Why Ajo, you ask… well, it just happens to be one of my favorite places on the planet… right up there with Alaska. But this place sealed the deal for me when it comes to the Sonoran Desert… its majestic beauty, its quiet mystery, and a landscape packed full of incredible flora and fauna that feels alive in every direction.
You’ve gotta stop by the iconic church in downtown Ajo… Immaculate Conception Church really sets the vibe. It’s the kind of place that instantly slows you down… white stucco glowing in the desert sun, palm trees swaying, and that quiet, timeless energy that makes Ajo feel like more than just a stop… it feels like a place.
I immediately set up camp and take in the views… it’s amazing how much I’ve missed these beautiful cactus.
Each one has its own personality… like they’re all standing there with a story to tell if you’re willing to slow down and listen.
Here’s a shot of my iconic campsite… the full spread of gear set up. You’ll notice the little side room off my minivan camper… my own extra bit of space out here in the desert. But this spot… this right here… is what inspired the logo for journeyvision.
And of course… there’s the friends. All people I met last year… and every one of us thought Ajo was so good we had to come back.
We’ll start with Garrett… not a Colorado native, but that’s where he made his way from. A former lab engineer working in petroleum… he sold his townhome during the pandemic and essentially retired in his 40s… trading that world for the trail.
He’s a long distance hiker at heart… having completed the Continental Divide Trail… and, strangely enough, we were both out on the Colorado Trail back in 2015 and never crossed paths. It wasn’t until a random moment on social media that our paths finally did cross… one of those coincidences that doesn’t feel like a coincidence at all.
And here’s the whole crew together… a quick trip into town to run errands turned into one of those moments you wish you could bottle up.
There’s me on the left… and next to me is Gary, with his wife Kiki by his side. The two of them are triple crowned long distance hikers… having completed the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail… three of the longest and most demanding trails in the country.
Then there’s Barry… a retired postman who’s as chill and down to earth as they come. Loves to travel… loves a good landscape… just happy to be out here soaking it all in.
And finally, on the far right… Garrett… bringing it full circle
If you want to know the real secret to vanlife… it’s exercise. And the best kind of exercise comes through adventure… every day out here is a new opportunity for something fresh and challenging. There’s nothing like pushing yourself until you’re wiped out… then coming back to your little van to relax and a big meal. After a day like that, I don’t feel restless… I feel satisfied… content… grounded.
One of my favorite parts about coming down to Ajo is the endless gravel road riding. Not so much for technical singletrack, but just good old-fashioned gravel grinding… the kind that makes the miles melt away and your legs hum with that perfect kind of tired.
Along with the absolutely gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that seemed to happen every day, we also had regular nomad get-togethers. There were plenty of others out here doing the exact same thing… waiting out the cold winter months in a warm, beautiful place. It felt good to have that community around… made the desert feel alive, and I never once felt alone.
journeyvision 