I moved further south to the BLM-VFW in Yuma where it’s warmer but noisy sandwiched between trains, planes, automobiles and RVs. Celebrated Thanksgiving twice, I have much to be grateful for. Good friends, a roof over my head that doesn’t leak, wheels under that hold air, propane in (lousy) tanks provide heat, cooking, and refrigerator (when working) for the ice cream I can still (barely) afford. What more could a Geogypsy ask for?
As much as I love staring at the changing light on the Kofa Mts, I needed to be warmer than 36° mornings.
After researching and looking at the map I decided to drive to the BLM-VFW in Yuma, at least for the night. Boondocking is behind this building.
Arrived about 12:30pm and parked near where I was last Spring, next to an invasive Tamarask tree. Lots of mostly large motorhomes and 5th-wheels parked in the open area with only a few scrubby creosote bushes. The “back row” under the trees, full of small to moderate-sized units and several tents. That area tends to attract the long-timers because of the shade. I went to an area not conducive to very large rigs. Though the wind was a little cool the 75° temperature felt nice with windows and door open.
It’s a noisy place. SR95 is easily in sight to the east maybe 300 feet away and is parallel with the railroad tracks. Long freight trains pulled by 3-5 locomotives go by every couple of hours. To the west, out of sight, is a small airport. I’d guess there’s maybe 100 RV/campers.
Waking to 50° felt a bit chilly but only took 30 minutes to warm up the camper to a doable over 60°. With the promise of 75° high and Joann at her winter home in Yuma we decided to explore Mittry Lake. She picked me up and made a quick stop at a produce stand and food store before taking me to her new digs. Very nice mobile home in a quiet park.
After lunch we drove the road to Mittry Lake and along the way discovered a BLM boondock I preferred to the BLM-VFW camp. Then further on, the lake area is pretty with very few (full) sites along the water and other designated areas like parking lots. It would only get more crowded over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend. No thanks. US Fish & Wildlife rules only camp 10 days out of one year. So different than my first experience there 25 years ago.
Stopped at the “Shoe tree” or as Joann calls it the “Tree of old soles”. Fridge was off when I got back and gave grief until almost bedtime.
After a noisy night of trains and planes at the BLM-VFW camp I moved to the previous day’s discovery, not the lake. About ten miles north of Yuma, within sight of the Laguna Mountains to the east, the Gila canal carrying water to the agriculturally rich valley to the south, and in the distance the Cargo Muchacho Mountains in California to the south west. Very open terrain resembling a rock quarry, with lots of pretty rocks. Only two other truckcampers when I arrived and a van joined later. 360° video here. Delightfully quiet, had some breeze but the sun was warm. Pretty sunset.
Bumper collection
I had figured to stay through the holiday weekend, but plans changed. When Gayle called to say she’d gotten a dentist appointment in Mexico for the day after Thanksgiving and would be camped at the BLM-VFW I returned there so I could go with her across the border. She’s working on a dental procedure that began eight months ago. Parked in the same location and immediately invited to Thanksgiving at noon the next day located just a few camps away. Gayle pulled in as I sat soaking up sunshine.
Gayle and I joined a gathering along with many other RVers and enjoyed the full Thanksgiving spread. Well I did, she doesn’t have her teeth yet. Later in the afternoon, Gayle played her fiddle at the community campfire area. I have video but not sure I can load any of it on this weak signal.
Fridge went off again for about 15 hours. Freezer held mostly because it was packed solid. Then came on again about bedtime. I keep moving the retainer probe when it quits. (That white thing on the fins.)
Friday morning, we took Gayle’s car to the US side of the border parking lot and walked across the few blocks to her dentist. I always forget to take photos because I’m busy constantly saying “NO” to the multitude of vendors selling trinkets and suggesting pharmacies, liquor stores, eye glasses and dentist offices. Like hawkers at a carnival. Their sales areas line both sides of the sidewalks creating a dark tunnel. I’ll try to take photos and video next time, because yes there’s a next time in a couple weeks.
Once again back at the BLM-VFW camp I finally got a blog post written but not uploaded. There’s barely a signal here and it could be because there’s no bandwidth with so many RVers trying to get online.
As luck would have it, I was invited to join Joann and her granddaughter for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday and she has a great signal. I also took advantage of the long hot shower and doing laundry. After desert first because we can, Perci and I went to the pool but I don’t own a bathing suit so didn’t go in. It would have been warm enough so I may have to invest for future visits. After dinner and a movie, Joann brought me back to my BLM-VFW camp where I planned the next day’s trip to town for chores.
“I needed to be warmer than 36° mornings.”
I look forward to having 36° mornings.
We have had a cold month of November in Benson. Last year the average temperature was 57.2° this year it was 50.1. Last year there were two (2) morning when the low was freezing or below, this year there were twenty one (21) such mornings with the coldest one at 23.5.
Me thinks you went to the wrong place. But then, there’s no such thing as climate change. Stay warm.
Not too far away now. I agree those cold mornings are rough. Low around 45 is much better. I’ve stayed at the vfw and enjoyed their Friday night music. Nice place to stay for only a day or two.
It’s getting very crowded here. I believe next weekend will be across the border in CA nearer where you are.
Pleased you are enjoying your travels Gaelyn also meeting up with friends.Love those magnificent sky photo’s. Looking forward to your next post. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks. I could use some prettier views with less noise, soon.
Oh I could not agree more, you need to be warm. We were only 6C (43F) today and I have been frozen! 20C (68F) is as low as I like to be !!!!! We had our first winter frost a couple of days back..
Love all your sky shots and I hope the fridge keeps working.
Take care and I hope all goes well for Gayle, I remember you being with her across the border before. Hugs from us both, Diane and Nigel
Thanks. This morning was a balmy 54°F with heavy clouds. I’m ready for a different view with less noise, hopefully by next weekend.
The VFW does not sound like one of your desired boondocking spots, but … location, location, location 🙂 It’s been chilly on the coast as I have had to turn on the heater here too. Brr but it does warm up during the day. Hope you have the refer issues figured out soon
Better this morning at 54° but I do look forward to a quieter place by next weekend. Fridge is more on than off.
You’ve been busy. So what’s the most number of layers you’ve worn:)?
Too busy for retirement. LOL! Most layers would have been while working at the North Rim Grand Canyon during spring or fall, at least six.
Hope you find quieter camping around Yuma. It won’t be easy. If you succeed, don’t spill the beans on the internet!
Yuma fits best with campers who want the warmest spot in the Southwest, and are willing to lose on EVERYTHING ELSE to get it. They could consider carrying their logic to its conclusion by going to Florida or Mexico in the winter.
There are better places nearby that I won’t divulge exact location. After the next dental visit in Mexico I’ll head somewhere else. Definitely not my kind of boondocking here.
You are an official snowbird now and I don’t blame you. If you can go someplace warmer, why wouldn’t you.
Glad you got to have Thanksgiving with someone.
Noisy campgrounds are a bummer. I went to a geocaching event close to Tulsa years ago at a State Park. The park has a railroad right through the middle of it and they get really loud, really fast, freight trains hauling ass in the middle of the night. So much rumbling and screeching, I thought how do they keep that thing on the tracks.
I’m very frustrated with your fridgidator.
Thanks, I’ve been an official snowbird for many years. Hating these noisy freight trains. Fridge is getting better, I hope.
Two thanksgivings sound fabulous except for what it would do to my waistline. That first photograph of the Kafa Mountains is fantastic. As are the ones of the beautiful skies. How wonderful to have friends who winter where you do. Wow a rule that only allows 10 days camping out of a year. That seems extreme. Wonder who they enforce it. Going to Mexico to get teeth sounds scary. What town is she doing it in? I really sympathize with your fridge problems. That would be the hardest thing for me and mine is nearly 20 years old so I’m trying not to get into pre worry mode hearing about your troubles. They are very expensive to replace and a lot of trouble to do. But boy when they work switching from propane to electric, they are terrific. That it comes on and off at will should give someone a clue. But I’m not that someone.
Thanks. I don’t overeat at any time, so two holiday meals was fine. Also don’t plan on staying around Yuma all winter. Algadones Mexico is perfectly safe and a huge savings on dental, eye glasses, medications, and booze. My fridge is 27 years old and don’t think it would fit through the door to replace. Crossing fingers, it’s more on than off lately.
It’s beautiful there and I’m glad your friend is able to get her dental work done affordably (and let’s not even talk about how it is too bad medical care is not affordable on this side of the border). So a beautiful place and two Thanksgivings and good friends = good; but the noise and the bad bad frig not so great. … I look forward to reading backwards and catching up with all your doings.
I don’t find the Yuma area the prettiest of Sonoran Desert, but it sure is convenient for crossing the border. Going back Thursday and Friday.