Patagonia Lake in Arizona

Where are we now?

K&N RV Park, Huachuca City. Az

For Benno and me the name “Patagonia” brings back lots of memories. In 2008 and 2009 we spent half a year cruising on our own vessel through the fjords of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, at the southern end of South America, on the way to Cape Horn.

Patagonia in South America

Patagonia in South America

Here in Arizona, roughly 30 miles from our RV Park is the town of Patagonia and the Patagonia Lake State Park. We wanted to see it and hopped into the truck to have a look. Basically you follow the State Route 82 until you see the sign to turn off the highway toward the State Park.

Patagonia Lake Arizona

Along the highway past the small town of Sonoita (they have unique road signs) we spotted advertisements of vineries and we saw vineyards that lay dormant at this time of year. Also small restaurants and diners looked interesting. In our rush to get to Patagonia Lake it didn’t occur to me to investigate these eateries further.  However, later when I searched the Internet, I was astounded to learn that the vineyards offer wine tastings and what we missed in regards to the restaurants. I am including a link to the "The best 11 things to do in Sonoita."l 

Further on down the highway I noticed another two neat signs advertising the town of Patagonia, so we stopped there to explore it. The town center nestled between the hills has a few nice stores, restaurants and a hotel.

When we arrived at the gate to the Patagonia State Park we realized that it would not make much sense to pay the entrance fee as it was half an hour before the 4 p.m. closing time, so we turned around and thought we would come again at an earlier time to have a closer look at the lake. I guess the following pictures will speak for themselves and not much explanation is necessary.   

On our return from the Patagonia Lake State Park we passed a shrine built into a cave or grotto high up on a cliff reachable by man made stairs next to the highway. We found it interesting and stopped at the small adjoining parking area to have a look. We truly hope it will not be destroyed in years to come. A sign right there had already a few bullet holes.

State Route 82

Next to the Patagonia sign was this one with a roadrunner. 

We don't have Roadrunner birds in Canada but I took a picture of one in the park for all who haven't seen one in the wild.

The Patagonia Lake State Park and lake area are for sure awesome during the warmer season and it would be also great to tour the vineyards so if you happen to be in the vicinity, then go visit.

Excursions to Tombstone and Bisbee

Where are we now

K&N RV Park, Huachuca City, AZ

One of our day trips was to the town of Bisbee, which is roughly 30 miles from our RV Park. The road we took let us through the historic town of Tombstone. 

Historic Tombstone

Reenacted shootouts on the streets

You can take a ride in any of the stagecoaches

lots of historic buildings

Further on along the highway 80 the landscape becomes very picturesque as the road leads through the Mule Mountains. Bisbee is at an elevation of 5,500 feet.

Along the way to Bisbee

The first thing you see when driving past Bisbee is the big hole or pit where the Lavender mine used to be. This gaping cavity of reddish stone and sand is about 1,000 feet deep and as per Internet info, produced 375 million tons of copper, silver and other minerals including a fair amount of gold over a span of 23 years.

Partial view of the Lavender mine pit

We walked around the fence of the pit to take a picture into the quarry and then wandered on to the part, which is left from the town of Lowell. Most of the town was indeed swallowed up by the Lavender Mine. The town of Lowell is or was Bisbee's closest neighboring town, which is pretty much boarded up, except for a few stores and the famous “Bisbee Breakfast Club Restaurant” that appeared to be busy with tourists and is known for superb breakfast beside other house specialties. Along the road you can admire old and antique cars, trucks and even a tour bus parked in front of abandoned and empty buildings. 

At the other end of the pit, opposite the Copper Queen Mine (we toured that the last time we were here) is the historic and artsy town of Bisbee. The town is built right into the mountain so many streets are elevated. We found a parking spot right in front of the Museum, where the front yard is occupied with a mining train. From there the streets are lined with artsy shops, galleries, restaurants, and antique dealers.  In one of those nice, boutique like stores, Benno found himself a new hat!

Benno asked the guy if he was a prospector on his way to dig for some gold 

Lots of steps up to the elevated town and more shops

We are used to seeing dogs that are being walked on a leash, but how about the girl taking a couple of donkeys on a leash through town?

And I think they got some pretty big flies crawling up the Museum here.

At the Copper Queen Mine you can purchase Geodes (a rock with quartz crystals in them) but they can be found right here in the desert of Arizona or its washes (Quartzsite) you just have to know what to look for!

If you find one of these Geodes, crack it open

Hope you enjoyed the tour and stay tuned for our two trips to Patagonia Lake and to the Whitewater Draw to view 20,000 sandhill cranes.