If somebody would pay me to travel and explore I’d just keep on going because no matter what natural area visited I enjoy a love affair with the land.
Since mid-January the wind blew me to numerous fascinating places in the Southwest. The truck and camper survived the 2200 mile journey. I worked on improving the making of photographs. And I can add at least a couple serious new love affairs with the land from this winter’s journeys including the lush Sonoran Desert, the dramatic Eastern Sierras, and the pastoral Owens Valley. Plus they all deserve return visits for further explorations.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona
Making a plan versus not making a plan
I didn’t plan to fall in love, but I love making a plan. Research and reading about places I want to experience, making a list longer than life even though I accept not seeing them all is really part of the fun. Yet this winter I went from one place to another as the feeling struck, or someone made a suggestion like being set up on a blind date. This type of courtship took me a while to adjust to, yet over time, and I mean weeks, won me over. I felt so relaxed and at ease even with the turmoil of our current political state which I kept up with to a point before high blood pressure. Back to nature for the calm and centering needed. Where I feel love the most.
Darby Well Road Sonoran Desert near Ajo Arizona
I did have a plan to visit with friends and attend Blogger-Fest in Quartzsite in January and that instigated a visit to nearby the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Then because a high school friend was wintering in Mesa I spent a few days way too close to the city of Phoenix but at least we got out for a hike on Silly Mountain along with many good laughs. From there an invitation to visit a friend working in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument had me headed south towards the border. I so fell in love with this Sonoran Desert landscape that I spent most of February there. Then I heard some friends planning an early March visit to Valley of Fire in Nevada and I figured why not as I’d only been there once before. The winds of chance next blew me to Death Valley National Park, a place I can never visit too often. But with a weekend coming and map in hand I remembered reading several blog posts about the Alabama Hills, a place I’d never been. In fact it had been 40+ years since I’d traveled US395 and the Owens Valley. And dang if I wasn’t hooked again. Love at first sight with the Eastern Sierras and before I knew it another two weeks had passed by. As the end of March approached I began to feel a draw back home to Arizona yet made a couple more stops along the way.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Arizona
Camper comforts and room for improvement
By far the best investment for the camper was a new 100W solar panel that solved my electric needs which is mostly just lights and the fridge ignition. I use an inverter plugged into the truck for charging the phone and running the laptop. I have thought about getting a small generator but they are noisy and not particularly cheap. Sort of like buying an overpriced diamond to get engaged instead of saving the money for experiences.
I don’t use the fresh water system in this old beast, especially after the first winter when water froze and broke the kitchen faucet. My bad. But I have concerns about the rest of the plumbing and am not a plumber. Just one of the many things that need to be looked at and repaired. Water in jugs works just fine and a dishpan in the sink saves space in the gray water tank. The occasional plant that gets watered is happy and so am I. I am careful not to put food scraps down the sink or outside for critters. I am picky about drinking water, either buying by the gallons or running through the Britta. But with conservation I can get by on one gallon a day plus at least that much to drink.
Luckily I have a handy neighbor who rebuilt the two “wings” of rotten wood that overhang the truck bumper on each side by about two feet. Had to be done in order to remount the protective plastic that half fell off somewhere between Fossil Falls and Barstow on the way to Mojave Trails. Once the camper comes off the truck he’s going to reinforce a few other areas of old wood.
I’d like to replace the foam on the dinette cushions that are flattened and old. It’s really the only place to sit inside. And I need to finish the curtains so I can be rid of those awful metal blinds.
Eastern Sierras Independence California
Experimenting with photography
I definitely have a love affair with photography and am constantly reading and learning how to improve the relationship with my camera. I honestly tried to carry the tripod around more and use it but it’s a bit heavy to use as a walking stick on longer hikes. I’ve been using manual (M) for a long time and tried moving back and forth with aperture (A) and shutter (S) priority. Had fun with sun bursts. I took more time composing a shot and observing edges to avoid a silly tree branch or such. Looked at different perspectives and even got down on the ground once in a while. Ugh, not my best position. Really tried not to overdue the post-processing like I did when first introduced to Lightroom. Now that I’ve opened a new photography website I actually look at my photos on the screen with a more discriminant eye. Out of 10s of 1000s of photos only a few make the cut. All this is sort of like looking at old love affairs and learning from mistakes.
Death Valley National Park California
Reflections
The getting there, being there, rinse wash repeat, I love it. The driving part, I’m getting a little tired of that. I just don’t ever feel like putting down many miles in a day. Having said that…
I’ve been traveling alone so long it’s now difficult to relax enough to travel with anyone. Call it independence, stubborn, unable to make compromises, or maybe all of these. It’s also a chance to learn about myself and spend time living in the now. I can barely describe how I feel when traveling solo, in my element, no matter the surrounding natural environment. I love them all for what they are. I love them NOW because I’m there. Yet I’m friendly so have no problem meeting and chatting with people wherever I am. I’m an ambivert, finding balance with my extrovert and introvert characteristics.
Eastern Sierras & Alabama Hills California
I love being able to share the moments on social media. I’ve seen cell towers everywhere I’ve gone. They are not obnoxious, intrusive or ugly. They are just there like we used to have electrical and telephone lines. I got a signal almost everywhere except the Alabama Hills. Sure wish I could say that for the North Rim Grand Canyon.
North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
What’s next
Yet another landscape I love, and sleep with, calls me to return. Yup the North Rim Grand Canyon, the 10th summer I call this place home. So it’s time to take the camper off the truck for some repairs and to haul the 5th-wheel back to the canyon. I report for work May 1 but the North Rim doesn’t open to the public until May 15. And this year begins with limited services due to a major waterline break.
Maybe next winter I’ll put the 5th-wheel in storage and live in the camper while traveling. I’d love to take a fall journey to the Pacific Northwest where I’ve been trying to return for several years. Yet I’m sure whatever journey I make there will be a love affair with the land.
What a great winter recap. As usual your photos are fantastic.
Thanks Steve.
You go girl! You are an inspiration to all of us. Have watched your posts over the last year and your photography has really become a thing of beauty. Hope to visit North Rim this season. My wife and two Huskies would love to give you a big howdy when we do. Love your spirit and enjoy following your travels.
Thank you Lew. Sure hope to see you, wife and Huskies, at the North Rim this summer. Let me know when you’ll be there.
An excellent winter recap with your photos to emphasize your experiences. Welcome back to your home on the North Rim.
Thanks Jeff. I’m not quite there yet. Hopefully this weekend.
You hit so many places we loved this winter. Most of the places you stopped, we also visited on the spur of the moment after talking with someone or reading a blog. I love having the ability to make a last minute change. We, too, travel alone. Having friends near can be fun but can also cramp our style. We prefer to hike alone and enjoy the quiet and just listening to the sound surrounding us. Your photos are beautiful.
Have a great season at the North Rim!!
Thanks. I love getting recommendations from others, like yourselves, for places to visit.
I really loved this review and your reflections on travel. The joy of RVing is the ability to move on a whim as you did — and also (after you are retired, which we were) the ability to stay as long as you want.
Thanks for giving me the word ambivert, which I think describes me as well.
As much as I love my job, I’ll be glad when fully retired so I can just go and stay as I want. Good to know another ambivert.
This is a wonderful post Gaelyn with fantastic pictures. I have found your photography to so wonderful that it’s hard to believe it can get better but every single one of these is professional quality. I’m privileged to be able to see them I think. I so want to do what you are doing, just drift along letting my instinct take me. But for now, everything I do has to be planned around treatments. It’s hard to envision that will ever change. I have to be happy I can go anywhere. I too an am ambivert and living 24/7 in a 35′ RV with someone is difficult at times. Glad you have such a handy helpful willing neighbor. It’s hard to say this is my favorite post ever but it might be.
Thank you so much Sherry. I do hope your western travel dreams come true someday.
Hi, Gaelyn,
Your write-up sure conveys your love of the outdoors, nature, and travel. The photos that accompanied your latest blog, are beautiful. I am sure that Nancy and I will be thinking of you and others as you gather on the North Rim to prepare for another season on May Day. Interesting that this will be your tenth year! As you probably know, we spent ten seasons volunteering up on the Rim.
Thank you George. Hard for me to believe this is the 10th year. I’m shooting for at least GRCA’s 100th birthday. Will miss you there again this summer.
Thanks for the post. Your photos are very nice; I especially like the Alabama Hills work. I, too, treasure traveling alone but would enjoy a few days camping with you next winter if your up for it. Meanwhile, I’ll see you at the NR.
You’re. LOL – I just couldn’t let that go.
Thanks Rebecca. Practice makes better. I do hope we can get out to camp/shoot together sometime. From a fellow grammar Nazi. 😉
Really beautiful shots and landscapes. I love the idea of having a love affair with nature. It seems like they’re part of us and talking to us. If everyone knew how peaceful is travelling into this places. They don’t want to come back to noisy and smokey city anymore. The pictures says it all, how peaceful it is. Great story, thanks for sharing
Thank you Diana. Probably one of the healthiest love affairs.
What a beautifully written post and I love your love affair. Stunning photos, why do people want to live in cities!!. Thankfully our hamlet only has 10 houses and that suits me just fine as I only have to walk past a few and I am in the country.
Your photography is going from strength to strength. Have a great week, Diane and Nigel
Thank you so much Diane. Thank goodness some people do want to live in cities or the country would be crowded.
A most wonderful post. Your Winter travels were so diverse and truly spectacular. Your photos are so stunning – I especially love your eastern Sierra pics. Hard to believe you’re back to the North Rim again next week, how time flies while living this fabulous life.
Thanks. However I feel like I barely scratched the surface of possibilities. Look at all the wonderful places you two have visited. And, BTW, thanks for some new suggestions.
I’ve really enjoyed your wintertime travels this year as random as they appeared to an outsider. You went to some great places and introduced me to some great things. I especially liked the posts about the internment camp. I think we need to be confronted with things like that not to make us feel bad or lessen our pride in our country but to make us realize that our actions have consequences and denial does not lead to anything good.
Your photography has indeed gone up a notch. I’m inspired. I think I will start experimenting with the M setting this year.
Thank you very much Yogi. Manzanar is etched in my mind. Your photography has also improved over the years, especially your special effects. Isn’t it fun to improve with practice? Try A first. I also bracket with RAW for HDR post processing. It was a fun winter but I’m ready for the canyon. I roll north tomorrow.