Gila Bend - Rock Paintings and Rodeo

02-12-2018 thru 02-18-2018

Monday and Tuesday – Enjoyed the RV park facilities including watching a pickle ball tournament being held for the Yuma Senior games. This is the first time we have watched anyone play and it looks like fun. Not sure if I would be able to play as well as these folks but would like to try it. We played boccie ball with a couple of ladies on Tuesday then watched the band that was playing for the park Mardi Gras celebration.

Fortuna De Oro RV Park

Bocce Ball Courts

Neat Metal Statue

Mardi Gras Celebration

Wednesday – Our three free days are up so time to move. Headed east to Painted Rock Petroglyph site and campground just north west of Gila Bend. It was a 80 mile trip and we arrived in the early afternoon. It was kind cool and windy so we stayed in the camper and worked on a puzzle. It rained on and off most of the evening and night. Not great for us but I am hoping the rain will mean the desert will start blooming. I made soup and nan bread for supper then we watched the movie MASH.

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

Thursday – Took a drive into Gila Bend. I noticed there is a rodeo there this weekend. We stopped at the visitor center to get info and visit the museum. We talked to a couple of ladies who worked there. They told us to be very careful when exploring out in the desert. Apparently this area is a major drug and illegal immigrant trafficking route. “If you run into one of these groups in the desert they will probably shoot you.” Not what you want your town to be known for.

Dennis playing the slot machine at the museum

The rodeo is part of the two day Gila Bend Butterfield Stage Days. We checked out a couple of spots to bring the RV for the weekend. After talking to a couple at the gas station who were headed for the Gila Bend Elks Lodge we headed over there and discovered we could park there for the weekend for a $5 a day donation. And its right next to the rodeo grounds. Sweet!

Friday – Packed up and moved to Gila Bend early in the morning. We were parked and set up by 10:00 so decided to head down to Organ Pipe National Monument for the day. It is only about an hour south of Gila Bend. Most of the drive was through flat desert with the exception of a short section thru a pass with some unique rock formations. Once at the park we stopped at the visitor center. We learned this is the northern most range of the organ pipe cactus as it is very susceptible to frost. From there we drove the 21 mile gravel Ajo Canyon Trail. A pretty drive through areas with lots of Saguaro, Organ pipe, Ocotillo and Cholla cactus as well as many other Desert plants. It is passable with a regular vehicle but was very bumpy in spots.

Organ Pipe National Monument

Saturday – Rodeo! Competition started at 10:00. We watched about an hour of it then headed to the Gila Bend Museum to take a tour of the Gatlin Archaeological Park. This is an ancient Hohokam community discovered in 1959. It is not open to the public but we were lucky enough to be here to take a tour led by a local archaeologist who studies this culture. After that we when back to the camper and watched the remainder of the rodeo. It was so neat to be right there and see all the action. I was awed watching the little tykes, some as young as four years old, doing the same stuff as the big kids and adults. Some of them were roping as good as the older kids.

Gatlin Archaeological Park

Sunday – Today the rodeo started at 8:00 and was over by 2:30. Another awesome day watching lots of roping and riding.

Where we are parked: Fortuna De Oro RV Park – Site 899 – This is a very large RV resort with all the amenities: Golf, boccie ball, shuffle board, pickle ball and tennis courts, two swimming pools, a restaurant and bar. Also lots of activities in one of several clubhouses. We are staying free for 3 nights. RV site rates: Daily $42, Weekly $275, Monthly $675 plus utilities. There are other rates for extended and fall only stays.

Where we are parked: Painted Rock Petroglyph site and campground near Gila Bend – site 10 – total of 60 sites. Sites have picnic table and fire ring. No other facilities.

Where we are parked: Gila Bend Elks Lodge #2089 – Large gravel parking lot for dry camping – After checking with the bartender we were told we did not have to be a member and could park for a $5 donation. No facilities available but close to town and the rodeo grounds. Quit a bit of road and train noise.