Back on the road again

Wasn’t sure I’d ever get back on the road again, especially with three RVs.  But here I am, solo* and on the road again traveling in the new RV revisiting places and exploring new spaces while thinking about summer and what to do.

Once the 5th-wheel and shuttle bus were sold I was free to get back on the road again, and I was more than ready to leave Quartzsite drama behind.  I had nothing on my calendar until an early April wedding in Ajo, southern Arizona. 

Say’s Phoebe

During early March, I set up camp just west of Yuma, across the border into California, at Pilot Knob LTVA BLM (Long Term Visitor Area permitted by Bureau of Land Management). 

Desert Marigold & Sand Verbena

Only 20 minutes on the road from Joann’s place so we got in a lot of visiting. 

My timing was constantly off there because California was still on daylight savings time.  I literally had to ask Google “What time is it in Arizona?”  Solved problem with a clock/thermometer I bought at a thrift store, about a week before stupid savings time ended. 

Desert Lily in Creosote bush

Bumper rock collection

You’ll find more of this story, and others, on my YouTube channel.  I know, not everybody wants to go there.  That’s OK by me.  But I do want to share that I made it past 1000 subscribers and want to thank those of you that helped make that happen.  I’m not really monetized, yet.  However I’ll have some big news about it all very soon.

Still staying nearby Yuma, I got on the road and went for a total change of scenery at Mittry Lake, actually a reservoir along the dammed Colorado River.  I camped there last winter and loved it. 

Maybe rising Spring temperatures and rain brought the mosquitoes that descended every evening at dusk. 

Great-tailed Grackles

Yet bugs bring birds. 

Plus I spent much time watching the Osprey soar, stoop, and hopefully catch a fish when I heard a splash that was out of sight. 

People who launch small boats and fished sometimes caught a decent sized bass or two. 

If nothing else, sunsets reflected on water where worth the stay even if I sometimes had to shoot through the screen door. 

And then I got lucky and saw SpaceX Falcon 9 fly cross the sky. 

One afternoon, I heard a large swarm of honey bees that clustered on a bush in what is called “bearding”, a resting practice that a swarm of bees will do when searching for a new hive site.  Got video and shared as a SHORT.

March 26th, time for something different, because IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!  OK, it’s over now.  I returned to Pilot Knob for a night and Joann and I went on the road for a reconnaissance trip in her minivan to check out my next possible camp.  With fudge brownies for on the road we headed west on Interstate 8. 

First stop, the Plank Road, original way to drive your 1915 Model-T across the Imperial Sand Dunes.  Would you do that? 

It’s mind boggling to think of building an Interstate highway and an irrigation canal across five miles of shifting sand. 

Then less than 20 miles further on the road, in a dry Mojave desert, we found a cluster of palm trees shading the semi-developed Holtville hot spring located on BLM with nearby boondocking.

I got on the road and returned the next day, set up camp, and soaked in Old Fogey hot spring while waiting for friends to join me for a couple days. 

A nice place to stay that will be on my list for next winter, though it’s a little close to the noisy interstate. 

Saw SpaceX again. 

I just posted a video about the hot springs, so you should check that out.

Sunset from Old Fogey hot spring camp

Early April, I got on the road southeast to Ajo and beyond to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where I attended a Park Rangers’ wedding, watched—and photographed—the partial eclipse, then stayed for another couple weeks boondocking in the Sonoran Desert I so love.  More coming about all that. 

Fish in natural pond where there’s no swimming

And because it’s getting hot in the desert, I’m also thinking about a summer plan.  Northwestward, is about all I can say at this time.  I’d like to get to Cape Flattery Washington, the most northwest location in the lower 48 states.  Just have to see. 

If you’re in this area let me know.  I have no direct routes and don’t like interstates.  See ya’ on the road.

*As of the beginning of March I am once again a solo nomad.  Seems it’s what I do best.  No hard feelings and life goes on.  I’m sure to cross paths with the caravan nomads somewhere again.