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desert Kofa Mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaKofa Mts, AZ 1-28-21

As I sit out here in the all alone desert watching my daily world much like above, spinning stories, taking photos, and generally letting time slip away, I sometimes long for conversation.  Not necessarily long periods of time or in need of a full-time person(s) around.  However, I do talk to myself quite a bit, oh and Sierra also who is a lacking conversationalist unlike other cats I’ve known.  I do realize conversation requires at least two, but in today’s world not always face-to-face.  The internet has made it possible for us to communicate with people all over the world, quickly depending on your signal.  I LOVE that!  I do however, also like real time, maybe still at six feet apart these days.  Is anybody else hurtin’ for hugs?  Either way, or all the ways, conversation requires a back and forth of words, one talks while other(s) listen, then respond.  It’s an exchange, give and take, a movement of energy back and forth.  Otherwise, I don’t see a conversation.

When I put out a rambling blog post about my previous week’s activities and mind-drifting I am shocked that hundreds of people at least view the post, and hopefully read.  Thank you.  I wish you’d leave a comment so I’d know who you are and I can respond, creating a conversation.  All you lovely lurkers have me at a disadvantage with knowing so much about me.

White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ArizonaSandstone layers at White Pocket, AZ 5-28-15

Since blogging, my life is pretty much an open book.  (And speaking of books, I am scheduling time almost daily to work on that.)  A really big thanks goes out to all those people I’ve met online (and frequently in real time too) and gotten to know through conversation over the many years.  Your blog post comments feed my ego, thank you.

red Cholla cactus flower Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaA prickly situation, Cholla & Saguaro, Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Never met a stranger

Since childhood I’ve been a talker, stranger or not.  Never would have gotten by with that in today’s world.  I got in trouble for talking in class when I was suppose to be doing something else, like reading, studying, or paying attention.  However, I was a good student.  And over and above all the art classes I could take, my favorite class was Improv, a drama class.  Sorry, I got ahead of myself here.  Talking and conversation are two different things.  I’m still working on that.

desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaDotted with color, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Telephone to dial-up

Does anybody else remember the first phone in your house?  A large black plastic box on the wall or desk with a handset for speaking and listening.  (I’m not old enough for the cranking wood box version or switchboard operators.)  Not that I was allowed, or old enough, to use the phone, but I remember is was a “party-line” shared with a neighbor and each of us had a different ring combination.  You could listen in on their conversation, but don’t get caught.  It was considered a privilege to own a telephone.

Delicate Arch Arches National Park UtahPeople and rock, Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, UT 9-30-15

As a teenager, I begged for a pastel colored princess phone in my bedroom but was told no as I already tied up the line for way too much time with useless conversation.  I did eventually pay to have a separate line put into my bedroom.  Had it done while my parents were on vacation.  Upon their return, we had quite a conversation.  I don’t remember that being good, but I did have my own phone and local calls were free.  Long distance on the other hand was costly.  Good thing I didn’t have friends far away like I do now.

desert sunburst BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaGoodnight desert, Ghost Town Road, Congress, AZ 4-1-20

Those first main-frame computer rooms were the size of a large walk-in closet and kept almost as cold as a freezer.  The first cell phone I saw in the 1990s was the size of a lunchbox and didn’t work very well.  That was about the same time I was introduced to the internet where I thought all the information in the world would be at my fingertips.  Not so as I quickly discovered most of the “information” was one person’s opinion.  Not like a book reviewed by peers and editor.

trees sunset clouds crepuscular rays Walnut Grove ArizonaView from a friend’s, Walnut Grove, AZ 4-30-20

Then there was email, and how cool was that.  Sending a message, short or long, around the world without licking a postage stamp.  Of course, answer time varied depending on the recipient of said email.  Responses could vary from minutes to never.  There was the possibility your email went into SPAM and never seen by the recipient.  Sure took me a long time before looking in that overflowing folder where I’d always find a long-lost “real” message.  That algorithm has greatly improved over time and I check more frequently looking for those occasional keepers.  A great way to have a conversation.

Stormy sky last light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLast light, Wotans Throne, Cape Royal, North Rim Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 8-24-16

For me, blogging was next when back in the fall of 2008 a friend on the North Rim encouraged me to blog, and first I had to figure out what that meant.  The name comes from the idea of keeping a journal, or a web log.  Heck I’ve been a journal writer almost all my life.  After first discovering the internet I worked hard for years not to leave any footprint.  And now, 13 years later, I’m all over the web.  I love having a conversation with people from all over the world.

I began blogging on dial-up and posted everyday.  I can’t imagine doing that today.  Did I have more patience and time?  I linked to memes and got into conversation with other bloggers.  It’s a time consuming process to write and read, but I love it.  Many folks have stopped blogging, and a few have passed away.

desert mts dark sunset clouds crepuscuar rays BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaShine the light, Ghost Town Rd, Congress AZ 4-12-20

Social media time suck

About a year after starting the blog, I joined FB and was hooked.  How fun to see what my growing number of friends were up to.  I love to chat, such a nice conversation with real pauses.  My preference is to use the laptop where it’s easier to type than the phone.  Even easier now with voice messages.  Make it short and sweet please, otherwise call me.

I tried other social media.  Twitter is just too fast for me.  Pintrest was too much work to keep up with.  Same true with Instagram.  I already spend way too much time online and don’t want it to BE my life.  MyTwitFace is too much conversation, thank you.

flowers cactus mts Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaFlowering desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Over and above the blog, I have a photography website that costs me $30/year and I never make enough selling anything to pay for it. (Link on sidebar.)  Good thing it’s cheap.  If something does sell I don’t even know who bought it, there’s no option for conversation there unless they make a comment.  Or, it’s one of you folks making the purchase and let me know.  Thank you.  I haven’t added any new photos to the site in years.  Takes lots of time and bandwidth that I don’t often have.  Besides, I gave up thinking I’d become a famous photographer and get rich.  LOL!  More fun to keep that a hobby and continue to challenge myself to learn.

fall trees reflection Mirror Aspen Lake Dixie National Forest Duck Crk UtahFall reflections, Aspen Mirror Lake, Dixie National Forest, UT 10-2-20

Conversation

With all the choices for conversation, does anybody talk on the phone any more?  I so rarely get or make phone calls.  Oh, other than “the warranty on your vehicle…”  And now days, everybody has a telephone, even kids.  I haven’t bought into this yet, but think of the convenience of walking and talking on the phone.  However if I’m multi-tasking, I’m not really part of the conversation.

light & shadow desert mts storm clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaLight and shadow, Ghost Town Rd, Congress, AZ 4-18-20

I was late in the game to texting and now I’m hooked.  Especially with voice messages because that QWERTY board is a pain.  Once again, make it quick please.

flowers desert cactus mts clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaSoldiers at attention, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ 3-8-20

Yet I always come back to blogging, sharing stories and photos.  Yea, it’s me talking, you reading, and hopefully making a comment that I will reply to and then there’s conversation.

light & shadows hoodoo window tree Bryce Canyon National Park UtahShadow play, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 10-20-20

Any of this ring a bell?  I’m trying to provoke you.  What is your favorite form of conversation?

view N across Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook SR89A ArizonaThe Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook, AZ 4-28-21

I may have gotten carried away here.  When my mind gets on a roll, I can’t easily stop it.  Hope I didn’t offend, or bore, anyone and you’ll keep reading whether you comment or not.  But if you’re so inclined please leave a comment and become part of the conversation.

BTW, photos are from 2021 “because” file (even though some of them are older), and hopefully haven’t been shared before.

life, Ramble , 38 Comments

Foto Friday Fun 450: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 11 readers including holes in rock both natural and human made, of course there’s rock, and a tailless elephant too.

Snowy view tunnel window Zion National Park SR9 West UtahJo chose #7700.  A very rare shot taken through a window in a tunnel in Zion National Park.  Winter is the only time it’s quiet enough in the park to slow down in the tunnel, or maybe even stop like we did here.

Howard Johnson's Railway Restaurant along old Rte 66 Flagstaff ArizonaDiane and Nigel chose #701.  Met up with Berta in Flagstaff and we had breakfast at this Howard Johnson’s Railway Restaurant with nostalgia for the historic railroads.

Box Canyon Dwellings Wupatki National Monument ArizonaMelissa chose #650.  There sits the remains of two dwellings on each side of Box Canyon at Wupatki National Monument, Arizona.

Drainage NE from Jumpup Point Kaibab National Forest ArizonaCathy chose #3883, a mirror image number.  It’s almost a mirror image on each side of the drainage below Jumpup Point, a drainage that eventually flows into the Grand Canyon.

Truck camper on BLM8910 House Rock Valley ArizonaGypsy chose #1212, when she traveled in North Carolina.  I traveled on BLM Road 8910, House Rock Valley that sits below the North Kaibab Plateau in Arizona.

Tailless Elephant dust bathing Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South AfricaTreDeuce chose #1359.  Watched this tailless elephant take a dust bath in Kruger National Park during my first visit to South Africa in March of 2010.

Looking down inside Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAlan and random dot org chose #8810.  A rather interesting view looking down two stories in the center of Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim Grand Canyon National Park, where I happened to be for my birthday in 2015.

Boulders White Tank campground Joshua Tree National Park CaliforniaJennifer chose #6277.  Good thing she likes rocks, as this shot is full of granite boulders in the area of White Tank campground in Joshua Tree National Park.

Angels Window from Cape Royal trail Walhalla Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSherry chose #2002.  This fin of rock called Angels Window can be walked on top of from the Cape Royal trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Cliff thru shuttle window Zion National Park UtahSue chose #2022.  Not the best shot I’ve ever taken at Zion National Park, but it’s through a window on their shuttle in the Virgin River Canyon when Pat came to visit summer of 2014.

Unidentified plant Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park South AfricaJodee and Bill chose #3314.  An unidentified plant seen in Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park, South Africa.  Maybe Jo or Diane will recognize it.

Natural arch Haulapai Canyon Havasu Canyon trail Havasupai Indian Reservation Arizona

desert mountains light rays clouds Plomosa Road BLM Quartzsite ArizonaI have a few photos hanging in a file under 2021 called “because”, where I put and process past photos because I think they deserve a second look.  Like this oldest one from 4-18-10, an arch in Haulapai Canyon on the Havasu Canyon trail, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Arizona.  And more recently from 1-20-21, this panorama of morning light rays on the Plomosa Mountains from a camp just north of Quartzsite, Arizona.

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  For more of the story just follow the links.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Thanks for the memories

Foto Friday Fun 30 Comments

Creating an image that’s in focus

Saguaro desert clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFor me, as a recently retired Park Ranger, 2022 is about creating an image of myself, the future, and with the camera.  I want to fill the year with travel, laughter, and fun.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWish you could have been here to share the cloud dances on the eve of a new year.  What will the new year bring, we ask.  What can I expect?  What image have I created for my immediate future?  Right NOW, today, I am still thoroughly enjoying my desert experience, the apricity and deserquies.  I see myself sharing desert passion with a small friendly group of like minded people.  We are camped barely in sight of each other without blocking views.  A centralized firepit, chairs, and a few small tables.  After a morning meeting of the minds, each of us organize ourselves for a short ride to the end of the road and a half-mile Palm Canyon hike. Bring water, snacks, camera, and childlike wonder to this Geogypsy Journey.  We arrive to the actual overlook of a side canyon shortly before noon when the overhead sun lights up the only known native Palm trees found in the state.  Only one reason this is the preserved Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  (I saw a gathering, more later.)

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaFirst day of this new year and it was a little chilly especially with a brutal north wind that kept me inside most of the day only stepping out briefly for a quick yet colorful sunset.  I’ve been struggling with my camera creating an image that’s consistently in focus.  Seems I’ve had this problem before.  Research tells me the Nikon D5600 takes about 7 seconds to focus.  That’s long.  I bracket my shots and it does seem the second, also darkest, is often the better focus.  I usually make landscape photos, a scene that isn’t moving much, so I’m reminding myself to slow down, recompose, take a stance, keep my elbows against my body, and hold my breath for the click.  Yet the camera is heavy and after a few hours of shooting I feel the burn in my left and worse shoulder, and both wrists.  I want a lighter camera but that will have to wait for price drop and income increase.  I’m creating that image too, a lightweight mirrorless camera around my neck.  Can you see it?

Sierra cat & Gaelyn in camper BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Gaelyn & Sierra cat in camper BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI paid for those clear skies the next morning when I got up the first time to 34°, then turned the heat on before crawling back under the covers.  I fell back to sleep by creating an image of me being warm.  Later in the day, playing with the phone, I tried creating an image of both Sierra and myselfie.  I only recently started taking more photos with my phone but I’m not finding it easy to hold still with the phone while creating an image.

Saguaro desert trees Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAlso started notes for a book idea as a Forest Ranger at Mt St Helens.  So many stories.  Now I’m creating an image of me actually writing the book then marketing myself doing presentations while I travel.  Did get a pretty sunset.

camper desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHope I’m not creating an image of me only sitting inside the camper all the time, surrounded by the beautiful desert nature around me.  If it’s too cold that may be true.  I do spend a lot of time on my laptop and that just isn’t comfortable working outside with glaring sun or chilly shade.  Thank goodness for sunshine, light wind, and the camper as a wind block, so I do get out and enjoy the desert apricity.  I usually sit and read, soaking up the warmth, sometimes creating an image of shorts and sandals and maybe a swimming pool.  Just kidding.  Even in the low 60s that’s not warm enough for me to bear much skin.

Gaelyn pointing at Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI have worked on creating an image of myself.  You saw a few of my fun hats.  Jewelry is also a wonderful creative expression and I have enough to open a store.  I dug into packed jewelry and felt the magic of wearing some of my favorite turquoise.  Used to be a most important part of getting dressed and often the deciding factor for what to wear to match the jewelry.  I let it slide and now want to feel the comfort of the stones once again.  I’ve always collected rocks and for years made jewelry with semi-precious stones and beads.  Once I started blogging and improving my photography in 2008, crafts went out the window.

Saguaro desert sunset crescent moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaNeighbors on both sides left so I had no problem creating an image of the desert and Kofa Mountains with no white van to avoid in the frame.  Yet the brilliant blue cloudless sky didn’t lend itself to creating an image until the end of the day with a touch of crescent moon.

desert Kofa Mts clouds sundog BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs clouds returned, the wind slowed, and the temperatures rose, a perfect combination in my mind.  Yet cold and ice in the upper atmosphere were creating an image of a morning sundog.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWasn’t long and a new neighbor moved into my window view, at a good distance mind you.  I went for a couple hour stroll going barely a mile and took over 200 photos.

dead tree desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI am intrigued by the twisted shapes of the dead trees that are part of the desert story for a long time.

Ocotillo desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSo many desert plants look distressed and perhaps dead but are not, simply conserving energy during the driest of times.  Like the fountain-shaped Ocotillo only bearing well-spaced leaves and brilliant red flowers after some healthy rain.

desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaLate in the afternoon and just before sunset a Skoolie (school bus conversion) pulled in across the road joining a van and car.  One woman in their group had an overly loud voice that carried far across the land.  A prelude of more to come.

Gaelyn & Sierra cat BLM Palm Canyon Rd ArizonaGaelyn & Sierra cat BLM Palm Canyon Rd Arizona

I hated to leave this (otherwise) quiet piece of desert but it was time to dump and fill the camper tanks, and I planned to return.  I didn’t have to rush out in the morning so spent some extra time with Sierra.  She’s never happy when I tell her, “We’re going to roll.”  Not usually a very vocal cat, she gives me a dirty look, “meow”, and crawls under the bed covers until we are absolutely stopped in our new space.

RVs sunset clouds Shady Lane RV Park Quartzsite ArizonaBecause it’s January, the busiest month in Quartzsite, I had called Shady Lane RV Park to make a reservation.  The same small space I’ve parked in for years provided the hookups I needed plus the $1.50 15-minute hot shower was divine.  The owners, Finius and Breezy, stopped by to say hi as we’ve gotten to be friends over the years.  They are very busy at the “campiest camp in town” and I highly recommend a stay there while in Quartzsite.  Make it for several days and you might get to go with them to their mining claim and climb around in the desert.  Or, just follow Finius the Skinniest on FB because he’s funny.

traffic AZ-CA border I10I like Shady Lane, but it’s in town, and town is bright and noisy.  One night was enough.  After getting the propane tanks filled in the morning—I didn’t cuss once, good on me—I drove 30 minutes west on freeway (yuk) to Blythe for a grocery run.  Can somebody explain to me why emery boards—along with mascara and fake eyelashes—would be in a locked glass-fronted case?  I cooked my pizza lunch while in the parking lot as pizza just won’t fit in the freezer.  Between that and a fuel stop, I didn’t get back to camp until 2:30pm.  Town always feels like an all day ordeal.  I need to work on creating a better image of that.

desert sunset BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI instinctively headed to my previous campsite as I really like the view, vegetation, and only one mile of gravel road.  But what the…  That one Skoolie, was now a gathering of possibly 50 vehicles parked across the road in two parallel lines.  Mostly vans with a few buses and RVs.  OK?  They were surprisingly quiet all afternoon.

mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen at sunset, the music started.  By 8pm there was a whole lot of whooping going on and all I heard was drum beat.  I don’t want to complain as I’d be right there with them, when I was young(er), and if I’d been invited. I just hoped it wouldn’t last all night as I fell asleep to the beat while creating an image of me swirling to the beat, as the go-go girl I was 50 years ago.

bumper collection BLM Palm Canyon Rd ArizonaBumper collection

Arizona, Geogypsy Journey, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, RV life, United States , , 30 Comments

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