Ajo: Garlic or Paint?

Ajo

Spanish translation: Garlic

Tohono O’odham translation: Copper Colored Pigment

There are 13 churches, 1-1/2 grocery stores, 2 gas stations, 2 restaurants (more on that later), 2 motels and 3 RV parks here. No joke…13 churches. This is a pretty sleepy place overall. 

This tiny town is interesting, unusual, quiet, surprising.

The day after we arrived, we drove out to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Park (the main reason we came here). More stickery things of a different shape. When we got back to town we decided to stop at the Agave Grill for lunch. We decided on burgers and both had a hankerin’ for a beer. There was a fairly large selection of bottled beer but nothing with any substance (think Budweiser, etc.). We decided to go for one of the more expensive “imported” beers and had Belgian White. At $4.50 per bottle it would appear “importing” from Colorado is an expensive proposition! To be fair, Tecate is an “import” as well even though the border is a mere 40 miles away. 

The coolest thing about Ajo is the murals. They are everywhere and they are beautiful. They are painted on buildings along the main road and buildings hidden on side streets.

In one area there is a narrow alley between two industrial buildings that in any other town would just be a dark place where garbage piles up. Not in Ajo. They have named it Artists Alley 

and from one end to the other on both sides it is covered with lovely murals. An Alley of artwork…what a unique and wonderful solution to something that could have made that part of town look seedy. 

Chris & I walked from one end of the alley taking many, many photos and I’m sure we weren’t the only ones. 

As we walked back to the car we met up with a gentleman walking his two young children home from school. I asked how long he has lived in Ajo and was surprised when he said it had been only two years. I was even more surprised to learn that they had immigrated here from the Philippines because his wife had garnered a teaching job. Andrew and his sister, Hannah, were absolutely delightful. I wish I’d thought to get a picture of them. 

And the BOOKSTORE!! OH! It was wonderful! The outside is beautiful…all the way down to and including the sidewalk. The inside is filled with new and used books, artwork and a lovely, friendly, helpful person.

The bookstore mural extends onto the sidewalk!

On our last day in town we drove up to the Copper Mine that was the impetus for the beginning of the town. We first spent a good deal of time in the Museum looking at all the old artifacts and enjoying the endless stories the curator had about the town, the mine, the folks and himself. He was wonderful and if Chris’ knees hadn’t been about to give out from standing too long we would have stayed for hours. From the museum we drove up to the overlook of the mine and took a couple pictures. 

The copper mine closed down in 1985 but the town remains. Most of the mine workers left but retirees and Border Patrol families have moved in and the population has grown to about 3600. Everyone we met was very friendly and welcoming. While here I had a minor medical issue and saw a wonderful doctor at the brand new medical clinic (the staff are clearly very proud of it).  Over the weekend, there was a big fiesta on the town square with music, food and families. One evening a coyote loped across the RV park right next to our coach (which Abby took great offense to). This little town is a great place for just vegging out but make sure your wine supply is up to snuff. THE grocery store has a limited supply.