28-Jun-2003 -- I saw the June 12, 2003 Los Angeles Times front page article on confluence project and was immediately enchanted. Seeing that most US spots were visited but Mexico was wide open, I headed South of the Border on the first opportunity. So what if it was mid-summer in the hottest area of N. America? There were confluence points needing to be visited! Sandy Sanders of Map World www.mapworld.com in San Diego set me up with enough map power for at least six confluence visits, got my A/C charged up, and we were off.

Local Oscar Gutierrez (picture #7) helped us find correct dirt road headed off main road (from Tucson to Nogales to points deeper in Mexico.) Navigated our way in dark for hours and many kilometers through about 10 ranch gates over rough, windy dirt roads into hills, determined to arrive at 'trailhead' before making camp. Laid out under stars but didn't sleep too well due to images of the local cattle harassing us as well as Jaguars (biggest cat in North and South America which have been documented/photographed in the area). It was critical that we were ready to hike at sunrise to avoid mid-day heat. Not to mention Jay had to be back in Tucson for flight out that afternoon.

At sunrise began hike across broad flat valley, up canyon, up side canyon, into hills to arrive at the point. This is no confluence point for lazy seekers. But it is not too extreme and is a fun challenge for experienced desert/mountain people. Met authentic local vaqueros (cowboys) Jesus Sr. and Jesus Jr. while hiking down canyon back to our Jeep.

All the mountains, hills, canyons, valleys, and austere ranch cowboy lifestyle of this remote high desert area south of Nogales made for a beautiful area to visit. Curious as to what life was like 100 years ago in the U.S. Southwest? Visit here to find out.

Rushed back to Tucson that afternoon to send brother Jay on Southwest Airlines Flight back to home in Salt Lake. I continued on for 3 more successful confluence visits over the next 3 days.