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Camping near Kofa Mountains south of Quartzsite Arizona

desert mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZI love those Kofa Mountains so much I’ve been, stayed, left, and returned all with ten days.  Cold nights and not so cold refrigerator had me on the move to town and different camps.  Does it seem that cold came early or is it my aging memory and low tolerance for below 60-70°F.

ant hole & yellow flowers BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZAfter leaving the cold of camp Congress and buying yet another battery, this time for the camper, I stayed at Shady Lane RV Park in Quartzsite and took care of chores.  That last camper battery only lasted a year and is needed to make the solar system work.  Early November is pretty quiet in Quartzsite so quick service at Solar Bill and no crowds shopping.  Bought a new peace flag as the old one was raggedly wind blown.

last light desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZThen I headed south for the Kofa Mountains in the Sonoran desert, and camped where I was last year almost on the same tire print.

truckcamper desert BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZAh, felt good to be home.

late light Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZ

Last light Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZWaking to 45° instead of 34° with a view of the Kofa Mountains made me happy, though it was a little windy.  Even with clouds the solar panels were charging.  Back to having power, I was able to download photos and work on the computer.

Saguaro desert BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZ

Mesquite tree frame Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZHigh 60s during the day, out of the wind, felt delightful.  Went for a walk looking for potential places to set the trail-cam.  Couldn’t find any obvious animal trails, tracks or scat and only small burrow holes so I didn’t bother.  I could put a container with water out to attract birds.  But being I haven’t brought my filled water bottles up to count I am being stingy with water.

haze desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZWind picked up the next day and the fridge wouldn’t stay on.  It’s always something.  I need a RV fixit person for all the little shit that’s broken.  After banging on the backside of the fridge it finally started working again.  Sometimes, it just takes a bigger hammer or the movement of old and oxidized wires.  Wind increased throughout the day until I could barely see the Kofa Mountains.  So I stayed inside working on a blog post and video.  Sadly the signal is not great, in fact I believe worse than last year, so I struggled to do anything online.  I am an internet junkie.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZOnly mid-November with nights dropping into the mid 30s and wind making the 60° days feel chilly makes me want to be someplace warmer.  Yet making heat with the oven and power under the sun keeps me home, inside, labeling photos from October 2021, and working on videos.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise rays BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZEarly rise Wednesday morning and I took off for two towns.   Starting with Quartzsite where I couldn’t get some parts, filled a propane tank, and took a luxurious 20-minute $10 shower at the laundromat.  Then I drove the 40 minutes north to Parker for some groceries.  Quartzsite doesn’t offer options for big box stores and I don’t typically buy groceries at Dollar-type stores.  The two tiny grocery stores have limited selection for high prices.  Other shopping choices are 20 minutes west to Blythe, California or a little over an hour south to Yuma.

truckcamper Plomosa Rd Quartzsite AZAfter what felt like hours shopping, I drove back south and stopped north of Quartzsite off Plomosa Road on 14-day BLM land.  I didn’t go far enough off the road so did hear a little traffic noise and had more neighbors than I’m used to.  Yes, I’m spoiled by quiet and dark.  But I could move later.

Only that didn’t happen the next day because I had a blazing fast signal and loaded a video about the breakdown in Congress.

The next morning at 36° I was freezing, and so was my entire refrigerator.  First it won’t stay lit then obviously not turn off. That seems to mean the thermostat is bad, and that’s not too hard to change, if I can get the right one.  Which means another trip to Quartzsite.  I went straight to the RV Lifestyles store and a serviceman said I should move the retainer probe to different fins inside the fridge. I didn’t know about this.

Saguaro desert mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZThings started to thaw but then it went into the won’t stay lit mode again so I moved the probe back to where it started.  Of course the later didn’t happen until after I’d returned to my camp with the lovely view of the Kofa Mountains.

desert Kofa Mts last light sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZOnly takes a little cloud to make for beautiful sunsets.

Fridge finally lit and stayed on overnight.  Intermittent problems are the worse!  Another problem, my Nikon Coolpix camera died.  I mostly use it while driving (I know and don’t want to hear about it).  Obviously, the big Nikon D5600 with 18-300mm lens is too big for that.  Guess I’ll be using my phone camera more.  Now I’m thinking of what camera could replace the Coolpix (which honestly I never really liked) and the D5600 to reduce weight.  Mirrorless is the now the way to go, but still WAY out of budget.

Another 36° morning and I felt cold!  It’s warmer further south, so I’ve moved again because I can.  I will miss those Kofa Mountains, but I’ll be back.  If you follow me on YouTube I’ve been posting short videos of my camps in real time.  If you’re not subscribed, please do.  The channel actually broke 200 subscribers this month.  Would be great to break 300 in December.  Help a gal out please.

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , 35 Comments

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?

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , , , , 19 Comments

Roaming the desert

light creosote bushes Blue Water Casino Parker ArizonaI spent the last week roaming the desert with only a few days camped at each of several locations and ended up back where I started, more than once.

Sierra cat at windows Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter almost two weeks just outside the Kofa NWR I rolled north towards Quartzsite to visit Paul.  In past years there has been a retired Grand Canyon employees gathering here during the Big Tent RV Show.  There’s always some RV trinkets you didn’t know you needed.  Plus we’d do big community meals and sit around the bonfire visiting.  People come and go during their stay and many have quit coming at all.  I don’t blame them.  So far this year, it’s just Paul and me.  And we sat outside moving our chairs out of shadow to follow the apricity.  Then disappeared into our respective RVs after sunset and temperature drop.

It’s generator noisy on the short-term BLM in La Paz Valley, especially mornings and evenings.  I find the need for so much power rather amusing.  Some of these over $200,000 motorhomes have 4-5 solar panels on the roof and probably a huge bank of batteries.  They are set up to be self-contained.  Hard to see the surrounding mountains for too many RV roofs and antennas.  Plus the bandwidth sucks because of too many people.

sign Blue Water Casino boondock Parker ArionaI arrived needing to grocery shop, and Quartzsite is not the place for that with only tiny over-priced stores.  So the next day I went roaming the desert northward about 30 minutes to Parker for a SaveWay and WallyMart.  Because of my late start and too much time in each store I decided not to drive back in the dusk.  The Wally’s lot was looking crowded with RVs so I went down the road to the boondocking by Blue Water Casino.

dust trail mountains sunset clouds Blue Water Casino Parker ArizonaGreat sunset and view, very few neighbors, and less noisy than Quartzsite even being within view of SR95.

desert Whipple Mountains late light Blue Water Casino boondock Parker Arizona

Nice view north across the Colorado River to California.  Plus such an excellent signal I stayed another day and put out last week’s #FotoFridayFun.

Gaelyn & camper shadow RVs Blue Water Casino Parker ArizonaHad a nice chat with Joann and finally came to a decision about what to do with two RVs.  Right now, nothing.  It’s OK to make a decision not to make a decision.  There is nothing I can do about the 5th-wheel right now so let go of that until spring when back up in Utah.  Enjoy my life now in the camper.  Feels good to let that go.

Saguaro cactus RVs mountains sunset clouds La Paz BLM Quartzsite ArizonaGathering of Newmar motorhomes

Saguaro cactus RVs mountains sunset clouds sunburst La Paz BLM Quartzsite ArizonaOn the return to camp Quartzsite I dumped tanks to the tune of $15 not including taking on fresh water.  The big rigs pay the same, that’s not fair.  I did the whole thing myself for the first time since the accident, and even got up off the ground with no trouble.  I did have employee Ray to call for backup if needed.  Next time I will treat myself to hookups in a RV park somewhere.  Accomplished PT goal #2.

Two more noisy nights in crowded Quartzsite and I ran away back to the quiet of Kofa.  Sadly, it’s much busier than it was but not as bad as Quartzsite plus the signal was weak to nonexistent.  It was windy out so I was in and thinking about my next move possibly near Yuma to take care of some business and last minute shopping before another boondock south of Ajo.

When the one propane tank emptied that afternoon, I slowly turned the valve and switched over to the other tank, and it worked.  But only for a few hours and I barely heated dinner before having no propane at all.  The tank is not empty.  The fridge turned off just before an early bedtime because it was chilly as I had no heat.  Sure glad it hovered above 50° over night so an extra blanket, and kitty, kept me warm.  However, my brain kept me awake trying to solve this problem.

desert Kofa Mountains mourning light clouds BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFunny how no coffee in the morning can motivate me to move.  I was back in Quartzsite by 9am at Lifestyle RV to ask questions. They couldn’t look at it until next week.  In the meantime, my ice cream is getting soft.

There is definitely something wrong with one of the tanks and has been all along.  I called B&B in Congress where I bought the tanks last March to tell them I was on my way. This has to be solved somehow. Sure glad they agree.  He thinks the valve is bad.  Every time there’s an update for “safety” the parts get more complicated.

truckcamper #14 North Ranch RV park Congress ArizonaFilled the tank that does work and talked about some options.  Then I drove out the old Ghost town Road thinking I’d boondock for the night.  But the signal was non-existent and I wanted to do some propane tank research.  Plus the sky was gray with rain predicted for the next day.  So, instead I went to North Ranch RV Park and signed in for a few days of electric comfort in Congress.  (Seems to becoming my recent home base.)  Turned out to be a wise choice as the rain came.

new propane tanks truckcamper

propane regulator and tank truckcamperAnd I was able to learn enough to make a decision about the propane.  With the bogus tank out of the compartment it won’t be so hard to pull the working tank out for refilling.  Plus I now know how sensitive the valve is and the correct way the tank should be filled.  Though I fear some of the people who do fill them don’t know.  The ideal fix is a permanently mounted ASME tank like motorhomes have but I’m not spending $500 minimum for that—if it would fit in the hole—when a portable upright 5gal/20lb tank is $35 brand new.  And It will fit in another storage compartment with a longer hose.

I hope this resolves running out of propane with only one tank working.  Whenever I’ve had two working tanks, when one empties and I switch over, within a couple days, it’s time to look for a refill on the empty.  During chilly weather I’m going through about one tank every 7-9 days while boondocking.  And that’s what I really want to be doing, boondocking and roaming the desert.  I hesitate to say where I hope to be headed next so let’s settle with a coddiwomple southward.

clouds Parker Arizona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cin0QzuEss&feature=share     White Bird by Beautiful Day, my theme song since 1968 release date.

Arizona, Congress, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, propane tanks, Quartzsite, RV lifestyle, United States , , 18 Comments

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