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Tag: bird watching

30 March 2021

Celebrating my birthday with friends blown in by the wind

desert Kofa Mts Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI know the wind seems to be a reoccurring theme lately, because it’s spring, in the desert Southwest, and its windy.  Like in many places as weather patterns change from winter to summer,  but that didn’t stop me from celebrating my birthday with friends blown in by the wind.

Gaelyn photographing from window King Valley Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona by JoannAfter a couple days filled with laughter camping with me near Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Joann continued to Yuma with a promise to stop again on her return home to Prescott.  I settled outside in a sundress soaking up a few rays and reading for several hours before the wind increased enough to send me back inside.

buds Beavertail cactus Stone Cabin SR95 ArizonaBuds on Beavertail cactus, the only bloom

As days get warmer it feels almost like summer arrived on the desert, yet I know me in shorts at 10am and 73° with no wind isn’t really southern Arizona summer that can easily break triple digits daily.  Then after noon the wind kicked back in sending sheets of dust across the land.  I go back inside the rocking camper.  Sure glad it’s heavy and I’m four wheels down.  So I work on the previous long post because I was two weeks behind.  Usually the wind drops after sunset.  Note I said usually, but not that night.  Sadly, the wind just blows dust and no rain making the land more parched and dry with nothing blooming.  Last year’s rather green desert was because of winter rains.  All life in the desert will suffer from this lack.

Redtail hawk Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSaguaro cactus Redtail hawk Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Joann was blown in by the wind Sunday afternoon and parked her minivan on the leeward side of my camper.  We watched a Redtail Hawk roost with a quick snack then soar off looking for more.  Lots of lizards and rodents in this desert but hawks don’t get lucky every time.  Nor do I taking photos of bird is a struggle zoomed in and trying to hold still.  We sat outside for a little bit but the wind got too much for me so we ended up chatting and laughing in the camper.  Sierra even woke up briefly to join us.

historic Stone Cabin ruin SR95 Arizona

fireplace historic Stone Cabin ruin SR95 ArizonaWindy again the next day would have kept us indoors so Joann took us for a ride.  Much easier for her to pack up and take a passenger than me.  We headed south a few miles to the “Stone Cabin” built in the late 1800s as a stage stop for travelers.  What remains measures about 20×25 feet including a corner fireplace.  Over time other buildings were added as a gas station, store, RV park, and Randy’s Hamburger Stand where I ate in 2016.  Now all the structures look like ruins with a row of electric boxes but no power.  Land might be for sale or lease.  We didn’t stay outside long in the hair-blinding wind.

desert Dome Mts King Valley Rd National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAcross the highway we drove east into King Valley and more of the Kofa NWR.  I camped off this road a few years ago but didn’t like the lights from a nearby Border Patrol check station or the sight of the often flying blimp.  The Kofa Mountains are named for the rich King of Arizona gold mine, discovered in King Valley in 1896. The mine used to stamp its property “K of A”, and is commonly known as the Kofa Mine. The old mine and its surroundings are private property.

desert Kofa Mts King Valley Rd National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaCurving around the southern foot of the Kofa Mountains a subtle change in elevation brought more cholla into the Sonoran desert mix.  Note a familiar peak on the left seen from a different perspective.  In the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge campsites are strictly limited to specific areas within 100 feet of the road and, the further we went, no signal at all.  We turned around at a junction to McPherson Pass 8m and Castle Dome Mine Road 15m.  May be a good thing because I discovered during research later this lead to an old military site with possible undetonated ammunition.

map Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaHave now been on all the west side roads into Kofa from SR95

Joann left in the afternoon for a quiet alone-time camp near Congress.

desert Kofa Mts low clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaStarted the next day slowly as was up feeling sick to my stomach during the night.  Don’t know what I ate different but something did not agree.  OK, TMI.

desert Saguaro dark clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe sky was magnificent with stormy clouds but my lack of ambition kept me shooting mostly out the window.

desert Kofa Mts dark clouds Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEventually, about 12 drops of rain hit the window leaving behind dusty spots.

A photographer friend—who upgrades regularly—called to find out how long I’d be in the area and I ended up buying an almost new lens from him.  My “go-to” 18-200mm lens bit the dust a while back and I should be happy with this Sigma 18-300mm replacement.  Happy birthday to me.

Sandee & Gaelyn in truckcamper Palm Canyon Rd BLM ArizonaAnother friend from Mesa, Sandee was blown in by the wind around noon in a borrowed minivan for her overnight stay.  We’ve celebrated my birthday together before at Grand Canyon and with Joann near Lake Pleasant.  She brought Ruben sandwiches, fruit and vegie snacks, and chocolate cake.  The wind kept us inside chatting away the afternoon and most of the next day before she had to leave.  She hopes to visit Bryce Canyon this year.

And I should be there as my start date at Bryce is April 11th, about a week earlier than I expected.  And because I am such a procrastinator I finally decided I should get the camper repaired.  I contacted Jay who quoted a camper repair in November then had to wait and see if he could schedule me before I had to leave the area for Utah.

desert Kofa Mts early light clouds sunrays Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next morning greeted with some color and sun rays.  And it was time to go, shopping in Blythe then dump and fill at Shady Lane RV Court.  My last morning this winter waking to the Kofa Mountains.  I saw goodbye pee on two of the tires.

RVs sunset Shady Lane Quartzsite ArizonaWindow view sunset

Even with an early start the brutal wind knocked me around on the drive.  Parked by noon, I asked the owners about having work done with the camper off the truck and got the OK if all messes where cleaned up.  But of course.

RVs clouds Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaWouldn’t be first choice to spend my birthday in a RV park but even with great clouds the predicted wind and fast signal kept me in another day.  Thank you for all the birthday wishes.  Plus I wasn’t sure where to go while waiting for an answer about the repairs.  I walked a couple blocks for lunch at Taco Mio and was extremely disappointed.

RVs sunset clouds sunrays Shady Lane RV Crt Quartzsite ArizonaFinally, late afternoon an answer that repairs couldn’t be scheduled until after the first of April.  That’s too late so I started to make a plan or two or three.

18-300mm lens & lightning triggerSaturday morning I drove two hours blown in by the wind to Wickenburg to pick up mail I hadn’t seen in months.  That would include a couple of birthday presents, a lightning trigger from Pat and the camera lens.

grass tree Vulture Pk Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaThen I went a few miles from town to camp off Vulture Peak Road.

desert hillside moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg Arizona

desert hillside moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaPlace was crowded but I managed to get past most of that to a semi isolated area with an open view east for full moon rise.

desert hillside bird moon Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaEven got one shot of the moon with a turkey vulture in front of it. Talk about coincidence.  I am happy with the new lens, just have to get accustomed to the zoom turning the opposite direction from previous lenses.

Flicker bird in tree Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaFlicker

female Vermilion Flycatcher bird Vulture Pk BLM Wickenburg Arizonamale Vermilion Flycatcher bird Vulture Pk BLM Wickenburg Arizona

female & male Vermilion Flycatchers

So nice to be back in bird country:  Cactus Wren song, Flicker pecking at the camper, Curved-bill Thrasher, doves getting friendly, hopping Sparrows, wobble-topped Gabel Quail, my first ever Vermilion Flycatcher male and female, and I even saw a cottontail.

light cactus grass Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaThe signal is great here as I look up at a huge tower.  It’s still windy but warm enough to sit outside on the leeward side.

full moon Vulture Pk Rd BLM Wickenburg ArizonaTried that night for the true full worm moon rise but I can’t seem to see a good focus when it’s so dark.  Something to work on.

So now time for another plan.  Depending on weather, Congress, Kirkland or Prescott before plan A to Flagstaff and north; Or, plan B towards Nevada, St George, Fredonia, and north.  Just trying to stay warm as long as possible because it will be cold at 8000 feet in Bryce Canyon National Park, and will probably snow before summer when I hope visiting friends will not be blown in by the wind.

 

For some reason, I couldn’t get this song out of my head.  Seems appropriate in so many ways.

Blowin’ in The Wind      -songwriter Bob Dylan

How any roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
And how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ‘til he knows
That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
the answer is blowin’ in the wind

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19 January 2021

Socializing during COVID while boondocking in the Arizona desert

Saguaro desert mts reverse sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI have missed face-to-face socializing during COVID even though I’m pretty darn good at isolating during the winter.

Gaelyn shadow truckcamper nearest neighbor Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZMy nearest within sight neighbor, also overlooking the Plomosa Mountains, sat 100s of feet away.  It’s a big desert without many obstructions.  I stayed a week, and we never spoke.

desert mts late light Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ desert mts late light clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

I did get to know a few of my neighborhood trees.

desert mts clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZSat out in the warmest afternoon sun, a delightful 63° with no wind, reading or crocheting.

desert Plomosa Mts OHV dust BLM Quartzsite AZ

desert dust OHV mt sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM AZLots of noisy OHV and I figured out it’s because I’m so close to town, within sight in fact, and there’s a “trail” they can use. Sets up a lot of dust, in the distance thank goodness.

desert sunrise clouds moon Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZCaught a few sunrises and more sunsets.

desert mts sunset clouds sunburst Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI often put off writing blog posts as my routine seems redundant to me, boring even for others.  I haven’t really traveled much this winter though I am enjoying many days of desert environment.  Makes me wonder why readers return.  I thank you, you feed my ego.

Packages arrived at my Wickenburg mail but nothing I couldn’t live without or felt the need to rush off the 1 1/2 hour drive.  I could go in a few days and make arrangements to outdoor socialize with friends in the area.

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZReally, with a strong signal looking at the Quartzsite tower I spent lots of time online socializing with friends, sharing photos, working on blog posts, and a little news.  Heck, I did that for days and days.

Until…all shit broke loose on the 6th.  I was obsessed like I rarely am staying in touch with the news all day.  I felt my blood pressure jump and my computer wouldn’t respond. That’s some powerful energy.  My fridge wouldn’t stay lit and the ice cream was on melt down.  I ate faster.

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

desert mts sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI did get outside several times to cool down and center with nature thankful for a brilliant sunset.

sunset clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZI also needed more down time the next day so figured to roll to Wickenburg on Friday.

truckcamper & Trish's rig clouds Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

Trish & Gaelyn Plomosa Rd BLM Quartzsite AZ

mts sunset clouds BLM Quartzsite AZHowever, Friday morning I got a phone call from Trish, who would be traveling from two months in California to her Colorado home and coming through Quartzsite.  So I directed her to my camp for her first boondock experience.  And we sat outside all afternoon safely socializing during COVID.

Christmas cards Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZThe next morning she continued her journey as did I.  Picked up my mail including three Christmas cards, bought groceries, and headed to Congress and my ole stomping grounds off Ghost Town Road.

truckcamper desert Saguaro Date Crk Mts Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZIn fact, this giant Saguaro, a diverse bird condo, might look familiar as I’ve camped here before.

Gaelyn water tank Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ by JoannMy social life is feast or famine.  Saturday I had two visitors.  Joann drove down from Prescott and we took a walk to the “swimming pool”/wildlife water tank.  The camera is gone but the air and water were still too cold to dip.

Saguaro cactus Date Crk Mts clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZLater Gypsy stopped by bringing vegie-cheese muffins we snarfed down as we sat in the sunshine, trying to avoid the wind, sharing our herstories as we all get to know each other better.  I’m so glad socializing during COVID is possible while boondocking in the Arizona desert.  Especially nice in real time because the signal is not reliable in Congress.

Gila Woodpecker bird Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZFlicker bird Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ

And so I’ll spend a few more days of isolation working on posts and photos mostly offline before I have to do the necessary dump and fill again.

Starling bird looking out Saguaro cactus Ghost Town rd BLM Congress AZGilla Woodpecker bird inside Saguaro cactus Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZ

Bonus, I get to watch the birds in my local Saguaro condo.  This is a very diverse community hosting in the many holes Flickers, Gila Woodpeckers, Curve-billed Thrasher, and a solo Starling that only seems to stay overnight.

desert mt sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZAnd might see a few more sunrises or at least some sunsets.

sunset clouds Ghost Town Rd BLM Congress AZAnd before too long, another friend is coming to Quartzsite, so guess I might just head back that way, again.

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14 April 2020

Coocoo in Congress during COVID-19

Collared Dove bird BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaCoocoo, coocoo.  I look out the window to see what makes this noise.  I see a pair of courting Ringed Turtle-Doves perched on the Palo Verde branch getting friendly.  I do enjoy watching the birds, but maybe not that way.

desert sunset clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

Brown-Crested Flycatcher BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona
Brown-Crested Flycatcher

And I’ve lots of time to watch birds in Congress and will have much more.  On April 6th, after being on hold about starting work the word came down.  “The Garfield County Commissioners, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Governor Herbert are collectively working toward a temporary closure of Bryce Canyon National Park as soon as Wednesday, April 8, 2020, until April 30, 2020.”  My supervisor really tried to get me into the park before closure but, no go.   “Bryce Canyon National Park will temporarily close until further notice effective Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m.” My new start date is May 3rd, maybe, if the park has reopened.  A few days later Utah closed with virtual checkpoints whatever that means.

 

With the next several days predicted rain for me and snow in Bryce it was just as well.  And time for me to hunker in.     Gaelyn photographing Gila Woodpecker in Saguaro cactus BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

Gila Woodpecker Saguaro cactus BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaBut I do try to go for walks which doesn’t happen every day.  Joann showed up and that was a nice motivation for a walk.  Within sight of camp stands a multi-armed Saguaro looking like a bird condo with all the openings.  Sadly, we also saw jabbed into the cactus, way up high, what looked like a TV antennae and a tool of some kind.  Either they’ve been there a long time or someone stood on top of a RV.  Either way, it sucks, and that’s coocoo crazy.  Better was the clear sighting of a female Gila Woodpecker perhaps looking for a nursery.

window view West BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaNow that I don’t have an artificially landscaped yard, I no longer put out birdseed. I don’t think any of the store-bought seed is native so it shouldn’t be spread around in the wild. That’s just the naturalist in me. But I do love to watch the birds and here in the desert am willing to put out water in a plastic lid that became a bird bath. All the bird photos were taken through my dirty camper window many with the phone.

female Gila Woodpecker bird BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

male Gila Woodpecker bird BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaTook about an hour before a Gila Woodpecker couple found the water and took turns splashing.  They puffed up and spread feathers, shaking and preening on the ample branches of the Palo Verde.  The word went out and soon I spotted a Curve-Billed Thrasher rushing in.  Maybe the splashed water drew insects on the ground below.

Flicker bird BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

Gamble Quail bird BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaA Flicker chased off the female woodpecker, while several tiny White-Crowned Sparrows watched just out of frame and Gamble Quail bobbled below.

desert Weaver Mountains almost full moon BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaI could be coocoo crazy under the full moon.  I hear people in some parts of the world are howling at the moon nightly at 8.  I’d be afraid of getting shot if I did that out here so instead  I shot the moon the night before it was full but I did miss the actual rise on the horizon.

full moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

full moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizonafull moon rising BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

The next night I tried again, and even got the tripod out.  Now I have this series I’d like to put together in a GIFF.  Because we have time I looked up how to do that and it’s mostly a Photoshop thing that became beyond me so I almost screamed and gave up.

White-Crowned Sparrow birds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaWhite-Crowned Sparrows

It drove me coocoo when a new neighbor pulled in, stayed one night, and drove over plants when leaving.  WHY?  If he pulled in he could have backed out, or planned better.  I am glad he is gone.  Because I’m really trying not to be crazy.  I’m trying to be calm.  But some days are like that.

Sierra cat watching out window BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaThat followed by a jet punching it overhead, breaking the sound barrier, and made Sierra and I jump more than a bit.

mine Date Creek Mountains clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

desert light & shadow Weaver Mountains clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaThe camper rocked and trees blew around as the wind blew the clouds about creating a patchwork quilt of light and shadow across the desert land.  The afternoon brought a few drops of rain increasing later that included brief shafts of sunlight.  I searched hard for a rainbow that didn’t exist.  The light matched my mood.

desert light & shadow Weaver Mountains clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaYou know how some days you tell yourself you’re going to go for a walk, but then the wind blows cool and dusty and, you don’t?

desert sunset clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaOr is coocoo really batshit crazy, which I’m sure many of us have been trying to hold off.  But I’m already crazy, so my journey is short.  In fact, I haven’t journeyed more than walking distance from the camper in the ten days I’ve been boondocking in Congress.  Although I’ve been social physical distancing for 36 days now.

Palo Verde tree wildflowers cemetery Congress Arizona

1828-1913 fenced gravesite cemetery Congress ArizonaOne afternoon I walked along the dirt roads to the nearby Congress Cemetery, in use from 1887 to present.  Interesting variety of markers and fences. Lots of wildflowers and plastic flowers too. I didn’t go in but maybe will on another day.

courting Cactus Wren birds BLM Ghost Town Rd Cogress ArizonaI watched a Cactus Wren couple wrestling or…  Well, spring is in the air.

headless 3' rattlesnake BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaWhile some of you were eating whatever it is you eat on Easter, here the desert menu could be very different.  A rattlesnake went through a neighbor’s camp, about three feet long, with no head, and nine buttons on the rattle.

skinned & cleaned rattlesnake BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaAnother neighbor skinned, cleaned, and cooked it. Lots of bones, not much meat, a little tough, and doesn’t taste like chicken. Now I can say I’ve tried it.  Don’t see having to again unless I am powerful hungry.  Besides there are lots of Cottontails around and they provide more meat with less bones.

last light Weaver Mountains dark clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaAnd then when I was out shooting late light, I heard cows in the wash below, even better if I get desperate meat.

desert Date Creek Mountains sunset clouds crespuscular rays BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaEaster ended with a crepuscular ray sunset over the Date Creek Mountains.

Grackle birds on RV roof BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress Arizona

Grackle birds in Palo Verde tree outside window BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaSome days I am almost forced to watch the birds.  I saw a congregation of Grackles land on my neighbors roof.  Then most of them flew onto the Palo Verde tree outside my window, up to my roof, and gone in a flash.

blue bird eggs in nest Beavertail cactus BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaMight be Curve-billed Thrasher eggs

Things are just rather coocoo crazy all around right now.  I don’t watch TV which keeps me from being bombarded by the “BUY! BUY! BUY!  You NEED this!”  Heck, all I really need is some food and water.  I watch enough news to be informed and stop when my blood pressure rises.

pair Gilded Flicker birds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaGilded Flickers

Sometimes, it’s just best to watch the birds.

Town of Congress Arizona 1914

desert Weaver Mountains sunset clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaCongress mine 1914 and today.

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

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1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

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Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

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