Churches and Organ Pipes

We are in our fifth year of this fulltime RVing. We have seen more of our wonderful country in four years than in the previous 45 years of our marriage - even more than we experienced in 15+ years on the sailboat. But when we sit still for months, like last winter in the Texas Valley, or when we retrace familiar steps like we did from last Thanksgiving through April of this year, we forget how endlessly fascinating, how interesting, the new discoveries can be.

We are headed east to see David and family in San Antonio and Trace in south Florida, and on the way to  reconnect with good friends. We can see how ruts can get established - traveling the same familiar route to see the same familiar (and treasured) people. But this spring we are reverting to our explorer nature. First along the way is a trip to Organ Pipe National Monument, a scenic spot in the Sonoran Desert south (way south) of Phoenix, Arizona. It is so far (75 miles) off the beaten path that we have bypassed it seven times. But this time...

We decide to base our little excursion in the town of Ajo (the campground at Organ Pipe was closed.) What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be. Ajo is a picturesque town, full of a century and a half of history. Today, it serves as a home base for over 400 border patrol agents and their families, and a bit of a tourist stop for Phoenixites on their way to their vacation homes in Puerto Penasco on the Sea of Cortez, 80 miles into Mexico.

But historically, Ajo was the home of a large copper mining operation which started in the early 1900's and continued until the 1980's when production was shut down and the mine closed. It was a devistating blow, but Ajo didn't dry up and and blow away in the desert. There was a group of retirees and a touch of tourism (on the way to the national monument and Puerto Penasco) and the town survived to experience a bit of a rebound, thanks to the INS and new uses for the leftovers from the mining operations.

Friendly people, and civic pride, and traditional values - it makes for a delightful community ethos which shows through in the RV parks - the place we lucked into was great - and the eateries - the places we ate were great - and the merchants that visitors deal with. The school, churches - the plaza, and the mine, and the museum - they all contribute to the enjoyment of our brief stay.

And, oh yeah, Organ Pipe was interesting too.