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Catching more than the moon at Kofa NWR

desert mts sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLow temperatures with strong wind chased me away from Plomosa camp and after a night in town I went looking for the full moon at Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge), not for the first time, where I’ve also shot the lunar eclipse.

morning light desert Palo Verde tree Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI woke up cold, 36°F, and running low on propane so packed up and headed to town.  Filled the propane tanks, bought some groceries and by 2pm was settled in at Shady Lane RV Court for a night in Quartzsite.  With another storm blowing in I wasn’t sure I’d get to see the full moon at all.

sales booths Tyson Wells Quartzsite ArizonaI didn’t particularly rush to leave in the morning then went to Tyson Wells and wandered the aisles of merchandise that I did not need.  Had fun chatting with the middle-aged hippy rock guys reminiscing about my time selling in Quartzsite over 20 years ago.  A couple years later caravanning with a friend 20 years older than I said she could flirt with the younger men as they wouldn’t take her seriously but I was still too young.  I might be there now.  Bought some RV stuff including finally finding the fuse cover latch in a package of two for $8.  Broke one that night trying to put it in.

Saguaro 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 ArizonaFinally headed back to Palm Canyon Road and parked on the BLM adjacent to the NWR to hopefully catch the full Wolf moon at Kofa.

Saguaro desert mts full moon clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro desert mts full moon clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut with the cloud cover even howling didn’t bring out the moon any better than these lousy shots and I hoped for clearer the next night.

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

desert Kofa Mts clouds first light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaDue to the heavy cloud cover I also ran out of solar-charged battery power that night so the Foto Friday Fun 400 post didn’t go out until morning.  And even then had to wait because morning clouds provided a magnificent sunrise I couldn’t walk away from.

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

desert Kofa Mts in storm clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaA little rain fell, the clouds dropped low, about ten big fat drops hit the roof with a loud plop.

desert Kofa Mts storm clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sky changed so rapidly all day it was difficult to keep up with the patches of light and shadow on the land.

desert mts rainbow clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEven gifted by a rainbow.  These kinds of days are exciting if I have enough propane and power.

full moon behind Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNice and clear after dark for the rising moon at Kofa.  I was too lazy to bring out the tripod so just tried some handheld.

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

sunrise moon set Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise

Then spent most of the next several days, with clear skies, processing photos.  I tried to get outside in the warmest of afternoon but even at 60° with a northern wind was too chilly for this lightweight.  That’s OK, because sitting inside I still soak up this awesome view of the Kofa Mountains.  I want my house right here. And my house is right here.

desert Kofa Mts clouds last light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFebruary greeted me with yet another cloudy day and just a few raindrops.  The sky stayed gray all day with rays lighting up the mountains just before an uninspiring sunset.

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

Saguaro cactus desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next day, also partly cloudy but warm enough at 69° to have the door and windows open in the afternoon.  Went for a walk to my nearby Saguaro cluster and I swear to seeing an Ironwood dragon guarding the desert.

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

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

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sunset was a show stopper with multiple encores in all directions.  I just couldn’t stop.

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

Kofa Mts sunrise sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Kofa Mts sunrise sun rays clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFollowed by a morning sunrise like none other.  Bonus, I can just open my door and take photos of these amazing rays rising over the craggy Kofa Mountains.

The day was warm enough to sit outside for a while in the afternoon and I dug out a pair of shorts and exposed my lily-white legs until I couldn’t stay out of the wind while still sitting in the sun.

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

mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

sunset Chocolate Mts from Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sunset turned yellow, orange, and red lingering for almost an hour of colors and at 70° I still had the door and windows open at dusk.

The next day a strong northeast wind kept me inside even at 60° as I worked on the next Foto Friday Fun post.  It wouldn’t load from Open Live Writer so I used the website dashboard instead.  Took a little longer that way, but what the hey.  I hoped the problems would work themselves out.  I took no photos and spent much of the day reading.

last light Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFriday morning I slept in and missed the no cloud sunrise.  My morning routine includes a glance out the windows, starting up the laptop, feeding Sierra, making coffee, and getting online.  First email informs me my website is blank.  I don’t see it as blank, but it’s all fuckered up.  I spent time figuring out how to update the blog theme and although that didn’t fix the current funky looking post it did solve the months long comment problem.  Yippeeee!!!!!  Once again the procrastinator pulled it off, eventually.  I reposted Foto Friday Fun 401 from Live Writer no problem.  Better late than never.  Northeast wind at 59° kept me inside the rest of the day with no photos.  Good thing about the warmer temperatures is using less propane for heat.

I often loose track of the days.  Is that OK?  Doesn’t help when my weekly post about the week is at least a week behind real time.  But this one will almost catch me up again.

Kofa Mts sunrise glow Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYesterday morning

As it gets closer to the time to move again I wonder, where next.  I’d actually be happy not moving from this very spot for at least a few more weeks.  However, I need to fill water and empty tanks, get supplies including most important cream for coffee, and take a shower. Maybe even do laundry. Then I can either return here or nearby. I am currently comfortably content circling Quartzsite.

Maybe tomorrow.

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

Watchable weather with rainy days boondocking by Plomosa Mountains

desert mountains light rays clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThankfully not snow like many received even in Arizona, my week of watchable weather came in the form of clouds, wind, temperatures in the 50s, and rainy days boondocking by the Plomosa Mountains.

desert mountains light rays clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

entrance RV Show Quartzsite ArizonaAwoke to rain and a plan to meet friends at the “Big Tent RV Show”.  It poured, so we walked up and down the uncrowded aisles in the big tent avoiding puddles of water flowing under the artificial turf.  Masks were required and mostly worn correctly.  Other than kitchen froofroos, generators, portable solar, and back massagers, there really wasn’t all that much RV stuff.  Felt like avoiding hawkers at a carnival.  Just not my thing.  I did buy a 10 foot power cord for my phone which might be overkill in a 12 foot camper but…  Wandering outside during a rain lull the smell of BBQ drew us all in to buy lunch to go and we took it a couple miles down the road to Bob and Fran’s large 5th-wheel.

Mary Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArionaAlthough dressed for the weather I still caught a chill so went to bed early and woke up OK and to a much sunnier day.  Good thing, as Mary came out from visiting friends in Quartzsite in the afternoon.  I stayed at her place last spring on my way north back to Bryce Canyon.

window view windy desert mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaBrutally windy days I just don’t go outside.  I am grateful to have my comforts met in this tiny camper-home.  With enough power, I spend entire days trying to catch up from a year ago labeling photos.  Funny thing, sometimes the view is the same a year later.

desert Saguaro mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

desert mountains shadows clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThe next day not too windy, I can feel the clouds call and go out for a walk.  As much as I love sunny and warm for my body I also love watchable weather in the form of clouds that create light and shadow on the land.

closeup spines red Barrel cactus Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI discovered this Barrel cactus and upon careful but closer inspection discover it is basically hollow, dead yet dangerous.  The desert is full of surprises.

dead Saguaro desert mountains shadows clourds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaLater in the afternoon, I practice caution going in and out of the camper for a lot more photos.  There are distant RVs in much of my view, yet not as many as houses in a subdivision. It really is a lovely neighborhood.

desert mountains sunset clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

desert mountains sunset clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

desert mountains sunset clouds virga Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI saw virga at sunset and wondered if rain would follow.

desert mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

Gentle but consistent rain over night left the ground damp and the air filled with the lovely smell of petrichor.  The moisture also enhanced evidence of human activity.

desert mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaYet with temps in the mid-40s I didn’t stay outside for longer than a few photos.

mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaAnd yet even under cloudy skies the solar panels were charging and provided at least 4-5 hours of power a day for computer and phone.

wet desert mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaMore dark clouds the next day with wind so strong I could barely open the camper door.

desert mountains clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaRained on and off all day.

window view wind blown flag Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThis followed by a clear windy day with the only watchable weather being the flag blowing stiff as a board.  I again spent the day inside.  Lessons learned about flying a flag attached to the camper in high wind: 1. don’t want one any bigger; 2. slapping and flapping is very annoying; 3. difficult to take down; 4. truck cab the only place it can fit and not live with it.

rocks Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite Arizona

Several chilly rainy days boondocking meant using more propane for heat.  With only 1/4 tank left I knew it was time to head back into town and take care of the usual business of dump and fill tanks.

Dome Rock Mts fallstreak hole cloud Plomosa Road West Quartzsite ArizonaFallstreak hole cloud

So I headed to Shady Lane RV Court in Quartzsite in the morning while thinking about where to be for the full Wolf moon rise.

desert mts clouds moon Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ g-1-2

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

Yet another circle around Quartzsite Arizona

truck camper desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite ArizonaIf you drew a circle around Quartzsite about 200 miles in diameter that’s where I’d be, somewhere.  I went from boondocking near Congress and Wickenburg again, back to the town of Quartzsite, and then returned to Plomosa Road BLM where a friend is camped.

Date Creek Mts sunrise clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress Arizona

desert mts sunrise clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress ArizonaSunrise Date Creek Mts Congress

I really like the desert landscape inside the circle around Quartzsite with Congress high on the list for decent weather, remote, an occasional sunrise, not too many close neighbors, bird watching, brilliant sunsets, nearby friends, and close enough to services, but the signal sucks.  That’s a deal breaker for me.  I even dug out my old Wilson booster but it didn’t help.  It could be really out of date.

desert Vulture Mts sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZSunsets

Choices for the day: 1) fuck the whole signal problem and just write and process photos for the next two posts which will have to go out from somewhere else. 2) Pack it up and go to Wickenburg, not appealing but could be planned for the next day.  I lazily chose #1.  Then remind myself to just relax and go outside into the 64° Arizona apricity, set my chair out of the wind and read awhile, or just stare off into the desert horizon.  I am treated to the most glorious sunsets.

desert Jackrabbit Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZDesert Jackrabbit neighbor

Chris helped me ID the mystery dark bird in my nearby Saguaro bird condo.  A Starling who seems to only spend the night in the nesting hole. The neighbors look in occasionally during the day.  Also a thrasher appears to have moved into the penthouse.

desert Date Crk Mts sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZSunset

The decision to move becomes more pressing as it approaches time to dump and fill once again.  Has it already been two weeks?  Well, close enough to get prepared to boondock for another two weeks.

desert rd mts sunset clouds Vulture Mine Rd BLM Wickenburg AZBut first a trip to Wickenburg where I bought some more books at Goodwill and a few groceries.  I actually made it to camp along Vulture Mine Road before cooking pizza for late lunch.  I have been known to prepare this meal in the parking lot as the frozen pizza large enough for leftovers is too big for the freezer.  I didn’t drive far off pavement on the terrible rutted and rocky road as I only planned one night.  A Cactus wren taunted Sierra hopping around within sight out the door and just below the steps.  Sadly, even out in the middle of nowhere, nearest neighbor 100s of feet away, and I still listened to and felt the drone of somebody’s music.  Too much weird.  That night as I stepped out to photograph the sunset I slipped off the step and did a slow motion fall on my left side.  The worse side, with a shoulder in need of replacing but it’s a bad time to be in a hospital.  Did manage to save the camera.  And after taking inventory made it back onto my feet with only a small cut on my palm, scuffed elbow, and desert dirty clothes.  Could have been worse.  Just scary, and a reminder to be even more careful.  I don’t want to be afraid of being out by myself.

sunset moon Vulture Mine Rd BLM Wickenburg AZBig bonus for Vulture Mine Road is the awesome signal staring up at a huge tower.  I planned to finish and schedule the next days blog post but for some reason Open Live Writer wouldn’t talk to my website.  I hoped that wouldn’t be a new norm and thank goodness the problem has since gone away.  But that night I had to cut and paste which took even longer than my already slow normal.

Breezie & Finius camper door Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite AZWent into Wickenburg in the morning to pickup mail, topped off diesel and add just a few more groceries.  Then off for the 1 1/2 hour drive to Quartzsite’s Shady Lane RV Court—at January’s increased price of $37 and still a good deal—and parked in my usual space.  I’ve gotten to know my neighbor who is permanent for the winter season.  After hooking up electric and sewer and throwing away garbage I enjoyed a long hot shower.  I realize these are the same activities we all do in a S&B (stick and brick = house/apartment) but when boondocking there’s no current bush (other than the sun), garbage service, or in my case almost endless hot running water.  Sometimes, it’s just the little things that make me smile.

When checking in, I mentioned to Breezie that I liked their first RVer video on FB and volunteered to be interviewed.  So we recorded in the park’s rec-room that night.  Finius and Breezie are awesome and fun folks.  Get to know us all better by watching the video.

Paul's dog Tippy Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZTippy welcomed me to camp

In the morning I didn’t hang out because there are lots more people in the smaller circle around Quartzsite as the “Big RV Show” with huge tent had started.  Instead I drove north of town and back to Plomosa Road BLM to meetup with Paul, a canyon friend and fellow part-time RVer.  It’s been a year since the Grand Canyon alumni crowd met up south of Quartzsite but this year the gathering was diminished by folks not traveling for obvious reasons.

Saguaro desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZThis camp is not too far east of where I was the beginning of January but on the north side of the road instead of the south and still offers great views of the Plomosa Mountains. Pulled in around noon and Paul and I sat outside in the sunshine visiting all afternoon. He made a delicious Broccoli soup for dinner.

plane towing Geico sign above boondock Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZPaul has the knowledge, skills, and ability to fix stuff and he solved the sticky door problem, rewired the 12v plug, and redid the sagging screw for my curtain wire. Then we spent another afternoon outside chatting the day away.  No, I still haven’t done anything with the sagging camper corners.  That’s a big fix.  Sigh…

desert mts sunset crescent moon Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZA Facebook memory from ten years ago gave me pause, my previous 5th-wheel sold and going out the driveway after six years living in it and my “new” to me 36-footer with three slide-outs. I like the space but don’t want to tow that monster all over the place. I’m having a hard enough time moving myself anywhere in the truck camper and am grateful most everything works good enough to live in. Yet I wonder what has happened to my wanderlust. I currently am pretty happy just hanging out in the desert under big skies in my chosen circle around Quartzsite. Driving much distance is getting more difficult with my bad shoulder.

 

 

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZAnd so I spend more time inside on the computer and I’m starting to figure out the pattern for power use off the camper battery charged by solar.  Unless it’s just absolutely gray and possibly raining, I have charge all day for phone and laptop plus a few hours into the evening.

mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZOf course gorgeous sunsets prompt me out to take far too many photos.  I find the camera weight also causes pain in my shoulder.

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZLast week’s post went out about socializing in the desert but I couldn’t open it.  Comments came to my email so others could see the post, at least for a while.  Seems my entire website went down for no apparent reason.  After kind of freaking out, talking to my blog mentor, and others, with power slipping away, I gave up, shut down, and when I went back hours later all was well.  I should learn to let go of those things sooner.

desert morning light Dome Rock Mts Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZMorning light shinning down on Quartzsite

The next day, a couple of Paul’s friends from Colorado rolled into the southern circle around Quartzsite with their RV.  We made arrangements to meet in town the next morning and explore the “Big Tent” RV Show.  But due to gentle rain overnight continued into morning I wasn’t sure we’d go and look at RVs for sale.

Arizona, Congress, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States, Wickenburg , , 29 Comments

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