young adults.  

I gathered the info and photos I needed much sooner than I had anticipated. I had thought I would stay the day. Maybe overnight for a view of the stars.  

But that would put me in a time crunch on my return home with heavy commute traffic through LA and later on in the Bay Area. I also had more sightseeing I wanted to do. It was best that I head back. 

From Robles Junction I traveled west on Highway 86 through the Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation and the town of Ajo on up to Gila Bend on I-8 and west to Yuma. Even the desert has its differing landscapes and cacti with some, like the Saguaro, almost forest like. West of Yuma is just windblown sand dunes.

Turning north at El Centro through Brawley and irrigated farm fields the sun set. This time at the Salton Sea I drove up the western shore with its date palm orchards meeting I-10 at Indio.  

I pulled into Love’s to top off my gas and close my eyes for a while, then continued on toward LA. Traffic was moderate but I had missed most of the going home Sunday rush. By the time I reached I-5 north after midnight, it was smooth sailing. 

Smooth sailing up The Grapevine until my eyes started playing tricks. I needed to get some sleep. I got off the freeway at Gorman, just south of Tejon Pass at 4000’. I pulled into a gas station/convenience store parking lot and climbed in the back for some sleep. 

It was windy and surprisingly cold.  

Three hours later at 5 am I awoke somewhat refreshed. Another cup of coffee helped wake me up as I got back on the road for the homestretch. 

Down the Grapevine I cruised into the Central Valley with the sunrise. The Valley was flush with the green of new crops and orchards all the way to the Bay Area. 

I missed the Monday morning commute and pulled into my driveway at 11 am. A fifty-two-hour trip.  

Along with making the trip, I wanted to try something. Usually, I’m right up there with those who push the speed limit. Always in a hurry, gotta make time. That means cruising at about 75-85 mph. I set my cruise control at 70 and let the pushers pass me by. The whole trip. It was enjoyable and relaxing, and I still made good time and got better gas mileage.  

Note to Self: Slow. Things. Down. 

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