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Tag: boondocking

Moving to mining country Cargo Muchacho Mountains

quartz with maybe gold Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumoc CAShopping in Yuma twice within a week was a bit much, yet happily balanced boodocking at the feet of the quiet Cargo Muchacho Mountains that offer lots of options for desert walks, a historic townsite, and rockhounding.  Presumably, there’s gold in them hills.

elf baklavaAmerican Girl Mine Rd camp Felicity CA

I happily left the noisy BLM-VFW camp early Wednesday morning as I had to go to Yuma for supplies plus find a new campsite before dusk.  Bought groceries, treated myself to a Thai lunch, and filled the tank for an amazing $4.299/gallon for diesel.  Not a great price but lowest seen in forever.  Then I headed west for California.  Not far across the border and just a little past Felicity, the official Center of the World, I took Ogilby Road—where I’ve been before—north into a huge track of BLM public land.  Don’t need coordinates, just find the space you like without driving over plants and near an existing rock fire ring for up to a 14-day stay.

Ocotillo desert last light BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAI opted for a turn onto American Girl Mine Road and eventually found a place to my liking not too close to others and next to a cute little wash.  Lots of pretty rocks, great views of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, and distant view of the Imperial Sand Dunes.  Much better signal even allowed a 360° video of camp.

desert Cargo Muchacho Mts BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CA

Ocotillo BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAOcotillo

A 40° morning felt chill, but I chilled all day in the new camp.  I try to take a down day after moving or town.  Did a short walkabout camp.

military plane BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAEnjoyed the quiet, except for military planes.

Sierra & elf

desert wash clouds BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAThe following morning was 10° warmer but the cloud cover and crazy strong wind that persisted all day kept me inside labeling photos from April 2021.  I am far behind but it’s fun to see snow at Bryce Canyon National Park during training.  Thank goodness it’s not that cold here.

desert sunset clouds halo BLM American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAHowever the combination of high cirrus clouds and ice crystals formed a faint rainbow halo above the setting sun.

Ocotillo desert Cargo Muchacho Mts sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd BLM Felicity CA

Gaelyn & Sierra t window American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CAThe next day was a repeat with a little more noise from the weekend OHV folks that like to fly down dirt roads in a cloud of dust.

desert morning light sun rays clouds American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CASunday started the upswing in temperatures and was a perfect outdoor day.

stone walls Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco ghost town CAJoann came over and we went to explore Tumco historic townsite.  Currently a ghost town with a few low rock walls to show where buildings once sat with an 1890s population of at least 500 people.  The Cargo Muchacho Mountains have a long history of mining for gold, silver, copper, kyanite, and other minerals.  After over 300 years of mining, the BLM and the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Mine Reclamation closed commercial mining in 1999 to allow the land to recover and began mine mitigation aimed at eliminating public safety hazards.  I have yet to explore the entire town site and will eventually put up a video.

elf poops chocolate kisses

desert sunset clouds American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CASat outside reading and soaking up sun the following day, resting for the next day in town.

bumper collection rocks American Girl Mine Rd Felicity CABumper collection

Seems like I just shopped, but figured to stock up on everything before the last minute holiday rush in Yuma.

Yuma population close to 100,000

First stop, a shower at Joann’s place.  She will spend Christmas with family, and we’ve already celebrated together.  Then I shopped, dumped tanks, and filled propane driving round and round in busy traffic.  Using Google maps gets me where I need to go but doesn’t really help me get to know the town.

desert Cargo Muchacho Mts clouds Tumco CAFinally back to Ogilby Road and this time drove a little beyond the Tumco site to a remote area with a fantastic view of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  (360° camp video here.)  Sadly the signal was iffy at best so I guess the light I saw on the tallest peak isn’t a tower.  Above that I saw Mars plus Orion rising over the ridge.

mine holes Cargo Muchacho Mts Tumco CAA 71° afternoon drew me out to explore a bit around camp.  I sauntered along a two-track road and explored a few diggings and small holes in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains.  Lots of white quartz, some showing sparkle of possible manganese, maybe a little turquoise, and perhaps that shinny stuff is gold and not pyrite.  The bumper will be loaded with rock by the time I move on.

Sierra & elfBut I still have time here to enjoy a peaceful Christmas and more exploring.  Like maybe the Center of the World.  See you next year for more of this story.

Happy New Year!

Arizona, California, Cargo Muchacho Mts, Places I've been, United States, Yuma , , , 24 Comments

Trains, planes, automobiles and RVs at BLM-VFW in Yuma AZ

I moved further south to the BLM-VFW in Yuma where it’s warmer but noisy sandwiched between trains, planes, automobiles and RVs.  Celebrated Thanksgiving twice, I have much to be grateful for.  Good friends, a roof over my head that doesn’t leak, wheels under that hold air, propane in (lousy) tanks provide heat, cooking, and refrigerator (when working) for the ice cream I can still (barely) afford.  What more could a Geogypsy ask for?

desert Kofa Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZAs much as I love staring at the changing light on the Kofa Mts, I needed to be warmer than 36° mornings.

Kofa Mts from SR95 S AZ

VFW SR95 Yuma AZAfter researching and looking at the map I decided to drive to the BLM-VFW in Yuma, at least for the night.  Boondocking is behind this building.

truckcamper camp VFW-BLM Yuma AZArrived about 12:30pm and parked near where I was last Spring, next to an invasive Tamarask tree.  Lots of mostly large motorhomes and 5th-wheels parked in the open area with only a few scrubby creosote bushes.  The “back row” under the trees, full of small to moderate-sized units and several tents.  That area tends to attract the long-timers because of the shade.  I went to an area not conducive to very large rigs.  Though the wind was a little cool the 75° temperature felt nice with windows and door open.

RVs sunset clouds VFW-BLM camp Yuma AZIt’s a noisy place.  SR95 is easily in sight to the east maybe 300 feet away and is parallel with the railroad tracks.  Long freight trains pulled by 3-5 locomotives go by every couple of hours.  To the west, out of sight, is a small airport.  I’d guess there’s maybe 100 RV/campers.

Mittry Lake USFWS Yuma AZWaking to 50° felt a bit chilly but only took 30 minutes to warm up the camper to a doable over 60°.  With the promise of 75° high and Joann at her winter home in Yuma we decided to explore Mittry Lake.  She picked me up and made a quick stop at a produce stand and food store before taking me to her new digs.  Very nice mobile home in a quiet park.

Mittry Lake USFWS Yuma AZAfter lunch we drove the road to Mittry Lake and along the way discovered a BLM boondock I preferred to the BLM-VFW camp.  Then further on, the lake area is pretty with very few (full) sites along the water and other designated areas like parking lots.  It would only get more crowded over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  No thanks.  US Fish & Wildlife rules only camp 10 days out of one year.  So different than my first experience there 25 years ago.

Shoe tree SR95 Yuma AZStopped at the “Shoe tree” or as Joann calls it the “Tree of old soles”.  Fridge was off when I got back and gave grief until almost bedtime.

sunset clouds BLM camp Laguna Mts & Gila canal Yuma AZ

sunset clouds BLM camp Laguna Mts & Gila canal Yuma AZAfter a noisy night of trains and planes at the BLM-VFW camp I moved to the previous day’s discovery, not the lake.  About ten miles north of Yuma, within sight of the Laguna Mountains to the east, the Gila canal carrying water to the agriculturally rich valley to the south, and in the distance the Cargo Muchacho Mountains in California to the south west.  Very open terrain resembling a rock quarry, with lots of pretty rocks.  Only two other truckcampers when I arrived and a van joined later.  360° video here.  Delightfully quiet, had some breeze but the sun was warm.  Pretty sunset.

bumper rock collection camp Laguna Mts & Gila canal Yuma AZBumper collection

I had figured to stay through the holiday weekend, but plans changed.  When Gayle called to say she’d gotten a dentist appointment in Mexico for the day after Thanksgiving and would be camped at the BLM-VFW I returned there so I could go with her across the border.  She’s working on a dental procedure that began eight months ago.  Parked in the same location and immediately invited to Thanksgiving at noon the next day located just a few camps away.  Gayle pulled in as I sat soaking up sunshine.

Gayle playing fiddle camp VFW-BLM Yuma AZGayle and I joined a gathering along with many other RVers and enjoyed the full Thanksgiving spread.  Well I did, she doesn’t have her teeth yet.  Later in the afternoon, Gayle played her fiddle at the community campfire area.  I have video but not sure I can load any of it on this weak signal.

retainer probe in camper fridgeFridge went off again for about 15 hours.  Freezer held mostly because it was packed solid.  Then came on again about bedtime.  I keep moving the retainer probe when it quits.  (That white thing on the fins.)

flags at borderFriday morning, we took Gayle’s car to the US side of the border parking lot and walked across the few blocks to her dentist.  I always forget to take photos because I’m busy constantly saying “NO” to the multitude of vendors selling trinkets and suggesting pharmacies, liquor stores, eye glasses and dentist offices.  Like hawkers at a carnival.  Their sales areas line both sides of the sidewalks creating a dark tunnel.  I’ll try to take photos and video next time, because yes there’s a next time in a couple weeks.

Once again back at the BLM-VFW camp I finally got a blog post written but not uploaded.  There’s barely a signal here and it could be because there’s no bandwidth with so many RVers trying to get online.

Christmas decorations Joann's Yuma AZAs luck would have it, I was invited to join Joann and her granddaughter for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday and she has a great signal.  I also took advantage of the long hot shower and doing laundry.  After desert first because we can, Perci and I went to the pool but I don’t own a bathing suit so didn’t go in.  It would have been warm enough so I may have to invest for future visits.  After dinner and a movie, Joann brought me back to my BLM-VFW camp where I planned the next day’s trip to town for chores.

Arizona, Mexico, Places I've been, RV life, United States, Yuma , 20 Comments

Camping near Kofa Mountains south of Quartzsite Arizona

desert mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZI love those Kofa Mountains so much I’ve been, stayed, left, and returned all with ten days.  Cold nights and not so cold refrigerator had me on the move to town and different camps.  Does it seem that cold came early or is it my aging memory and low tolerance for below 60-70°F.

ant hole & yellow flowers BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZAfter leaving the cold of camp Congress and buying yet another battery, this time for the camper, I stayed at Shady Lane RV Park in Quartzsite and took care of chores.  That last camper battery only lasted a year and is needed to make the solar system work.  Early November is pretty quiet in Quartzsite so quick service at Solar Bill and no crowds shopping.  Bought a new peace flag as the old one was raggedly wind blown.

last light desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZThen I headed south for the Kofa Mountains in the Sonoran desert, and camped where I was last year almost on the same tire print.

truckcamper desert BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZAh, felt good to be home.

late light Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZ

Last light Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZWaking to 45° instead of 34° with a view of the Kofa Mountains made me happy, though it was a little windy.  Even with clouds the solar panels were charging.  Back to having power, I was able to download photos and work on the computer.

Saguaro desert BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZ

Mesquite tree frame Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZHigh 60s during the day, out of the wind, felt delightful.  Went for a walk looking for potential places to set the trail-cam.  Couldn’t find any obvious animal trails, tracks or scat and only small burrow holes so I didn’t bother.  I could put a container with water out to attract birds.  But being I haven’t brought my filled water bottles up to count I am being stingy with water.

haze desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZWind picked up the next day and the fridge wouldn’t stay on.  It’s always something.  I need a RV fixit person for all the little shit that’s broken.  After banging on the backside of the fridge it finally started working again.  Sometimes, it just takes a bigger hammer or the movement of old and oxidized wires.  Wind increased throughout the day until I could barely see the Kofa Mountains.  So I stayed inside working on a blog post and video.  Sadly the signal is not great, in fact I believe worse than last year, so I struggled to do anything online.  I am an internet junkie.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZOnly mid-November with nights dropping into the mid 30s and wind making the 60° days feel chilly makes me want to be someplace warmer.  Yet making heat with the oven and power under the sun keeps me home, inside, labeling photos from October 2021, and working on videos.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise rays BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZEarly rise Wednesday morning and I took off for two towns.   Starting with Quartzsite where I couldn’t get some parts, filled a propane tank, and took a luxurious 20-minute $10 shower at the laundromat.  Then I drove the 40 minutes north to Parker for some groceries.  Quartzsite doesn’t offer options for big box stores and I don’t typically buy groceries at Dollar-type stores.  The two tiny grocery stores have limited selection for high prices.  Other shopping choices are 20 minutes west to Blythe, California or a little over an hour south to Yuma.

truckcamper Plomosa Rd Quartzsite AZAfter what felt like hours shopping, I drove back south and stopped north of Quartzsite off Plomosa Road on 14-day BLM land.  I didn’t go far enough off the road so did hear a little traffic noise and had more neighbors than I’m used to.  Yes, I’m spoiled by quiet and dark.  But I could move later.

Only that didn’t happen the next day because I had a blazing fast signal and loaded a video about the breakdown in Congress.

The next morning at 36° I was freezing, and so was my entire refrigerator.  First it won’t stay lit then obviously not turn off. That seems to mean the thermostat is bad, and that’s not too hard to change, if I can get the right one.  Which means another trip to Quartzsite.  I went straight to the RV Lifestyles store and a serviceman said I should move the retainer probe to different fins inside the fridge. I didn’t know about this.

Saguaro desert mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZThings started to thaw but then it went into the won’t stay lit mode again so I moved the probe back to where it started.  Of course the later didn’t happen until after I’d returned to my camp with the lovely view of the Kofa Mountains.

desert Kofa Mts last light sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd AZOnly takes a little cloud to make for beautiful sunsets.

Fridge finally lit and stayed on overnight.  Intermittent problems are the worse!  Another problem, my Nikon Coolpix camera died.  I mostly use it while driving (I know and don’t want to hear about it).  Obviously, the big Nikon D5600 with 18-300mm lens is too big for that.  Guess I’ll be using my phone camera more.  Now I’m thinking of what camera could replace the Coolpix (which honestly I never really liked) and the D5600 to reduce weight.  Mirrorless is the now the way to go, but still WAY out of budget.

Another 36° morning and I felt cold!  It’s warmer further south, so I’ve moved again because I can.  I will miss those Kofa Mountains, but I’ll be back.  If you follow me on YouTube I’ve been posting short videos of my camps in real time.  If you’re not subscribed, please do.  The channel actually broke 200 subscribers this month.  Would be great to break 300 in December.  Help a gal out please.

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Parker, Places I've been, Quartzsite, RV life, United States , 35 Comments

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