Thankfully not snow like many received even in Arizona, my week of watchable weather came in the form of clouds, wind, temperatures in the 50s, and rainy days boondocking by the Plomosa Mountains.
Awoke to rain and a plan to meet friends at the “Big Tent RV Show”. It poured, so we walked up and down the uncrowded aisles in the big tent avoiding puddles of water flowing under the artificial turf. Masks were required and mostly worn correctly. Other than kitchen froofroos, generators, portable solar, and back massagers, there really wasn’t all that much RV stuff. Felt like avoiding hawkers at a carnival. Just not my thing. I did buy a 10 foot power cord for my phone which might be overkill in a 12 foot camper but… Wandering outside during a rain lull the smell of BBQ drew us all in to buy lunch to go and we took it a couple miles down the road to Bob and Fran’s large 5th-wheel.
Although dressed for the weather I still caught a chill so went to bed early and woke up OK and to a much sunnier day. Good thing, as Mary came out from visiting friends in Quartzsite in the afternoon. I stayed at her place last spring on my way north back to Bryce Canyon.
Brutally windy days I just don’t go outside. I am grateful to have my comforts met in this tiny camper-home. With enough power, I spend entire days trying to catch up from a year ago labeling photos. Funny thing, sometimes the view is the same a year later.
The next day not too windy, I can feel the clouds call and go out for a walk. As much as I love sunny and warm for my body I also love watchable weather in the form of clouds that create light and shadow on the land.
I discovered this Barrel cactus and upon careful but closer inspection discover it is basically hollow, dead yet dangerous. The desert is full of surprises.
Later in the afternoon, I practice caution going in and out of the camper for a lot more photos. There are distant RVs in much of my view, yet not as many as houses in a subdivision. It really is a lovely neighborhood.
I saw virga at sunset and wondered if rain would follow.
Gentle but consistent rain over night left the ground damp and the air filled with the lovely smell of petrichor. The moisture also enhanced evidence of human activity.
Yet with temps in the mid-40s I didn’t stay outside for longer than a few photos.
And yet even under cloudy skies the solar panels were charging and provided at least 4-5 hours of power a day for computer and phone.
More dark clouds the next day with wind so strong I could barely open the camper door.
Rained on and off all day.
This followed by a clear windy day with the only watchable weather being the flag blowing stiff as a board. I again spent the day inside. Lessons learned about flying a flag attached to the camper in high wind: 1. don’t want one any bigger; 2. slapping and flapping is very annoying; 3. difficult to take down; 4. truck cab the only place it can fit and not live with it.
Several chilly rainy days boondocking meant using more propane for heat. With only 1/4 tank left I knew it was time to head back into town and take care of the usual business of dump and fill tanks.
Fallstreak hole cloud
So I headed to Shady Lane RV Court in Quartzsite in the morning while thinking about where to be for the full Wolf moon rise.
