It’s been cloudy with intermittent blue sky over the Cargo Muchacho Mountains where I’ve taken a few walks exploring the terrain.
I 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.
The overnight rain was predicted to last all day but instead the sky cleared and I sat outside.
That 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.
Morning 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.
Turned 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.
Window 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.
Friday morning brought fog and low clouds with 98% humidity.
Yet 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.
Long time friend and fellow blogger Doug stopped by with his dog Yuma and we caught up. They’ve been camped nearby.
A 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
He returned to town the next day to replace the spigot and filled my water jugs after returning to camp.
Sunset
The last day of 2022 was a stay home day.
We went to bed long before midnight.
First 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.
Even 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.
The 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.
Finally, 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.
But 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.
I 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.
———————————————————————–
Speaking 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.
