RETURNING FROM MEXICO TO CONTINUE OUR USA OVERLAND TRIP

MEXICO-USA Border From Algonados to Tucson

We arrived in Algonados at the Mexico/USA border at 5PM and still 48 degrees Celsius it was hot. Leaving Mexico at the Algodonas Border was easy and friendly. Maybe an idea to have those land border security and custom agents to train those at the international airports in customer service. I would think in today’s online world all arrivals by air into the USA are known, unlike land borders where people arrive unannounced without notice. Customs and border security were interested in our travels around the world, and we were also given some great spots around Yuma, just across from the border. Great welcome back into the United States

After the vehicle check it was off to the Walmart in Yuma just 15 minutes away to stock up again

Yuma’s historic downtown offers a wide variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Overnight we stayed at the Cracker barrel store carpark, it was noisy and hot overnight with a low 34 degrees Celsius. Shopping and laundry were the other reason we stayed in Yuma. Yuma is situated on the banks of the once unpredictable Colorado River, where floods once ravaged, but today a vibrant nightlife thrives.

Yuma offers striking scenery of mountains, wetlands, desert, and Colorado river. Castle Dome, once a thriving mining town, now rests in eerie silence, its streets devoid of life. Beneath the surface, a labyrinth of over 300 mines lies dormant, their secrets forever hidden. Other points of interest are the majestic sand dunes that proudly claim the title of the country’s largest expanse of inland dunes, stretching across a remarkable 55 kilometres. these dunes have also played a starring role in several movies, including Star Wars and Return of the Jedi. Yuma is also home to the Marine Corps Air Station.

Yuma is noted for its weather extremes. It has the highest number of sunny days per year of which 185 days with a daily maximum temperature of 34 degrees or higher. 121 days of the 185 the temperature exceeds 39 degrees between April and October. Yuma is the driest, the sunniest, and the least humid town in the USA and the lowest rainfall with an average of 80 mm per year. The city receives the most recorded mean sunshine hours of any city on Earth.

During our visit, the temperature hovered around the 48 degrees and a low of 34 degrees at night.

It was time to drive to the USA most dangerous national Park, The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. This park was closed on the southern Arizona border, because in 2003 and the following 15 years saw a steady flow of illegal immigrants – and drug runners – from Mexico crossing the border entering this park. Park officials believe that increased border security and patrols have made the park safe for visitors to get off the beaten path. However, we were warned not to stop for hitch hikers or while bush camping near the border areas not to entertain anyone walking in from the bush or offering them a ride to the nearest town.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

It is situated along the Mexican border, its northern boundary about 24 km south of Ajo by road. Park headquarters and a visitor’s centre are in the southeastern portion of the park, about 8 km north of Lukeville. the town of Lukeville at the park’s southern border is a border crossing point to Sonoyta, in Mexico. We were told this border was closed but it recently re-opened.

It is named for the organ-pipe cactus, which is found in large stands in this area and is so called because its branches resemble organ pipes. The organ pipe cactus can live to over 150 years in age and produces their first flower near the age of 35. These cacti are slow growing, only growing about 2.5 inches a year, with the greatest growth occurring during the summer monsoons. For the first 10 years, it will be no bigger than a few inches and is prone to being trampled by animals or being washed out by heavy monsoon storms. Very few organ pipe cacti will survive until they grow their first stem at around 30 years old. These cacti bloom in May through June, depending on the timing of the winter rains. They open their creamy-white flowers only at night and close again by mid-morning, leaving little time for daytime pollinators like birds and bees to feast on the sweet flower nectar.

The ranger station is named after Ranger Kris Eggle. he was shot and killed by a drug smuggler during a United States Border Patrol operation.

Organ Pipe National Park (monument) now has 20 law enforcement officers, compared to just 5 in 2010. Border Patrol agents in the region has jumped 20-fold, to over 500. However, there is a downside to the high-speed chases it has taken a harsh toll on the park’s environment and lots of concern over effects on soil, vegetation, and endangered species.

The border with Mexico has surveillance towers, vehicle barriers, pedestrian fences. If you want to camp in the area, you do so at your own risk. This area is prone to both human and drug traffickers. Rangers routinely find themselves in, and to seize thousands of pounds of marijuana and other drugs each year. Department of Homeland Security was authorized to construct barriers along the border without having to comply with federal, state, or local environmental laws. The Border Patrol also hired thousands of new agents.

Since the park has reopened you will face greater danger from dehydration and rattlesnakes than from smugglers and illegal immigrants.

Animals include, coyotes, kangaroo rats, the endangered Sonoran pronghorn, (a type of antelope) puma, (mountain lion) desert tortoises, and several species of rattlesnakes. Scorpions, tarantulas, and other desert spiders.

Staying overnight in the park for 3 nights was amazing beneath the dark skies above while surrounded by lots of wildlife noise (coyotes) Waking up with an amazing sunrise in a beautiful desert. And no overnight visits from illegal immigrants or drug runners

Next stop Tucson Arizona also known as the City of Sunshine. There are more than 350 days of sunshine in Tucson, the city is home to interesting museums, historical sites, and great shopping and dining. The surrounding mountains and desert provide a playground for those who love the outdoors, and some incredible scenic drives.

We briefly visited Saguaro National Park, the city of Tucson bisects the park into two parts, an East and West. Its two districts are separated by the city’s one million residents.to the east and west of Tucson. But we were disappointed, Organ Pipes was a lot more interesting.

We visited Williams truck and diesel repair workshop due to a leaking air cooler pipe, we had to wait for parts to arrive after the weekend for us a great opportunity to book into the local Koa campground and enjoy their swimming pool and steak house. While stationary we decided to visit Old Tucson town, unfortunately the still active filmset was closed for maintenance. Many films were shot at Old Tucson Town, to name a few The cannonball run, the three Amigos, Return of the gunfighter, Moonfire, Deadwish, once upon a Texas train, lightning jack, and ghost town to name a few.

Many TV series and TV movies have had at least one episode filmed at Old Tucson in whole or in part including the following: Wanted Dead or Alive, Rawhide, The high Chaparral, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairy

We visited the Pima Air and space Museum which is the largest privately funded air museum in the world, with more than 400 aircraft and spacecraft on show.

The collection includes historical aircraft, as well as some of the most advanced models.

Featured attractions include John F Kennedy’s presidential plane and a replica of a 1903 Wright Brothers Flyer. Including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Orbis DC 10 Flying Eye Hospital. the museum is also home to over 125,000 flight-related artifacts, including a moon rock. over 80 acres and six hangars, and tram tours are led by knowledgeable guides.