Menu

Sunset clouds from Cargo Muchacho Mountains BLM camp

I thought about moving camp but decided to stay put for sunset clouds around the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  Eventually I’ll head north towards Quartzsite for some functions then to Kofa for February’s full moon.

sunset clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CANo rush to move, especially with 70+° days, even when cloudy with the typical desert winter wind.  No complaint about sunset clouds.

Sierra cat Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAOr lazy days staying home.

Gaelyn 2012Gaelyn 2022

When the wind rocks the camper I am not inclined to get outside for a walk.  Instead I stay inside playing online.  My blog went wonky because an automatic renewal on the security certificate didn’t happen as it should.  (That’s what makes an URL be “https”.)  While I was waiting for that to happen I decided it was past time to update my 2012 Facebook profile photo.

flag reverse sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAEnded the day with yet another evening of sunset clouds.

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFollowed by camper rocking wind all night.  And clouds whipped across the sky most of the day so I made a time-lapse video you can watch here.  Fridge had been off for almost ten hours so I braved the wind to look at the back of the fridge from outside.  I banged on some wires and it lit.  Guess I have a magic touch.  Not.  Sunset clouds once again put on a show.

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAWeekends always get busier with people but that doesn’t bother me if they don’t park too close.  Though I don’t particularly like the cranked up sound of the OHVs and the dust they throw up.  Not enough rain that afternoon to even moisten the ground.  But still enjoyed sunset clouds.

knittingCotton headwarmer

mts clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CASunday the temperature dropped to 55° while the wind whipped under gray skies.  Not much solar charging going on so it became a good day to read and knit while dreaming about the next week’s activities including meeting up with Sue and Mo in Quartzsite.  More about that in the next post.

desert sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CARained overnight but still not enough too dampen the ground.  Fridge was off more than on over several days.  Moved the thermistor again and it turned on. I looked on YouTube for how to change that part.  Called RV Lifestyles and ordered the part to the tune of $64.  That better work!

first light Imperial Sand Dunes Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFirst light on Imperial Sand Dunes

So on Tuesday morning I left camp at the Cargo Muchacho Mountains and visited with Joann in Yuma, including a shower and laundry.  Then I dumped tanks and bought groceries before heading just north of town back to the VFW/BLM camp.  Because the next day I would go to Mexico with Gayle for more more dental surgery.

rock collection Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CACargo Muchacho Mts bumper collection

BTW,  I’ll be near the Kofa NWR February 2-5 to shoot the full moon.  Care to join Me?   https://geogypsytraveler.com/geogypsy-journey/

Uncategorized 21 Comments

Plans to watch the moon over Cargo Muchacho Mountains

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI made plans to watch the moon over Cargo Muchacho Mountains, and went to town preparing for a couple busy days with company, followed by down days making plans for the next move.

Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASomething I’ve noticed in only one year of retirement is my lack of making plans.  There’s no work schedule to dictate up to 40 hours a week or more.  Meeting basic needs while RV boondocking becomes my main reason to make plans.  Sure glad my needs are minimal and can be met in this desert/mountain environment near Yuma, Arizona.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAmoon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAmoon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

I find myself making plans to watch the moon many days ahead of an actual full moon rise.  Using PhotoPills and the Photographer’s Ephemeris plus a compass I try to figure out approximately where the moon will rise over the horizon.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI do like the jagged line of mountains in the foreground which means the actual time the moon crests a peak/ridge will be later than a low horizon line.

Ocotillo sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI also tend to shoot several days before the 100% full moon as that puts the rise before, during, or soon after sunset providing ambient light.  Then lazy me doesn’t dig out the tripod and just shoots hand-held.  Those plans worked pretty well two days before the full moon.  And with sunsets.

mts moon clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

mts moon clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAClouds and a chill wind from the southern edge of that huge storm over California made for eerie skies.  Clouds do make for colorful sunsets but also changed the plans to watch the moon the next night.

mts sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

desert mts sunrise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAWith plans to shop in Yuma, I was up early enough the next day for a rewarding sunrise.

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI had no plans to watch the moon set yet was lucky enough for mostly clear views behind the spray of Ocotillo branches.

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

Ocotillo moon set Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CATown tends to be a full day.  I made plans to run errands on the west side of town, actually mapping out the route—propane, post office, dump tanks, and shop—before visiting with Joann including a nice long hot shower and she super spoiled me with home-made soup.

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moon rise Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAWith plans to watch the moon in full, I barely made it back to camp at dusk and was too tired to put up the tripod.  My company arrived after dark.  They had driven from Santa Barbra, California, a minimum six hour drive, and left just ahead of the storms.

camp rigs BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CA

sign Center of the World Felicity CA

pyramid Center of the World Felicity CAWe made plans over a friendly bacon and eggs breakfast in my camper.  They refitted the car they were camped in and we took a drive to the Center of the World.  Which is located only about 12 miles away so I figure that includes me.

sign Museum of History in Granite Center of the World Felicity CA

church Center of the World Felicity CAOnce there, we opted out of the $7/person fee even though the Museum of History in Granite had been recommended.  If there’s a vortex at the center of the world, I didn’t feel anything.

Plank Rd Historic Site Imperial Sand Dunes CAWe also visited the historic Plank Road.  Imagine the drive from San Diego to Yuma trying to cross six miles of up to 300 foot tall sand dunes in an early 1900s automobile.  No 4-wheel drive back then.

Plank Rd Historic Site Imperial Sand Dunes CAIn 1915 the plank road was built by placing 8×12 foot sections of boards held together with metal and bolts and set end to end across the sand.  Traffic was one way so every 1000 feet an extra section was set in width to allow for passing.  Wind blown sand would obliterate the road and horses were used to scrape the sand and reposition the sections.  Finally, in 1926 a paved road was built, now Interstate 8, and the plank road was abandoned.  In the 1970s a group of people formed and preserved 1500 feet as a historic landmark.

Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe next day our plans included taking a walk into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.

tracks Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

grasshopper white Mallow flower Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe 1 1/2 mile loop took us a couple hours as we looked at the view, rocks, lots of animal tracks that looked like bobcat and deer to me, and a lone mallow with a tiny grasshopper inside.  It’s so nice to find folks that like to walk as slow as I do.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAThey left early Monday for the uncertain drive to Santa Barbra and ended up in a hotel in Ventura because of flooding and closures on 101.  Safe is good and more important than the plans made to be home that day.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CALucky me, stayed home with no plans.  A down day, and pretty sunset.

sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CA

clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAThe next day wind blew the clouds into ever changing window displays for my entertainment.

sunset clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAI started making plans for my next move to the Quartzsite area.  But no rush, I didn’t figure on leaving the Cargo Muchacho Mountains for another week.  (Blog posts are always a week or two behind real time.)  And by then, I’ll be making plans to watch the moon over the Kofa Mountains.

————————————————————————————————–

New Water Mts full moon rise MST&T Rd BLM Kofa NWR AZYou might recognize this shot from the 2022 Geogypsy calendar

Speaking of full moons, I plan to be at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge for February’s full moon.  Join me for this Geogypsy Journey, Sharing the Kofa Light February 2-6.  From morning to moon, early February light dances with the Kofa Mountains located south of Quartzsite, Arizona.  Join me to explore the Sonoran Desert life, geology, and history. RV/camp for free on BLM public land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  More information here.

2022 Sharing the Kofa Light

California, Cargo Muchacho Mts , , , , 20 Comments

Greeting the new year Cargo Muchacho Mountains boondock

dry wash mts clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAIt’s been cloudy with intermittent blue sky over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains where I’ve taken a few walks exploring the terrain.

desert mts sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI love winter in the warm Southwest because I frequently wake up in time for sunrise.  Clouds certainly enhance that morning experience but usually mean there’s some weather on the way.

Gaelyn camper flag shadow BLM Tumco CAThe overnight rain was predicted to last all day but instead the sky cleared and I sat outside.

possible moon planets alignment BLM Tumco CAThat night I kind of tried to shoot the alignment of planets using the cell phone as I was too lazy to get the tripod out for the big camera.

rd mts first light clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

desert dunes snow on mts clouds BLM Tumco CAMorning light on Imperial Sand Dunes and snow on distant mountains

The next day was also cloudy over the the Cargo Muchacho Mountains with high wind that did open up a bit through the day but pretty much kept me inside.

desert mts sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

waxing moon BLM Tumco CATurned into a day of musing.  I thought about going to town being almost out of ice cream.  But I didn’t have the gumption to move.  Instead I spent a bit of the day dreaming of summer travels.  I’ve been trying to revisit the Pacific Northwest for over ten years.  Last summer’s trip that didn’t happen would have included that and beyond if the fuel prices hasn’t gotten so high.  I’m thinking north on the east side of the Cascade Mountains and back south down the Pacific coast visiting people, exploring hot springs and rockhounding along the way.

too close RV BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAWindow view

In the afternoon an RV pulled in and became a new neighbor parking, where I think, too close.  There’s not many people camped out here so there’s lots of room around the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  My general boondocking rule includes parking at least 1000 feet apart when possible.  Out of sight is even better.

fog Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

low clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFriday morning brought fog and low clouds with 98% humidity.

clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

chrysocolla rock Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAYet it cleared enough later for a lovely walk into the Cargo Muchacho Mountains where I saw some pretty rock.  Most likely chrysocolla but I keep looking for turquoise, or gold.

Doug & Yuma BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CALong time friend and fellow blogger Doug stopped by with his dog Yuma and we caught up.  They’ve been camped nearby.

Gaelyn finger holding water for Dean BLM Tumco CAA neighbor went to town and picked me up some ice cream.  That saved me from having to move until next year.  Upon his return he offered to fill my empty water jugs from the 100 gallon tank in the bed of his pickup truck.  Sadly, the spare tire had fallen on and broke the spigot so there wasn’t much water left in the tank.  I tried to help while he found a cap and felt like the Dutch boy with my finger in the dike.  I actually ended up giving him a gallon of water for the night.

sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASunrise

He returned to town the next day to replace the spigot and filled my water jugs after returning to camp.

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

sunset clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CASunset

The last day of 2022 was a stay home day.

SierraWe went to bed long before midnight.

mts clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAFirst morning of 2023 brought light rain that either cleared off or was blown away by the 30mph wind that rocked the camper all day long.  I barely got out the door to put away the chairs and table before they ended up on top of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  I waited for a brief lull to get back inside.

Ocotillo sunrise clouds BLM Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAEven with most of the clouds gone later, the western horizon was obliterated by a sandy haze.  I made a video through multiple windows greeting the New Year.

sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

reverse sunrise clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAThe next day, no wind and a pretty sunrise.  A boondocking neighbor had to call an ambulance for a visiting friend who got sick.  Basically they were dehydrated and got a saline drip.  Glad it was nothing more serious.  Nice to know emergency vehicles can find us in these remote areas.  All campers within sight came together to offer assistance if needed.

dry wash mts clouds Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CA

moth on yellow flowers Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAFinally, the third day of the new year I got out for a walk.  I had in mind to find a different place to park without the too close neighbor.  I followed a large wash that might give options for wildlife, or at least some birds.

fenced Hedges cemetery Tumco CABut even though access was good it’s right next to the fenced cemetery and I didn’t feel comfortable with that.  Cemeteries don’t bother me but I figured people would want to visit it so might get traffic.

valley Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM Tumco CAI decided to stay in the same site for the full moon rise over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains though it seemed a good possibility clouds might obscure the view.

———————————————————————–

Kofa Mts moon rise Kofa NWR AZSpeaking of full moons, I plan to be at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge for February’s full moon.  Join me for this Geogypsy Journey Tour, Sharing the Kofa Light February 2-6.  From morning to moon, early February light dances with the Kofa Mountains located south of Quartzsite, Arizona.  Join me to explore the Sonoran Desert life, geology, and history. RV/camp for free on BLM public land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  More information here.

2022 Sharing the Kofa Light

California, Cargo Muchacho Mts, Places I've been, United States , , 12 Comments

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com