Settling in to a winter pattern in the desert with a few variations like more company and making a plan for 2022. Yet I’m scratching my head and wondering what happened to December that it slipped by so quickly. It’s not like I’ve been terribly busy in the last three weeks since arriving to this winter’s first boondock home in the northern reaches of Sonoran Desert, Congress Arizona.
I enjoy sharing camp with a friend, at least part-time as Joann works a few days a week in Prescott then returns to her trailer here in Camp Congress. When she’s here we visit on and off most days but also enjoy our alone time in respective campers. It’s a comfortable winter pattern.
Though it was a bit cold and windy, Gypsy, a local friend, and her dog Sandee Mae came to visit and we managed to sit outside mostly out of the wind for a couple hours. I forgot to take any pictures of us. She came bearing gifts, homemade banana bread and the best fruitcake I have ever eaten, no nuts thank you but lots of fruits and chocolate. Yum! Also a mystery book I managed to wade through and the coolest two-inch animal skull from the Salton Sea area. Not sure what it’s from. Sadly, Sierra isn’t friendly about dog visitors in our tiny house.
On super windy days the almost 60° doesn’t feel warm to me. I tend to stay home, watching out the windows, and occasionally stepping outside for a quick pic. Worse is when the nights drop into the low 30s. I sleep warm but don’t even want to get out of bed into the frigid morning. No propane heat runs overnight. In the morning I light the heat, make coffee, and sit enjoying the early sunlight warming up the windows. Ideas swarm in my head and I think about writing a book. Would that be about my life, being a Park Ranger, or what? I don’t know what people want to read.
The wind increased overnight and it rained. Joann returned with a present from Prescott. I was glad for no snow in the desert. It does happen occasionally but it’s not a typical winter pattern, just wind. If there’s anything normal about weather.
The wind dropped enough in the afternoon to take a little walk and saw some of our neighbors out exercising. Folks were camping in a huge horse trailer. Funny how 60° felt comfortable then.
Welcomed home by this resident Phainopepla
We both needed propane so went down the road a few miles. I still frick and frack with these “safer” propane tanks. Made an appointment for the truck’s oil change.
The next day we did chores that took us to Skull Valley seeing horses on the way in Peeples Valley.
Lost count of how many hawks were seen sitting on poles and trees. Hardware store, junk shop, Dollar Store, and pizza for lunch in Yarnell. Seems like it took all day, but a fun day laughing with a friend.
I set up the tripod that afternoon to shoot the almost full moon.
More company was entertained when Joann’s son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids stopped by for a quick visit and walk in the desert. Then I got a text from a long-time internet friend who was in my area. We’ve tried to meet up before. So after she and her daughter hiked the Hot Shot Trail they stopped by camp. Of course, they are as awesome as I’d known they’d be. I’ve watched her now not so little girl grow up into a fine young woman. Makes me feel like part of the family. I love my internet family whether seen regularly, occasionally, or never at all so far. That includes all of you.
Yet part of my winter patterns include the love of being in the middle of nowhere nature all alone with the world around me. After days or weeks alone I am ready for people again. Trust me, it’s not silent at my camper-house—just ask neighbor/friend Joann—because I talk out loud all the time, to myself and the cat. When my mind is working, words fall out of my mouth. My mind has been on overtime trying to figure out how to organize and advertise an experience camping with a naturalist, me. I want to share my love for the land and make a few bucks to augment in retirement. Thus the birth of the Geogypsy Journey, first two scheduled to Share the Kofa Light in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. There will be more in the future. (Please feel free to share the above link.)
In the meantime, I enjoy several delightful 60s days around the Solstice. My favorite holiday because it marks the increase in daylight hours. Though heavy with clouds, they lent nice shadows and helped hold the heat overnight.
Joann and I went for a walk and gathered firewood. But we did not wait for full dark to build a campfire, nor did we dance naked around the fire for a neighbor’s drone. Too dam cold after the sun goes down, even at almost 50°.
Up early enough Wednesday to catch a colorful sunrise then off to town for chores. Started with an oil change for the truck and breakfast next door while waiting. Dumped and filled camper tanks at North Ranch RV Park on the way to Wickenburg.
Scored at a thrift store on a pair of like new Merrill hiking shoes, desert boots, and a 100%-wool malleable Mad-Hatter, all for $24. Bought groceries for Christmas dinner when Joann would be back in camp.
The next day clouds held for warmer temperature again. Not a lot of solar charge going on but I got my exercise going in and out of the camper taking photographs as the cloud show varied all day.
They moved northward in waves (undulatus apseratus), dancing to a different beat in every direction. Although a warm glow hung on the southern horizon all day under these gray skies the sunset was brightly contained and brief.
How a neighbor walks his dog
Rain didn’t come until bedtime like a pitter-pat lullaby on the roof. I awoke to clouds all the way to the floor of the desert, obliterating the mountains to all sides. Rain continued through most of the day making for soft ground and sloppy tracks where people drove. Another day of limited solar charging but I made it through with my limited demands.
Late in the day, Christmas Eve, rays of sun broke through from the west and gave a double rainbow gift arching over the desert.
One end at the local historic cemetery, no digging for gold there please, and the other disappearing before I could even find my shovel. I opted for the camera instead.
Rainbow didn’t last long before the dark clouds increased and dropped more rain.
So nice to enjoy a winter pattern storm bringing moisture to the thirsty desert.
Joann rolled into camp about noon and we shared a Christmas dinner with her heating the mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and gravy while I fried the ham steaks and oven roasted three veggies. Delicious, delightful, delovely. Amazing the kind of meal that can be prepared in small kitchens. Though this photo makes my tiny house look huge.
My winter pattern includes not to bother with the bother of holidays, but do enjoy spending any day with a good friend.
