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Socializing during COVID while boondocking in the Arizona desert

Saguaro desert mts reverse sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI have missed face-to-face socializing during COVID even though I’m pretty darn good at isolating during the winter.

Gaelyn shadow truckcamper nearest neighbor Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZMy nearest within sight neighbor, also overlooking the Plomosa Mountains, sat 100s of feet away.  It’s a big desert without many obstructions.  I stayed a week, and we never spoke.

desert mts late light Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ desert mts late light clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

I did get to know a few of my neighborhood trees.

desert mts clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZSat out in the warmest afternoon sun, a delightful 63° with no wind, reading or crocheting.

desert Plomosa Mts OHV dust BLM Quartzsite AZ

desert dust OHV mt sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM AZLots of noisy OHV and I figured out it’s because I’m so close to town, within sight in fact, and there’s a “trail” they can use. Sets up a lot of dust, in the distance thank goodness.

desert sunrise clouds moon Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZCaught a few sunrises and more sunsets.

desert mts sunset clouds sunburst Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI often put off writing blog posts as my routine seems redundant to me, boring even for others.  I haven’t really traveled much this winter though I am enjoying many days of desert environment.  Makes me wonder why readers return.  I thank you, you feed my ego.

Packages arrived at my Wickenburg mail but nothing I couldn’t live without or felt the need to rush off the 1 1/2 hour drive.  I could go in a few days and make arrangements to outdoor socialize with friends in the area.

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZReally, with a strong signal looking at the Quartzsite tower I spent lots of time online socializing with friends, sharing photos, working on blog posts, and a little news.  Heck, I did that for days and days.

Until…all shit broke loose on the 6th.  I was obsessed like I rarely am staying in touch with the news all day.  I felt my blood pressure jump and my computer wouldn’t respond. That’s some powerful energy.  My fridge wouldn’t stay lit and the ice cream was on melt down.  I ate faster.

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI did get outside several times to cool down and center with nature thankful for a brilliant sunset.

sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI also needed more down time the next day so figured to roll to Wickenburg on Friday.

truckcamper & Trish's rig clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

Trish & Gaelyn Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

mts sunset clouds BLM Quartzsite AZHowever, Friday morning I got a phone call from Trish, who would be traveling from two months in California to her Colorado home and coming through Quartzsite.  So I directed her to my camp for her first boondock experience.  And we sat outside all afternoon safely socializing during COVID.

Christmas cards Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZThe next morning she continued her journey as did I.  Picked up my mail including three Christmas cards, bought groceries, and headed to Congress and my ole stomping grounds off Ghost Town Road.

truckcamper desert Saguaro Date Crk Mts Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZIn fact, this giant Saguaro, a diverse bird condo, might look familiar as I’ve camped here before.

Gaelyn water tank Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ by JoannMy social life is feast or famine.  Saturday I had two visitors.  Joann drove down from Prescott and we took a walk to the “swimming pool”/wildlife water tank.  The camera is gone but the air and water were still too cold to dip.

Saguaro cactus Date Crk Mts clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZLater Gypsy stopped by bringing vegie-cheese muffins we snarfed down as we sat in the sunshine, trying to avoid the wind, sharing our herstories as we all get to know each other better.  I’m so glad socializing during COVID is possible while boondocking in the Arizona desert.  Especially nice in real time because the signal is not reliable in Congress.

Gila Woodpecker bird Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZFlicker bird Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ

And so I’ll spend a few more days of isolation working on posts and photos mostly offline before I have to do the necessary dump and fill again.

Starling bird looking out Saguaro cactus Ghost Town rd BLM Congress AZGilla Woodpecker bird inside Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ

Bonus, I get to watch the birds in my local Saguaro condo.  This is a very diverse community hosting in the many holes Flickers, Gila Woodpeckers, Curve-billed Thrasher, and a solo Starling that only seems to stay overnight.

desert mt sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZAnd might see a few more sunrises or at least some sunsets.

sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZAnd before too long, another friend is coming to Quartzsite, so guess I might just head back that way, again.

Arizona, Congress, COVID-19, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , , , 31 Comments

Planning around the holidays and full moon

Saguaro cactus full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZTiming is everything when some camper tanks are full and others are empty so I found myself planning around the holidays and full moon.

desert mts sunset dusty clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZI really didn’t want to go to town, but needed a few groceries before the holidays.  So I left Dome Rock camp and went to Blythe, just across the Arizona/California border.  Also bought some killer adhesive construction glue that should work for the camper corners semi-repair.  Now I just need help, at least a little more strength than I and maybe a few more tools.  After a long afternoon in town, I returned to Kofa NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) and found a delightful cluster of Saguaros to camp near.  The wind hadn’t abated all day and the desert air was full of dust.

Sierra cat under afghanChilly Christmas eve morn with Sierra and I wrapped up in Gail’s afghan.  So, we stayed in, except for jumping in and out to shoot the amazing afternoon light and shadows.  Have I mentioned I’m getting most of my exercise going up and down the step on the camper?

 

last light Saguaro cactus desert mts dark sky Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus desert last light Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus desert mts clouds anticrepuscular rays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ Twas the day before Christmas, sitting in my tiny house, wrapped in a blanket, with my cat, because thank goodness there wasn’t a mouse.
The sky was dull gray over the mountains so tall, even the inside temperature was chilly as I watched the propane level fall.
Then just before sunset a little light broke through, it first highlighted the cactus, then the mountains too.
Even more exciting to see, anticrepuscular rays rising above a tree.
And then bid goodnight on this desert Christmas Eve. 

Cholocate Mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAs I sat gazing out my windows and wishing this was my yard view, which it was temporarily, I wondered about living full-time in the Sonoran desert.  Wouldn’t it be nice to own some acreage to park my big 5th-wheel and call it home.  Space for friends to visit and park.  Might need more than solar to make AC work during the heat of summer.  A gal can dream.

Saguaro cactus shadows Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZMy Christmas gift is whatever the desert gives.  And when I saw this double shadow thing going on, my brain went to the “Mittens”, a famous rock formations at Monument Valley that shadows only twice a year.  I figured to catch it again the next day, but didn’t get the double.  Ah, the mighty saguaros that are so expressive.

desert Kofa Mts moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThat night I started to watch for the last almost full moon of this year, this decade, this crazy 2020.  Thinking, how nice to have holidays and full moon.

crochet book camera laptop coffee cupThe day after Christmas felt warm enough that by 10am I opened the south-facing door then later sat outside reading until the wind picked up and brought a chill.  Dug out some yarn and crochet hook then googled stitches as I couldn’t remember. But once in hand it came back as finger memory. I’ve been wanting to make a hat from the African silk and mohair bought many years ago but figured to practice with some other wool acrylic yarn first. Need bright daylight for that. Also started reading about the local Sonoran Basin and Range geology. This is young, 6myo volcanic rock.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThe next morning I woke up in time for sunrise, and WOW!  Bummer my nearest neighbor’s RV was right in front of the actual rise.  But they pulled out later and I just smiled.

desert Kofa Mts early light Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZWarm enough later for a short saunter.

desert mts sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

sunset clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd then, a spectacular sunset in several directions.  I just love turning in circles to enjoy those brilliant colors.  Plus, turning in circles helps keep me warm in the early morning.

mts first light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZThen another beautiful morning gave me something to shoot and in panorama because the sky is so big.

desert Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZClouds danced and played all day, twirling and swirling, leaving shadows behind and brightness before.  A tiny bit of rain fell.

Saguaro desert mt moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZSaguaro cactus moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

I figured on not seeing the full moon rise because of the clouds.  But they cleared later and still I missed the actual rise because it came up behind a tree.  But I still got some fun shots.

mts early light clouds crepuscular rays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

desert Kofa Mts early light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Kofa Mts early light clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd yet another great sunrise, without the neighbor in the picture.  If it wasn’t so early, I might could get used to being up to see the sun rise more often.

Saguaro cactus full moon rise Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZ

Saguaro cactus full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZAnd although it was chilly, I was ready for the Cold Full Moon rise on Tuesday night.

desert RV mts first light full moon Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZPlus I caught the moon again in the morning.  Good planning for holidays and full moon.

window view RVs sunset clouds Shady Lane RV Crt Quratzsite AZBut with another holiday coming and soon to need propane I returned to Quartzsite’s Shady Lane RV Court for a one nighter to dump and fill.  Also took advantage of their delightful long hot shower.  The sunset brought lots of color, over the RVs instead of the desert cacti.

Before leaving town I spent about 2 ½ hours wandering Tyson Wells, that officially opens tomorrow. Was disappointed the Greek food guy wasn’t there or the brats and kraut truck wasn’t yet open.  What can I say, I like “fair food” once in a while. Talked to a marvelous lady from north of Panguitch, Utah selling lots of superb jewelry and nice beads, even real turquoise. I was tempted by a ring for $150 in the tiniest petti-point I’ve ever seen and drooled a bit over her “cheapest” squash blossom at $1300.  Sometimes, it’s just fun to look.

desert mts last light Plomosa Rd BLM AZAnd then I headed back to the desert on this last day of 2020.  This time I decided to go north of Quartzsite and off Plomosa Road so I’d have a different view. Plus, that puts me on the way back north towards my Wickenburg mail sometime in the near future.

Arizona, full moon, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , 20 Comments

Not far from Quartzsite

desert mountains leaving camp Roadrunner BLM LaPaz Quartzsite ArizonaRoadrunner BLM not far from Quartzsite

The solar works great even with clouds but I still have to dump and fill the camper, plus fill propane tanks every couple weeks, and get a few more groceries before the holidays so thank goodness I’m not far from Quartzsite.

Sierra cat winks under coverGonna roll, I tell Sierra and she meows and goes to bed, burrowing under the covers, I won’t see her until we are parked for the night.

I first went to Pit Stop for propane.  It takes me a while and they don’t like that but I need help lifting filled tanks to shoulder level.  (Note in the photo below, the door below middle window covers the two propane tanks.)

truck camper Shady Lane RV Court Quartzsite ArizonaThen we checked in for two nights at Shady Lane RV Court.  I kid them about getting a pre-paid punch card.  Parked back in the same space because it’s small as is my rig compared to many of the giants that roll in.

Once settled in, my neighbor tells me about a friend who does home and RV repair work.  He and I talk briefly the next day about repairing the camper corners.

sunset view Shady Lane RV Court Quartzsite ArizonaAlthough I’m thinking about where I should be for the planet conjunction at Solstice, not far from Quartzsite, my heart’s just not in it.  I wake to gray sky and am not motivated to go anywhere.  Sierra agrees, so I go pay for a third night with power, water, sewer, and a weird view.

Sierra drawing camper cat treeLOL!  I suddenly realized the camper is a large cat tree for Sierra. She spends a lot of time sleeping on the seat right next to me at the dinette. From upsidedown snooze (cat people will understand) to up, awake, and moving in a blink of my eye. Her trail reminds me of kids in the Family Circus comic: from bench sit, bound up to adjacent counter top, pause briefly to adjust slide on smooth surface, one and half body length leap 45° downward to carpeted step, half turn, down two feet to floor, and two steps to food bowl.  She hasn’t traveled more than five feet.  Sometimes she chooses the shorter route clockwise.  Seems when she wakes up she is HUNGRY.  That’s cats, either sleeping or eating.  I must be bored or procrastinating to write about the antics of my cat.  Even drew a picture.

RVs Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite Arizona

desert mountains reverse sunset Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite Arizona

Muscatel jasper rockAfter some thought and use of a couple apps I figured Dome Rock BLM not far from Quartzsite might offer some desert and nearby mountain views to the southwest for the crescent moon and planets.  So after a few chores, a wander around Hi Jolly sales area where I bought a $1 rock (Muscatel Jasper, 1/4” slab, 1×3/4”), and lunch from Carl Jr, I headed west along Dome Rock Road until some side-road of gravel caught my eye.  I didn’t go far (enough), and drove slowly to spare the camper rocking too much.  It’s truly not crowded, just more than I’d like, and way too close to the noisy freeway.

desert mountains crescent moon planet conjunction Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite ArizonaNot sure what I expected photographing the planet conjunction. It’s tiny with much distance between them, the moon, and the horizon.  Then it’s really too dark for foreground by the time the tiny planets are even visible. No clouds so sunset wasn’t all that exciting either.

quarter moon Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite Arizona

fuzzy Saturn & Jupiter conjuction Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite Arizonauzzy Saturn & Jupiter conjuction Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite Arizona

Even with the tripod and 200mm lens the planets were just two fuzzy spots of light.  I saw a lot of similar images on Facebook.  I tried for several nights.  I am happy I got to see this once in my lifetime astronomical event but disappointed with my photographs.  Almost makes me wish for a telescope.

late light grasses Palo Verde mountains sunburst Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThe repair guy came to my camp to look closer at the broken camper corners so he could figure out materials and give me a quote on the job.  He’d do the job right where I was parked, probably take a couple days.  A bonus because I’m not far from Quartzsite.  A couple days later he texted me: $300/corner and probably another $300 for materials, after the first of the year.  I think it’s a fair price, but more than I want to spend.

Palo Verde mountain early light Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite ArizonaAnd then, it was a clear golden morning for Solstice, shortest day and longest night. Though winter is on the way, I love that there will be more daylight every single day, or until June anyway.

desert mountains sunrise clouds Dome Rock BLM Quartzsite ArizonaThe next morning brought nice color and a delightful day in the low 70s.  It was that afternoon I got the repair quote and decided I didn’t have to stay another day with freeway noise at Dome Rock.

Squirt Hecho en Mexico & popcornAnd so the next day I went to Blythe for a few groceries to tide me over the holidays.  Including an impulse buy, Squirt “Hecho en Mexico” with no high fructose corn syrup.  I rarely drink soda pop because it’s all too sweet.  However, soda with popcorn is a special treat.

 

truck camper desert Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd another treat, is back looking at the Kofa Mountains with many multiple-armed Saguaros in the foreground.

saguaro desert Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen, while labeling photos from my January 2020 stay I see those very same cacti as photographed above.

desert mountains dusty sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd so, I am still not far from Quartzsite.

Arizona, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , , , 18 Comments

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