South to the Border

Posted on by Sunny Weathers
Ocotilla plants appear to be dead, thorny sticks except for the short time they bloom like this.

I am so fortunate to have friends who know every dirt road and driveable wash in this area.  Eager to get outside and distance ourselves from others, I join guides Jane and Leyman for an escape along I-10 on power line roads.  There are a few moderate obstacles and Jane leads the way in her jeep this day demonstrating the ease of overcoming whatever crosses our path.   Flowering desert blooms make this ride visually vibrant and enchanting.

Border Patrol

This week Jane suggests that I follow them down to the Mexican border.  The last time I was near the Mexican border, Storm and I were in Big Bend.  We enjoyed a short hike along the Rio Grande river while bring serenaded from Mexico by a man singing Cielito Lindo (aka the Frito Bandito song).  When I ride out to the border south of Sierra Vista this week, it is very lonely and only the light breeze croons an airy ballad across the prairie.

The "wall" in this area consists of a barbed wire fence and a rail barrier

As we meander south along dirt fire roads, Leyman explains the surveillance equipment that we pass.  Tall towers sprout periodically from the grassland but they are not cell towers.  I learn that these towers detect movement and can pick up footsteps, vehicles, etc.  Once a vibration is detected the tower notifies a border patrol to investigate that sector.  I guess wandering jeeps are not a threat as we travel through the area unimpeded.

These chained tires are dragged along the dirt roads to smooth the sand. Border patrol can then retrace the route searching for footprints.

Ride Along with Me

Sunny at the border
Sunny at the border
One of the sensor towers near the border
One of the sensor towers near the border
A monument dedicated to Fray Marcos de Niza, the first European west of the Rockies.
A monument dedicated to Fray Marcos de Niza, the first European west of the Rockies.
Along power line road, surplus car carrier train cars are parked waiting for the economy to improve
Along power line road, surplus car carrier train cars are parked waiting for the economy to improve
When Jim and I visited Coronado National Memorial we saw only clouds - this is the view we were hoping for.
When Jim and I visited Coronado National Memorial we saw only clouds - this is the view we were hoping for.
Jane leads the way along the border
Jane leads the way along the border
Lunch stop in Lociel, a former border town, includes a visit to this restored one room adobe school house.
Lunch stop in Lociel, a former border town, includes a visit to this restored one room adobe school house.
The road in the distance shows climb to Montezuma Pass.
The road in the distance shows climb to Montezuma Pass.
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In Loving Memory

Stormy Weathers

About Sunny Weathers

Pilot, motorcyclist and full time RVer. Follow me as I travel all over the US in my Country Coach RV volunteering, making new friends and pursuing a constant outdoor temperature between 70F and 80F. I'll share the fun and the tribulations and any great survival tricks I learn!
Comments (4)

4 Replies to “South to the Border”

  1. jim Sandy dukeman says: Reply
    April 24, 2020 at 2:21 am

    Thanks for a shot of the current wall, hope they get the BIG one there soon. Great trip, thanks again, still raining here. :>( Take care. GOD BLESS
    JD
    Jim

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply
      April 25, 2020 at 3:51 am

      The big one is not far away. Hot and dry here – just like a desert! 🙂

  2. Theresa Spalding says: Reply
    April 24, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    Can you believe it’s been 8 1/2 yrs since we were at the border Debbie? That walk on the Rio Grande certainly opened my eyes about the border with Mexico and about how narrow the Rio Grande was at least at that location. The temperature is supposed to get up to 80 degrees today. We have our window opened til then. I imagine it’s getting hot where you are.

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply
      April 25, 2020 at 3:53 am

      I know what you mean! Time really flies. They are talking triple digit temps here next week – not what I was looking for but still not ready to move.

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