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Tag: camper

14 December 2021

Packing the camper and gone to the desert

Saguaro cactus Cemetery Road Congress ArizonaPacking the camper seemed to take all week, at least a few hours a day, before I could finally leave for the desert where I love to spend the winter.  First stop a familiar sight.

bag of booze bottles packingPart of packing is first organizing what’s already in the camper.  I went through the canned food stash, which I consider mostly emergency food, and threw over half of it away being out of date anywhere from five to fifteen years.  I took the limited number of cans out of the 5th-wheel and put them in the stash.  Can’t be leaving liquid items behind that could freeze and burst.  Back and forth, with reusable grocery bags full of stuff to move.

Christmas tree on cheese boxes Skull Valley ArizonaGoodbye November, hello December.  How does a year filled with slow days go by so fast?

window view coyote tail Brushy Mt Skull Valley ArizonaLook closely for a busy tail disappearing behind bush, close to center

Coyote went past too fast for my camera.

Bradshaw Mts Iron Springs Road North ArizonaBradshaw Mts north to Prescott

desert trees mt sunset clouds Ferguson Valley Road Skull Valley ArizonaSunset in Skull Valley

Morning temperatures in the low 40s slow me down.  It’s not easy to heat the 36 foot 5th-wheel using only two small heaters on 30amp service.  But I get it together for a shopping day in Prescott, stocking-up in a big town like I might not see for a few weeks at least.  Still, I have to shop with discretion because my camper is a tiny house.  And yet, it takes all day to complete the chores.  And then I have more packing the camper.  Biggest score was 600 count, 100% Egyptian cotton, queen-size sheet-set for $25.  I bought two sets, for each RV.

fall trees boulders Brushy Mt Skull Valley Arizona

unidentified lizard Skull Valley ArizonaI like to take a day off after a full day in town, but there was a little more packing.  And the next day I had a few more chores in Skull Valley.

fall yellow Cottonwood trees driveway Haverfield Ranch Skull Valley ArizonaThe dump is only open three days a week and I had a bunch of garbage to get rid of before hitting the road.  Also needed to mail the last of the calendars.  (Hope they all arrived.)  Plus I wanted to check out a marvelous local driveway lined with huge ancient Cottonwood trees in hopes of fall color.  Got lucky with that.

Sierra cat on camper bed Congress ArizonaDon’t forget me

Still packing on Saturday.  A different kind of packing because the big house doesn’t have to be packed away, just no liquids left behind.  Yet the back and forth moving of the almost last minute stuff took all afternoon and I thought about putting off leaving one more day.

pigs Skull Valley ArizonaTime to slaughter (according to my landlord), yet I’d say looking a little lean

Naw, Sunday was good with only a little packing.  I fed the pigs my food garbage and had to winterize the 5th-wheel after a shower.  Joann was ready and hitting the road Sunday also.  We planned to meet and camp in Congress off Ghost Town Road, where I’ve been many times.

blackie cow sniffing metate Skull Valley ArizonaBlackie sniffing the metate

Yet I kept dragging my feet, wanting to both stay and go.  I finally convinced myself if I forgot something, I’m less than an hour away. It will be alright.

driveway wash Skull Valley ArizonaOver my driveway wash

 signs Elephant curve SR89 Yarnell Hill ArizonaDown Yarnell Hill

truckcamper Saguaro cactrus mts Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Joann & Gaelyn campers Saguaro mts clouds Ghost Town Rd Congress ArizonaPulled into camp Congress by 3pm where Joann had parked by the huge familiar Saguaro bird condo.  She made us salad, spaghetti and bread for dinner.

brush wash mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaAhhhh……  a sigh of relief.  No more packing.  I am embraced by the desert apricity.  It even smells different here.  We spent a good part of the day chatting, sitting outside in the sun and shade, sitting inside one camper or the other.  We took walks, separately and together.

stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

scum & dead moths stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

Sparrow bird stock tank Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI walked to the stock tank and a bit beyond under clear skies and 70°.  Perfect, except for all the military flyover.  Their noise disturbs my harmonics.

campfire Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann likes campfires and gathered enough wood for about an hour pre-sunset burn.

mt sunset clouds moon Venus Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

crescent moon Venus Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThen time for the moon in alignment with Venus.

Saguaro mt sunrise clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert Vulture Pk sunrise clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaSunrise blazed and a soft orange glow hung over the horizon all day under chilly gray skies.  Amazingly the solar panels kept charging enough for my minimal usage and even charged Joann’s phone a couple times.

battery & cooler in minivan Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

portable solar panels on minivan Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaShe has portable solar panels and a solar charged battery plus a 12volt cooler/freezer combination.  It held its own that day but never got to 100% charge.

Saguaro desert mts clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

desert Vulture Pk sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaI stayed inside most of the day doing my usual labeling photos and occasionally jumped outside for a photo.

desert mts stormy clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaThe next morning’s heavy cloud cover limited color then danced all day like stormy seas.  Another good day to mostly stay inside.

Gila Woodpecker bird Saguaro Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaLater the sun came out and tried to break up the clouds so I went for a very quick walk as it’s cool at 63° with a breeze.  Even the Gila Woodpeckers were sticking close to home.

tree sunset clouds Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

campfire coals Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaSunset again spectacular as our evening campfire burned to a bed of coals.

window view rain desert clouds Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaBecause Thursday was predicted to rain we had decided to make it our town day.  Morning was gray but opened up briefly giving Joann’s solar panels a little burst.  Then the sky turned gray and we went to Wickenburg about thirty minutes away.  That Goodwill hasn’t raised prices so we shopped and I got a few books.  While we did laundry Joann’s battery was plugged in and charged.  What a pit place with 90% of dryers out of order.  Picked up a few groceries and it rained a bit on the way home.  Unpacked just before it started to rain with meaning which kept up most of the night.  There were puddles.  A special gift in the desert.  So glad it wasn’t the snow falling in northern Arizona.

Joann decorating tree Congress Arizona

Christmas tree RV window Saguaro Congress Arizona

Ornaments Christmas tree Congress ArizonaPuddles were gone shortly after sunrise on another chilly gray day.  The stay home after a town day became craft day in my camper.  Joann already had a flat tree made from garland and a string of tiny battery operated lights.  She’d bought a bag of miscellaneous small wooden ornaments at the thrift store.  Plugged her glue gun in and decorated the 18 inch tree.

Christmas tree Congress ArizonaIt’s decorating my window for a few days and her camper next.  I haven’t decorated any kind of Christmas tree in many years.  Lots of laughs and fun.

moist dry wash Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMoist dry-wash

Mornings are a little chilly in the low 40s but once the sun gets high enough to charge my solar, if there’s no wind, the afternoon is nice to be outside in high 50s/low 60s.

Joann by boulder Date Creek Mts Congress Arizona

Joann Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann took a walk at least half a mile to the foot of the Date Creek Mountains to our east.  Not quite a quarter way up a humongous granite boulder stripped with thick veins of white quartz was calling her name.  When she texted me “I touched it.”  I zoomed in for a photo.

cow pies in campfire Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaMy walk was closer to camp looking for down and dead branches for our evening campfire.  We even tried burning flat dried cow pies that worked quit well with no smell.  It’s actually just as available as wood in this rather picked over camping area.

inside Joann's TT Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

kitchen Joann's TT Cemetery Rd Congress ArizonaJoann left her trailer and returned to Prescott to take care of some business so I’ll be on my own for a few days.  I can handle that.  The sun is shinning with only a few wispy clouds.  I’m done packing and in the desert.  Sure feels good.

bumper rocks Cemetery Rd Congress Arizona

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Arizona, Congress, Places I've been, RV life, Skull Valley, Sonoran desert, United States boondocking, camper, friends, packing, truckcamper, winter 29 Comments
24 August 2021

Many days off and even got some things done

Ten days off work starting with four at home, a night of camping, dropping the camper in St George, and home with two more days off to recover.  The temperatures changed from 42° to 108°, not all in the same place but within about 100 miles.

sign Boil Your Tap Water Bryce Canyon National Park UtahFirst of days off after a full work week I often take as a down day, not doing much more than getting a blog post mostly written.  I did boil water several times by the large stockpot full to then cool, filter, and refrigerate.

For some reason I had a good signal that didn’t drop most of my second day off.  Watched an interview on Cobert with Alan Alda about his organization using improvisation, interpretation and communication to introduce science to the non-scientist.  I love this idea, of course because that’s pretty much what I do as a Park Ranger.  If you listen to any of the Clear and Vivid podcasts let me know what you think.     Actually got a post out on the blog plus wrote a piece for…

Patti, a fellow blogger, asks “what is your version of retirement and what part does travel play?”  She’s updating a post and asked for feedback.  All this gets me to thinking about my upcoming retirement.  So I called the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge about volunteering this winter.  Now have a contact and need to send an email to the refuge manager.  A lot will depend on COVID of course.

Social media is awesome when a long lost cousin who lives in Florida finds you and you chat for hours catching up.

The following day the boil water order was lifted and I did even less than the day before.  With all these days off, I felt a little guilty about not going somewhere.  I feel the need to travel.  Instead I mostly emptied the truck camper of anything I might need in the next couple months and vacillated between leaving Saturday or Sunday.  I don’t like to travel on weekends with the crowds.  So I packed the few things I’d need for just a couple days leaving Sunday.  Also worked out with April to feed and water Sierra while I was gone.  Much easier than trying to bring her home in a carrier that she hates, couldn’t leave her in the camper to cook, or into the house.  I made a plan to camp on the Markagunt Plateau, high elevation and comfortable temperature.  Would be the last chance to use the camper for a while.

smoky view SR14 West Dixie National Forest UtahLeft Bryce by 10am and stopped for breakfast in Hatch.  Nothing to write about.  Turned west on SR14 uphill and into the Ponderosa Pine forest.

Markagunt OHV map Dixie National Forest Duck Creek UtahMy camp, white spot towards bottom just right of center, surrounded by OHV roads Dixie NF

I had read about Mammoth Creek Road near Duck Creek Village so I headed that way.  Saw a sign for “designated dispersed camping”, not my cup of tea.  Continued to follow signs to Mammoth Cave.  Once at the overflowing parking lot I decided not to follow the hordes.  I’ve seen lava tubes before.

log shelter trees FR1805 Dixie National Forest UtahTurned on FR1805 and past a motorhome to just out of sight.  The space could have accommodated 8-12 good sized rigs and is probably used mostly by hunters and OHV folks.  But I had it to myself.  Strange construct that made me wonder if it was the open pit toilet.

trees lava flow FR1805 Dixie National Forest Utahtrees lava flow FR1805 Dixie National Forest Utah

A small lava flow nearby and some aspen trees.  Otherwise, nothing to brag about.  In the afternoon I could still hear the OHV but they disappeared after about 6pm. Absolutely no signal and probably could have had not too far away.  Felt strange not to have my camp buddy along.

Woke up cold, grouchy and hungry with a smoky haze and orange sun glow. Took off by 9am and stopped for breakfast in smoky Cedar City. Planned on Denny’s and ended up at IHop, where I hadn’t been in a very long time and now know why. Nothing to write home about at a short staffed place.

window crank for off AC on from FBI got to Lynda’s in smoky St George about 11am and it was well over 100°. The last hour of driving with no AC and windows was brutal. Been a long time since I experienced 4/70 (4 windows and 70/mph).  Went to Harman’s for gelato, oh yum to grapefruit, and buy garlic filled bread to go with dinner.  We had lasagna and made a plan for the morning cool that’s only 80° to take the camper off the truck.

truckcamper off truck St George UtahAfter much cranking the camper cleared the truckbed, pulled out slowly and dropped the jacks down quite a ways.  Yet not completely trusting the front camper jacks, Bob and I went to Home Depot for 2x4s at a surprisingly good price under $4 each and he built a saw horse to put under the front of the camper. Feels pretty solid now. Won’t get worked on until at least end of September.

sunrise light Lynda's yard St George UtahSunrise from Lynda’s backyard

Bob left long before I did Wednesday morning for his Big Bear home.  When I left St George at 10:30am it was already 103°.

mts clouds I15 North Utah

shot up sign SR20 East UtahWith only a little rain headed north on I15 it dropped to 62° by Cedar City.  After grocery shopping back up to 81° as I continued north to SR20 east, then enjoyed an early dinner in Panguitch at 65°.

full Sevier River storm clouds SR89S Utah

roundabout jct SR12 & 63 crepuscular rays UtahA light rain and 56° greeted me back to Bryce Canyon yet by the high flow of the Sevier River I’d guess way more rain had fallen while I was gone.  I added a layer and unpacked the truck.  Felt really strange driving without the camper.  The truck flew down the highway working towards 20/mpg.

Sierra cat on lap Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSierra was happy to see me and has barely left my lap.  I missed her too.

Now back to high elevation and cold mornings.  This many days off could be like retirement, without going back to work on Saturday.

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15 December 2014

Really, I am going to hit the road

Sunset at the beach Bandon OregonI’ve been talking road trip for months.  First idea was all over the Pacific Northwest which only partly happened.  Also threw out southeast Arizona due to higher elevations meaning cool temperatures.  And you know I Don’t Do Cold!  So many choices and national park options: Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza Borego, Salton Sea…

woman-pulling-hair-out.-CartoonHad a few important things to tie up before I leave, mostly insurance shit.  I don’t want to rant about AHC (Affordable Health Care) because maybe that can save me from an over $100 increase to my current AZBCBS.  And BS it is.

But I don’t want to sit around all winter.  I am going to hit the road.  I just hesitate to write a plan because shit happens and plans change.  And now Christmas is coming and I don’t like to travel over the holidays.

Inside camper Yarnell ArizonaSo I’ll just keep packing the camper and one of these days I am going to hit the road.

Dart boardWhere to?  Surprise!

 

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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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