About 3 weeks ago we decided to try a different location for the remainder of our time here in Arizona. We traveled a short distance of about 30 miles to an Escapees Co-op park. We are very impressed with what we have experienced so far. We will be here until mid April.
With that being said, we gotta make the most of the time we have left. We woke up to another beautiful day of sunshine and no wind to speak of. It’s time for us to go explore the area a bit. Let’s go see what the Dragoon Springs is about. We had heard a lot about it and love the history that lies in the mountains here. A little bit of info about it. https://azoffroad.net/dragoon-springs
We knew it wasn’t far away but had no idea what to expect. With anticipation, we approach the (oh no!)“dirt” road that leads us to the Springs. Well that is, to the gate that leads to the Springs. Big letters posted: STATE TRUST LAND, PERMIT NEEDED. Bummer! We didn’t come 3 miles down this awful dirt road to not be able to get there. What could happen if we went in? After all, there was a chain on the gate but no lock! Guess if they really didn’t want us in there it would be locked, right?
Cautiously, Rob gets out of the car and let’s us in and then secures it after we enter. Hoping the last leg of this trip is easier than the last 3 miles, we make the turn to our destination. Whoa! You’ve got to be kidding….Another mile yet to get to get to the Springs. We thought the last 3 miles were bad?? This so called road doesn’t hold a candle to it. Now everyone knows we don’t have rough, dirt road, worthy car. We have a car of convenience and it (and us) didn’t like hitting all the holes, rocks and gullies in the road. This certainly was not a place to get stuck. So we did what seemed to be the only logical solution….we parked the car and walked the rest of the way, stepping aside as other cars passed us by. We definitely hadn’t expected to see others here.
Once at the sight, we found the ruins of the Mail Station and a short distance away, the graves of the soldiers that were massacred there. As I stood among the ruins and glanced around the area it’s hard to imagine the difficulties and hardships they endured back then. Off in the distance we could see what appeared to be the entrance to the Springs. Having read about the Springs, I knew that it would require a hike up the mountain a bit because it was at about 5100 feet. Since it was already 3:30 in the afternoon, common sense told us we could not see it all in one day and it would require a return trip, and hopefully with someone with a 4 wheel drive vehicle! We now had to hike it back to the car so we could take the slow drive down the 3 mile dirt road back to civilization.
It was a fun day. What day isn’t fun when you can get outdoors, smell the fresh air, feel the sun on your back and hear the sounds of nature. We’ve never been on a hike we didn’t enjoy or wished we hadn’t taken. This is part of our “stay healthy” regimen. I hope you all are able to find something in nature that makes you happy, puts your mind at ease and brings peace to your soul! And while you are out there, don’t forget to look around, it’s amazing out there.
**Rob says what don’t kill you, makes you stronger!
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