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Category: Congress

04 January 2022

Choose Happy New Beginnings

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZNew beginnings historically

Moving from one numerical year to another at an arbitrary time initially chosen by ancient Roman custom, the feast of the Roman god Janus.  He was the god of “beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, Gila Woodpecker bird Saguaro cactus Cemetery Rd Congress AZpassages, frames, and endings” according to Wiki.  This is also where the name for the month of January comes from, Janus was depicted as having two opposite faces.  One face looked back into the past, and the other peered forward to the future.  Seems like that would make living in the NOW difficult.  Some cultures and religions have different new year dates than January 1st.  New Year’s has also been celebrated at the vernal equinox in March and the autumnal equinox in September, typically warmish temperatures for a midnight celebration would help me choose happy for celebrating new beginnings.

Choose Happy welcome mat

I probably wouldn’t make special new resolutions on any of those specific days either.  But for me to choose happy, I will resolve to stay in the warmest winter Arizona climate I can find.  Keep in mind, even the Sonoran Desert is not HOT in winter but it’s certainly warmer than northern high elevations and no snow.  Sometimes rain which is a blessing.  Frequently hold on to your hat windy.  Arizonans wear down jackets and Minnesotans wear shorts.  It’s easier to choose happy when I’m not shivering.

ExplorerEducator

CrazyCold

Or laughing until my stomach hurts when Joann and I share stories.  I bundled up a bit for a fun photo shoot.  What do you think of my many hats.  I need a tea cup for the Mad-Hatter, and several tea cups to have a tea party.  Or perhaps you will bring your own, and wear a fun hat.

Saguaro ridge line Date Crk Mts Cemetery Rd Congress AZMade it through the holiday weekend below 50° day and night that meant running heat that uses propane.  So after a delicious pancake with fruit and bacon breakfast made by Joann we drive the ten minutes to fill propane tanks.  I even tried not to cuss at the tanks.  I’m getting better, honest.  I do believe in new beginnings.

desert Date Crk Mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress AZA mostly cloudy day.  We enjoyed an early campfire as it was predicted to rain and be cold the next couple nights.

desert mts sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress AZEnded the day with a sensational sunset as the clouds finally thinned enough.  Then I reheated the last of Christmas dinner leftovers for us.

desert Date Crk Mts storm clouds sunrays Cemetery Rd Congress AZDate Creek Mts looking east

Awaking to another cold morning had me thinking about a move further south and 10° warmer.

desert Date Crk Mts storm clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZDate Creek Mts looking west

Joann had taken a drive to charge her phone after several days of low solar.  She came back to get me and showed a possible new camp with great signal within sight of the Weaver Mountains to the east and Date Creek Mountains to the west.

RVs clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZ

desert Vulture Pk storm clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZVulture Peak in the far distance south

And so we moved the few miles to #campcongress2 with a big view.

desert two-track Weaver Mts storm clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZWeaver Mts looking east

Low clouds hung around most of the day but little rain came with the cold wind.

tree sunset clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZ

desert sunset Stanton Rd Congress AZ

desert sunset clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZThe clouds did make for a nice sunset.

desert Weaver Mts low clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZCould see my breath in the camper the next morning.  I laid in my warm bed thinking of moving south to Kofa.  Takes about 30 minutes to warm the camper to a doable 60°.

desert two-track late light Weaver Mts storm clouds Stanton Rd Congress AZ

desert two-track last light Weaver Mts dark clouds rainbow Stanton Rd Congress AZJoann left in the afternoon headed north for work in the cold and ice and snow.  I worked online and watched the low clouds and a little rain with a brief rainbow at the end of the day.  I also plotted to head south the next day.

4 lbs fudge from BashasI hit the road at 9am in the low 40s and headed to Wickenburg first to shop.  Scored when Bashas had their annual holiday fudge, with no nuts, so I stocked up a little.  Fueled at just under $4/gallon followed by a quick stop at the thrift store.  Then too many groceries including a pizza I cooked for lunch in the parking lot.  Darn pizzas are too big for the freezer.

bus conversion Quartzsite AZAlways something interesting to see in Quartzsite

Two hours later I rolled through Quartzsite which is looking a little busy but not quite the crazy it will be soon.

truckcamper desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZBy 3pm I was parked in my new place, not far from a previous camp, enjoying the view with only one white van in sight.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZKofa Mts

I watched the clouds dance around the Kofa Mountains.

Saguaro desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Chocolate Mts sunrays clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZChocolate Mts

Of course I took way too many photos.

grass Palo Verde tree Saguaro cactus mt sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZFelt like coming home where I choose happy.

desert Saguaro Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Virga BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZThough still windy, it was a little warmer.

Ocotillo desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds crepuscular rays BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert New Water Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

Ocotillo desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZEven a nice sunset.

desert dew Kofa Mts low clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZRained gently all night and smelled of desert petrichor in the morning with dew sparkles on every branch.  Reached almost 60° with only a little wind.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

rock funnel spider web BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZFunnel spiderweb

I ended the year with two lovely walks from camp, three miles total.  There’s a huge van gathering up the road on the other side. Looks like they are circled and there was rather loud music. Glad I’m not too near that.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZClouds dancing all day and took hundreds of photos making it more difficult to choose which ones to share even out of the small percentage that are keepers.  No wonder I never catch up labeling photos.

desert sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZAccidentally stayed up past midnight working on a book idea about my first experience as a Forest Ranger at Mt St Helens.  Went to bed and didn’t even realize I’d made it to a new year where I will choose happy new beginnings.

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZ

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZYet 2022 still seems an arbitrary number when the Earth itself is 4.543 billion years old hosting humanoids for about six million years and more modern humans a mere 200,000 years (according to recent scientific evidence).  Sorry I got sidetracked doing a little research.

bumper rocks BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZI am happy to be someplace a little bit warmer.  Maybe that’s because the daylight hours last longer every day and it’s Earth’s perihelion, or closest point to the sun, yesterday and today. Whatever, I am more than ready for some new beginnings.  How about you?

12 DSC_8294hdrlerwfbwtxtr Kofa Mts moon rise Kofa NWR AZ fb gfb azp npm 500 g g-HDR-1-3 (960x643)

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28 December 2021

Enjoying a winter pattern in the desert with a few variations

Palo Verde tree sunset Cemetery Road Congress ArizonaSettling in to a winter pattern in the desert with a few variations like more company and making a plan for 2022.  Yet I’m scratching my head and wondering what happened to December that it slipped by so quickly.  It’s not like I’ve been terribly busy in the last three weeks since arriving to this winter’s first boondock home in the northern reaches of Sonoran Desert, Congress Arizona.

desert Palo Verde tree mts sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI enjoy sharing camp with a friend, at least part-time as Joann works a few days a week in Prescott then returns to her trailer here in Camp Congress.  When she’s here we visit on and off most days but also enjoy our alone time in respective campers.  It’s a comfortable winter pattern.

book coverSalton Sea animal skull from Gypsy Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Palo Verde tree desert clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThough it was a bit cold and windy, Gypsy, a local friend, and her dog Sandee Mae came to visit and we managed to sit outside mostly out of the wind for a couple hours.  I forgot to take any pictures of us.  She came bearing gifts, homemade banana bread and the best fruitcake I have ever eaten, no nuts thank you but lots of fruits and chocolate.  Yum!  Also a mystery book I managed to wade through and the coolest two-inch animal skull from the Salton Sea area.  Not sure what it’s from.  Sadly, Sierra isn’t friendly about dog visitors in our tiny house.

desert mt clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaOn super windy days the almost 60° doesn’t feel warm to me.  I tend to stay home, watching out the windows, and occasionally stepping outside for a quick pic.  Worse is when the nights drop into the low 30s.  I sleep warm but don’t even want to get out of bed into the frigid morning.  No propane heat runs overnight.  In the morning I light the heat, make coffee, and sit enjoying the early sunlight warming up the windows.  Ideas swarm in my head and I think about writing a book.  Would that be about my life, being a Park Ranger, or what?  I don’t know what people want to read.

snowball Palo Verde tree Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThe wind increased overnight and it rained.  Joann returned with a present from Prescott.  I was glad for no snow in the desert.  It does happen occasionally but it’s not a typical winter pattern, just wind.  If there’s anything normal about weather.

Palo Verde tree frames horses Cemetery rd Congress ArizonaThe wind dropped enough in the afternoon to take a little walk and saw some of our neighbors out exercising.  Folks were camping in a huge horse trailer.  Funny how 60° felt comfortable then.

Phainopepla bird Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaWelcomed home by this resident Phainopepla

We both needed propane so went down the road a few miles.  I still frick and frack with these “safer” propane tanks.  Made an appointment for the truck’s oil change.

horses Peeples Valley Arizona

horse Peeples Valley ArizonaThe next day we  did chores that took us to Skull Valley seeing horses on the way in Peeples Valley.

Hawk in tree Skull Valley ArizonaLost count of how many hawks were seen sitting on poles and trees.  Hardware store, junk shop, Dollar Store, and pizza for lunch in Yarnell.  Seems like it took all day, but a fun day laughing with a friend.

full moon rising Date Creek Mts Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

full moon rising Date Crk Mts Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Saguaro full moon rising Date Crk Mts Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Saguaro full moon rising Date Crk Mts Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI set up the tripod that afternoon to shoot the almost full moon.

Brenda Gaelyn daughter Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMore company was entertained when Joann’s son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids stopped by for a quick visit and walk in the desert.  Then I got a text from a long-time internet friend who was in my area.  We’ve tried to meet up before.  So after she and her daughter hiked the Hot Shot Trail they stopped by camp.  Of course, they are as awesome as I’d known they’d be.  I’ve watched her now not so little girl grow up into a fine young woman.  Makes me feel like part of the family.  I love my internet family whether seen regularly, occasionally, or never at all so far.  That includes all of you.

Kofa Mts moon rise Kofa NWR ArizonaYet part of my winter patterns include the love of being in the middle of nowhere nature all alone with the world around me.  After days or weeks alone I am ready for people again.  Trust me, it’s not silent at my camper-house—just ask neighbor/friend Joann—because I talk out loud all the time, to myself and the cat.  When my mind is working, words fall out of my mouth.  My mind has been on overtime trying to figure out how to organize and advertise an experience camping with a naturalist, me.  I want to share my love for the land and make a few bucks to augment in retirement.  Thus the birth of the Geogypsy Journey, first two scheduled to Share the Kofa Light in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona.  There will be more in the future.  (Please feel free to share the above link.)

desert Vulture Peak Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaIn the meantime, I enjoy several delightful 60s days around the Solstice.  My favorite holiday because it marks the increase in daylight hours.  Though heavy with clouds, they lent nice shadows and helped hold the heat overnight.

Gaelyn campfire Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann and I went for a walk and gathered firewood.  But we did not wait for full dark to build a campfire, nor did we dance naked around the fire for a neighbor’s drone.  Too dam cold after the sun goes down, even at almost 50°.

Date Crk Mts sunrise clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert mts first light moon Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaUp early enough Wednesday to catch a colorful sunrise then off to town for chores.  Started with an oil change for the truck and breakfast next door while waiting.  Dumped and filled camper tanks at North Ranch RV Park on the way to Wickenburg.

Gaelyn selfie Mad Hatter Goodwill Wickenburg ArizonaScored at a thrift store on a pair of like new Merrill hiking shoes, desert boots, and a 100%-wool malleable Mad-Hatter, all for $24.  Bought groceries for Christmas dinner when Joann would be back in camp.

desert Date Crk Mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert Date Crk Mts wavy clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThe next day clouds held for warmer temperature again.  Not a lot of solar charge going on but I got my exercise going in and out of the camper taking photographs as the cloud show varied all day.

desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Date Crk Mts wavy clouds undulatus apseratus Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThey moved northward in waves (undulatus apseratus), dancing to a different beat in every direction.  Although a warm glow hung on the southern horizon all day under these gray skies the sunset was brightly contained and brief.

window view Saguaro low clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

window view Saguaro low clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

window view Saguaro low clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

OHV & dog desert clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaHow a neighbor walks his dog

Rain didn’t come until bedtime like a pitter-pat lullaby on the roof.  I awoke to clouds all the way to the floor of the desert, obliterating the mountains to all sides.  Rain continued through most of the day making for soft ground and sloppy tracks where people drove.  Another day of limited solar charging but I made it through with my limited demands.

rainbow Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaLate in the day, Christmas Eve, rays of sun broke through from the west and gave a double rainbow gift arching over the desert.

desert flags mts clouds rainbow Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

rainbow Date Creek Mts Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaOne end at the local historic cemetery, no digging for gold there please, and the other disappearing before I could even find my shovel.  I opted for the camera instead.

desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaRainbow didn’t last long before the dark clouds increased and dropped more rain.

desert mts sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaSo nice to enjoy a winter pattern storm bringing moisture to the thirsty desert.

Gaelyn in camper Christmas dinner Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann rolled into camp about noon and we shared a Christmas dinner with her heating the mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and gravy while I fried the ham steaks and oven roasted three veggies.  Delicious, delightful, delovely.  Amazing the kind of meal that can be prepared in small kitchens.  Though this photo makes my tiny house look huge.

Christmas tree and stuffed animals in Joann's trailer Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMy winter pattern includes not to bother with the bother of holidays, but do enjoy spending any day with a good friend.

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14 December 2021

Packing the camper and gone to the desert

Saguaro cactus Cemetery Road Congress ArizonaPacking the camper seemed to take all week, at least a few hours a day, before I could finally leave for the desert where I love to spend the winter.  First stop a familiar sight.

bag of booze bottles packingPart of packing is first organizing what’s already in the camper.  I went through the canned food stash, which I consider mostly emergency food, and threw over half of it away being out of date anywhere from five to fifteen years.  I took the limited number of cans out of the 5th-wheel and put them in the stash.  Can’t be leaving liquid items behind that could freeze and burst.  Back and forth, with reusable grocery bags full of stuff to move.

Christmas tree on cheese boxes Skull Valley ArizonaGoodbye November, hello December.  How does a year filled with slow days go by so fast?

window view coyote tail Brushy Mt Skull Valley ArizonaLook closely for a busy tail disappearing behind bush, close to center

Coyote went past too fast for my camera.

Bradshaw Mts Iron Springs Road North ArizonaBradshaw Mts north to Prescott

desert trees mt sunset clouds Ferguson Valley Road Skull Valley ArizonaSunset in Skull Valley

Morning temperatures in the low 40s slow me down.  It’s not easy to heat the 36 foot 5th-wheel using only two small heaters on 30amp service.  But I get it together for a shopping day in Prescott, stocking-up in a big town like I might not see for a few weeks at least.  Still, I have to shop with discretion because my camper is a tiny house.  And yet, it takes all day to complete the chores.  And then I have more packing the camper.  Biggest score was 600 count, 100% Egyptian cotton, queen-size sheet-set for $25.  I bought two sets, for each RV.

fall trees boulders Brushy Mt Skull Valley Arizona

unidentified lizard Skull Valley ArizonaI like to take a day off after a full day in town, but there was a little more packing.  And the next day I had a few more chores in Skull Valley.

fall yellow Cottonwood trees driveway Haverfield Ranch Skull Valley ArizonaThe dump is only open three days a week and I had a bunch of garbage to get rid of before hitting the road.  Also needed to mail the last of the calendars.  (Hope they all arrived.)  Plus I wanted to check out a marvelous local driveway lined with huge ancient Cottonwood trees in hopes of fall color.  Got lucky with that.

Sierra cat on camper bed Congress ArizonaDon’t forget me

Still packing on Saturday.  A different kind of packing because the big house doesn’t have to be packed away, just no liquids left behind.  Yet the back and forth moving of the almost last minute stuff took all afternoon and I thought about putting off leaving one more day.

pigs Skull Valley ArizonaTime to slaughter (according to my landlord), yet I’d say looking a little lean

Naw, Sunday was good with only a little packing.  I fed the pigs my food garbage and had to winterize the 5th-wheel after a shower.  Joann was ready and hitting the road Sunday also.  We planned to meet and camp in Congress off Ghost Town Road, where I’ve been many times.

blackie cow sniffing metate Skull Valley ArizonaBlackie sniffing the metate

Yet I kept dragging my feet, wanting to both stay and go.  I finally convinced myself if I forgot something, I’m less than an hour away. It will be alright.

driveway wash Skull Valley ArizonaOver my driveway wash

 signs Elephant curve SR89 Yarnell Hill ArizonaDown Yarnell Hill

truckcamper Saguaro cactrus mts Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Joann & Gaelyn campers Saguaro mts clouds Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaPulled into camp Congress by 3pm where Joann had parked by the huge familiar Saguaro bird condo.  She made us salad, spaghetti and bread for dinner.

brush wash mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaAhhhh……  a sigh of relief.  No more packing.  I am embraced by the desert apricity.  It even smells different here.  We spent a good part of the day chatting, sitting outside in the sun and shade, sitting inside one camper or the other.  We took walks, separately and together.

stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

scum & dead moths stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Sparrow bird stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI walked to the stock tank and a bit beyond under clear skies and 70°.  Perfect, except for all the military flyover.  Their noise disturbs my harmonics.

campfire Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann likes campfires and gathered enough wood for about an hour pre-sunset burn.

mt sunset clouds moon Venus Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

crescent moon Venus Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThen time for the moon in alignment with Venus.

Saguaro mt sunrise clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert Vulture Pk sunrise clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaSunrise blazed and a soft orange glow hung over the horizon all day under chilly gray skies.  Amazingly the solar panels kept charging enough for my minimal usage and even charged Joann’s phone a couple times.

battery & cooler in minivan Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

portable solar panels on minivan Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaShe has portable solar panels and a solar charged battery plus a 12volt cooler/freezer combination.  It held its own that day but never got to 100% charge.

Saguaro desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert Vulture Pk sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI stayed inside most of the day doing my usual labeling photos and occasionally jumped outside for a photo.

desert mts stormy clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThe next morning’s heavy cloud cover limited color then danced all day like stormy seas.  Another good day to mostly stay inside.

Gila Woodpecker bird Saguaro Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaLater the sun came out and tried to break up the clouds so I went for a very quick walk as it’s cool at 63° with a breeze.  Even the Gila Woodpeckers were sticking close to home.

tree sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

campfire coals Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaSunset again spectacular as our evening campfire burned to a bed of coals.

window view rain desert clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaBecause Thursday was predicted to rain we had decided to make it our town day.  Morning was gray but opened up briefly giving Joann’s solar panels a little burst.  Then the sky turned gray and we went to Wickenburg about thirty minutes away.  That Goodwill hasn’t raised prices so we shopped and I got a few books.  While we did laundry Joann’s battery was plugged in and charged.  What a pit place with 90% of dryers out of order.  Picked up a few groceries and it rained a bit on the way home.  Unpacked just before it started to rain with meaning which kept up most of the night.  There were puddles.  A special gift in the desert.  So glad it wasn’t the snow falling in northern Arizona.

Joann decorating tree Congress Arizona

Christmas tree RV window Saguaro Congress Arizona

Ornaments Christmas tree Congress ArizonaPuddles were gone shortly after sunrise on another chilly gray day.  The stay home after a town day became craft day in my camper.  Joann already had a flat tree made from garland and a string of tiny battery operated lights.  She’d bought a bag of miscellaneous small wooden ornaments at the thrift store.  Plugged her glue gun in and decorated the 18 inch tree.

Christmas tree Congress ArizonaIt’s decorating my window for a few days and her camper next.  I haven’t decorated any kind of Christmas tree in many years.  Lots of laughs and fun.

moist dry wash Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMoist dry-wash

Mornings are a little chilly in the low 40s but once the sun gets high enough to charge my solar, if there’s no wind, the afternoon is nice to be outside in high 50s/low 60s.

Joann by boulder Date Creek Mts Congress Arizona

Joann Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann took a walk at least half a mile to the foot of the Date Creek Mountains to our east.  Not quite a quarter way up a humongous granite boulder stripped with thick veins of white quartz was calling her name.  When she texted me “I touched it.”  I zoomed in for a photo.

cow pies in campfire Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMy walk was closer to camp looking for down and dead branches for our evening campfire.  We even tried burning flat dried cow pies that worked quit well with no smell.  It’s actually just as available as wood in this rather picked over camping area.

inside Joann's TT Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

kitchen Joann's TT Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann left her trailer and returned to Prescott to take care of some business so I’ll be on my own for a few days.  I can handle that.  The sun is shinning with only a few wispy clouds.  I’m done packing and in the desert.  Sure feels good.

bumper rocks Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

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Arizona, Congress, Places I've been, RV life, Skull Valley, Sonoran desert, United States boondocking, camper, friends, packing, truckcamper, winter 29 Comments
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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere in southern Arizona.  In the area, give a shout.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

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Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

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1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

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Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

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