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Category: Places I’ve been

Mexico, meetups, and cold nights in too crowded Quartzsite

Courtyard Algodones MXAfter a quick trip to Mexico I returned to crowded Quartzsite to meet up with friends old and new.

Chilaquiles Mi Casa Su Casa Algodones MXI left my Cargo Muchacho Mountains camp on January 17th, went to Yuma for supplies, then spent the night at—my favorite—VFW/BLM camp.  The next day I went to Algodones Mexico with Gayle for hopefully her final dental surgery.  After they put her under, I slipped out to breakfast and the recommended Mi Casa Su Casa was excellent.  A huge plate of shredded chicken Chilaquiles with beans and potatoes for $3.50 USD was more than I could finish.

RV Dometic thermistorThe next morning I headed to crowded Quartzsite.  After fighting with the fridge for almost three months I decided to order a new thermistor at RV Lifestyles.  Since buying that $64 part, the fridge has worked fine, and I found the part online for $10.  Can’t return electronics so I’ll just hang on to it.

Burning van 2023

Bob Wells RTR Quartzsite AZI attended the 13th annual RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) for my first time, video here.  Arrived in time to hear RV boondock guru Bob Wells talking about the movie Nomadland.  Then wandered around chatting to folks before waiting in line to meet Bob.  I asked him “Where were you 46 years ago when I first hit the road and there was nobody to ask questions?”  Think I caught him off guard with that.  (The burning van will go up in smoke at the end of the RTR.  Look above the front wheel for my signature.)

Mo Sue Gaelyn at Silly Al's Quartzsite AZMo, Sue, Gaelyn

pizza Silly Al's Quartzite AZLater in the afternoon I met Sue and Mo at the Roadrunner 14-day BLM south of crowded Quartzsite and they drove us into town for dinner at Silly Al’s Pizza.  Waited over an hour for a table and the place was packed with noise levels beyond conversation but the table-sized pizza was good.

window view Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZBy now I was ready for some down days in preparation for my next meetup after the weekend.  At crowded Quartzsite there’s very little bandwidth at Roadrunner with so many people but I did work on videos and blog posts to post later.  The traffic in and out was like watching a parade so I took video.  The Big Tent Show started that weekend and the crowds descended like flies on, well you know.

too close neighbor Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZ

too close neighbors Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZSaturday afternoon a trailer parked what I would call “too close” except for this location.  Later they were joined by two other outfits and I felt like part of the party, not.

too close neighbor sunrise Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZBy Monday morning I was ready to get out of Dodge.

wind blown dust clouds Scadden Wash Quartzsite AZThe wind was blasting and full of dust.  I headed east of crowded Quartzsite to Scadden Wash BLM, a new 14-day for me.

Carolyn & Gaelyn meetup Scadden Wash Quartzsite AZCarolyn’s RV Life meetup was held there from 11am-2pm.  I arrived way before that in hopes of a good signal and got lucky enough to upload the RTR video.  I walked over about 11am and stood in line talking to strangers to meet Carolyn.  She really is a down to Earth person and I like her a lot.  We’re both trying to be more social this year.  Just before noon I returned to the camper as I was cold. The wind was brutal. Dust almost obscured the Dome Rock Mountains to the west. After breakfast I walked back over about 1pm. Much warmer but still chill. A small group was asking questions.  I’d guess 50-60+ people came through in that four hours.

Saguaro desert Plomosa Mts BLM Mitchell Mine Rd Quartzsite AZBecause of the great signal, towers seen on the top of the Plomosa Mountains, I decided to cruise up the road a bit and found a wonderful quiet and uncrowded camp.  360° view video here.

Tuesday I woke with a runny nose, sore throat, and no energy.  Good day to stay home reading and knitting.

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I decided to be more social this year and get out to functions and activities, meet new people.  That’s been fun, except for catching the worse cold I’ve had in forever.  I’ve tested negative for COVID three times.  Over a week later, I’m finally feeling a bit better.  But now I’m even further behind on blog posts.  Bear with me please.

Arizona, Places I've been, Quartzsite, United States , , , , 26 Comments

Plans to watch the moon over Cargo Muchacho Mountains

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI made plans to watch the moon over Cargo Muchacho Mountains, and went to town preparing for a couple busy days with company, followed by down days making plans for the next move.

Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASomething I’ve noticed in only one year of retirement is my lack of making plans.  There’s no work schedule to dictate up to 40 hours a week or more.  Meeting basic needs while RV boondocking becomes my main reason to make plans.  Sure glad my needs are minimal and can be met in this desert/mountain environment near Yuma, Arizona.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAmoon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAmoon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

I find myself making plans to watch the moon many days ahead of an actual full moon rise.  Using PhotoPills and the Photographer’s Ephemeris plus a compass I try to figure out approximately where the moon will rise over the horizon.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI do like the jagged line of mountains in the foreground which means the actual time the moon crests a peak/ridge will be later than a low horizon line.

Ocotillo sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI also tend to shoot several days before the 100% full moon as that puts the rise before, during, or soon after sunset providing ambient light.  Then lazy me doesn’t dig out the tripod and just shoots hand-held.  Those plans worked pretty well two days before the full moon.  And with sunsets.

mts moon clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

mts moon clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAClouds and a chill wind from the southern edge of that huge storm over California made for eerie skies.  Clouds do make for colorful sunsets but also changed the plans to watch the moon the next night.

mts sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

desert mts sunrise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAWith plans to shop in Yuma, I was up early enough the next day for a rewarding sunrise.

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI had no plans to watch the moon set yet was lucky enough for mostly clear views behind the spray of Ocotillo branches.

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CATown tends to be a full day.  I made plans to run errands on the west side of town, actually mapping out the route—propane, post office, dump tanks, and shop—before visiting with Joann including a nice long hot shower and she super spoiled me with home-made soup.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAWith plans to watch the moon in full, I barely made it back to camp at dusk and was too tired to put up the tripod.  My company arrived after dark.  They had driven from Santa Barbra, California, a minimum six hour drive, and left just ahead of the storms.

camp rigs BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CA

sign Center of the World Felicity CA

pyramid Center of the World Felicity CAWe made plans over a friendly bacon and eggs breakfast in my camper.  They refitted the car they were camped in and we took a drive to the Center of the World.  Which is located only about 12 miles away so I figure that includes me.

sign Museum of History in Granite Center of the World Felicity CA

church Center of the World Felicity CAOnce there, we opted out of the $7/person fee even though the Museum of History in Granite had been recommended.  If there’s a vortex at the center of the world, I didn’t feel anything.

Plank Rd Historic Site Imperial Sand Dunes CAWe also visited the historic Plank Road.  Imagine the drive from San Diego to Yuma trying to cross six miles of up to 300 foot tall sand dunes in an early 1900s automobile.  No 4-wheel drive back then.

Plank Rd Historic Site Imperial Sand Dunes CAIn 1915 the plank road was built by placing 8×12 foot sections of boards held together with metal and bolts and set end to end across the sand.  Traffic was one way so every 1000 feet an extra section was set in width to allow for passing.  Wind blown sand would obliterate the road and horses were used to scrape the sand and reposition the sections.  Finally, in 1926 a paved road was built, now Interstate 8, and the plank road was abandoned.  In the 1970s a group of people formed and preserved 1500 feet as a historic landmark.

Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe next day our plans included taking a walk into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

tracks Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

grasshopper white Mallow flower Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe 1 1/2 mile loop took us a couple hours as we looked at the view, rocks, lots of animal tracks that looked like bobcat and deer to me, and a lone mallow with a tiny grasshopper inside.  It’s so nice to find folks that like to walk as slow as I do.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAThey left early Monday for the uncertain drive to Santa Barbra and ended up in a hotel in Ventura because of flooding and closures on 101.  Safe is good and more important than the plans made to be home that day.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CALucky me, stayed home with no plans.  A down day, and pretty sunset.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CA

clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAThe next day wind blew the clouds into ever changing window displays for my entertainment.

sunset clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAI started making plans for my next move to the Quartzsite area.  But no rush, I didn’t figure on leaving the Cargo Muchacho Mountains for another week.  (Blog posts are always a week or two behind real time.)  And by then, I’ll be making plans to watch the moon over the Kofa Mountains.

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New Water Mts full moon rise MST&T Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZYou might recognize this shot from the 2022 Geogypsy calendar

Speaking of full moons, I plan to be at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge for February’s full moon.  Join me for this Geogypsy Journey, Sharing the Kofa Light February 2-6.  From morning to moon, early February light dances with the Kofa Mountains located south of Quartzsite, Arizona.  Join me to explore the Sonoran Desert life, geology, and history. RV/camp for free on BLM public land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  More information here.

2022 Sharing the Kofa Light

California, Cargo Muchacho Mts , , , , 20 Comments

Greeting the new year Cargo Muchacho Mountains boondock

dry wash mts clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAIt’s been cloudy with intermittent blue sky over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains where I’ve taken a few walks exploring the terrain.

desert mts sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI love winter in the warm Southwest because I frequently wake up in time for sunrise.  Clouds certainly enhance that morning experience but usually mean there’s some weather on the way.

Gaelyn camper flag shadow BLM Tumco CAThe overnight rain was predicted to last all day but instead the sky cleared and I sat outside.

possible moon planets alignment BLM Tumco CAThat night I kind of tried to shoot the alignment of planets using the cell phone as I was too lazy to get the tripod out for the big camera.

rd mts first light clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

desert dunes snow on mts clouds BLM Tumco CAMorning light on Imperial Sand Dunes and snow on distant mountains

The next day was also cloudy over the the Cargo Muchacho Mountains with high wind that did open up a bit through the day but pretty much kept me inside.

desert mts sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

waxing moon BLM Tumco CATurned into a day of musing.  I thought about going to town being almost out of ice cream.  But I didn’t have the gumption to move.  Instead I spent a bit of the day dreaming of summer travels.  I’ve been trying to revisit the Pacific Northwest for over ten years.  Last summer’s trip that didn’t happen would have included that and beyond if the fuel prices hasn’t gotten so high.  I’m thinking north on the east side of the Cascade Mountains and back south down the Pacific coast visiting people, exploring hot springs and rockhounding along the way.

too close RV BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAWindow view

In the afternoon an RV pulled in and became a new neighbor parking, where I think, too close.  There’s not many people camped out here so there’s lots of room around the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  My general boondocking rule includes parking at least 1000 feet apart when possible.  Out of sight is even better.

fog Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

low clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFriday morning brought fog and low clouds with 98% humidity.

clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

chrysocolla rock Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAYet it cleared enough later for a lovely walk into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains where I saw some pretty rock.  Most likely chrysocolla but I keep looking for turquoise, or gold.

Doug & Yuma BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CALong time friend and fellow blogger Doug stopped by with his dog Yuma and we caught up.  They’ve been camped nearby.

Gaelyn finger holding water for Dean BLM Tumco CAA neighbor went to town and picked me up some ice cream.  That saved me from having to move until next year.  Upon his return he offered to fill my empty water jugs from the 100 gallon tank in the bed of his pickup truck.  Sadly, the spare tire had fallen on and broke the spigot so there wasn’t much water left in the tank.  I tried to help while he found a cap and felt like the Dutch boy with my finger in the dike.  I actually ended up giving him a gallon of water for the night.

sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASunrise

He returned to town the next day to replace the spigot and filled my water jugs after returning to camp.

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASunset

The last day of 2022 was a stay home day.

SierraWe went to bed long before midnight.

mts clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAFirst morning of 2023 brought light rain that either cleared off or was blown away by the 30mph wind that rocked the camper all day long.  I barely got out the door to put away the chairs and table before they ended up on top of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  I waited for a brief lull to get back inside.

Ocotillo sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAEven with most of the clouds gone later, the western horizon was obliterated by a sandy haze.  I made a video through multiple windows greeting the New Year.

sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

reverse sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe next day, no wind and a pretty sunrise.  A boondocking neighbor had to call an ambulance for a visiting friend who got sick.  Basically they were dehydrated and got a saline drip.  Glad it was nothing more serious.  Nice to know emergency vehicles can find us in these remote areas.  All campers within sight came together to offer assistance if needed.

dry wash mts clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moth on yellow flowers Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFinally, the third day of the new year I got out for a walk.  I had in mind to find a different place to park without the too close neighbor.  I followed a large wash that might give options for wildlife, or at least some birds.

fenced Hedges cemetery Tumco CABut even though access was good it’s right next to the fenced cemetery and I didn’t feel comfortable with that.  Cemeteries don’t bother me but I figured people would want to visit it so might get traffic.

valley Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI decided to stay in the same site for the full moon rise over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains though it seemed a good possibility clouds might obscure the view.

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Kofa Mts moon rise Kofa NWR AZSpeaking of full moons, I plan to be at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge for February’s full moon.  Join me for this Geogypsy Journey Tour, Sharing the Kofa Light February 2-6.  From morning to moon, early February light dances with the Kofa Mountains located south of Quartzsite, Arizona.  Join me to explore the Sonoran Desert life, geology, and history. RV/camp for free on BLM public land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  More information here.

2022 Sharing the Kofa Light

California, Cargo Muchacho Mts, Places I've been, United States , , 12 Comments

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