I almost chickened out. Kept watching the predicted weather reports while enjoying the electric heat. I could just stay longer and pay more rent. But I so wanted to BE, sitting in the desert, no close neighbors, soaking up the healing desert apricity.
Apricity (n) – the warmth of the sun in winter. I tend to find apricity in the desert but it can be found almost anywhere. Hopefully where you are and especially if that’s in the cold northern hemisphere.
I once again slept through the midnight celebrations welcoming in the new year. In fact, I went to bed early and actually woke in time for sunrise, thinking it was good practice for desert life. Glad I’ll be heading to a better view than the water tanks.
Joann came down from Prescott and we walked into the BLM adjacent to North Ranch following an OHV track to the Lonesome Saguaro, which sadly looks like it’s been used for target practice. I’m going to miss our weekly visits although she may come visit me in the desert.
I was in no rush the next morning. Got a blog post scheduled for the next day, dumped tanks, fueled up and got on the road at noon. Stopped for lunch a couple hours later in Quartzsite and was parked level by 3:30pm just under two miles off pavement along Palm Canyon Road on BLM adjacent to Kofa NWR.
I was actually awake in time for an uncolorful sunrise and was grateful for the heat of the oven to take off the morning chill at 39°. And there’s part of the problem with getting up at the coldest part of the day.
Once it warmed, I went out for a two-hour mindful walk weaving between desert plants while exploring the vicinity south of camp. I look for vegetation that could block the view of other RVs and make a good foreground in photos. Palo Verde with dense twisted green branches, narrow stalks of Ocotillo some with green leaves and others with red flowers, Saguaro cactus are scattered and sparse unlike creosote bushes that are everywhere with burrow holes around the mounds at their base. I never see anything go in or out.
Sierra came out for a little walk on her leash. Then we sat and enjoyed the apricity. With no wind, the desert is a quiet place. I cannot find a specific word for that so have made up my own.
Deserquies (n) – silence only found in the desert. Think I should submit it to Webster?
Gayle came by to park for the night in her RV and we chatted the afternoon away.
The next day we enjoyed a two hour saunter, sat and chatted, and then she left to meet up with a friend. What an inspiration, she’s 83 and been RV traveling for 25 years.
I’m using the big camera and find it heavy and a bit difficult to zoom and focus with my lesser healed left hand. By evening my arms and hands are sore. I think the camera is acting up, intermittent shutter and focus problems.
The desert warmth in winter frequently includes a cooling wind that can drop the temperature 10°. I find plenty of healing desert apricity at 66° but wind and 56° not so much. So some days I hang out in the camper enjoying my window views. Watching hummingbirds on the brilliant red Ocotillo blooms. It’s the moon in this shot.
On those inside days I’m on the computer a lot and fortunately here I have a decent signal. Clear sunny days mean the solar panel keeps my house battery up to snuff for lighting the propane refrigerator and lights in the evening. I use an inverter plugged into the trucks power-point with an extension cord run into the camper to charge phone and laptop.
Being it’s coldest in the wee morning hours I’m going back to my usual watch sunset, stay up late (11pm), and sleep in. Since I broke my wrists I seem to easily sleep through ten hours a night. Right now, if the wind stops, I enjoy being outside mid-day for more healing desert apricity. It’s working.
Full moon rise Friday the 10th.
