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Following dreams and dreaming new dreams

trees hoodoos valley Aquarius Plateau sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’ve been following dreams for over 40 years, well really the same dream of traveling, writing, and taking photographs.  I didn’t really plan for the future because I never dreamed of getting old.  Now, I don’t know how to retire.  But I’m working on some ideas.

Pink Cliffs trees valley Navajo Mt Earth Shadow sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI remember the days when I was on the go-go-go all the time but now my old go-go boots haven’t danced in a while and my get up and go often seems gone.  (Yes, I was a go-go girl 50 years ago.)  I don’t want to give in to old because I’m still young at 67 years around the sun.  Yet my motivation is truly lacking as I drag myself out of bed for a nine-hour work day, and even on days off.  I’m dreaming of not working but haven’t figured out what to do instead.  Have to buy cat food you know.  I don’t feel done following dreams of travel because there’s still much to see and do.  Yet, I’ll admit it’s getting more difficult to keep up alone, especially the physical demands with RVs.  Always a to-do list:  the should dos, the must dos and the I don’t wanna’ dos often overlap.  And I’m an excellent procrastinator with many excuses when I don’t wanna’ do something.  Not always to my advantage.

Pink Cliffs trees sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI don’t want to be following dreams like I’ve woke up from recently.  They feel more like nightmares.  What does it mean when a woman at MVD is asking irrelevant questions when I’m trying to get a motorcycle license?  I don’t even own a motorcycle.  Trying to find my way around in a huge house is a nightmare of feeling lost.  Sometimes I write blog posts in my sleep.  Only wish I could send them into cyberspace that way.  I dreamed of finding a man to fix my camper, and a bicycle I also don’t own.  I really don’t want any two-wheeled vehicles.  But sure could use a handyman so that’s not a bad dream.  Instead, I may have to figure out how to fix it myself.  I don’t wanna’.

Pink Cliffs trees sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’m dreaming of this post already written and posted as I am way behind for the month of June.  At least I finally got out for sunset.

trees smoke colored sun Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWoke up on the 5th to this eerie smoky orange colored sun.  Could be from a couple fires to the north, west, or south.  I’m dreaming of people being more cautious with campfires, cigarettes, and parking on dry grass.  There are fires all over already so now I’m dreaming of rain.

dirty window view 3 young bucks Mule Deer Bryce Canyon National Park UtahCurrent dirty window view of stinky horse corral and Mule deer

both RVs Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBeen looking into some possible RV Parks for the 5th-wheel this winter to use as a base.  Maybe where I lived before in Kirkland, or another park in nearby Skull Valley.  These places are south of Prescott and north of Yarnell, Arizona.  Not quite full winter weather at about 5000 feet, I hope, but not really desert either.  I’m dreaming of reliable internet and phone signal someplace with a few trees and a view.  A central location for travels to the Sonoran desert within a few short hours.  Of course part of this move includes getting both RVs moved.

hoodoos trees amphitheater Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMy work weeks are more of the same, some days a Hoodoo geology talk, once a week an evening program about Bryce wildlife, all days include many hours at the outside information tables by the visitor center/administration building.

Pink Cliffs trees Navajo Mt clouds Yovimpa Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahNavajo Mt 90 miles to the Southeast

Pink, Gray & White Cliffs Molly's Nipple Yovimpa Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMolly’s Nipple 35 miles South

view South from Yovimpa Pt Bryce Canyon National Park UtahPanoramic view South of North Kaibab Plateau on horizon 100 miles away

My favorite schedule is the drive to the end of the scenic road, Rainbow Point, then two scheduled Grand Staircase geology talks and lots of questions in several hours of roving (hanging out with the beautiful view).

red Paintbrush flowers Bryce Canyon National Park UtahIndian Paintbrush

Summer flowers are just beginning to bloom on this Solstice Day.  My favorite season of the year begins yet I may not be so sad to see it over this year as I’m dreaming new dreams for the future.

Are you following dreams or dreaming new dreams?  What are they?

Bryce Canyon National Park, dream, Park Ranger, RV living , , 22 Comments

On the road to November

trees hoodoos Red Canyon Dixie National Forest SR12 UtahLeft Bryce Canyon on October 25th, before it snowed, and am on the road again in the truck-camper.  The more than 150 mile circle around Bryce was headed into a cold front.  With nights everywhere predicted below freezing, or close, I could only think south.

fall trees SR89 South UtahAnd I only got 1 1/2 hours south to Fredonia, just across the border into Arizona.  A familiar drive along SR89 to Kanab where I didn’t even stop.  I felt tired, exhausted, and drained from the last week at work and closing up the 5th-wheel to move into the camper.

5th-wheel stored in Henrieville UtahShortly after arriving at the Wheel Inn RV Park I received a text that the 5er is winterized and in storage.  That’s a relief.

fall cottonwood trees field storm clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaView from end of RV Park

Turned out a friend from the North Rim was already in this park so I pulled in next door.  Sure was good to catch up and talk to someone who understands an intense COVID summer season in a busy national park.  She usually waits tables in the Lodge but due to take-out dinning only her job ended up being the door counter, limiting ten people into the Lodge building for cabin and mule-ride check-in, and enforcing mask wearing.  Sounds like she was verbally abused way too many times.

window view Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia Arizona

sunset clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaKind of a noisy RV park, or maybe I’m just spoiled.  Also not used to paying $25/night even though I know that’s pretty cheap these days.  But really, basically a level gravel parking lot with utilities and a picnic table.  I initially paid for two nights and added a third to have electricity for heat as the lows dropped below freezing.

truck camper Lynda's house St George Utah

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve by Lynda's St George UtahI was ready to be on the road by Wednesday and drove another 1 1/2 hours west to St. George, Utah with a shopping stop along the way.  A friend invited me to park in her driveway.  I figured one night there but stayed two nights and we even got in a little walk at the nearby Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  We plan to meet up in the southern desert somewhere this winter.

RVs on Snowbird Mesa Lake Road Overton NevadaFriday, I was on the road again continuing yet another 1 1/2 hours just south of Overton, Nevada to dispersed camping known as Snowbird Mesa or Poverty Flats.

RVs Snowbird Mesa Overton Nevada

RVs Snowbird Mesa Overton NevadaLots of snowbirds, more than I’m used to seeing the end of October, but by the look of the RVs and ‘toys’ mostly not suffering impoverishment.  Everybody works at keeping some distance.  Though my nearest neighbor living in a small pickup truck with a topper has rather loud conversations seemingly with himself, or maybe his dog.

canyon road mountains reverse sunset Earth Shadow Snowbird Mesa Nevada

camper van mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa NevadaI planned to photograph the almost full moon that night and didn’t have to walk far from camp for an interesting foreground and composition.  Had I driven further off the popular path I might have eliminated other RVs.

mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa Nevada

canyon road mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa NevadaBut when I walked the next day realized I’d have to drive farther than I wanted to on rough gravel to really isolate and for just one more night in that location decided it wasn’t worth it.  Definitely isolated enough for no trick-or-treaters.  Good thing, as I didn’t buy any candy.

canyon mountains sunset clouds Snowbird Mesa Overton NevadaPretty sunset, but for full moon it was too late thus too dark for this too lazy photographer to drag out the tripod.

mountains sunrise clouds Snowbird Mesa NevadaI left Sunday morning relatively early for me with the intent of at least a four hour drive to Wickenburg, Arizona for my mail-in ballot.

road lake mountains clouds late light Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaInstead, in only 30 minutes, I saw a sign along the windy Lake Road drive for Stewarts Point and decided to check it out.  The two-mile drive to the lake goes past a bunch of older and many dilapidated small houses that make up the unincorporated community of Stewarts Point, inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  These remaining not quite lakeshore properties are from the 1950s when the National Park Service issued long-term leases inside the recreation area yet quit renewing with a change in philosophy and policy during the 1970s.  According to this article, only 48 cabins remained as of 2013.  Most of what I saw didn’t look very used.

lake mountains clouds late light Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI’d say less RVs than Snowbird Mesa or maybe just spread out more.  There are many options for sites with some more difficult to get to than others.  I’d recommend scouting before driving with a big rig.  My spot was mostly level and good enough for a night or two but I saw many others I’d prefer for next time.

sunset clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nevada

sunset clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI spent a delightful day taking short walks and reading in the shade.  Just enough clouds to put on a show for sunset.

desert lake mountains sunrise clouds reflection Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI had every intention of leaving the next morning and was greeted with a worthy sunrise with clouds.

brush lake mountains clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaAnd the clouds beckoned me to stay yet another day.  I am a nepholographer.

shore lake mountains clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nevada

lake mountains Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaLight and shadow danced across the land.  I finished reading another book.  Took short walks.  I tried to relax and be lazy.

desert sunset clouds crepuscular rays Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaMy mind just wouldn’t stop trying to figure out what and where to be this winter.  I need to figure out how to keep my phone and laptop charged by solar so I don’t NEED to stay in RV parks.  I don’t really understand all the solar stuff so want to talk to someone who does.  I’m willing to add another battery or panel, or both if that’s what it takes.  Probably go back to Solar Bill’s in Quartzsite, eventually.

desert mountains sunset clouds crepuscular rays Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI stayed for two nights within sight of the ever shrinking Lake Mead along the Overton Arm.  But I had no choice on Tuesday to get on the road to November 3rd so I could vote in Wickenburg, Maricopa county, where I’m registered.

Arizona, Nevada, Places I've been, road trip, RV living, travel, United States, Utah , , 19 Comments

Waiting out the storm: rain and COVID-19

desert mountains storm clouds sun rays BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI originally thought that waiting out the storm meant four days of rain in the desert.  Yet over those days, and more, as I followed reports on social media—some more reliable than others—realized people around the world are waiting out the storm of the rapidly spreading COVID-19.

road desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaSo thankful I have no place to be in a hurry.

By now we should have all gotten the message and know what to do to reduce chances of getting this latest virus.  Actually, things we learned in kindergarten, wash hands, cover mouth when coughing, blow nose, and stay home when sick.  Nobody wants a hug if you’re sick except your Mom, and right now even that’s a bad idea.

Sonoran Desert light Black Mountain storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaGo outside to non-congested areas.  Give people space.  Quarantine doesn’t have to lock you into the house.  Yet if it does, make the most of that time doing something positive.  This is not forever.

I think their will be a lot of December babies this year.  I hope their parents teach them well.

Sonoran Desert mountains light clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaI will continue waiting out the storm boondocking in the southern Arizona desert in as much social isolation as possible.

desert mountains sunset clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaIn the meantime, I will try to keep bringing you stories and photos from the Sonoran Desert while waiting out the storm.

window view RVs desert Black Mountain storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaSeeing predictions for four days of rain sent me back to boondock on BLM Darby Well Road just south of Ajo. I found a high place with firm ground speckled with tiny, white, daisy-like Desert Star flowers and a familiar view of Black Mountain.  My window view also included a leaning Saguaro and two other RVs at a relatively respectful distance, and they both left within two days.

desert mountains light clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaThe little rain that fell overnight didn’t even dampen the ground.  Clouds danced around all morning creating patches of light and shadow.  A military jet scared me by breaking the silence of the desert.

desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaBy mid-afternoon I smelled the rain and felt the temperature drop as the sky turned a steely gray.

desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaRain in the desert seems like a special gift to this otherwise arid environment.

desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaA gentle rain became more steady and I heard thunder and saw lightning.  I enjoy listening to rain on the roof.  Sierra, it seems, not so much.  She becomes more needy and lies closer for comfort and consoling.

desert Black Mountain storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaAnd so we greeted yet another drizzly desert day with gentle rain intermittently all day.  The desert is happy, I can feel the plants growing.

road desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaBy noon it was warm enough to open doors and windows.  Petrichor!  I’ve heard people talk about the creosote smell after rain.  I smell cinnamon.  Yet the ground was soft enough I barely wanted to walk on it let alone drive.  Glad I didn’t have to go anywhere.

desert mountains storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaTwo more jets flew low and banked around Black Mountain interrupting the more pleasant song of the Cactus Wren.  A Gila Woodpecker landed on the step and pecked loudly catching both of us off guard.  A hummingbird came by. They seem to like the red light covers.

light Saguaro cactus desert storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo Arizona

Saguaro cactus BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaAnother day of gray sky has me wondering if I’m getting enough charge from the solar panel to light the fridge.

Sonoran Desert mountains rainbow clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaThen later in the day, clouds move around enough to let the sunshine through with just enough rain for a wide-bowed rainbow to the east.  What you don’t see is the RV at each end.

truck desert mountains storm clouds rainbow BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaAnd the camper made a good cover for me and the camera.

Sonoran Desert Black Mountain storm clouds BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaRain really is a special gift in the desert.

water drops Ocotillo leaves BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaWater drops don’t hang very long.

Sonoran Desert mountain storm cloud sunset BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaThe air almost sparkles with fresh scents.

puddles Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaFigured I had one day left to lay low and let the ground dry a bit before I’d have to head to town for propane and dump holding tanks.  And even then there were puddles.

When I got to Belly Acres RV Park I asked if they had spaces and they did.  Guess I shouldn’t be too surprised as many RVers have headed home in a hurry because of CORVID-19.   I paid for a space then dumped, filled water, took a shower, and charged everything I could because I had electricity.  But hey, civilization is so noisy I could barely hear the birds.  Several neighbors gathered on the nearby Community building porch.  Voices rose and fell.  And although I couldn’t hear words it felt like some subtle disagreement was going on.  And then there was singing.  Maybe I should have just joined in but I am social distancing and already felt like I’d been too peopley.

desert hills BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaIn the morning I was more than ready to return to the peace and quiet of the desert, deserquies.  I went to the grocery store in Ajo, not really needing much, and the shelves were as stocked as ever, they even had toilet paper though I didn’t need any.  Milk and a couple avocados were enough for me and I headed back to Darby Well Road and parked in the same place by five feet.  Not suppose to see more rain until Wednesday.

dead & live Saguaro cactus Black Mountain BLM Darby Well Road Ajo Arizona

inside dead Saguaro BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaInside dead Saguaro Cactus

I will probably just stay here and continue waiting out the storm, whether that’s rain and/or virus.

Like many full-time RVers, I don’t have a home to go to as I’m already in it.  Guess that’s not entirely true, as my other home on wheels should be going back to Bryce Canyon National Park next month.  If they’re still open.

desert mountains storm clouds rainbow BLM Darby Well Road Ajo ArizonaMany difficult times around us, label them as you may. Yet the reality is life of the possibly kindest species on the planet. We are capable of love, giving, and kindness even on the worst of days. Crisis sets us all atwitter, no tweeting needed. Yet under the worse of crisis we come together.  Keep taking care of yourself, and others if that’s possible, while waiting out the storm.

Lucky Leprachan

May the luck of the Irish be with us all.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Ajo, Arizona, Places I've been, RV living, United States , , , , , , 29 Comments

Lijit

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