Date of Entry March 23, 2026 — Ajo, Arizona
It’s the end of a beautiful day—warm, but very pleasant. For the first time, Lori and I are truly starting to feel like we’re retired. Usually, we’re busy traveling and sightseeing, but today we did absolutely nothing productive, and it was perfect.
A Slow Start in Ajo
The day started with a bit of movement. I got up early for a mile run, then came back to grab Lori for a two-mile walk. After that, the pace slowed down significantly. We headed downtown to the Plaza at Ajo to grab coffee at the Oasis Coffee Shop. Even Ruby joined us, spending her morning lounging in the sun on the sidewalk while we enjoyed our brew.
We made a quick stop at the Visitor Center to scope out the local area and a necessary pit stop at the pharmacy before heading back to the camper with absolutely no plans for the rest of the day.
Making Friends (and Shedding DEF)
I realized the truck was running low on DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), so I ran over to NAPA. I thought I could fit two containers, but it only took about one and three-quarters. Rather than haul a dribble of fluid around, I walked over to our neighbor and asked if he wanted the rest.
An hour later, that simple gesture turned into a great afternoon of sharing knowledge. We met David and Jill, full-time RVers of seven years. Since Lori and I are headed to Alaska this summer, they were a wealth of information.
A Serendipitous Detour: The International Chainsaw Competition
David and Jill gave us a tip that might just change our route. They told us about an International Chainsaw Competition in Canada. It’s an artistic event where sculptors have 35 hours to transform a 4×8 piece of cedar into a masterpiece. The town where it’s held actually keeps the sculptures, so there are over 200 of them scattered around!
I looked it up, and it’s only 30 or 40 miles off the path I had already planned. We’re definitely going to finagle our dates to make that happen.
Sunset in the Desert
It was a hot one today—peaking around 98°F or 99°F—but now that it’s 6:30 PM, it’s dipped below 90°F. There’s a perfect breeze blowing, and Lori and I are just sitting outside the camper enjoying the quiet. I went through my camera to see what I captured today, and honestly? It was just pictures of Ruby.
If you’re following us on Instagram, Facebook, or here on the blog, thanks for tagging along on our “Soulmates Uncharted Journey.”
Have a great evening!
