PATAGONIA LAKE STATE PARK
Although we only stayed two nights in March 2021, it was obvious that Patagonia Lake State Park’s large (over 100 sites) and crowded campground is popular with families, boaters, and nature lovers alike.
This 265-acre man-made lake is stocked with crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish.
A large arched bridge is a short walk from the campground and makes for good boat and people watching. In addition, there are several short and flat trails with lots of bird pictured signs to assist you in identifying the many birds that call Patagonia Lake their home. Dusk is filled with the sounds of them!
In mid-March the weather was sunny but required a light jacket.
PATAGONIA MOUNTAINS / CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST
We made a day trip to the Mexican border town of Nogales to do some laundry and grab authentic Mexican food at Cocina La Les Tacos before driving back north and just east of the town of Patagonia to access a boondocking spot that we had scouted in the Coronado National Forest. Doug had also discovered a popular cycling loop through the Patagonia Mountains but at an elevation of just 600 feet we encountered unexpected snow flurries. Doug, Bailey, and Doug’s new friend, Carl, made the most of it!
When the snow (and Carl) disappeared the following day, Doug completed his exploratory ride through the surprisingly scenic Patagonias.
SONOITA WINERY
From the Patagonias we headed for a Harvest Host winery called Sonoita Winery for an overnight stay and some wine tasting. The winery sits up on a hill and has beautiful views but there wasn’t a vine in sight!
We were one of five RVs parked there for the night. I donned my “fancy” shirt and heels for some long anticipated wine tasting, but was extremely disappointed in the tasting experience. The wine bar was understaffed due to gaggle of ladies who unloaded from SUVs already sauced and ready for a bachelorette party that the winery knew nothing about. Upstairs it sounded like a lot of fun! Downstairs we waited for a long time for someone to acknowledge us and when she did her instructions were unclear asking if we wanted to start with sweet and light or dry and bold so Doug chose dry and bold and I chose sweet and light to get the full experience. I’m not a wine connoisseur but my first pour offended the pallet and after it, I asked to switch to the dry and bold side of the tasting menu in hopes it would be drinkable. The second of four pours was a drinkable red blend but I still didn’t like it. The third pour, a syrah, smelled terrible and I dumped it before even tasting it. The woman next to me, asked what made it taste “so peppery” and the specialist said, “I don’t know”, which is something I’ve never heard from someone supposedly knowledgeable in the wines they’re serving. The fourth pour (a merlot/cab/syrah blend) was drinkable, but the tasting fee was more than they deserved as I had no intention of rewarding this winery for its wine or staff and for the first time at a Harvest Host winery, I did not buy a bottle to go with dinner.
Instead, we enjoyed the baby pink and blue sunset by walking around the property empty handed. I give the boondocking location two thumbs up but the wine experience two thumbs down. Their slogan “The Best of the Southwest” is an overstatement.
…the tasting fee was more than [Sonoita Winery] deserved, as I had no intention of rewarding this winery for its wine or staff and for the first time at a Harvest Host winery, I did not buy a bottle to go with dinner.
PARKER CANYON LAKE
Our next stop before refueling and restocking in Sierra Vista was Parker Canyon Lake in the Coronado National Forest (near Elgin, AZ).
A 5-ish mile trail winds around the lake and with its relatively flat surface, we decided to take Bailey with us. The colors that day were that a small child would have chosen…pure blue for the water and sky, white for its dispersed clouds, golden grasses and pine green bushes and trees. Even the dock filled with boats for rent contained primary yellow, primary red, basic green, and purple boats! Swimmers, boaters, fisherman, and a few birds dotted the banks, but the day was quiet and the hike enjoyable!
Our second day at the lake was cold and overcast…a day designed for snacking, reading, and planning next steps in the journey.
