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Category: Kofa NWR

10 March 2021

Stay or go where the wind blows

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaShould I stay or go?  Over the last week the weather has been almost every other day of calm, clear, and delightfully warm versus wind blows with gusts up to 45 mph.  It’s spring in the desert and March winds blew in like a lion.  Nice clouds but sadly not much rain and the wind just dries out the land that is already stone and dust.

Sonoran desert New Water Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran desert New Water Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI tried to go for walks on days the wind wasn’t too brutal.  Never got very far from camp as that’s my way.  I’d be gone for at least an hour only to discover I’d only walked 1/2 mile.

Jojoba bush Mesquite tree Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Mesquite tree Saguaro cactus desert MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Mesquite tree burl MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI have this thing about trees, especially in the desert, where they work hard and must live long to attain tallness. This twisted Mesquite with crooked zigzag branches and shreddy bark towers over 20 feet competing with the Saguaros in height. Small spines, almost imperceptible, will catch your clothes if given a chance.  Mesquite is 2.5 times harder than oak so good for cook fires providing long burning coals.  The tree produces bean pods up to 8” long that can be ground into meal and used like flour.  This one has a large burl covered with bark.  A burl is usually caused by stress, injury, virus or fungus.  This tree may look dead but it is not.

Saguaro cactus desert Chocolate Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Gaelyn selfie in shorts camper mirror MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIf the wind blows lightly enough I sit outside in the afternoon using the camper as a wind block reading interspersed with short meanders looking at rocks.  BTW, don’t walk in the desert in slippers.  Had to get pliers to pull a few spines.  I love warm enough to be wearing shorts, which I rarely do.  Been working on a slow tan on my legs.  I’ve mentioned how the fridge just decides not to light some days and I worry about food thawing.  Then after a few hours it works.  One night the fridge froze everything, literally.  I had to chip cream out of the container for my coffee in the morning.  That day I actually turned the fridge off for hours and even left the door open to thaw the food.  Then hoped it would start again and just refrigerate and not freeze, except for the freezer.

 

Sonoran Desert New Water Mts light & shadow MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMorning temperatures continued to increase and by 10 am I had the door open at 60°.

Sonoran Desert New Water Mts light & shadow MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert New Water Mts light & shadow MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSuddenly the wind blows again with 45mph gusts from the SW and the camper is rocking.  Very annoying.  With dust flying the Castle Dome Mountains to the south disappeared and the Chocolate Mountains were on the way next.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts last light clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHad a brief bout of rain that didn’t even dampen the ground either evaporating or carried away on the warm dry air.  There is no off switch for the wind.

Sonoran Desert New Water Mts light & shadow sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts last light clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen as suddenly as it began, the wind dropped and the storm moved off to the northeast leaving behind some marvelous light that called me outside with camera in hand right through sunset.

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds crepuscular rays MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIt’s still challenging to shoot with a 55mm lens that doesn’t do a very wide angle.

Sonoran Desert New Water Mts sunrise clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise

Another challenge in this ultra beautiful place tests my internet addiction.  Morning until about 10am is the most reliable signal, sometimes.  Two bars and 4G is the best and inconsistent.  Daytime is my personal best and most productive time.  I have enough power to work on the computer during the day and in the evenings processing photos from the day.  Biggest problem is lack of signal to share them, or even get a post out.  I tell myself, it’s OK and not the end of the world, but…  What I don’t understand is, why I can stream a movie on my phone but can’t get on FB to upload some small photo files.  The last Foto Friday Fun post took three hours to load.  And so I find myself up way too late at night using up my Hulu free trial binge watching “Atlantis”,  possibly a BBC series from a few years ago.

helicopters over mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHelicopters at sunset

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts sunset MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaOK, enough ranting about the lack of signal.  With the temperatures heading into the low 80s for a couple days, I am a happy camper.  Unless the wind blows too hard.  I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy this Sonoran Desert for most of the winter.  Around Kofa I’ve missed seeing birds, more than a couple Ravens and an occasional hawk too far away to identify.  Must be less food than around Congress where there might be more water as well.  It’s a harsh life in the desert.  Anything that lives here long is truly a survivor.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaUnder partly cloud skies with a light wind 84° felt perfect for another short walk from camp.  I keep trying to go a different direction without intruding on any distant neighbors and avoiding the power line that parallels the road to the south.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree Saguaro cactus Sonoran Desert clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree Saguaro cactus Sonoran Desert clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNot long before I discovered an interesting nursery tree, a Palo Verde that’s given shelter to a short and stout Saguaro with many arms.

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert Kofa Mts clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaOnce again the late afternoon light played games across the land.

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWarming temperatures also means time for a little cat grooming.  Sierra is a long-hair extremely furry cat, therefor so is my little house.  Cat hair everywhere, furniture, walls, it’s in the air.  Literally everywhere.  I am constantly pulling a single hair out of my mouth.  Surprised I don’t spit up hairballs, she doesn’t either.  She’s not tolerant of brushing and gets matted like felt.  I’ve been cutting out chunks all winter but that doesn’t go to far with her either.  Last year, I bought a pet trimming kit.  Dug out the battery operated clippers and she’s pretty good with that.  It’s quiet.  I’m not shaving her to skin.  Just slowly working the length down.  So her fur is looking a little choppy these days (no photos please), but then so am I even with no trimming.  My bi-annual hair cut should happen in a few weeks.  Because warmer weather also means it will soon be time to leave the desert behind and make a move northward returning to work for the summer at Bryce Canyon National Park.  Just not quite yet.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise mammatus clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen another afternoon as the wind blows and rocks my house with prediction of more to come in following days so I decided it’s time to dump and fill the tanks again which means time to move.  The calm morning with glorious sunrise including clouds that told a story of the predicted afternoon winds to come made it hard to go.  But like a timer set, at 11am the first puffs grew into gusts.  That was my sign to go where the wind blows me, which was north less than 20 miles to Shady Lane RV Court in Quartzsite for at least one night.

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, United States photography, Sonoran Desert, weather, wind 29 Comments
23 February 2021

A different perspective of Kofa NWR

Saguaro Palo Verde desert last light Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter my last little run around to towns I moved camp to a different perspective of the Kofa Mountains and parked along the MST&T Road on BLM land.  The road condition isn’t as rough as Palm Canyon because of less traffic so also quieter with RVs more spread out.  Oops, probably shouldn’t advertise that.  Only a few miles north of Palm Canyon Road yet still looking NE-SE at the ragged Kofa Mountains to the east and the Chocolate Mountains to the west.

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe cell signal is inconsistently weak and strong though I am distantly surrounded by at least four towers according to some apps I found.  Towers high me in a valley.  Of course it’s winter windy in the desert with plenty of sunshine for solar charging.  Maybe the wind affects the signal.

desert sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI haven’t been happy with auto-focus on my camera, old or new, for many months.  Finally dug out a different lens, 55-300mm, and auto-focus seemed to work quite well.  Also checked with the 18-55mm kit lens and yes, auto-focus worked fine.  I am bummed because it appears my favorite go-to 18-200mm lens no longer talks to the camera during auto-focus.  My eyes are not great so I do rely on that working.  Because I don’t like to constantly change lenses I’m sticking with the bigger one but taking a different perspective and find myself having to back further away from the subject to get it in the frame.  It will be on hold to replace my favorite lens, laptop replacement first, so I’m grateful to have backups.

sun shine electric wires desert Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI don’t like the power lines I’m almost parked under but did get an interesting shot of the light on the wires one morning after sleeping through sunrise.  It’s kind of creepy.  Out shooting sunset and could hear noise from the electric wires.  Wonder if that’s what is screwing with my signal.

The whipping winds have kept me inside a lot.  20-30 mph gusts make 56° too chill for me.  I hesitate to complain at all about the weather while hearing about folks dealing with unprecedented cold and snow.  So even though sometimes the camper is rocking my tiny house, powered by solar and propane, I’m quite comfortable.  I do know from personal experience a camper is brutal to keep even semi-warm under 32°.  I highly recommend keeping some kind of fuel and camp stove available for emergencies.

desert Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFinally a day with lesser wind and I went for a walk.

Saguaro cactus arms MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaQuite nice with the sun to my back.  Then turned around and the “breeze” brought sniffles to my nose.

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFound it challenging to experiment with different perspectives using the changed camera lens.  Nice to see the Ocotillo leafing out.

broken Saguaro cactus MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaOften see multi-armed Saguaro cactus that resembles some character.

Saguaro cactus MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYet up close is rather interesting too especially when the cactus works so hard to heal itself from some aggressive action.

Sonoran Desert Chocolate Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI was out for about an hour and didn’t cover more than .25 mi. But at least I got out.

One night I had a really good signal and watched a movie on YouTube.  This is not something I normally do.  Kind of an experiment as I’m contemplating a 7-day free trial on Hulu to watch Nomadland.  I truly enjoyed watching the Perseverance Rover landing on Mars in close to real time on YouTube.  Hard to believe we’ve gone from walking on the moon to landing on another planet.

Sierra cat by creosote bush MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnother nice day I sat outside for a couple hours reading.  Then I let Sierra out for a little bit.  She headed right for her hidey-hole under the truck and into the wheel well but can’t get there now that the camper is sitting where it should be in the truck bed. What a memory. She circled the truck a couple times, sniffed the fire ring, tried some dry grass, and wandered a little bit before I called her back, scooped her up and put back in the camper.  I was worried about her getting cactus stuff in her fur or running off.  We’ll see if I do that again.

Gaelyn & Joann MST&T Rd camp BLM Kofa Mts ArizonaJoann drove down from Prescott Saturday to camp one night.  She arrived by 8am with breakfast Mc sandwich in hand.  The camp set-up in her mini-van is coming along comfortably and usable while still a work in progress.

MST&T Rd Google maps Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaShe drove us into the Kofa NWR to within sight of the end of the ten-mile MST&T Tower Road (Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph) with a few stops and side trips along the way.  Some nice looking campsites along the road but very few campers.

Jumping Cholla & Saguaro cactus Kofa Mts MST&T Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMore cholla as we climbed in elevation.

cactus desert valley mts MST&T Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaA totally different perspective looking down into the valley we just came from.

holes in rock Saguaro cactus MST&T Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaReturned to camp for lunch and sat outside for a bit but the wind picked up so Joann suggested another drive up Palm Canyon Road.  Being a weekend there were lots of RVs and tenters along that road.

Palm Canyon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

dusty Kings Valley Castle Dome Mts Palm Canyon trl Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWe did walk a little up Palm Canyon trail but the wind was brutal and the valley was disappearing in dust.  Although Joann brought firewood it was too windy and we were wind battered so it was an early night.

red Chuparosa flowers Palm Canyon trl Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaChuparosa, first wildflowers of 2021

Sunday morning was tolerable sitting outside using our rigs for wind block and we chatted for hours sharing stories and catching up since our last visit in January.  I’ve isolated so much in the last week I talked her ear off.  She left around 2pm for a 2 1/2 hour drive home already talking about another camp-out in the future.  And who knows where that will be getting a different perspective.

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, RV life, United States MST&T Road, Palm Canyon Road, photography, RV living, Sonoran Desert 28 Comments
16 February 2021

Finding space in my RV, computer, and head

Kofa Mts morning sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFinding space can be physical, digital, and in my head.  Living in a tiny house (camper 12×8 feet plus bed) finding space can be a challenge, one thing in often leads to one thing out.  Yet I survive comfortably without a whole lot of stuff.

Kofa Mts sunrise glow Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise Kofa Mts

When out boondocking on public lands, finding space to park the RV includes a beautiful window view preferably without other RVs in sight, and a strong enough signal to get online.  Once there, I’m in no hurry to move.  Takes time to get to know a place.

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset Chocolate Mts

The desert and mountains are a spectacular part of the Sonoran Desert I dearly love, during winter.  Wonder how long I can stretch before needing supplies?

Saguaro cactus desert New Water Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset New Water Mts

I put off moving until the next day.

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut that didn’t happen either.  After the fridge giving some grief and not wanting to start the night before I woke up with it humming right along.  Good thing or I would have had food on melt down and eaten more ice cream than usual.

desert late light Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaTomorrow will be soon enough to shop.

Sierra cat on camper bed Sierra is happier when we don’t roll but she has no problem finding space to crawl under the covers when we do, after several complaining meows.

last light Saguaro desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMy decision not to move paid off.  The afternoon was filled with clouds and marvelous light.

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSadly, a new neighbor pulled in finding space right at the western edge of my sunrise view.  But even that didn’t make it easy to leave this gorgeous place.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizonadesert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Alas, I needed groceries so really did have to go.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts sunrays sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut I didn’t hurry too much as I was enjoying the cloudy show.

rocks Kofa camp ArizonaKofa camp rocks

I took an extremely slow drive the three miles back to the highway trying not to bounce the camper too much.  I’m thinking part of that problem is the truck itself needs beefing up with some new shocks and possibly overpriced airbags.  Ideally, the camper could come off the truck this summer for its own repairs and then the truck could be worked on much easier.  Had to stop along the drive because the pickle jar in a trash bag leaked and now my truck cab smells like dill pickles. I didn’t want to put the liquid in my tank or pour it outside as people-food.  But then I did pour out the small amount left in the jar and the trash bag.  Yes, finding space for garbage means the front passenger seat, extra water jugs sit on the floor.  At first I was mad.  Then I heard Berta’s voice about finding space in my head to laugh, and let it go.  Good thing I like pickles, and that nobody could hear me LMAO!

After grocery shopping in Blythe, I struggled finding space in the refrigerator and freezer.  Found a really good sale price on ice cream.  Then there’s dry goods to cram in a small cupboard.  And large supplies of paper products go in the truck’s back seat/pantry/closet.

sunset Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaNo problem finding space to park overnight at Shady Lane RV Court.  Yup, time to dump and fill again.  Always nice to see Breezy and Finius who own the place.  And a treat to have unlimited electricity to work on photos.  Except for a problem finding space on the laptop’s hard-drive.  So full, I couldn’t add even one, more, photo.  I’ve been backing up to external drives in order to free-up some space.  Not easy when I’m behind labeling photos by just over one year.  The new camera definitely takes larger size photo files than the previous one.

By morning I realized I would need another external drive.  Good thing that digital space is small and doesn’t take up much physical space.  This would mean another trip to a town bigger than Quartzsite.  If it wasn’t going to be super windy near Yuma I’d head south and possibly replace the old laptop, but it will have to wait longer.  Instead I took the shorter drive north to Parker for a WalMart.  Their computer selection didn’t entice me but I did buy another 1TB external drive.

desert Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite Ariona

Dome Rock Mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaFinding space to boondock near Parker isn’t easy so I returned to Plomosa Road and didn’t drive far as I only planned to spend one night.  The place is too noisy for me, close to the road, OHV dust, other people, generators, and barking dogs.

Ironwood tree frames mt peak Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThat turned into two nights as I like at least one down day after two town days.  Still had 1/4 tank of propane.  A storm blew through and dropped some hard rain with wind so strong I could barely open the camper door.  Later the sun came out and I went for a short walkabout finding space in the curved branches of an Ironwood tree.

crescent moon sunset Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThen sunset left a wide band of orange across the horizon with a sliver of moon hoovering above.

Winter winds in the desert southwest can be brutal but I couldn’t let them stop me completely.  Besides I needed to return to Quartzsite to do laundry and fill both propane tanks before finding space to park in the quiet desert once again.

Palo Verde tree Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Loggerhead Shrike bird Palo Verde tree Kofa Mts MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLoggerhead Shrike

Instead of the usual Palm Canyon Road I took the MST&T Tower Road towards those lovely Kofa Mountains so my angle of view is different.  There is a delightful Palo Verde nursery-tree to at least 3-5 Saguaros out my door and plenty of desert in sight.

desert RVs Chocolate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Chocolate Mts dusty sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaDusty sunset

With wind gusting 30mph and clocking from the southwest to northwest I parked pointing north so the camper is rocking a bit but down wind for the fridge that is playing games with two full propane tanks and fully charged battery.  Once again it lit sometime after I went to bed.

Choclate Mts sunset clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree Kofa Mts reverse sunset MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe wind blew brutally on Valentine’s keeping me inside but the day ended with gorgeous colors.

The signal has been on and off iffy. That could be the deal breaker requiring me to move once again and finding space that meets all my requirements.  Now I could really use motivation finding space in my day for more exercise.  Anybody else struggling with that?

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States boondocking, computer problems, desert, photography, RV Park 19 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.

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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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