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Slowly moving northward

After an extra long weekend near Wickenburg to shoot the moon I continued moving northward, not far mind you but I’m in no rush.  Don’t have to be at Bryce Canyon until the 11th.

desert mts moon set sunrise Vulture Pk Rd Wickenburg AZThe morning after full moon rise I was up early enough to catch a touch of color at sunrise with a pale moon setting.

Vulture Pk evening clouds Vulture Pk Rd Wicknburg AZDamn wind kept me in most of the day working on the laptop which is slowly sickening including the sticky keyboard.  I’ve been putting off replacement all winter.  And surely it is spring because I saw a little cottontail bouncing around near camp.

Vulture Pk sunset clouds Vulture Pk Rd Wicknburg AZThen the day ended with a gorgeous sunset reflecting over Vulture Peak.

Thought about leaving the following day but with the great signal stayed and finished the last post and took care of lots of online business.  Plus going into town meant laundry and shopping, not my favorite chores.  From Vulture Peak I would be moving northward to Congress for a night where there is basically no signal at all.

Cottontail Ghost town rd Congress AZ

mts sunset Ghost Town rd Congress AZI enjoyed one night in Congress except for that problem with signal.  But even better was a visit by a local friend.  And more cottontails plus a pretty sunset.

Date Crk Mts sunrise clouds Ghost Town Rd Congress AZ Left after sunrise moving northward into Yarnell where I stopped for breakfast and a brief visit.  Then drove the curvy White Spar Road over the Bradshaw Mountains thinking I’d camp at the White Spar national forest camp.  I’d looked online about reserving a space due to it being Easter weekend and the only option I saw was first come first serve.  I was already questioning my sanity about staying so close to Prescott in a campground over a holiday weekend.  The campground was full as it turns out reservations can be made, way ahead of time.  So I moved on to plan B.

forest Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZNot far away I followed the Copper Basin Road a short way into the Prescott National Forest to the first designated dispersed camp site I found.  Even saw patches of snow in the forest on some north facing slopes.  A little bit of logging going on in this area to clean up after a fire.

Sierra cat at camper door Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZOMG!  I was back in the lovely smell of Ponderosa Pine with no neighbors and only a little traffic on the dusty gravel road.  Even Sierra noted new smells.  Wish I could share that with you.  Bonus I had an awesome signal and Joann lives only a few miles away.

tree reflections Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZ

waterbug rings creek Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZA small creek runs nearby.  I hadn’t seen flowing water in many months.  All a perfect tradeoff for limited view through the trees for sunset.

Rained just a little that first night and in the morning, the delightful forest smell had increased multi-fold.  Around noon Joann came and got me then allowed me to use her minivan while she worked the afternoon.  Nice that I didn’t have to move my rig and loose my campsite.  I went computer shopping and bought a new Lenovo laptop at Staples.  The prices are high when you want speed and storage.  Now I’ll have to spend time setting it up how I want.

field tree redtail hawk Prescott Valley AZI returned a little early to pick up Joann from work and saw a Redtail hawk in a tree nearby.  Only had my phone to take a photo.

Bradshaw Mts sunset clouds Sierra Prieta overlook Prescott NF AZ

Bradshaw Mts sunset clouds Sierra Prieta overlook Prescott NF AZThen we drove beyond my camp to an overlook for sunset.  Several people were there enjoying the view over Skull Valley and beyond to the Weaver Mountains.

Joann in minivan Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZJoann’s minivan

Hassayampa Bridge Wagner Rd AZHassayampa Bridge

Saturday morning Joann picked me up as we were attending a celebration of life for a friend lost last year.  You may remember my staying with Mary and Jerry last Spring on their 45 acres of Juniper/Pinyon woodlands in Wagner.  Sadly, Jerry, at age 80, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after I left and died months later.

Gaelyn & Freddy Ready puppet Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZMe with Freddy Reddy, Joann’s puppet

But before that, I had an appointment for a long overdue biannual haircut with my favorite beautician in Yarnell.  Went a little shorter than usual and the hair won’t stay behind my ears but it will grow and in a few months I’ll be hoping I was closer in miles for another haircut.

campfire Copper Basin Rd Prescott NF AZJoann camped with me that night and we even had a small campfire, my first all season, and we roasted hotdogs on sticks. I hadn’t done that in decades.

5th-wheel BRCA NP UTAnd I found out my 5th-wheel has been moved from storage to the park, leveled and the slides are out.  Just about ready for me to move in.

horses Wagner Rd AZI feel elated! It’s all around me. Online, FB, the people, the air. SPRING!!!!!  I sure hope you feel it too.

But alas, it was time to continue moving northward, or first a little more east.  So on to Plan C, a visit with a friend from my North Rim days who lives in Dewey, east of Prescott.  Because there is strong WIFI there I worked on setting up the new computer, and that’s a slow process.

Arizona, Congress, Places I've been, Prescott, United States , 27 Comments

Celebrating my birthday with friends blown in by the wind

desert Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI know the wind seems to be a reoccurring theme lately, because it’s spring, in the desert Southwest, and its windy.  Like in many places as weather patterns change from winter to summer,  but that didn’t stop me from celebrating my birthday with friends blown in by the wind.

Gaelyn photographing from window King Valley Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona by JoannAfter a couple days filled with laughter camping with me near Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Joann continued to Yuma with a promise to stop again on her return home to Prescott.  I settled outside in a sundress soaking up a few rays and reading for several hours before the wind increased enough to send me back inside.

buds Beavertail cactus Stone Cabin SR95 ArizonaBuds on Beavertail cactus, the only bloom

As days get warmer it feels almost like summer arrived on the desert, yet I know me in shorts at 10am and 73° with no wind isn’t really southern Arizona summer that can easily break triple digits daily.  Then after noon the wind kicked back in sending sheets of dust across the land.  I go back inside the rocking camper.  Sure glad it’s heavy and I’m four wheels down.  So I work on the previous long post because I was two weeks behind.  Usually the wind drops after sunset.  Note I said usually, but not that night.  Sadly, the wind just blows dust and no rain making the land more parched and dry with nothing blooming.  Last year’s rather green desert was because of winter rains.  All life in the desert will suffer from this lack.

Redtail hawk Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSaguaro cactus Redtail hawk Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Joann was blown in by the wind Sunday afternoon and parked her minivan on the leeward side of my camper.  We watched a Redtail Hawk roost with a quick snack then soar off looking for more.  Lots of lizards and rodents in this desert but hawks don’t get lucky every time.  Nor do I taking photos of bird is a struggle zoomed in and trying to hold still.  We sat outside for a little bit but the wind got too much for me so we ended up chatting and laughing in the camper.  Sierra even woke up briefly to join us.

historic Stone Cabin ruin SR95 Arizona

fireplace historic Stone Cabin ruin SR95 ArizonaWindy again the next day would have kept us indoors so Joann took us for a ride.  Much easier for her to pack up and take a passenger than me.  We headed south a few miles to the “Stone Cabin” built in the late 1800s as a stage stop for travelers.  What remains measures about 20×25 feet including a corner fireplace.  Over time other buildings were added as a gas station, store, RV park, and Randy’s Hamburger Stand where I ate in 2016.  Now all the structures look like ruins with a row of electric boxes but no power.  Land might be for sale or lease.  We didn’t stay outside long in the hair-blinding wind.

desert Dome Mts King Valley Rd National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAcross the highway we drove east into King Valley and more of the Kofa NWR.  I camped off this road a few years ago but didn’t like the lights from a nearby Border Patrol check station or the sight of the often flying blimp.  The Kofa Mountains are named for the rich King of Arizona gold mine, discovered in King Valley in 1896. The mine used to stamp its property “K of A”, and is commonly known as the Kofa Mine. The old mine and its surroundings are private property.

desert Kofa Mts King Valley Rd National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaCurving around the southern foot of the Kofa Mountains a subtle change in elevation brought more cholla into the Sonoran desert mix.  Note a familiar peak on the left seen from a different perspective.  In the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge campsites are strictly limited to specific areas within 100 feet of the road and, the further we went, no signal at all.  We turned around at a junction to McPherson Pass 8m and Castle Dome Mine Road 15m.  May be a good thing because I discovered during research later this lead to an old military site with possible undetonated ammunition.

map Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHave now been on all the west side roads into Kofa from SR95

Joann left in the afternoon for a quiet alone-time camp near Congress.

desert Kofa Mts low clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaStarted the next day slowly as was up feeling sick to my stomach during the night.  Don’t know what I ate different but something did not agree.  OK, TMI.

desert Saguaro dark clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sky was magnificent with stormy clouds but my lack of ambition kept me shooting mostly out the window.

desert Kofa Mts dark clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEventually, about 12 drops of rain hit the window leaving behind dusty spots.

A photographer friend—who upgrades regularly—called to find out how long I’d be in the area and I ended up buying an almost new lens from him.  My “go-to” 18-200mm lens bit the dust a while back and I should be happy with this Sigma 18-300mm replacement.  Happy birthday to me.

Sandee & Gaelyn in truckcamper Palm Canyon Rd BLM ArizonaAnother friend from Mesa, Sandee was blown in by the wind around noon in a borrowed minivan for her overnight stay.  We’ve celebrated my birthday together before at Grand Canyon and with Joann near Lake Pleasant.  She brought Ruben sandwiches, fruit and vegie snacks, and chocolate cake.  The wind kept us inside chatting away the afternoon and most of the next day before she had to leave.  She hopes to visit Bryce Canyon this year.

And I should be there as my start date at Bryce is April 11th, about a week earlier than I expected.  And because I am such a procrastinator I finally decided I should get the camper repaired.  I contacted Jay who quoted a camper repair in November then had to wait and see if he could schedule me before I had to leave the area for Utah.

desert Kofa Mts early light clouds sunrays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next morning greeted with some color and sun rays.  And it was time to go, shopping in Blythe then dump and fill at Shady Lane RV Court.  My last morning this winter waking to the Kofa Mountains.  I saw goodbye pee on two of the tires.

RVs sunset Shady Lane Quartzsite ArizonaWindow view sunset

Even with an early start the brutal wind knocked me around on the drive.  Parked by noon, I asked the owners about having work done with the camper off the truck and got the OK if all messes where cleaned up.  But of course.

RVs clouds Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaWouldn’t be first choice to spend my birthday in a RV park but even with great clouds the predicted wind and fast signal kept me in another day.  Thank you for all the birthday wishes.  Plus I wasn’t sure where to go while waiting for an answer about the repairs.  I walked a couple blocks for lunch at Taco Mio and was extremely disappointed.

RVs sunset clouds sunrays Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaFinally, late afternoon an answer that repairs couldn’t be scheduled until after the first of April.  That’s too late so I started to make a plan or two or three.

18-300mm lens & lightning triggerSaturday morning I drove two hours blown in by the wind to Wickenburg to pick up mail I hadn’t seen in months.  That would include a couple of birthday presents, a lightning trigger from Pat and the camera lens.

grass tree Vulture Pk Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaThen I went a few miles from town to camp off Vulture Peak Road.

desert hillside moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg Arizona

desert hillside moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaPlace was crowded but I managed to get past most of that to a semi isolated area with an open view east for full moon rise.

desert hillside bird moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaEven got one shot of the moon with a turkey vulture in front of it. Talk about coincidence.  I am happy with the new lens, just have to get accustomed to the zoom turning the opposite direction from previous lenses.

Flicker bird in tree Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaFlicker

female Vermilion Flycatcher bird Vulture Pk BLM Wickenburg Arizonamale Vermilion Flycatcher bird Vulture Pk BLM Wickenburg Arizona

female & male Vermilion Flycatchers

So nice to be back in bird country:  Cactus Wren song, Flicker pecking at the camper, Curved-bill Thrasher, doves getting friendly, hopping Sparrows, wobble-topped Gabel Quail, my first ever Vermilion Flycatcher male and female, and I even saw a cottontail.

light cactus grass Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaThe signal is great here as I look up at a huge tower.  It’s still windy but warm enough to sit outside on the leeward side.

full moon Vulture Pk Rd BLM Wickenburg ArizonaTried that night for the true full worm moon rise but I can’t seem to see a good focus when it’s so dark.  Something to work on.

So now time for another plan.  Depending on weather, Congress, Kirkland or Prescott before plan A to Flagstaff and north; Or, plan B towards Nevada, St George, Fredonia, and north.  Just trying to stay warm as long as possible because it will be cold at 8000 feet in Bryce Canyon National Park, and will probably snow before summer when I hope visiting friends will not be blown in by the wind.

 

For some reason, I couldn’t get this song out of my head.  Seems appropriate in so many ways.

Blowin’ in The Wind      -songwriter Bob Dylan

How any roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
And how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ‘til he knows
That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States, Wickenburg , , , , , 30 Comments

Moving around in spring desert wind

Saguaro cactus Palm Canyon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMoving around keeps me busy while visiting with friends, and lack of signal keeps me offline.  Oops, I missed last week’s update and took lots of photos to share. Have I mentioned the often brutal spring winds?

After another day trapped in the camper by wind I needed to get out and walk more than back and forth in my 10 foot floor plan.  I felt battered even though I didn’t go out into the sand blast.  So between the lack of good signal and the camper-rocking wind it seemed like a good time to take care of the dump and fill routine a few days early.

New Water Mts sunrise clouds MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe morning began calm and colorful at sunrise.

woodpecker bird MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Woodpecker bird on flag pole through window MST&T Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaIn the quiet I heard a bird and searching saw a Flicker pecking away at the nearby dead Palo Verde tree.  And then it landed on the flag pole which got both of our attention.  I don’t see near enough birds out here.

By the time I set up at Shady Lane RV Court in Quartzsite the wind kicked in again and even with a little shelter the camper was rocking.  Finius and Breezy stopped by briefly to find out when I’d be back in Utah, very nearby their summer home.  But the wind made it too cold to hang outside for long even at 71°.  Predicted to be windy again the next day with a 30% chance of rain.

 

RVs sunset clouds Shady Lane RV Court Quartzsite ArizonaSo instead of being blown around on the way to Yuma, I opted to stay a second night.  That turned out for the best as I received a job offer from Bryce Canyon National Park and had to take care of online paper work ASAP and had a good signal in the park.  I will return to work mid-April.

desert Cargo Muchachos Mts clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM CaliforniaThe next morning I watched heavily laden clouds racing to the northeast and heard from a friend it was snowing in Yarnell less than 100 miles away.  Time for some moving around further south.  So I drove a little over an hour to Yuma, the biggest town I’ve been in all winter with about 100,000 population, maybe more during winter.  Went to an eyeglasses store with adjacent optometrist.  Then decided not to get an exam until back in Utah as I may need to take care of cataracts.  Bought a few groceries and got out of town heading west just across the California border to join a friend boondocking on BLM along American Girl Mine Road.

red Ocotilo flowers American Girl Mine Rd BLM Felicity California

yellow Creosote bush flowers American Girl Mine Rd BLM CaliforniaBeen a while since I stayed in this area.  It’s pretty enough with a few flowering Ocotillo and creosote yet sparsely vegetated.

Ocotillo sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM California

desert mts sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM California

desert mt sunset clouds American Girl Mine BLM Felicity CaliforniaGot a blazing fast signal with a tower in sight but could hear trains and faintly see lights from the interstate.  I know, I’m picky.

Mesquite stump American Girl Mine Rd BLM Felicity CaliforniaIn the morning, when Paul came back from his morning walk with Tippy, I rushed outside and once again slipped off the bottom step and did a slow-mo fall onto my already bad left shoulder.  Nothing broken but sure was sore.  Probably bruised my ribs.  I took some anti-inflammatory pills and sat outside in the sun hiding from the wind on the leeward side of Paul’s big 5th-wheel.

desert Algadones Dunes sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM Felicity CaliforniaReverse sunset over Algodones Dunes

desert sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM Felicity CaliforniaWe chatting the afternoon away and I took some photos of the clouds slipping over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, named after a couple boys carrying a load.  I thawed a pound of hamburger and he made a delicious chili dinner.

desert Tippy American Girl Mine Rd BLM CaliforniaI was exceedingly sore the next day so the wind made for a good excuse to stay inside with limited moving around.  But the next day I just had to get out for a walk and Tippy went along.  We didn’t go far and he turned around before I did.  Found some really pretty rocks, blue kyanite, some calcite, and pegmatites.  My interview with James Morrisey in New York from the Nature Wildlife and Pet Photo Forum on FB was published that day.

desert Castle Dome clouds SR95 N ArizonaCastle Dome from SR95 North of Yuma

I packed it up during the calm morning, said goodbye to Paul until next winter, and was in Yuma at the mall by opening time at 10am. First looked for shoes at three stores. Then at Best Buy I decided not to spend over $1000 on a laptop I think I want. Old one is still working and is i7 like I need for the fastest processing. It probably could use a major overhaul. I should get Jack to do that in Kanab, like I talked about doing last fall. Finished shopping at the large WalMart and almost spent $800+ on a laptop. Think I’ll do more homework and hold. I bought a pair of cheap shoes so now I can walk with soles and not my slippers or hiking boots. Overall, I didn’t get squat done in Yuma.

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

desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut I did return to the beautiful Kofa and parked next to a place I’ve been before this winter.  Wind was gusting big time and house was rocking.  Couldn’t even open the door.

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

However, my view was spectacular and I hoped some of the photos taken through the window came out.

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

desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaTwo minutes later than previous shot

I wished the wind would calm down and the dark clouds would bring some rain.

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

desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFridge was acting up, I guess no surprise considering the wind, but that blew on the downwind side of the camper, on purpose. And if my house wasn’t dusty before, now it’s really gritty, and furry.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next day I awoke in time for a calm sunrise but struggled to get out of bed.  Sierra had slept on me and I was doubly sore plus add the previous day’s driving and holding the camera.  My left shoulder is already a problem and none of this helps on top of the fall.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut I can’t stop myself from snapping pictures when the sun’s rays lit up the sky.

desert Kofa Mts sunrays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWind picked up later and I once again didn’t go out much.  Watched a hawk soar for awhile through the window.  Also still using my free Hulu have watched Billy Holiday movie that I highly recommend.

Palo Verde tree mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaJoann camped with me for a couple nights on her way to visit a friend in Yuma.  I suspect she’ll be back on the return trip. We sat outside the afternoon she arrived talking for a couple hours until the sun and temperature dropped.

cholla cactus desert Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

valley Palm Canyon Rd from trl Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next morning we decided to hike the one-mile round-trip Palm Canyon trail, planning to be at the overlook around noon for best light on the crevice where the palm trees grow.  Joann drove us the couple miles to the trailhead.

Gaelyn Palm Canyon trl Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona by JoannNot a long hike but a rather bouldery ascent.

Arizona Palm trees Palm Canyon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaArizona Palm trees Palm Canyon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaArizona Palm trees Palm Canyon Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

We heard a hawk like sound while watching the creeping light accent the row of Arizona Palm trees.  On the return hike we saw what I think was a Prairie Falcon.

Hi Jolly memoral Quartzsite ArizonaNot long after we returned to camp Joann decided to go to Quartzsite for cooler ice, and an ice cream cone at McDs. Plus we stopped at the Hi Jolly memorial in town.  Secretary of War Jefferson Davis approved a plan to experiment with camels for freighting and communications in the arid Southwest.  In 1857, Arabic caretaker Haiji Ali and 70 camels accompanied the Beale Expedition to open a wagon road across Arizona.  The War Department abandoned the experiment and the camels were left to fend for themselves not far from Quartzsite, Arizona.  “Hi Jolly” died in Quartzsite December 16, 1902.

lizard licking ice cube Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next day began delightful with warm sun and barely wind.  Joann and I sat outside moving around for the shade, sharing our stories and laughing so hard my poor injured side hurt.  Yet I believe laughter is good medicine.  An ice cube was thrown on the ground from an otherwise empty cup and before it melted a lizard wandered over and licked on the cube for minutes allowing time for photos.  “After Larry the lizard (video of story in link) left he told about this unusual experience to yet another smaller lizard, Lucy. But when she got there it was gone. So she figured it was a made up story. But later, I saw another much larger lizard who said Larry sent me for ice.”  I sure do love to laugh with this remarkable lady.  After Joann left I sat outside in a sundress for a while.  But then the wind picked up and even at 83° I finally went inside.

Sierra cat at camper door Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaReally won’t be long before I have to be moving around and start north to higher elevation.  But I believe there’s still some good days coming in this Sonoran Desert with a view of the Kofa Mountains.

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States, Yuma , , , 43 Comments

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