Kofa feels like home for many reasons. I soak up the desert apricity on sunny days while I wander into my “yard” and get better acquainted with the plants and animals who also call Kofa home.
Sunrise for a Woodpecker, and me
After Joann left Saddle Mt the flies chased me away as well. I had choices to make for chores, 30 minutes east to Buckeye for shopping, then an hour west to Quartzsite for an overnight before south to Kofa. Or, 30 minutes west to Quartzsite, same north to Parker for shopping, and back to Q for the night before Kofa. I opted for the second choice, in a different order.
In the morning I called Shady Lane to see if I needed a reservation for the night. Nope, my usual space would be available. I hit the road early and drove freeway west to Quartzsite. Early and freeway, both unusual activities for me.
I wanted to check out the vendors at Tyson Wells and wasn’t sure how parking would be. February isn’t as crowded as January so I had no problem in the lot that morning. I walked, up and down the isles, just looking, don’t really need anything. A stack of five collapsible mixing bowls, screwdrivers, sink strainers, jewelry, rocks, dog sweaters, CBD oil, beads, old license plates, you name it. I bought none of those things. Was hoping the Greek food cart would be there. But a lot of vendors were already packed up and gone.
Then I saw a jewelry carrying case similar to one I have and love, so got that and a couple extra trays that fit inside it. Took it back to the truck and returned looking for something to eat with limited choices and had a sloppy and just OK pulled pork sandwich. Finally the RV-stuff store for toilet chemical, a kneeling pad and a couple of LED light bulbs. There’s always something on the RV needs list.
Filled both propane tanks after almost three weeks and went to Shady Lane for the night, dump, fill, and long shower. My reputation precedes me as my neighbor in a classic 1980s Alaskan popup truckcamper had been told I’d be there at some point during his month-long stay. Finius and Breezy always make me feel at home.
The next day’s drive to Parker took a bit longer than expected with a 25 minute wait for road work. Filling pavement cracks with hot tar is a labor intensive band aide fix. I ate lunch at a fast food joint I don’t typically frequent, and seems the employees don’t really understand the “fast” part. Not that I was really in any hurry, but, one young man at the register was on a cell phone with presumably a boss and said rather frantically it was a rush. There were four people waiting, three tables full, and not even a line at the drive up. Two stores for shopping and back south.
Sunset view south
Pulled into camp after 4pm. It took two tries to find the correct turn off along Palm Canyon Road. Not like there’s street markers. About a mile off pavement, take the second left after the red tie on creosote bush, then immediate right and a little ways to a left towards a Palo Verde tree and last seen a trailer, immediate right, follow two-track to my Kofa home, and park to the right out of my sight please. Don’t get lost.
Sunset view west
Sunset view east (my driveway in both shots)
Got a good spot a little further east than the last visit complete with Saguaros, Ocotillos, Palo Verde and Mesquite trees. Best of all, nobody in sight between me and the Kofa Mountains. Sigh, Kofa feels like home. Lovely, quiet and dark again, unlike the previous night in Quartzsite.
Early to bed tired after a full day of shopping and driving paid off for an early rise to catch the sun. No luck with those sun rays I caught last year like the header shot (until that gets changed). First day was plenty warm and sunny and lazy. I worked on the last blog post and just sat outside enjoying the desert apricity.
Besides the signal often being weak and iffy, I am bored with my social media choice of FB showing way too much BS and advertising. All I really want is friends’ updates and photos plus a few group activities and news outlets. I belong to Instagram and LinkedIn but am not active. Can only spend so much time online. Yet in the last many years, social media has become my entertainment and connection. Is there a FB alternative anybody uses and likes?
I did have a night-time visitor who didn’t wake me up. In fact it wasn’t until I went outside in the afternoon that I saw its calling card. Could be a small piece of Coyote scat, they are certainly around and my camps have been marked before by them, yet their poop frequently contains fur and small bones. Also could be a much smaller Kit Fox who also live in the area though never seen by me. This piece of scat was only about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch across. Dog-like mammals usually show tapered tips on the scat and tend to mark their territories. The ground is way too hard and dry for tracks. I don’t see a lot of wildlife, but Kofa is home to many animals who sleep underground during the coldest of winter and often the heat of a summer day, coming out at night to find food.
And it’s been warm during the day, reaching 80°. Had to dig out lighter weight clothes and even sat outside wearing shorts. Have to be careful not to sunburn my lily-white legs. I am rather a sun worshipper which shows with my tanned arms and face. Spending a large portion of my summer days outside in a uniform with long pants I have a “farmer’s tan”. I’d like to work on tanning my legs slowly but then the necessary compression stockings cover from the knee down.
I usually work on the computer in the morning and have opened door and windows by 10am lately. Lots of sunshine for the solar panels to charge the battery and the system has been working great and even allows for use after dark. Except for the 12v socket I plug an inverter into to charge the laptop. Why are 12v wires so flimsy? Anything electrical that gets plugged and unplugged regularly will ultimately have cord or plug problems. I checked fuses, tested the 12v socket, tried a different inverter, and watched videos before disconnecting and reconnecting the wires. But things still aren’t making a constant connection. I suppose it would help it I had all the right tools and extra connectors. I don’t like to mess with electricity but 12v is only two wires. It’s not rocket science. Next time I’m in town I’ll get more parts and pieces.
I am loving these warm days but without clouds those blue skies make for rather boring photos and soft sunsets. I’ve been tracking the moon rise in the afternoons when it is soft and difficult to see in the pale blue sky.
I took a short walk into my nearby “yard” and became better acquainted with the Mesquite tree. No tree hugging as it has spines. Yet I love its crooked branches and rough thick bark.
The wood is prized for fence-posts and fuel. I’ll bet you’ve heard of Mesquite BBQ. It produces bean-like pods in the summer that were gathered by Southwest Native Americans and ground into flour. Fragrant yellow flowers attract honey bees. I have some Mesquite jelly that hasn’t been opened yet.
I sat outside with a book and found the landscape distracted me from reading. I finally reached decompression from the summer of working. Only took four months.
Two-years old & Grandpa
Then I got a call from my sister-in-law. My brother died. He’s been unhealthy for many years and was in a hospital with complications and COVID. This news was both surprise and not. We weren’t terribly close with lousy history from our youth, him seven years older. I feel sad for her and especially the grandchildren. This year would have marked 27 years married. He’s been the stay-at-home step-Grandpa/babysitter for many years. The biggest shock for me, I am the last of my parents line.
It is now I am glad to be embraced by my Kofa home. I returned to child-like comfort food. He would know.
I have spent much time with a new-to-me adult hobby, coloring with pencils, in a zen-like state of mind.
Sierra also calls this place home, at least for now
I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother and the reality it brings to you. Good that you are actually realizing decompression from working and in a comforting desert space. Beautiful West Sunrise. May the desert bring you & Sierra much peace at this time.
Whoops…Sunset West!!
Thank you. The pathway of life ends in death. Knowing this, doesn’t make the loss much easier. I am happy where I am.
My not close to my elder brother, but know it will make a difference should I lose him. My condolences for your loss.
With such great directions to your spot, you may have a bit of company!
You and your little griller did a great job on your dinner.
now as the matriarch of the clan, I know you’ll continue to lead through your examples.
Thank you for the condolences. Honestly, most people who know this desert can’t follow my directions. 😉 When shall I expect you?
I love that, matriarch. You are a leader of many, and a follower of nature’s strength, may it comfort you now and wherever you are. You know thyself. And early and freeway not being usual:) Speaking of scat and vendors. Today I saw one, crumbly, from much grain and fiber, more of a pile, looking like many seeds? A guess? I don’t remember seeing in my scat book. I love various vendors. Smorgasbord. I have new “pets” from one I bartered down the most ever which I almost never do. Did not skimp seller in the least, as he started out really too high. A desert tortoise (my spirit animal) and roadrunner. Heavy concrete and round stones:)) Thanks for making me feel capable, with phrase “not rocket science”. See you out again!
Thanks. Not sure I’m wise enough to really be a matriarch. Where were you for such scat? Think size. I like the idea of your yard art, which I hope to see someday.
Love the ‘Sunset West’ Pic. Calendar?
I went through those same highway work stops on the way to Parker. They don’t intend to repair the asphalt with the tar oil, just prevent water from getting underneath to prevent freeze heave. My stepfather was a Washington State highway bridge engineer.
Colored pencil work has a great melded color palette.
Almost lost my brother two times now. He is just over a year younger then me, but typically has health issues from smoking(never drank) even though he quit 10-12 years ago. In our young twenties he hit the back of a stopped car on his motorcycle at about 70-MPH and went through the back window of a car and ended up in the front seat with severe internal injuries, but no broken bones. Neither of us to this day have ever broken a bone. . His heart stopped several times on the operating table and had to be revived. I stayed in his hospital room for days during his recovery.
When we young living on the farm in Malott we went down to ‘Hand’s Store and he bought a pack of Cool’s and I bought a pack of Tarreyton’s(?). There was a big monolithic rock sticking out of the Okanogan River down by the bridge. We waded out and climbed up on it with me at the top and we both lit up. As I looked down watching my brother go through what would become a thousands of times ritual for him, I took a puff and said to myself…”Man was not meant to smoke” …and never did. He smoked from that day on into his 60’s. We were twelve & thirteen. At 75’ I’m still not on any prescribed medication. He has had prostate cancer. Heart attacks, stints and other issues, but I still hope he out lives me so I don’t suffer another lost loved one.
Back in the winter rains of Oregon, but living on the Umpqua River* in Roseburg, but dreaming of the desert, again, after a quick run down into NW Nevada and Walker Lake/Hawthorne to retrieve a furry friend who was in the doggy jail.
*I can just drag my kayak down the bank and paddle into town or down river. Considering paddling all the way to the coast this Spring. Coos Bay.
Thanks for the tar insight. Most of the “paved” roads I travel desperately need resurfaced.
I marvel at surviving my youth.
Love that Umpqua River area. You paddle, I’ll ride.
So sorry to hear of your brothers passing Gaelyn. Even so, you manage to write a fabulous article .So pleased you are enjoying being on the move, you certainly have found some interesting sites and thanks for sharing the lovely photos. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you. I don’t want to move from this desert site, until it gets intolerably hot.
So sorry to hear of your brothers passing. Your sunset pictures are the best.
Thanks. This ex-Ranger still gets paid in sunsets. What think you, calendar worthy?
Before blogging and social media I did all sorts of adult coloring books. It does produce a zen like state of mind and no batteries or electricity.
I’ve depoliticized my facebook considerably and now it is incredibly boring except for updates from friends like you. Twitter is more fun but not really. Linkedin for oil and gas people has turned in a trump lovers anticovid hotbed.
I’m liking the coloring, alot. Twitter is too quick for me, here and gone. Maybe we’ve outgrown this stuff. I’ll probably stick with what I know, FB, and continue to complain about it like everyone else.
Sorry to hear of your brother’s passing, my condolences. A thoughtul collection of photos and thoughts from the Sonora and the Kofa. Take care and enjoy!
Kevin
Thanks.
Interesting blog. So sorry about your brother, I ‘lost’ mine so many years ago in a car accident, but he still lives on in my mind and I have a lovely photo of him in my office. I am also the last of our line. My parents were both only children and neither David or I had any kids, so any relations I have are way back and I think are called second cousins!
I was hoping to get some shots of the full moon last night, but we had (and still have) full cloud cover. Wearing shorts would be a luxury, I am getting very sick of winter!
Keep safe Diane
Thanks. Although the sky was clear last night and I used the tripod my moon shots are not good. Shorts have been put away again and the sweats are back. I am always sick of winter. Stay warm.
I am sorry to hear about your brother. I understand all about not being close to a brother. I’m not the last in my line but I am the oldest now. Strange feeling to know you are most probably next for the great unknown. Unhealthy for many years is something none of us hopes to experience.
Love the tiny moon high above the pinkish cliffs in your first shot. Seems amazing to me that you could call any campground the day of and get a reservation. Things are WAY different east of the Mississippi. LOL at your red tie at the creosote bush directions. My kind of place. But it takes SO long to get there from here that I’ve have to stay a long while and it gives me the willies to think of being away from bodies of water for that long. Though your sunset view west is fantastic. Lovely, quiet, dark and nobody in site sounds very fine as well. Though weak and iffy signal sounds problematic. Couldn’t agree more about facebook which is why I almost never use it.
Are the colors in your coyote/fox/?? scat picture real?? If so, amazing. You are out of my league with 12 volt sockets, inverters etc. Being able to check fuses, test sockets, change inverters….I’m impressed.
Love your coloring book picture. More details please. Show your book cover and the pencils or ??? you used. Always love Sierra pictures and am hoping to see a minimum of one in every post. Blabber fingers again – sorry.
Thanks. When it’s my time to go, I hope to die in my sleep. Otherwise, I’ll take as long a walk as I can. There’s a tiny moon in several of these shots. Full moon shots coming next week. I’m struggling with the idea to make reservations anywhere, something I know you have to do all the time back east. I may need your guidance on that for my summer trip north and east, not that far east. There are a few man-made lakes in AZ. That scat was pretty fresh, unlike the dried out white stuff I also see in the area. If I don’t fix it I have to find and pay somebody who can. And right now I can barely see another RV so would have to pack up and go to town. That will happen next week once again. Cheap colored pencils and coloring book from Wallys. Sierra says, meow.
I’m so glad you are in this beautiful place that is HOME! And I am sorry for the loss of your brother even though you weren’t close. And for reasons I haven’t gone into on the blog,( because I can’t write like you can about personal issues) I do have some understanding of how you feel. You are in a beautiful space, I know it will work its magic on you. thanks for all you do for all of us bloggers, no matter what. .
Thank you for the understanding. Nature heals me the best.
Well, I’ve looked up “apricity” and come up empty. Maybe it means sublime and lovely because that’s what Kofa seems to be. I can picture you sitting in the sunshine, reading and taking in the views. Glad you now have sunshine for the solar panels. It’s high 30’s here today but feels warmer in the sun. (Of course I’m covered head to toe in layers so “warm” is relative.) Sorry to learn of you brother’s death. It is eye-opening to be the last of your line. Stay well, Gaelyn, unwind, and keep exploring your environment. I’m enjoying the desert through your photos.
Thank you the condolences. You experience apricity, the warmth of the sun in winter. I’ll take mine in the desert please. Love seeing your grands, grown so big, in the snowy environment while enjoying the desert.