Patagonia in Arizona, March 2022 and March 2023

Blog Resurrection ...

I haven't updated this Blog in seven years, and we have been to so many NEW places in these past years that it seems prudent to do so now.

We were looking for a quiet spot to rest for a couple of weeks before making the 4-day drive home in both 2022 and 2023, and found the small town of Patagonia perfect.  Side note - I highly recommend the bakery in town.

	Our campsite on Harshaw Road. There are many boondocking sites on this road before you get to the Hermosa Mine, as well as on San Rafael Valley Road.  Most sites are big enough for large RVs.
	Javelina on the Harshaw Road. About 8 miles up the road from Patagonia is the old Harshaw Townsite and the cemetery across the road. There is only one building left, but the cemetery is interesting, and there is boondocking at this spot. Read more on Harshaw and other local "ghost towns".
	The Patagonia Museum portrays the history of this town and area of Arizona. This is the jail tree, meant simply to hold prisoners, usually drunks, prior to 1937.
	At Patagonia Lake State Park. Being March, a lot of teenagers and kids were here for their Break. The campground was full, and the beach area was packed. The reservoir is used for swimming, boating, and fishing.
	I fell in love with these Arizona Sycamore trees. Their bark is so white, and against that deep blue Arizona sky paints a vivid picture. Photo taken along San Rafael Valley Road.
	The Fray Marco de Niza Historical Landmark on the Duquesne Road. GPS 31.33894044994597, -110.62755541429092
	The Lochiel Schoolhouse being restored by the Patagonia Museum.
	Mining was and still is prevalent in this area. There is currently an open mine on Harshaw Road, the Hermosa Mine, where they are developing the zinc-lead-silver deposit, and studying the manganese-zinc-silver deposit for possible development. Because of this activity, mining trucks do frequent Harshaw Road. I heard that as of 2024, Harshaw Road is closed to through traffic at the mine site. This headframe is not part of the Hermosa Mine, but left over from the late 1800s or early 1900s. It is between Harshaw and Mowry.
	A drive up Gardiner Canyon looking for new boondocking sites brought us to Kentucky Camp. We had an interesting chat with the friendly caretaker. A cabin can be rented on-site and is often used as a base for hiking the Kentucky Camp Trail. There are also many boondocking sites for any size RV on Gardiner Canyon Road.
	We also drove up Flux Canyon, which required 4x4 in a few spots, but leveled out to a nice, dirt road at the top of the "mountain". This was our view during lunch. The road ended at a locked, gated entrance at the back of the Hermosa Mine.