Garry and I took our first trip of the year to the Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Monument and rode the Puerto Blanco Drive. It was only 36 degrees when we started out this morning. That's pretty cold at 74 mph. A few pictures and comments here to get this new year started out right.

About 10 miles north of Ajo, AZ is a very picturesque canyon that AZ 85 travels through.

During a few moments each day the sun does amazing things to the landscape.

But then I've always thought God is the absolute number one Artist!

Garry is electrified with his heated riding gear.

My heated riding gear included a heated cab.

At the Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Monument Visitor Center ready to leave.

Not far down the trail we are reminded that age affects us all the same way. :(

We are starting out in a saguaro forest. 

Pretty soon we've added Chainfruit Cholla to the mix.

Garry on his Super Tenere

The sunlight sure illuminates the Cholla

Most of the road was in pretty good shape, although a little loose where the grader had just gone by.

Most of the Ocotillo looked like this one.

However this ocotillo must have a spring running under it. It is the most lush one I've ever seen.

One of the Organ Pipe cactus. This is pretty much the northern boundary of this species.

Garry coming around a curve in some of the loose stuff from the grader.

But doing a fine job keeping it up.

The remains at Bonita Well

The park was formed in 1937, so I guess this corral and well are from before that.

Here comes Garry, I gotta go!

Lots to explore if one had unlimited time.

They want you to stay on your toes! At one of the border checks I told the patrolman that I didn't see any of the wildlife they warned us about at the visitor center. Snakes, scorpions and the like. He thought I was referring to the warnings on this sign and told me that they are there as they had caught 10 that morning.

If nudity offends you, please close your eyes before looking at this naked ocotillo.

Quitobaquito spring is one of the rare natural oasis in the desert.

It's a 1/4 mile hike to the spring and pond and we are a little bit leary of leaving our bikes unattended this close to the border. That undulating fence is the international border between Mexico and AZ.

I didn't drink any of it, but this water looks to be pure!

It is home to the endangered Pup Fish. Can you see them?

Some big ones, almost 2"

A little easier to see with the darker background.

Refreshing trails to walk.

Garry took my picture.....................after I begged.

He didn't have to beg

This is the little creek feeding water from the spring to the pond.

I thought this was the headwaters of the spring, but they are further up the hill. We were satisfied with just going this far.

The new wall is going to be a lot harder to cross. That's some big machinery down there and the wall is much taller.

Nice bike.

The beginning and the end.

Between Ajo and Gila Bend is the Barry Goldwater firing range. I remember them shooting live ammo there on one of our trips to Puerto Penasco. I think I was the only one in the group that didn't see it happen.

Half way there, or half way home depending on which way your going.