It was difficult mentally to leave the southern Sonoran Desert? I did spend most of the first three months of the year enjoying the desert for my yard. Even after leaving the Ajo area a short journey took me north, yet still in the upper reaches of the Sonoran Desert, to Wickenburg and Congress area which sort of feel like home.
I thought about several options and possible plans for the ‘where next’ from the Ajo area and ended up staying one night at Belly Acres RV Park to dump, fill, shower, and charge. Also gave me time to formulate a plan for the next day that was basically a reverse of January’s trip south. Doesn’t seem like I can plan much further than that right now.
Left in the morning with thoughts of grocery shopping either locally or in Buckeye which is a much bigger town. Yet I wasn’t desperate for anything in particular. It’s just the unknowing of what stock will be like at the next store option.
Instead I drove the familiar historic Highway 80 to the west of Buckeye and stopped once again at the Gillespie bridge and dam.
The water was a little higher than my last stop. With Cormorants and Great Egrets about.
I didn’t stay long as the mosquitoes were densely visible and over friendly.
Continuing a slow ride north on back roads I felt like somewhere between peaceful Earth and the Twilight Zone. Traffic was minimal.
Approaching the dips and rise along Vulture Mine Road I hit the brakes and found a firm shoulder to park on for brilliant patches of poppies under gray overcast sky.
Pulled onto BLM camping and joined quite a few others, though still parked further apart than a campground or RV park. For only one night I didn’t get too far off the road. Walked about and found a few flowers between the cholla forest.
The next day I braved into the town of Wickenburg and when I pulled into the busy parking lot at Safeway almost changed my mind. Instead, I got up my nerve, put on my gloves, and went inside. Thank goodness it’s a big store and most people were staying out of each other’s way. I got what little I needed and got out unscathed.
Already had an appointment the next day in Congress for an oil change and two new tires on the truck so I went to their local BLM off Ghost Town Road not too far from an old cemetery. Exploring my new yard lead to a nearby wash where I startled a cottontail followed by a jackrabbit startling me.
After the truck maintenance, I went to the Dollar Store and although there was no paper products on the shelf a clerk asked if I needed anything and went in back to get me a 12-pack of TP and two rolls of paper towels. It’s hard to thank these people enough for their continued service.
This is where Al and Kelly from the Bayfield Bunch lived for several winters
Then I returned to Ghost Town Road and parked one site over from the previous day and finally had a decent signal. Now that I have two propane tanks again I’m good boondocking for two weeks at a time.
Joann stopped by for some physically distant visiting and we went for a short walk in the desert. She’s been encouraging me to create more videos similar to the one I did touring my Darby Well camp. I did try another here but with the wind it’s impossible to hear most of it so I’ll keep working on that.
Been spending way too much time on Facebook yet I need to interact with others, stay abreast with the news (that’s almost a joke), and get in a good laugh (might include the previous).
As of 6pm last night “Bryce Canyon National Park will temporarily close until further notice effective Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m.”
And so I am on hold in a safe place with nearby services. I watch and listen to the birds, rabbits hopping everywhere, and enjoy the comfortable temperatures in the 60-70°F range during the day and low 50s at night.
Think I’ll go sit outside in my Sonoran Desert yard, possibly in the shade of the overly trimmed Palo Verde tree that somebody even screwed a board into which makes me sad. But the beautiful world around me makes me smile.
Looks like a good time to enjoy the slowed down pace of life which one should do when they can. Isn’t that what being a gypsy is all about? :O)
Bob
I’ve been doing that all winter. Guess I’ll keep practicing. Glad I’m not as busy as you are. Take care.
Ellaweezee enjoyef her just with you too.
Thanks. Always a joy to see you both.
I feel the same about the Palo Verde tree under which my family parks once yearly in November. We always have to clean up the site as well as mourn the newly chopped off limbs some underthinking previous site occupant did. Clean-up includes spent shell casings, four or five camp fire rings. What are people thinking? Can’t they reuse all ready existing ring? Sigh. It’s my pet peeve…bullet holes in trees, chopped limbs and dirty desert washes and other sites.
I just don’t understand why people treat the land so poorly.
Glad you have found a safe refuge for this trying time.
We’ve had similar experiences having to clean up after those who only think of themselves.
They just don’t get the concept of leaving things better then they find it.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
Thanks. So far this is good. With rain predicted I may move to be on the other side of a wash. I just don’t understand why people come to a beautiful place and then trash it.
I am learning to go to the computer and read your blog there since my phone is the problem, asking for login information when I try to comment. At least the computer doesn’t mess with me. It does always amaze me just how different the individual eco zones are in different parts of the desert. It all looks the same until you really start looking. It is that way in the forest as well. I remember folks referring to every tree as a “pine tree”, and before I learned about such things, I was amazed when I moved to Idaho that the forest there just felt “different”.
My soils training included a bunch of forestry and botany so I learned to recognize the differences. Not just between a pine and a fir, but the micro differences. One of the things I love about having the chance to work outdoors for so many years. As I was saying earlier, which you didn’t see, I can worry about you a bit less now, with two propane tanks and a place to be. At least for the next couple of weeks. Here’s to safety and some kind of decent outcome for you and for all of us. So far so good in my family and friends. Big hugs to you, Gaelyn.
I feel your pain. Many things I do on the laptop I never set up on the phone. My bad. Being a naturalist, like you, I am always amazed by subtle changes in ecosystems, looking at tiny as a world of its own. I’m hoping to hear more about Bryce today so I can make another plan, either go or stay. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts, as you two are in mine as well. Virtual Hug!
I love your physical isolation. We’re pretty much that way here naturally!
Me too, except when I’m Rangering.
You’re ‘almost home’ a great place to hang out for these times. Stay Safe Gaelyn!
Getting closer, could be a while. Thanks. You two be safe and well.
please just stay safe and well! <3 <3 <3 8*)
Thank you. I am doing just that.
As much as I love this Chihuahuan desert, we sure don’t get the flowers this time of year! You’re in a beautiful area for sure. Hope you can find cooler temps moving north. Sadly I can see parks still being closed over July 4 🙁 Stay safe – and sane.
I love the Sonoran. Hopefully the North Kaibab NF won’t shut down to badly at 8000 ft it will be doable into summer, even though I hope I don’t have to. Be well.
What a peaceful post, it has a nice smooth rhythm. I think you and I might share an affinity for bridges and dams. I love your dam shot with the great reflections in the water.
Your story of the Dollar Store reminded me of my mother. We would go to touristy towns that were overrun way back when and the grocery stores wouldn’t have much in the way of meat in their display cases. Mom would be talking to the butcher and say, did you know so and so? Invariably, he’d brighten up and say yes, Mom would say he is my brother and a few minutes later we had steak.
Thanks. I’m trying to stay calm. Never hurts to be local and drop a few names, or in this case look old. She called me a “senior citizen”. 🙁 Bridges have always fascinated me, dams not usually but this one is unique and breached. Stay well.
Check out stgeorgenews today,online, Utah now has virtual border checkpoints.
Mary
Thanks. I saw that yesterday. Sure glad I won’t have to cross that border for a while. Be well, stay safe and sane.
Your photos of the desert take me back to times I’ve hiked with friends. Those poppies and the other blooms are a real treat. Your “yard” is lovely – keep safe and well.
Thanks. Happy to have you along in the desert. But I know you are in your beautiful space. Take care.