Organ Pipe ... Part Dos

Cool and rainy unsettled weather has sent us back west to Organ Pipe National Park for the warmth. Although it was raining when we arrived and some very dark clouds eventually overtook us, it is right on the border and will be missing a lot of the cold nights. It should be sunny and warming up as we go into the next few days. 


Went to a Superintendent Chat program this morning and got the real story about security here. I think our ignorance was maybe better.
We will be more cautious about our solo hiking this trip. We have signed up for a Park Service van tour on Mon thru Ajo Mountain Drive and again for Tues for a "Special Border Patrol Escorted" van tour to Quitobaquito on the border, an area that has been closed for years. Sounds like the park service has not offered that before so will be a new experience for all.  This will be our first real visit to the wall and war zone. Had to sign waivers for it. We may chicken out before Tues if things get crazy or we get out of the sun long enough for our brains to cool off and start to work again. 

Campground is less than 1/2 full. They say visitation has dropped ...  might be the 22 dead bodies they found in the park last year?? ...  Or maybe it is the guns and drugs they regularly find stashed on the edges of the road??  ... Or maybe it was the 4 guys they arrested in the campground last week??.... Or possibly the 2 dead bodies that were executed and thrown over the border fence.
You know ... it is probably the 450 Border Patrol agents that are assigned to this area, and the cameras watching you when you step off the trail to pee that has really put everyone off.


This is such a beautiful place ... such a shame ...flowers and shrubs are starting to bloom and the desert is green ...... and it doesn't feel scary at all.