Adventure, Switchbacks, and the Road to Ajo 🌵
What a day of contrasts! We woke up to a crisp 48°F at the Valley of the Fires Recreational Area—a welcome relief after yesterday’s 90°F heat. There’s nothing quite like that high desert air cooling off at night to recharge your batteries.
The Bosque and the “Ghost” Fort
Our morning started at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge near San Antonio, New Mexico. We spent about an hour exploring the Visitor Center and hitting the hiking trails. It’s such a serene spot, though the peace was about to be traded for some serious rattling!
From there, we ventured out to Fort Craig. Now, I’d recommend the history, but maybe not the drive if you value your dental work! It was a 5-mile dirt road that was incredibly rough. We were practically the only ones there, save for a site host who’s been there for a year and a half. Looking at the sign-in sheet, only about 15 people have visited all month! Still, hearing about its role in the Civil War made the slow, bumpy trek worth it.
Climbing to 8,623 Feet
On a recommendation from Karen (owner of the No Scum Allowed Saloon), we set our sights on the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. To get there, we decided to be adventurous and took NM Route 152.
Let me tell you, “unique” is an understatement. It’s Switchback after Switchback as you climb to an elevation of 8,623 feet. That 50-mile stretch felt like a marathon behind the wheel, but the views were unbeatable.
Settling into the Heat
We finally pulled into Mountain View RV Park in Bowie, Arizona. The thermometer hit 98°F when we arrived. Back in Indiana, that would be miserable, but out here? We must be getting used to the dry heat because it actually feels pretty good.
What’s Next?
We have one more leg of the journey before we reach our “home away from home” in Ajo, Arizona. We’re planning to hunker down there for about a month to:
Rearrange the rig for better flow.
Ship back the gear we realized we don’t actually need.
Receive a few essentials we missed on the first pass.
It’s been a long, beautiful, and bumpy ride, but we’re ready to settle in for a bit.
Until next time,
Brian, Lori, and Miss Ruby 
