Additional edits to Safford hot spring article.

content/posts/guides/tourism/hot-well-dunes.md

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Hot Well Dunes is one of the few (if not the only) hot springs in southeastern A
 
 ## Summary
 
-Easy to access BLM recreation area with public hot springs only 25 miles from Safford AZ. The pools are only usable when the sun is out and cost $3 per day or $30 per year.
+Easy to access public land with hot springs only 25 miles from Safford AZ. The pools are only usable when the sun is out and cost $3 per day or $30 per year.
 
 ## Misconceptions
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ It is $3 per day for any use of the area. This includes any activity, regardless
 
 ### Yearly
 
-There is also a $30 yearly pass available at the BLM office in Safford. This pass is still subject to the 14 nights of camping in a 28 day period before needing to relocate 25+ miles away per normal BLM rules and guidelines.
+There is also a $30 yearly pass available at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Safford. This pass is still subject to the 14 nights of camping in a 28 day period before needing to relocate 25+ miles away per normal BLM rules and guidelines.
 
 ### "Can I get away with not paying?"
 
@@ -74,13 +74,15 @@ There are two concrete pools, both very similar sizes and designs. One is more c
 
 The temperature seemed the same to me, as well as the fill rate. They each have a small pool within their fenced regions which get filled with the overflow. The temperature felt about the same but are likely a bit cooler, although they're a bit too small to really get a good soaking. I was told people use them to rinse their feet before getting into the main pools.
 
-I got there around sunrise each day and confirmed the pools were near-empty. If it got cloudy then the water would stop and the pol levels would reduce. Learn from my mistake; do not get in until the water is at least covering the 2nd step! I got in too early and it got cloudy, the water went under the first step and was only lukewarm since the air and cement were stealing the heat. Not fun!! 😅
+I got there around sunrise each day and confirmed the pools were near-empty. If it got cloudy then the inlet would stop and the pool levels would reduce. Learn from my mistake; do not get in until the water is at least covering the 2nd step and the sky is clear! I got in too early and it got cloudy, causing the water to reduce until it was under the first step. By then the water temperature had greatly reduced since the air was in the low 40s plus the cold cement had also been stealing the heat. Not the most fun waiting for the sun to come back out, a good test of patience and an unintentional "cold plunge"! 😅
 
 ### Camping
 
-There is both designated (numbered sites with fire rings and sometimes picnic tables under shelters), as well as dispersed camping (wild camping, parking wherever you'd like with no amenities) in the park. Each require paying the fee.
+The recreation area has both designated (numbered sites with fire rings and sometimes picnic tables under shelters), as well as dispersed camping (wild camping, parking wherever you'd like with no amenities). Each require paying the fee.
 
-For free camping, many sites can be used on Haekel Road and Tanque Road. I was also told there is dispersed camping north of Highway 70 in the Gila Box area. I have not confirmed the quality of these sites or roads.
+For free camping, many sites can be used on Haekel Road and Tanque Road. I was also told there is dispersed camping north of Highway 70 in the Gila Box area. I have not confirmed the quality of those sites or roads. There is also plenty of other BLM and USFS land within an hour's drive.
+
+The area is very quiet, with very little air traffic and if you're far enough away from the highway then almost no road noise either. Tanque Road crosses a railroad track but the trains go super slow and only seemed to use their horns during the day.
 
 ### Toilets
 
@@ -88,19 +90,27 @@ There are vault toilets at the hot spring area, at the fee paying area, as well
 
 ## People
 
-I met a kind older man my first day there, a Saturday. We chatted for an hour or so before 3 local youths from a nearby town arrived. They seemed kind enough so we invited them in, then realized they were with a pack of 8-12 people playing normie music from a stereo. Not my scene, and I had already been in for a while, so I left and the older man chose to as well.
+### Weekend
+
+I met a kind older man my first day there, a Saturday. We chatted for an hour or so before 3 local youths from a nearby town arrived. They seemed kind enough so we invited them in, then realized they were with a pack of 8-12 people playing mainstream radio music from a speaker. Not my scene, and I had already been in for a while, so I left and the older man chose to as well.
+
+### Weekday
 
 I visited the next Wednesday and had a much different experience. I met a kind person who joined me and ended up becoming a friend, and I only saw one person get in the other pool. I stayed until at least noon and saw no one else indulge in either pool. So, next time, I'll be skipping the weekends.
 
-Both visits there was someone playing a radio or TV very close to the more private western pool. It was quite distracting, enough that I chose the more open eastern pool on my second visit since their camp noise was already going on by 08:00 / 08:30. It was quite obnoxious.
+### Campers
 
-I also noted quite a few grumpy men who'd have nothing to do with even waving on Saturday. If they saw me in the pool they'd just turn around and leave. Not sure what that was about, if it wasn't for the Wednesday experience I may have written off the place!
+Both visits there was someone playing a radio or TV very close to the more private western pool. It was quite distracting, enough that I chose the less private eastern pool on my second visit since their camp noise was already going on by 08:00 / 08:30. It was quite obnoxious and could still be heard but the distance helped.
+
+### Walkers
+
+I also noted quite a few grumpy old men who'd have nothing to do with even waving on Saturday. No waves from their camps, no waves when walking or driving by, etc. If they were approaching the pool and saw me in it they'd just turn around and leave. Not sure what that was about, if it wasn't for the Wednesday experience I may have written off the place!
 
 ## Conclusion
 
-In future years I'll likely purchase the yearly pass and begin camping down there once the daytime temperatures drop to the low 80s or high 70s. I can hop between the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area and spots further away such as Gila Box and upper Haekel Road to ensure I maximize my 14 days down at the hot springs.
+In future years I'll likely purchase the yearly pass and begin camping down there once the daytime temperatures drop to the low 80s or high 70s. I can hop between the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area and spots further away such as Gila Box and upper Haekel Road to ensure I maximize my 14 days at the hot springs.
 
-This gets me further from the Tucson area, which does not have as good of a camping experience due to the mass of local airports and the distance it takes to get from camp to any amenities. If only Safford had a Natural Grocers, then I wouldn't need to go to Tucson at all! Other than visits to Govinda's, of course. 😜
+That gets me further from the Tucson area, which does not have as good of a camping experience due to the mass of local airports and the distance it takes to get from camp to any amenities. If only Safford had a Natural Grocers, then I wouldn't need to go to Tucson at all! Other than visits to Govinda's, of course. 😜
 
 I'd love to hear if you stop by the hot springs and how your experience goes! My email address can be found at the bottom of the page. 😄