I ran from the cold nights near Ajo then checked into a RV Park for a few nights in Quartzsite and Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) then called me back for full moon until the fridge wouldn’t stay lit so returned to Quartzsite again.
Parked and level in Shady Lane RV Park with full hookups for $22.50/night, can’t be beat in Quartzsite, Arizona. Sitting comfortably with heat on as the night temperatures dropped near freezing Fridge plugged in and humming along keeping the food cold. Considering this park’s vicinity to both main roads and it’s size with 80+ sites it is really pretty quiet.
I was even fortunate enough to join the owner who I follow on FB, Finius the Skinniest, and some other RVers on an outing into the nearby desert on Finius’ mine claim.
He drove several of us over some pretty crazy BLM ‘roads’ while Breezy took video, which I’ll try to link to on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/theadventuresoffiniustheskinniest/videos/799036383905843/
Lots of pretty rocks but no gold found that day. I refrained from gathering more than three pocket-sized pretties. Also lots of laughter.
Look closely for spots of color, 6 people
Good thing Finius loaned me a walking stick even though I didn’t climb as high as the others.
I spotted a small, 1/2 inch, scorpion, first of the year, and several tiny little flowers that are difficult to photograph. A wonderful day. I really needed some socializing.
Crossing the Colorado River on I10
After four nights there I drove 20 miles west to Blythe, California for groceries.
Then returned to Palm Canyon Road on the Kofa NWR to boondock and hoped to catch the almost full moon rise over the Kofa Mountains Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, the actual full snow moon, clouds were predicted before the next storm with rain.
Still having problems with focusing the camera. Maybe it’s my eyes.
Saturday night the fridge shut down. Still had propane with stove and oven working.
Sunday, as the clouds moved in, the fridge would not stay lit. I blamed it on the wind and turned the truck to block that side of the camper. Didn’t help.
With a freezer full of food, including more ice cream than I could eat in a day, I drove back to Quartzsite, filled the propane tank, and parked in my same site at Shady Lane. Fridge works fine on 110 electric.
That night the sunset was spectacular complete with crepuscular rays and here I was in town. Sigh…
I googled the problem and as suspected it ‘might’ be the thermocoupler. Thinking that I had changed one of those myself long ago I went to Youtube for instructions. Monday morning I walked the four blocks to a RV parts place and bought two thermocouplers as I wasn’t sure which one was needed. I can return the unused one for a store credit. No problem, there’s always something RV needed. I found the original Dometic refrigerator manual, opened the outside panel for the fridge, took a look, and decided this job was beyond my knowledge, skills, and abilities, not to mention tools. Hmmmmm…
Later that day, blogger friends Sharon and Sue, who I hadn’t met yet then turned out I had, would be boondocking south of Quartzsite. They picked me up and we had a late lunch at Silly Al’s Pizza. These two ladies are just as wonderful as I’d imagined. We chatted away like the old/new friends we bloggers are.
Sierra ponders the view
Tuesday, I pay for yet another night at the RV park and wait to hear back from a RV mobile tech to look at the fridge. He’ll be here Wednesday afternoon so guess I’ll be here again.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve returned to Quartzsite and Kofa NWR this winter. Beginning to feel like home. Never thought I’d say that about Quartzsite. Yet I no longer have a home to go home to. All these years on the road and for the last 15 years I’ve called Yarnell home. What happens when you don’t have family and no longer have a base to return to?
Incredible sky and moon photos, but then so are all the other photos, You really must miss Yarnell, always somewhere to go to, but summer will be arriving soon and we guess you will be back at work again and move into the 5th wheel which is you summer home. I am sure there is also always a place for you in RSA. I know how much Joan would love to see you again. Of course there is also always France, but you would miss the wide open spaces Take care, hope you soon sort out the Propane. Diane
Thanks. I love the winter desert but it was nice to have a place to return to, not so much Yarnell itself, but Berta. I return to Bryce mid-April. I still think about retiring to RSA, or at least visiting again.
Ah yes, no family, no base – what holds you here? What ties you to the day, and the days that follow? I think your eyes turn increasingly inwards and you search deeper. I think one hopes for a peace, but I anticipate a lonely road.
Well that’s pretty deep. Life holds me here. The fascination of a new day. Yet I do try to look inwards. And though I travel alone, I am rarely lonely.
I sure hope the tech inexpensively figures out the fridge issue, Gaelyn. At least it’s still cooling on electric; a good sign indeed.
Yes, having the fridge still working is a good sign. Guess I’ll know the rest later today.
If your Mobile Service Tech doesn’t show up or can’t get the Fridge working try RV Lifestyles. They seem to help a lot of the Bloggers we follow.
Be Safe and Enjoy the Kofas.
It’s about time.
Thanks, I’ve been to them before.
Your question is a good one. We thought when we moved to Greece that ‘living out of a storage unit and hotel rooms’ back in the States would be our lifestyle. It lasted for a single visit – the hotel room prices were outrageous as was the storage facility rental and we felt ‘homeless’ (which we were). Buying a smaller place on the other side of the state has given us a base and at least the feeling of roots. . .which as a traveler/vagabond, I didn’t ever think I would need, but do.
I’ve lived happily for months out of a suitcase and in the RV which gives me a feeling of home but it does feel weird not to have a place to return to. Sadly, buying is not in my budget.
Our current RV is the first with a fridge/freezer, we’ve had ice chests before. Couldn’t do without one now. Hope RV tech can get yours fixed.
Considering how old this unit is I am thankful for no problems before. Yet having it work on 110 is a good sign.
You took some great desert moon shots, Gaelyn. I only took a couple from the deck at the house because we were in the throes of a several day blizzard. I imagine not having Berta and your “headquarters” in Yarnell must be hard. I always dread when something goes wrong at the house, and we must call a service tech. I had to dispute a plumbing bill (for furnace) a few months ago. It was finally adjusted, but it required perseverance. I think now I’ve learned to keep notes on when the techs come and leave and what they say they did to fix (or not fix) the problem. I’m glad you’re able to hike again (and socialize).
Thanks. Even shots from your deck are gorgeous because you live in such a place, snow or no. I try to note the time a tech works, but when something is broken it needs to be fixed. Good for you paying attention and getting an adjustment. Might be time for me to adjust.
Totally gorgeous pictures Gaelyn. Those full moon shots are spectacular. Really sorry to hear you have fridge troubles. They are among the worst because of the what to do with the food problem. Hope this tech knows his stuff and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I’m missing David terribly and appreciate over and over how wonderful it was to have him able to fix anything. It’s $100 to come out and then $75 for the first hour for a tech here. Sure hope it’s more reasonable out there. Campgrounds are another problem here. No just dropping in like you are doing back and forth. Reservations ages in advance or too bad and no BLM land. Sorry for the whining. I sure envy you the rarely lonely.
Thanks. Tech solved the fridge problem today, $45 to visit and $85/hr min. No parts were needed. Adjustment on the propane regulator and a good cleaning. Does suck not to know how to do this stuff myself. Fortunately, Quartzsite is only crammed absolutely full in January, still busy but not crazy. I do love BLM and NF public lands best in the west. Whine all you like.
Good to read you got the frig fixed and it wasn’t a big fix. Yes, being able to do these repairs would be nice. Lovely moon photos!! You always do such a nice job capturing those beautiful moon rises. Have you ever thought about an Escape lot? They seem to be so reasonable and you already have the RV unit. Lots of people and activities. And if it doesn’t workout you get your money back, no lose.
I don’t have the strength, knowledge or tools for repairing most things. Not to mention the ‘I don’t wannas’. Thanks, I need more practice but am getting better at shooting the moon. 😉 I haven’t looked into the lot idea, yet. Hard for me to make a commitment.
Thank you for the pictures and descriptions. I normally am in Quartzsite this time of year but life has changes. A thought on refer, I’ve had the same problem and found excess oil in propane. Purged lines and all ok, the oil sometimes causes other problems so keep checking. Wish I was there. Rich, Sacramento.
You’re welcome. Always happy to share the desert. Yesterday the tech thought it was low pressure from the regulator. But today it still won’t stay lit, as I discovered after buying groceries in Parker. So I am back in Q once again. Thanks for the suggestion. Wish you were here.
Beautiful photo’s Gaelyn, Love those sunsets, and isn’t it nice to meet up with people you know .enjoy the coming weekend and the rest of your travels.
Thanks. I love meeting bloggers because I already know them. Have a wonderful weekend.
Everything looks in sharp focus to me. I really like your moon shots. They can be so tricky, but these are excellent. I like the shot of the sun behind the ocotillo too!
Thanks. Maybe the problem really is my eyes. Though when I enlarge many shots they look out of focus to me. Moon is the hardest.
I admire your spirit and sense of adventure and the last sentence of your post just chills me. You really are brave and tenacious.
Thanks. Sometimes it’s just bravado. What else can I do. Chills me too.
So, today is Feb. 16th. Where are you? Is your propane issue fixed? You may not remember, but we were the ones that actually drove into the residential area looking to find you last spring. It was your day off. We live here in Quartzsite. We know people. Maybe we can help?
Thank you for asking. Would be great to meet and I thank you for the offer to help, which I hope I don’t need. It is, mostly, working.
Are you still in Q? For how long?
I sent you an email.