Once Bob arrived to Kofa camp the days flew by with busyness every day. We explored the desert on the ground and in the air, walking and driving for new perspectives on a familiar landscape.
Blogging as Bob’s Eyes, Bob hails from northern California where he has water to actually use that kayak on the roof. His classic Chevy van conversion has seen a few rebuilds including adding 4×4. It’s a great ride and makes a cozy home on wheels. He offered to take the van on back roads I can’t/won’t drive, and I am all in for that. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been ready to go bye-bye.
Thankfully, Bob is not an early morning person because neither am I. I may be out of bed by 7 or 8 am but my preference is not to be mobile until at least 9 or 10am. Yet there’s no rush on these lazy days in Kofa camp. We spent some time chatting just to catch up, and we’re both yackers.
We’re also both photographers, so waited until about 4pm to leave camp and drive the Queen Canyon Road to Skull Rock. We traveled this road two years ago and I haven’t been back since.
Just a little too rough for my rig.
Watched for Bighorns along the way but no luck. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to protect the desert bighorn sheep.
We parked near Skull Rock that sits below a huge balancing rock.
Desert Bighorn Sheep scat
Bob lead the way up a wash to a water tank, Cereus Tank.
I’d say this water collection point started off as a natural tank but has been enhanced by humans. A US Fish and Wildlife trail cam is pointed towards the water. Bet that captures a lot of cool shots, and why I want a trail camera. After 20 years of drought, many natural tanks have gone dry.
Balanced rock
Looking out
Had to check out the popular Skull Rock.
The return drive at twilight was gorgeous. Finding the turnoff to camp in the dark proved to be a challenge until I recognized the creosote bushes. Went inside for a late dinner and listened to the coyotes sing.
Before noon the next day a light wind prompted Bob to get his kite out. He had to make a few adjustments and did finally get it off the ground. Dare I call the low slow kite a senior dance with rests, much like its owner.
Later in the day we took a couple hour walk from Kofa camp, mostly just moseying along and of course taking photos. We lost site of camp briefly, but made it back.
Because Bob pushed encouraged me to take video to post on YouTube I added that to my repertoire using my phone. What a learning curve. I made short videos and put them together for a test using the video editor in the Photos app on Windows 10. I also made a video tour of the truckcamper in one shot. I like the shorts better because if I don’t like the take, I can easily do it again. I will have to practice a lot more and post them as I go on my new YouTube channel, Geogypsytraveler. Hope you’ll check them out, like, share, and PLEASE subscribe. If I can get to 1000 followers, YouTube will monetize the channel and I would love to augment my income to keep on traveling and sharing. Thanks in advance.
Bob sent his drone up the next day. He says it’s all practice. Isn’t everything?
I spent most of the day figuring out how to move videos from phone to laptop by either Bluetooth, very slow, or just tethering which is much better. Then I put together another video walking around Kofa camp. Bob is getting used to his phone because at home he doesn’t have enough signal to use it regularly. So we’re teaching each other all kinds of things. See, you can teach old dogs new tricks.
In the afternoon we took a ride in Bob’s van to the end of Palm Canyon Road. We’ve both been there, but mostly the van batteries needed charging.
Didn’t walk up the Palm Canyon trail and instead walked a short ways south in an adjacent dry wash.
Mostly hung out for the evening light and did get back to camp before dark.
I took more photos and more videos so spent the evening putting together another YouTube video saying bye-bye to Kofa camp.
Lots of agriculture surrounding Yuma
Because the next morning we left Kofa camp. Actually got on the road by 10am and drove south to Yuma to shop. How I hate towns and traffic. Always takes me too long in any store. The energy is so weird I have to work extra hard to stay focused. Of course it had been two weeks since my last shopping.
Finally got on I8 east to Gila Bend. Oh yuck, so much truck traffic and everybody going over 80mph, except us. Paid $5.55/gallon for diesel along the interstate. Ouch! I was going to dump and fill in Gila Bend but after getting turned around in town changed my mind and instead just headed south to Ajo and a few miles beyond. Had enough propane and water for at least a couple more days.
My usual go to places along Darby Well Road were full so continued further on the road and took the first feasible opportunity. Darby camp was next to an old abandoned corral area with a windmill and water tank. Some interesting artifacts around. But at 4:30 after a full day, exploration was put off until the next day.
Except for the exceptional sunset.
“See, you can teach old dogs new tricks….. but can you remember them…COL! Studying French, again, after going back through Spanish and Italian, and I seem to have retention issues as I have to review the previous lesson(or two) before moving on……….
Bob and I have the same clothing stylist. Funky old man chic bordering on homeless stylings. A friend of a friend saw a another friend talking to me at Wally’s and reported back that so and so was talking to a homeless man. We both got a big laugh out of that.
It seems that you are leaning a bit on the cell phone camera… or my eyes have gone foggy.
Yes, the hectic rush and cacophonous emissions of urban areas and Interstates can have a deleterious affect on even a Zen disciple. Add in the lunacy of war and the resurgence of Covid and one wants to hide under the covers… but the trail calms .
OK! That does it. I have put off getting a drone for too long. What model does Bob have and a review.
Looking forward to the new area pics. Last years, at times, were exquisite. I ventured in that area back in 1990 after coming out of Sonoyta.
After having recently ventured a bit into Cochise country, my curiosity is in overdrive regarding that as yet unexplored, by me, area. More adventures off of Hwy.- 191.
Don’t get stuck or blown away or get a big Saguaro cactus thorn right through your shoe in your big toe as I did recently in Arizona. it pained me for several weeks and cut my trail time down significantly.
Bob says his memory sucks the older he gets. Personally, I dress for comfort, not fashion. If you click the link to Bob’s blog you’ll see pics of me and find info on the drone through a search. Blog is almost exclusively big camera, videos are done on the phone. More pics coming soon.
My favourite is ‘looking out!’ The colours are amazing! I enjoyed this adventure. I’m the same in stores. I do’t mind driving, but I learned to drive in downtown Toronto!
Thanks, I really like that one too. I don’t mind driving but not too many hours any more. Yet, I don’t have 4×4 so don’t do some of these kinds of roads.
I too enjoyed following your adventure via your short videos. I really like the idea of a 4×4 home, but with both the truck and Jeep 4×4 and very capable we have the less capable RV, but what a great way to travel!
Looking forward to your Ajo adventures
Thanks. Nice to have the 4×4 and home separate for many reasons.
My favorites are the first and last pictures. Nice visit & meandering for you with Bob. Cool Tank markers (& bumper rocks). I’m always on the lookout for USGS markers. 4×4 home!! Now that’s the cat’s meow!! Sierra knows what I mean!! Lol
Thanks. We’ve really gotten around to some cool places. Sierra will have to be satisfied with our non 4×4 home. 😉
Boy I loved seeing these and reading. I was out today on new hike and there’s always room for more sights as these! Such rock colors and Bob’s 4×4 home! thanks for the scat, new to me, looks kind of cross of other animals’ singles vs pile. Scatology? Toward end of month, I may be south to Tucson so will see where you are. Couple nice eats in Ajo.
Thanks. Might have found a kit fox burrow and immediately thought of you. Yes, I am into scatology. I do have a couple favorite restaurants in Ajo, but Bob has a strict no corn diet.
So glad that you had some time out with a friend, it makes thing interesting when someone else has the same hobbies. Fab set of photos but that last one is just superb. Keep safe, hugs D & N
Bob is a lot of fun. He left today so now I might start to catch up on all the other places we went.
Beautiful goodbye to Kofa and surrounds. We stayed in Ajo for a while at least once so I’m eager to see it again through your eyes.
Thanks. Next to Kofa, Ajo area is my favorite southern AZ desert. At least so far.
Wow, you have been busy going here and there and checking things out. Love all your photos, that skull rock is huge!! All that country looks like rattlesnake heaven to me!!
I like video, but editing it is very time consuming and clunky for me.
Thanks. Not quite warm enough for rattlesnakes, yet. Making videos does take some time.
Hi Gaelyn this seems an exciting journey and so rough love all the photo’s, actually that’s just how I like my scenery, and it can be very rough here in Crete too. Like you Gaelyn I hate shopping and hate it when the super markets decide to change all the shelves around after getting used to where everything is. Nice that you had some company on this journey. Take care
Do people boondock/camp in Greece? I’ll bet it would be fabulous.
Nice to have some company. That rig looks like a pretty cool way to get around Kofa. Loved the drone shot, those always fascinate me, especially after working with aerial photography so many years. We did some low level aerial vegetation evaluations that had to be flown by airplanes many years ago. Would have been great to have drones. On to Ajo. Looks like you found a nice spot again. Other bloggers that I read a bit are in Ajo as well, actually I don’t read their blog, but they are facebook friends so I see where they are. I think more than a few Canadians are still on those roads around Darby Well, although one pair is heading north now. The old routine is back.
Bob is gone now and I sort of miss him, and that awesome Chevy van. I didn’t try the drone as I don’t want to be tempted by any more toys. For your work, they would have been a real bonus. Ajo is a great winter gathering place. At 80°+ I’m sure a lot of folks will be moving north. I’m just not ready yet. Besides it was 25° last night in Skull Valley. No thanks.