• Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact
Geogypsy
Menu
  • Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

Tag: meetup

03 February 2023

Mexico, meetups, and cold nights in too crowded Quartzsite

Courtyard Algodones MXAfter a quick trip to Mexico I returned to crowded Quartzsite to meet up with friends old and new.

Chilaquiles Mi Casa Su Casa Algodones MXI left my Cargo Muchacho Mountains camp on January 17th, went to Yuma for supplies, then spent the night at—my favorite—VFW/BLM camp.  The next day I went to Algodones Mexico with Gayle for hopefully her final dental surgery.  After they put her under, I slipped out to breakfast and the recommended Mi Casa Su Casa was excellent.  A huge plate of shredded chicken Chilaquiles with beans and potatoes for $3.50 USD was more than I could finish.

RV Dometic thermistorThe next morning I headed to crowded Quartzsite.  After fighting with the fridge for almost three months I decided to order a new thermistor at RV Lifestyles.  Since buying that $64 part, the fridge has worked fine, and I found the part online for $10.  Can’t return electronics so I’ll just hang on to it.

Burning van 2023

Bob Wells RTR Quartzsite AZI attended the 13th annual RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) for my first time, video here.  Arrived in time to hear RV boondock guru Bob Wells talking about the movie Nomadland.  Then wandered around chatting to folks before waiting in line to meet Bob.  I asked him “Where were you 46 years ago when I first hit the road and there was nobody to ask questions?”  Think I caught him off guard with that.  (The burning van will go up in smoke at the end of the RTR.  Look above the front wheel for my signature.)

Mo Sue Gaelyn at Silly Al's Quartzsite AZMo, Sue, Gaelyn

pizza Silly Al's Quartzite AZLater in the afternoon I met Sue and Mo at the Roadrunner 14-day BLM south of crowded Quartzsite and they drove us into town for dinner at Silly Al’s Pizza.  Waited over an hour for a table and the place was packed with noise levels beyond conversation but the table-sized pizza was good.

window view Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZBy now I was ready for some down days in preparation for my next meetup after the weekend.  At crowded Quartzsite there’s very little bandwidth at Roadrunner with so many people but I did work on videos and blog posts to post later.  The traffic in and out was like watching a parade so I took video.  The Big Tent Show started that weekend and the crowds descended like flies on, well you know.

too close neighbor Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZ

too close neighbors Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZSaturday afternoon a trailer parked what I would call “too close” except for this location.  Later they were joined by two other outfits and I felt like part of the party, not.

too close neighbor sunrise Roadrunner BLM Quartzsite AZBy Monday morning I was ready to get out of Dodge.

wind blown dust clouds Scadden Wash Quartzsite AZThe wind was blasting and full of dust.  I headed east of crowded Quartzsite to Scadden Wash BLM, a new 14-day for me.

Carolyn & Gaelyn meetup Scadden Wash Quartzsite AZCarolyn’s RV Life meetup was held there from 11am-2pm.  I arrived way before that in hopes of a good signal and got lucky enough to upload the RTR video.  I walked over about 11am and stood in line talking to strangers to meet Carolyn.  She really is a down to Earth person and I like her a lot.  We’re both trying to be more social this year.  Just before noon I returned to the camper as I was cold. The wind was brutal. Dust almost obscured the Dome Rock Mountains to the west. After breakfast I walked back over about 1pm. Much warmer but still chill. A small group was asking questions.  I’d guess 50-60+ people came through in that four hours.

Saguaro desert Plomosa Mts BLM Mitchell Mine Rd Quartzsite AZBecause of the great signal, towers seen on the top of the Plomosa Mountains, I decided to cruise up the road a bit and found a wonderful quiet and uncrowded camp.  360° view video here.

Tuesday I woke with a runny nose, sore throat, and no energy.  Good day to stay home reading and knitting.

—————————————————————————

I decided to be more social this year and get out to functions and activities, meet new people.  That’s been fun, except for catching the worse cold I’ve had in forever.  I’ve tested negative for COVID three times.  Over a week later, I’m finally feeling a bit better.  But now I’m even further behind on blog posts.  Bear with me please.

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Places I've been, Quartzsite, United States boondocking, friends, meetup, RTR, Rubber Tramp Rendezvous 26 Comments
09 August 2022

August brings high humidity to Arizona

Brushy Mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZHigh heat and monsoon rain left a relative humidity beyond what’s normal or tolerable in Arizona.  So I’ve stayed inside and stayed busy spending too much time at the computer while watching wildlife with the help of a new toy, planning a journey, and thinking about a meetup.

sunset Skull Valley AZAll that lovely monsoon rain has turned the golden grasses to green and raised the humidity to Florida levels.  Really, 86% at 86° is almost raining, but not quite.  I use the AC just to get rid of the stickiness.  Did get a little rain, at least on the east side of the RV, but most headed northeast.  High humidity also brought out the bugs, including mosquitoes.  Also something I don’t normally see at high elevation in the South West.

berm trees Brushy Mt cloud Skull Valley AZThere were some days with rain.  Clouds seem to split around this valley, moving over the mountains to my east and west.  As they rumble along I occasionally feel the thunder.

Gray-breasted Jay bird bathing Skull Valley AZGray squirrel Skull Valley AZ

                    Gray-breasted Jay                                                           Gray squirrel

Spending so much time inside at the computer, I am glad to have wonderful window views.  Various birds and squirrels put on skits for my entertainment.  A much needed distraction while editing posts, photos, and especially videos.  Over the 12 days visiting Grand Canyon I took almost two hours of videos, plus 100s of photos, and then took three days to create a 8:30 minute final video project.  Don’t think I get paid enough for this. But it was a little more fun and I really like this one.  I continue to see improvement.

trail camIf I don’t spend enough time with photos and video, a new camera’s been added to the mix.  Thanks to a patron, I now own a trail cam.  It was surprisingly easy to set up and mount with a strap to the ladder on the back of the 5th-wheel.  Has solar panels to charge the built-in lithium battery, plus backup of four AA-batteries.

domestic cat

foxfox

Mostly I have photos and videos of me walking on the berm.  But the second night out it caught a stray cat followed the next night by a fox.  Not the best quality photo even at 36mp, but it’s infrared after dark.  And, I can check it with an app on my phone.  I’m pretty excited.

 

https://geogypsytraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/07a-VID_20220804_154516847-Flicker-bird-at-RV-window-Skull-Valley-AZ.mp4

Flicker bird Skull Valley AZ

And really glad it didn’t get mounted before a crazy Flicker visit to the same ladder.  That bird must have seen its reflection in the dark tinted windows.  It postured and danced for almost five minutes (which I only caught on video) yet never once touched the glass.

Gray=breasted Jay bird Skull Valley AZThe trail cam hasn’t caught any birds yet and one morning missed a coyote that I saw probably too far away for its 65 foot range.  I look forward to taking it to the desert this winter, or anywhere else I’m lucky enough to travel.

Sierra stripped shadows Skull Valley AZBut maybe not on the next trip.  Sadly, I had to cancel the summer road trip plan, first to the north, then east to arrive in Illinois for my 50th High School reunion mid September.  Of course I was bummed.  I considered flying yet need a cat-sitter.  Sierra does like sitting on laps that she knows but gets really stressed when there’s nobody around.  It’s a cat thing.  Problem solved when Joann offered to stayCATion at my place not far from her Prescott job.

wood boulders mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZHoly shit!  When did it get so hard to make reservations?  I travel, but not frequently by air.  Of course I’m a cheapskate budget conscious and found RT prices under $200 but do not include any luggage, even overhead carry-on.  A checked bag is almost the same price as the passenger.  All I need is a carry-on.  I got hot and stressed, even with AC, and would have gone outside in the shade if not for the humidity and mosquitoes.  After half a day, I managed to muddle through it for a week in the Chicago suburbs where I’ll happily being staying with Sandee.  Now to find a dress.

old bus cardbus card

Travel plans reminded me of a need for new business cards.  I’ve designed my own cards for decades and am almost out of the last version.  I’d usually print them myself but the printer ink costs more than an order of 100 cards.  Plus I’d like to have them in-hand before next month.

logo idea drawingOne thing leading to another, I should have a logo.  So after I finally found some paper and a pencil, I started to draw.  And though it’s a fun concept, it’s also way to busy.

digitized B&W truckcamper Instead I played around online until happy with a photo-to-B&W illustration of the truckcamper then used that to also design business cards.  Even with a bit of learning curve it was a much faster process than my old way.  Yet another work in progress.  Such is life.

Geogypsy hat in RVWhile in Illinois I also hope to visit with some cousins still living in the area.  That plan is in the works.

golden aspen tree tunnel FR219 Kaibab NF AZ

sunset from Cape Royal NR GRCA NP AZAlso in the works, is the idea for a Meetup somewhere in Arizona during October.  A Meetup includes me, you, and others.  This will be camping/boondocking in a beautiful place.  One possibility is the Kaibab National Forest near Grand Canyon’s South, or preferably North Rim.  (Also note the new tab under the header photo for Geogypsy Journeys.)

fall Cottonwood trees Skull Valley AZ

first light Brushy Mt full moon set Skull Valley AZOr, maybe, here on the ranch in Skull Valley.  October brings golden color to Arizona.

tree clouds BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress AZ

tree desert mts sundog clouds sunset BLM Ghost Town Rd Congress AZCongress AZ

I am open to suggestions.  Check out my video invitation.  I’d love your feedback on this idea and hope you’ll join me.  You know, through 14 years of blogging I’ve met many wonderful people from around the world.  Yes, some are virtual.  But I’ve also met a lot of people in real time.  Some of you in fact.  And if we haven’t met yet, well why not?  Let’s not blame it on the humidity.

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Meetup, monsoon, Places I've been, Skull Valley, United States, weather humidity, meet & greet, meetup, trail cam, travel, wildlife 16 Comments

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.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere in southern Arizona.  In the area, give a shout.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

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

Search

Popular Posts

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

Categories

Archives

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

Caught in a Slot 9×12 canvas print under $50

If you don’t like what’s going on in your government, contact your Congress

Directory of Senators

Directory of Representatives

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com
%d