While discussing all the problems of the world at "happy hour" with Denie and Karen, we realized that we had not been to any of the wildlife refuges in the area. So, yesterday (Monday, 1/31) we headed out to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge which is north of Yuma off of Route 95. We were advised that one of the neatest things to do was to walk the Painted Desert Trail. Off we went in search of the trail, down some dirt roads that felt like washboards! Poor HHR!!
We did walk the trail and all were pleasantly surprised at the natural beauty. Around each curve or up the next hill was an altogether different color and formation of rocks. We just could not believe how gorgeous it was and there was no one else on the trail to interfere with the quietness. We were advised not to reach under vegetation or into cracks or crevices because of rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas and spiders. Yuk!!! Of interest, when miners came to this area in the late 1800's, they brought burros to carry their gear. When a miner died, his burro was left to wander into the desert and did adapt to the harsh desert conditions. While walking the trail, we found lots of burro "droppings" and could also see the trails that they make up and down the hills. We finally got to see two of them, a male and a female just watching us and probably hoping for a carrot. (Wonder if they even know what that is?)
Now you won't hear from us again until we're situated in Tucson. Later----
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