Painted Desert Trail

                 An excursion with the Hiking Club 

                                            of      

                                Pioneer RV Park

The Painted Desert Trail is in the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge 

(We didn't see much wildlife though)

The guide book mentions Hoodos.

We saw one!

Many of the areas reminded us of other Painted Deserts,

even the Artists Pallet in Death Valley.

The guide book says that miners in the late 1800's brought burros to the area to help with the work.  If you look you can see the trails and remains.

(Burros remain, miners are gone)

"Yup they were here"

 "Humh! Me say burro pass here 2 suns ago"

This was a nice hike, well marked trails, good company.

Lunch at the Lake Martinez Cantina

It's been a while since I have found good "bathroom signs"  Tehe!

This entire area has so much agriculture.  It is really pretty to see the green fields alongside the dry desert, up against the mountains that are quite rugged.

This field is just starting to get picked.  The men pick all the produce by hand, put it onto the conveyer to the truck, and the tractor pulls slowly through the field.

The men have a long day of bending, stooping and picking.

Next time I pick up the fresh produce in the store, this picture of the vast area of our food supply will fill my mind. 

90% of our winter vegetables come from this area. They are harvesting broccoli.