Planning around the holidays and full moon

Timing is everything when some camper tanks are full and others are empty so I found myself planning around the holidays and full moon.

I really didn’t want to go to town, but needed a few groceries before the holidays.  So I left Dome Rock camp and went to Blythe, just across the Arizona/California border.  Also bought some killer adhesive construction glue that should work for the camper corners semi-repair.  Now I just need help, at least a little more strength than I and maybe a few more tools.  After a long afternoon in town, I returned to Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) and found a delightful cluster of Saguaros to camp near.  The wind hadn’t abated all day and the desert air was full of dust.

Chilly Christmas eve morn with Sierra and I wrapped up in Gail’s afghan.  So, we stayed in, except for jumping in and out to shoot the amazing afternoon light and shadows.  Have I mentioned I’m getting most of my exercise going up and down the step on the camper?

Twas the day before Christmas, sitting in my tiny house, wrapped in a blanket, with my cat, because thank goodness there wasn’t a mouse.
The sky was dull gray over the mountains so tall, even the inside temperature was chilly as I watched the propane level fall.
Then just before sunset a little light broke through, it first highlighted the cactus, then the mountains too.
Even more exciting to see, anticrepuscular rays rising above a tree.
And then bid goodnight on this desert Christmas Eve. 

As I sat gazing out my windows and wishing this was my yard view, which it was temporarily, I wondered about living full-time in the Sonoran desert.  Wouldn’t it be nice to own some acreage to park my big 5th-wheel and call it home.  Space for friends to visit and park.  Might need more than solar to make AC work during the heat of summer.  A gal can dream.

My Christmas gift is whatever the desert gives.  And when I saw this double shadow thing going on, my brain went to the “Mittens”, a famous rock formations at Monument Valley that shadows only twice a year.  I figured to catch it again the next day, but didn’t get the double.  Ah, the mighty saguaros that are so expressive.

That night I started to watch for the last almost full moon of this year, this decade, this crazy 2020.  Thinking, how nice to have holidays and full moon.

The day after Christmas felt warm enough that by 10am I opened the south-facing door then later sat outside reading until the wind picked up and brought a chill.  Dug out some yarn and crochet hook then googled stitches as I couldn’t remember. But once in hand it came back as finger memory. I’ve been wanting to make a hat from the African silk and mohair bought many years ago but figured to practice with some other wool acrylic yarn first. Need bright daylight for that. Also started reading about the local Sonoran Basin and Range geology. This is young, 6myo volcanic rock.

The next morning I woke up in time for sunrise, and WOW!  Bummer my nearest neighbor’s RV was right in front of the actual rise.  But they pulled out later and I just smiled.

Warm enough later for a short saunter.

And then, a spectacular sunset in several directions.  I just love turning in circles to enjoy those brilliant colors.  Plus, turning in circles helps keep me warm in the early morning.

Then another beautiful morning gave me something to shoot and in panorama because the sky is so big.

Clouds danced and played all day, twirling and swirling, leaving shadows behind and brightness before.  A tiny bit of rain fell.

I figured on not seeing the full moon rise because of the clouds.  But they cleared later and still I missed the actual rise because it came up behind a tree.  But I still got some fun shots.

And yet another great sunrise, without the neighbor in the picture.  If it wasn’t so early, I might could get used to being up to see the sun rise more often.

And although it was chilly, I was ready for the Cold Full Moon rise on Tuesday night.

Plus I caught the moon again in the morning.  Good planning for holidays and full moon.

But with another holiday coming and soon to need propane I returned to Quartzsite’s Shady Lane RV Court for a one nighter to dump and fill.  Also took advantage of their delightful long hot shower.  The sunset brought lots of color, over the RVs instead of the desert cacti.

Before leaving town I spent about 2 ½ hours wandering Tyson Wells, that officially opens tomorrow. Was disappointed the Greek food guy wasn’t there or the brats and kraut truck wasn’t yet open.  What can I say, I like “fair food” once in a while. Talked to a marvelous lady from north of Panguitch, Utah selling lots of superb jewelry and nice beads, even real turquoise. I was tempted by a ring for $150 in the tiniest petti-point I’ve ever seen and drooled a bit over her “cheapest” squash blossom at $1300.  Sometimes, it’s just fun to look.

And then I headed back to the desert on this last day of 2020.  This time I decided to go north of Quartzsite and off Plomosa Road so I’d have a different view. Plus, that puts me on the way back north towards my Wickenburg mail sometime in the near future.