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Category: Mittry Lake

24 April 2024

Back on the road again

RV sunset reflection Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CAWasn’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.

sunrise moon Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CAOnce 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 bird on side mirror Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Feliity CASay’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). 

yellow Desert Marigold & purple Sand Verbena flowers Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CADesert Marigold & Sand Verbena

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

sunset Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CAMy 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. 

white Desert Lily & yellow Creosote flowers Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CADesert Lily in Creosote bush

bumper rocks Pilot Knob BLM LTVA Felicity CABumper 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.

sunset Mittry Lake Yuma AZStill 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. 

storm clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

sunset Mittry Lake Yuma AZMaybe rising Spring temperatures and rain brought the mosquitoes that descended every evening at dusk. 

Great-tailed Grackle birds Mittry Lake Yuma AZGreat-tailed Grackles

Yet bugs bring birds. 

Osprey bird Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

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

boat Mittry Lake Yuma AZPeople who launch small boats and fished sometimes caught a decent sized bass or two. 

sunset Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

sunset Mittry Lake Yuma AZIf nothing else, sunsets reflected on water where worth the stay even if I sometimes had to shoot through the screen door. 

Space X Falcon 9 launch Mittry Lake Yuma AZAnd then I got lucky and saw SpaceX Falcon 9 fly cross the sky. 

clouds reflection Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

bees bearding Mittry Lake Yuma AZOne 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.

Imperial Sand Dunes CA

Gaelyn Imperial Sand Dunes CA by JoannMarch 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. 

Plank Rd Imperial Sand dunes CA

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

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

Old Fogey hot spring Holtville CA

Old Fogey Hotspring Holtville CAThen 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.

Old Fogey Hotspring Holtville CA

Gaelyn Old Fogey HotspringI 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. 

Old Fogey Hotspring Holtville CA

Gaelyn soaking Old Fogey Hotspring Holtville CAA nice place to stay that will be on my list for next winter, though it’s a little close to the noisy interstate. 

Space X Old Fogey hotspring BLM LTVA Holtville CASpace X Old Fogey hotspring BLM LTVA Holtville CA

Saw SpaceX again. 

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

sunset Old Fogey hotspring BLM LTVA Holtville CASunset 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 Holtville hotspring CA

10in fish pond Holtville CAFish 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. 

mapsmaps route

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.

 

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Arizona, California, Mittry Lake, Places I've been, RV life, Yuma birds, hot spring, lake, RV life 27 Comments
18 April 2023

Boondocking and birds at Mittry Lake

last light tall grass lake Mittry Lake Yuma AZLeft the Sonoran Desert on my birthday, March 26, spent one night at Owl, and then Yuma before heading to Mittry Lake.  I am excited to be boondocking by water!

Lupine & creosote flowers SR85 AZLupine along SR85

After two weeks boondocking on the Sonoran Desert, and five months without a water fix, I decided it was time for a change, like Mittry Lake.  As I was packing to roll, the door to the camper wouldn’t open.  There’s been problems with this 27-year old rig and the sagging door is only one.  Finally managed to pry the door open and then took a piece off the bottom of the frame, and viola, now it opens and closes.  Sometimes I amaze myself.  I even took a short video.

sign Tamales for Sale SR85 Ajo AZDriving through Ajo I saw a sign for home-made tamales for sale and hit the brakes.  Oh yum.  Bought six pork with red sauce for $20.  If you think that’s expensive, you’ve never made tamales.  Years ago I helped make traditional Christmas tamales and now I understand.

tamaleI popped right into the camper and enjoyed a delicious tamale birthday brunch.

Hist80 Owl AZThen drove north about an hour to Gila Bend to dump and fill tanks for free before hitting Interstate 8 west for a familiar one night stop below the Mohawk Mountains.

last light Hist80 Owl AZSpent the afternoon replying to birthday wishes online.  Thank you all.  Oh so nice sitting below a tower and having great signal with a beautiful view.

Mohawk Mts sunset Hist80 Owl AZ

strawberry shortcakeAnd enjoying the evening light before my favorite pizza dinner and strawberry shortcake for desert.

wrecking yard Owl AZLeaving camp in the morning I decided to drive the Historic 80 west—at least as far as I could—towards Yuma.  And I finally got to see Owl, Arizona, or at least what’s left of it.

wrecking yard Owl AZold bus wrecking yard Owl AZ

This wrecking yard is loaded with old RVs, trucks, buses, and cars.  I only parked on the shoulder to take photos but will keep it in mind for parts.  Sadly I didn’t see any slide-in campers like mine.

abandoned gas station Hist 80 Tacna AZTacna AZ

I continued west at a comfortable 55mph, barely any traffic, and better pavement than the within sight interstate.  I need to backroad more often as I really dislike the pressure of driving interstates.  Colfred, Tacna, Noah, Asher—mostly a few abandoned buildings with lots of farmland—and Wellton where I stopped at a small RV Park for the best price seen for propane.  Another few miles to Ligurta and no choice but return to interstate for the last mountain pass west into Imperial Valley and the Yuma sprawl.

The slow road put me behind getting to Yuma where I shopped at Wally’s and finally got to Joann’s by 1pm.  She had lunch made, chicken, green beans, and salad.  But the best part, she made me fudge for my birthday, lots of fudge, months worth of fudge.  Took a shower and while doing laundry we watched an interesting documentary about owls.

sunset VFW-BLM Yuma AZWas getting too late in the afternoon to look for a campsite at the unfamiliar Mittry Lake so I spent the night at the VFW-BLM and it’s a little less crowded in March but still noisy.

After a few more chores in town I took a slow drive north on Laguna Dam Road in search of a camp near water at Mittry Lake.  Twenty-six years ago I learned about boondocking here while caravanning with another nomad.  Earlier this winter, Joann and I drove out to the lake.

sluiceway gate irg canal Yuma AZI stopped at the historic sluiceway gate used to hold back silt and built by the Bureau of Reclamation after the 1909 completion of the Laguna Dam. Water diverted from the Colorado River is used for agricultural irrigation in Yuma.  If you eat greens in the USA, they likely came from Yuma.

After nine miles the pavement ends and the gravel road is doable even for a small car.  I followed the shoreline of Mittry Lake and saw a few choice camps right on the water, all full and also right along the road.  There are day use areas, a boat launch, a few gravel two tracks going uphill away from Mittry Lake, and a parking lot camp.  None of those appealed to me.  So I kept on driving and took video along the way.

Mittry Lake Yuma AZAfter three miles of gravel I found another boat launch including a dock for small fishing boats and kayaks, and a handful of boondockers respectfully spaced apart.  Perfect.

Egret bird in flight Mittry Lake Yuma AZAlmost immediately I saw an Egret in flight.

Great-tailed Grackle birds on tree Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

Great-tailed Grackle birds in flight Mittry Lake Yuma AZLater when out for an evening walk I saw a plague/group of Great-tailed Grackles roosting and soaring.

last light grasses water mts clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

sunset clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZHow special to watch a reflection at sunset on Mittry Lake.

Mallard ducks water Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

Anna's hummingbird yellow flowering creosote bush Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

Osprey bird soaring Mittry Lake Yuma AZYou know while boondocking near the Cargo Muchacho Mountains this winter I was missing birds and fortunately I saw some birds later in the Sonoran Desert.  Mallards and Coots swimming, hummingbirds hanging out with flowering creosote, and all the time Osprey soaring over Mittry Lake in the hopes of spotting and catching a fish.  Only saw one drop and splash once but I wasn’t fast enough to get photos.

Saguaro Mittry Lake Yuma AZTook a walk to the only Saguaro within sight through desert of Palo Verde, Mesquite and giant creosote.

camp from walk Mittry Lake Yuma AZSuch a crazy contrast seeing desert plants next to so much water.  Mittry Lake is actually a 600 acre section of the Colorado River entrapped between the Imperial and Laguna dams.

military plane Mittry Lake Yuma AZIt’s also adjacent to the Yuma Proving Grounds so silence is sometimes broken by military planes, jets, and helicopters.

lake clouds sunset crepuscular rays Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

lake marsh mts sunsest clouds rays Mittry Lake Yuma AZEvery night a fabulous sunset show.

Great-tailed Grackle birds posturing Mittry Lake Yuma AZA windy day made 67° feel chilly so I stayed inside working on a video about the drive from Organ Pipe Cactus to my Sonoran Desert camp.  Towers in three distant directions kept the signal strong.  I also watched out the window while two male Grackles postured and the females ignored them and ate ants.

window sunset clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZAnd didn’t even get outside for sunset.

Osprey bird soaring Mittry Lake Yuma AZimm Yellow-rumped Warbler bird Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

                                           Osprey                                                                                Maybe Yellow-rumped Warbler         

The next day was calm and at 74° I moved a chair around my truck between sun and shade watching birds between book chapters.

reflection sunset clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZEven stayed calm for a magnificent reflected sunset on Mittry Lake.

people dogs kayaks Mittry Lake Yuma AZWeekend had one neighbor leaving, and so I took their space just a little closer to Mittry Lake.  Also more traffic with people launching small fishing boats and lots of kayaks.  I don’t fish but was told by neighbor Eric from Canada who had a small boat at the dock people caught mostly Bluegill and Bass, though he hadn’t any luck catching anything.  Several tent campers arrived and the couple, Mark and Alice, nearest me had rather loud voices.  I was entertained with their obvious newbie antics.  This is one of the most social places I’ve camped all winter and I learned just about everybody’s name.

sunset window view Mittry Lake Yuma AZJoann came by Saturday afternoon and we sat outside chatting away, which means I didn’t take photos until sunset.

Swallow birds murmur reeds mts Mittry Lake Yuma AZMonday morning I woke in time for a calm sunrise and got down to the water in time to catch the murmur of Swallows.

dusty view Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

dusty view Mittry Lake Yuma AZLater the wind kicked in and blew dust that obscured the not so distant mountain views.

Osprey & Swallow birds soaring Mittry Lake Yuma AZDidn’t stop the Osprey, or the Swallow giving chase.

Gaelyn shadow on reeds Mittry Lake Yuma AZThen cleared in time for sunset.

Osprey bird soaring Mittry Lake Yuma AZFollowed by another day of high wind, with no dust, that rocked the camper and kept me inside again.  I was undecided about my next move.  Temperatures in the Yuma area would soon reach the high 90s headed to 100°.  I contemplated going north to Kofa for the full moon and then home to Skull Valley.  But honestly, I’m not ready to go “home” yet.

brush moon Mittry Lake Yuma AZDid make it outside after the moon had broke horizon.

reflection mts sunset clouds Mittry Lake Yuma AZPlus caught another reflective sunset.

Cottontail rabbit running Mittry Lake Yuma AZWednesday morning I woke up cold to 43°.  Crazy weather.  Here I am worried about moving out of high heat.  I look out the window and see a Cottontail only a few days early for Easter.

Laguna Dam Rd & Gila Main Canal Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

camper Mittry Lake Yuma AZIn the afternoon I took a walk along the nearby Laguna Dam Road that runs parallel to the Gila Main canal and Mittry Lake.  The water runs swift and cold.

full moon rise Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

full moon rise Mittry Lake Yuma AZ

full moon rise Mittry Lake Yuma AZThat night I caught the moon best I could.

sunset Mittry Lake Yuma AZJust around sunset.

Ground squirrel Mittry Lake Yuma AZLife really is a balancing act.  And so I move on from Mittry Lake.

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Arizona, Mittry Lake, Places I've been, United States, Yuma bird watching, birthday, boondocking, full moon, sunsets 15 Comments

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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