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Category: RV lifestyle

22 January 2020

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.

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Arizona, Congress, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, propane tanks, Quartzsite, RV lifestyle, United States life on the road, propane regulations change, RV problems 18 Comments
14 January 2020

Watching and walking as the desert calls at Kofa NWR

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mountains BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFeels like my winter life is getting closer to normal as I spend my January watching and walking as the desert calls and the weather allows.  The wind comes about every other day.

My mobile lifestyle allows me to BE dry camped—off grid—on this BLM managed piece of the Sonoran Desert adjacent to Kofa NWR free for 14 days.  It just is where I’m living at the time, doing what I like, with no particular time schedule.  Still sleeping in and not getting up for sunrise.  Actually, I frequently wake up in time for sunrise, note there are no clouds, and snuggle right back under the covers, Sierra curled by my side.

Ocotillo Saguaro Palo Verde desert clouds sunburst Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Ocotillo Palo Verde clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe desert calls me to walk during the warmest part of the winter day in the 60°s.  Not usually the best light for photography unless there are clouds to give visual interest to the otherwise famous clear blue Arizona sky.

desert Kofa Mountains reverse sunset clouds moon Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Ocotillo desert Kofa Mountains sunset clouds moon Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaPlus Southwest sunsets carry their own fame.  And those I’m awake for, and sometimes bundled up enough to get outside.

desert Kofa Mountains Earth shadow moon Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

mountains sunset clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYet winter wind can be quite chilling in the desert creating an uncomfortable crispness to the air after the sun goes down.

Saguaro cactus Palo Verde desert Kofa Mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWhen there’s no chilly wind I get my healing apricity with some walking exercise.  One afternoon I sauntered for almost three hours and never left sight of camp.  I was checking out the scenery, looking at rocks, and following trails for another possible place to camp on the north side of the road.  Less RVs in my view.

Saguaro cactus Palo Verde desert Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe Palo Verde frequently acts as a shade providing nursery tree for Saguaro cactus. Then as the cactus grow taller and demand more water they often outcompete the tree and it dies. Not this survivor Palo Verde at 30+ feet tall even with mistletoe growing in its crown.

Palo Verde desert Kofa Mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Kofa Mountains light & shadow clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaClouds blew in the day before actual full moon rise.  That’s when I like to scope out exactly where to see the moon on the horizon.  I watched the changing light, shadows, and colors of the Kofa Mountains to the east while the sun passed through the day.  Getting crowded out here.  Late in the afternoon two trailers set up two lanes behind me to the SSW.  Then a big 5th-wheel backed in to the south and almost out of sight behind the trees also two lanes over.  Interesting to watch the configuration of vehicles.  I saw a Smart car towing a small flatbed trailer and didn’t get a photo.

desert Kofa Mountains moon clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI watched for the moon through clouds.

desert mountains sunset clouds crepuscular rays Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen turned around for sunset’s silver lining and crepuscular rays.

As I began my second week without moving the truck I thought about driving the 30 minutes to town for a paid shower at the Quartzsite laundromat.  But below 55° felt cold to me with NW wind gusts up to 30mph so I did not feel like going out.  Hey, I live alone so it’s OK to be a dirtbag at least sometimes.

truckcamper Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWatch what you ask for.  Mid-afternoon, I started to smell propane like a tank is almost empty so when it went off I wasn’t surprised.  I just turned on the other tank, presumably full, and nothing happened.  It wouldn’t work.  WTF?  So I had to go to town to either fill the tank that was working and now empty or stay at a RV Park for electricity to keep the full fridge/freezer working.  While getting propane I was reminded these new fangled tank valves have to be opened very slowly or they register as a leak and won’t turn on until they reset, and that is an undetermined amount of time.  It’s a safety thing.  It worked.

desert late light Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNow it’s good for over a week.  I headed back to Palm Canyon and parked in a slightly different place just before dusk.

full wolf moon rising Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

full wolf moon rising Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI should have taken the tripod out but settled with just a few hand-held shots of the Wolf moon rising over a hill in the distance.  I will continue to practice night photography, especially if it’s not cold.

desert late light Kofa Mountains Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLike it was the next day with chill hair-blowing wind when I stayed mostly indoors watching the Kofa Mountains change color over the moving light of the day.

Creosote bush Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mountains BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

dead tree Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mountains BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThis followed by a gorgeous day of no wind, mid-60°s afternoon when the desert calls, “Visit the Saguaros.”

Saguaro cactus arms BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro cactus Kofa Mountains BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMeet the cactus people, each so unique you will soon know them by name.

desert RVs Kofa Mountains clouds Palm Canyon Road BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHave I been here too long? Excuse me, I have to go, the desert calls.

Saguaro cactus skeletonInside a dead Saguaro cactus

 

OK, maybe you already looked it up, but… “dirtbag – A person who is committed to a given … lifestyle to the point of abandoning employment and other societal norms in order to pursue said lifestyle.”

 

Big RV show 18-25 Quartzsite Arizona

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MscerVCt-tA&feature=share     documentary about Quartzsite

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, RV lifestyle apricity, desert healing, photography, winter 26 Comments
26 November 2019

Taking a slow ride

cell tower sign Nothing ArizonaI took four days to coddiwomple about 400 miles on my slow ride from Cedar City, Utah to Congress, Arizona, and fit in some friend visits along the way.

My last day in Cedar City, I paid the KOA electric bill and the owner dumped the camper tanks for me as I still don’t have the strength or dexterity to hook up the sewer hose.  Then off I went to my last PT and doctor visits.

I15 Virgin River Gorge UtahThe first time I’d driven in over a month and it felt good to be behind the wheel.  I felt different after a 1 1/2 hour drive through the beautiful windy Virgin River Gorge and on to Mesquite, Nevada.

truckcamper Mesquite NevadaThe truck just barely fit in Mary and Michael’s driveway and was easy to mostly level.  They fed me, we chatted and I went to the camper about 8:30pm. They also fed me breakfast and sent leftovers.

last light mountains Poverty Flats Nevada

last light mountains Poverty Flats Nevada

truckcamper sunset clouds Poverty Flats NevadaThe next day I hit the road around noon and in barely an hour was parked and somewhat level at Poverty Flats. I took a short walk with the small camera and phone.  A man in a golf cart caught up with me and asked if I was Geogypsy. A lurker blog reader from Wyoming.

sunset Poverty Flats NevadaHow I love the quiet and warm desert.

Gaelyn Poverty Flats NevadaSo much that I stayed an extra night instead of driving an hour to Boulder City.  Good thing, as the free parking above the casino was closed.

Lake Road Nevada

Lake Mead Lake Road Nevada

Gaelyn truckcamper Kingman Arizona by TerriInstead I made the 2 ½ hour slow ride to Kingman and visited with another friend.  Thanks Terri.

Dazzos Wikeup Arizona

stormy SR93 South ArizonaFor the next day rain was predicted all over the SW so I made a two hour run for it with a stop at Dazzos for Italian Beef for lunch.

truckcamper North Ranch Congress Arizona

Curve bill thrasher bird Yucca plant North Ranch Congress ArizonaBy late afternoon I was parked at North Ranch in tiny space #74, on a corner, next to a birdy bush that could be some kind of Yucca.

Pickleball court North Ranch Congress ArizonaI’m across the street from the Pickleball court.

truckcamper sunset clouds North Ranch Congress ArizonaAnd have a decent view west for sunset.

After several days of rain I went up the hill to Yarnell where I gave up my post office box and had lunch at Gilligans.

Vulture Mine Road West clouds Wickenburg ArizonaNow I’m set up with PT in Wickenburg three days a week for the next month.  I am healing, slowly, and getting better every day.

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RV lifestyle boondocking, friendocking, travel 29 Comments
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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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