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Slowly moving into the 5th-wheel while watching wildlife

Blackie & calf in yard Skull Valley AZAfter a winter away from my Skull Valley home, I had cleaning to do before moving into the 5th-wheel.  It was a slow project with wildlife watching in between loads.  The neighbors stopped by.  And, I celebrated my birthday again with a friend.

Gaelyn gate Skull Valley AZThe familiar drive home from camp Congress was uneventful and nobody changed the lock on the gate.

Two RVs Skull Valley AZOnce parked and level I felt no rush for moving into the 5th-wheel.  Good thing, as when I went inside there was mouse poop, just not as bad as expected.  Everything from countertops down needed a thorough scrubbing including washing all items in the cupboards and drawers.  I set out mousetraps.  The next day would be soon enough.

grass trees mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZInstead I took a short walk.  I’m back in a different yet familiar environment.  High Chaparral is sort of desert-like with small and sparse cactus.  It’s arid with primarily grasses, manzanita, and Arizona oak.

Rattlesnake Weed Skull Valley AZunidentified white flowers Skull Valley AZunidentified white flowers Skull Valley AZ

Gordon's Ivesia flowers Skull Valley AZYellow Spiny Daisy flower Skull Valley AZunidentified yellow flowers Skull Valley AZ

                     Clockwise: Rattlesnake Weed, ?, ?, ?, Yellow Spiny Daisy, Gordon’s Ivesia  (Please chime in)

I found a few flowers.

desicated Spiny lizard Skull Valley AZAnd a desiccated Spiny lizard.

boulders sunset clouds Skull Valley AZPlus enjoyed a nice sunset over Brushy Mountain.

Ash-throated Flycatcher bird Skull Valley AZAsh-throated Flycatcher

The truckcamper makes a marvelous bird-hide.  Well, the windows could be cleaner for photography.

After a morning of computer work I couldn’t put it off any longer and started the cleaning process before moving into the 5th-wheel.  I hadn’t turned the water on yet because it’s difficult to be both outside and inside at the same time watching for leaks.  I cleaned and disinfected the stove, sink, and counters.  No mice caught.

The next morning, neighbors came by to trim the weeds.  The big black and white steer, Blackie, is friendly and likes his ears scratched.  Last fall he had one or two one-year olds following who I called Sidekicks.  This year his shadow is a young calf not even weaned.

outdoor dishwashingBack to cleaning.  All the holding tanks were empty, including the kitchen grey tank that drains miserably slow. I suspect the gate is stuck or broken that allows water to flow out, or not.  It’s on the fix-it list already.  But that meant I didn’t want to put water into that tank.  So, I set up an outside dish washing table and tackled the silverware drawer which also had mouse poop in it.  Later my landlord came by and watched outside with me inside when the water came on.  Yea, no leaks.  The second cleaning project for the day was mold removal from the fridge and freezer.  This occurred because the power plug was knocked out, most likely by my weed eating neighbor.  A change to this system is also on the fix-it list.

Flicker bird Skull Valley AZFlicker

You know I’d rather be watching the birds.

I took the next day off to visit with Joann.  She brought birthday cake with sparkler candles and we laughed a lot.  The only thing cleaned was me now that I had running hot water.

Roadrunner bird thru window Skull Valley AZRoadrunner morning window view from camper

Dull women signThe next day caught another mouse and I tackled more cleaning.  Two more drawers including their contents, and the cupboard with pots, pans, and lids.  I wiped down window wells and continued to work around the house cleaning what I could.  Yea, I know, everybody cleans.  But I’ll tell you, I’m not typically one of those people.  We all have a different level of clean and tolerance for dirty.  My motto: The dust is velvet and cobwebs silk threads.  My dirt, and I live with it.  Plus there’s the long soft fur of my owner, Sierra.

desert Plomosa Mts last light clouds BLM Quartzsite AZLast light on the Plomosa Mountains north of Quartzsite Arizona 12-31-20

That evening I finally finished labeling photos from 2020.  We also all have our own OCDs.

Spiny lizard on boulder Skull Valley AZI enjoyed a leisurely Saturday morning watching a Spiny lizard bask on a boulder.  I knew it would be the last day in the camper before moving into the 5th-wheel.

Joann came over to help me ferry stuff back and forth.  I would fill reusable grocery bags in the truckcamper then unpack them in the Big House.  There’s a little more, but nothing crucial.  Very much saved my poor shoulders.  She tried to vacuum but the old machine’s motor finally bit the dust.  Sierra was the last to be moved and after a lengthy walkabout, settled in to her bigger home.  I love that she’s so adaptable.

thru window Roadrunner Skull Valley AZRoadrunner rushing off

What happened to April?  Thank you all for subscribing to my Youtube Chanel.  The month ended with 113 subscribers.  Please keep spreading the word.  I’m shooting for at least 100 new subscribers every month.

Sierra cat on lap at desk Skull Valley AZOver the next couple of days, we settled back into the Big House.  Sierra likes being able to lay on my lap.  It’s too tight in the camper so that’s not an option.  As I sat at the computer working on photos, blog posts, and video, wildlife wandered into view.

Now that I’m mostly done moving into the 5th-wheel I’m thinking about where to travel to next.  Or at least after some repairs are done.

Javelina Skull Valley AZJavelina, just one of the herd

I think I added Google AdSense to the blog.  Please let me know if you see it and what you think.

 

Arizona, moving, RV life, Skull Valley , , 22 Comments

Comfy in camp Congress

desert Weaver Mts clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZCamp Congress is a comfortable place to spend time, not far from my Skull Valley home but at least 2000 feet lower in elevation and thus warmer without yet being HOT.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa NWR AZI hid out for five days over Easter weekend hunkered in at one of my favorite camps looking at the Kofa Mountains and chasing shade as the temperature pushed past 95° it felt like time to head a little further north.

napkins & magnet happy camperAfter a couple hour drive I settled into camp Congress and was soon joined by a local friend.  Gypsy brought banana bread, a cute magnet, camper napkins, some magazines, and best of all her company along with the lovely four-legged Sandy.  Don’t ask why I don’t have a photo.

Date Crk Mts sunset BLM Cemetery Rd Congress AZSadly the air was heavy with smoky haze from the Tunnel Fire northeast of Flagstaff and the Crooks Fire south of Prescott, both human caused.

truckcamper BLM Cemetery Rd Congress AZAfter a move, long drive, and shopping I like a down day where I don’t have to go anywhere.  So even though the signal is worse than iffy at this camp Congress off Ghost Town and Cemetery Roads on BLM I stayed in place.  I made a 360°-video of camp, wrote a blog post, sat outside reading but mostly listening and watching birds.

Cactus Wren bird Cemetery Rd BLM Congress AZCactus Wren

I love this location for birding.

Date Crk Mts sunset BLM Cemetery Rd Congress AZThe next day I thought about doing laundry, not.  OR, just move to the other camp Congress site where I have strong reliable signal and keep working. Hmmm… OR, not move at all. The last seemed the right choice.  I am lazy sometimes.  So it was much a repeat of the previous day minus the 360 video.

desert Date Crk Mts sunrise clouds BLM Cemetery Rd Congress AZSunrise

Friday morning felt cold at 58° so when I couldn’t get online at all I battened down and left camp Congress.

truckcamper BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZFilled propane in case the predicted cold snap lasted then went to Stanton Road looking for camp Congress 2.  The main reason I didn’t just drive the hour home was the overnight low close to freezing.  No thanks.

tree hole in camper BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZSadly, when considering one site I backed into a tree and now have a hole through the aluminum skin that will have to be patched. One more thing for the growing RVs’ repair list.

desert Weaver Mts sunset clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZMade another 360°-video of camp Congress 2 fighting the wind.  In fact wind with blazing signal kept me indoors working on the computer.

desert mt haze BLM Stanton Rd Congress AZSmoke obscures Vulture Peak to the west

And that’s what I did over the weekend, worked on the computer.  I took 55 minutes of video driving from Kofa to Congress, edited and cut it to 31 minutes for my first Rambling Road Trip video.  My brain never stops while I’m driving so I can always find something to talk about.  Hope you’ll check it out.  I am totally experimenting with this new medium of video.

desert Weaver Mts Crooks fire smoke Stanton Rd Congress AZAfter a two-day video editing marathon, brutal wind, smoke filled sky, and temperatures rising, I finally felt like completing this five month road trip and heading home.  Time to leave camp Congress.

Weaver Mts SR89 Yarnell Hill AZThe drive north along SR89 is familiar.  I did something I’ve thought about for many years, took video of the entire four-mile drive up Yarnell Hill.  Then I continued to film the rest of the drive home through Peeples Valley, Kirkland, and onto Iron Springs Road to Skull Valley, and made another Rambling Road Trip video.

Note on box

blown glass sea turtle from B HoskinsBlown glass sea turtle suncatcher (sitting on an envelope for scale)

Made a quick stop at the post office where a birthday present awaited.  The son of a long-time friend blows glass under the name Wildfire Productions (please check out his website and work).

Two RVs Skull Valley AZAnd, finally, home to my other wheelestate.  I took another 360°-video and a short walk before even looking inside the 5th-wheel/Big House where, as I expected, there was mouse poop which meant cleaning before moving back in.

grass trees mt sunset clouds Skull Valley AZ

5th-wheel from inside truckcamper Skull Valley AZYet I was in no hurry and simply enjoyed the sunset before making dinner in the truckcamper.

Lesson learned this winter as I readied for retirement, slow down.

Arizona, Congress, Places I've been, RV life, United States , , , , 23 Comments

Welcome to windy spring in the desert Southwest

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI almost called this post “Dust in the Wind” because that’s what happens during spring in the desert Southwest.  Yes, it’s a reoccurring theme and you might be tired of reading about the wind and wonder why I come here at all.  I think it’s common for spring all over to be windy as the weather patterns change.  But truly, I’d rather watch dust fly at 60° than snow at anything below 40°.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunrise over Kofa Mts

After several days of visitors stopping along their travels I felt like I should go somewhere too.  Maybe there would be flowers blooming somewhere announcing spring in the desert Southwest.

Mesquite tree frames Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut then the temperature warmed and, dare I say, the wind slowed down enough to spend time outside just enjoying the views.

Saguaro desert clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaA rather skinny ground squirrel appeared and chased up a large beetle that got away.  A few lizards scurried from bush to bush.  I was almost ready to seek shade at 85° but instead, like a lizard, I soaked up the apricity like the sun worshiper I am.

desert Kofa Mts clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen there’s the clouds drifting over the land to bring patches of light and shadows.

Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd a blazing sunset.

desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaToo good to last as winter tries to hold back spring in the desert Southwest.  Winter’s north wind clocks around into summer’s south wind and spring is hold onto your hat, go fly a kite, time of year.  Temperature remained in my comfort zone but the wind blew obnoxiously.  I tried unsuccessfully to sit outside for a while and read.  All windows and door open on the camper made that comfortable until the strong wind caused me to close the door.  Hair, dirt, and dust blow everywhere. I see motes in sunrays.  The dust has my sinuses acting up.  Did manage to get out for a gorgeous sunset.  March came in like a gentle lamb, briefly, and then turned into an angry goat.  I suspect it will go out like a lion.  Especially as my birthday is the end of March and I was born in a snow storm.  So if I’m somewhere it can snow, it will.  I really don’t want to be where that could happen.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise rays BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe next morning started with no clouds as I watch the shafts of sunrise on the Kofa Mountains.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise rays clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen the clouds blew in and continued putting on a show.

desert Kofa Mts light shadows clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Kofa Mts light shadows clouds last light BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaA few teasing sprinkles of rain fell but not enough to wash away the dust in the air.

desert dusty Kofa Mts storm clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Ocotillo desert Chocolate Mts sunrays clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd the wind blew, and blew, and blew.

desert Kofa Mts last light reverse sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona(possible calendar shot?)

I managed to get outside just a few times to snap some photos.  However, most of the day’s shots were taken through the dirty window and some with my phone.

desert dusty Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert mts dusty sunset clouds Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWith daytime temperatures in the mid 60s and fierce wind blowing I again considered a change of location.  But in order to stay warmer than anywhere north of here I would still have to deal with the winds of spring in the desert Southwest.  Besides, I try not to go anywhere on a weekend.

Loggerhead Shrike in Ocotillo BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSo, another day of indoor photography, including a fuzzy window shot of a Loggerhead Shrike balancing on the wind blown tip of an Ocotillo.

Bob's van BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunday, I once again have company.  Bob, from northern California, finally made it to the Arizona desert after brake work on the way down.  He pulled into camp Kofa in the afternoon and thankfully the wind had dropped enough to sit outside chatting under the warm sunshine.  Now we’re both talking about boondocking south of Ajo but not until after a few more days exploring the Kofa Mountains back roads which can be done in his classic conversion 4×4 Chevy van.

Kit fox BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona by BobThen last night, just after sunset Bob spotted a Kit Fox in camp and managed to get a great photo.  I was already in for the night having dinner.  Damn.  You may remember the scat I found on my outdoor welcome mat a little while back and thought perhaps fox.

Cholla Saguaro desert mts clouds Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI am more than ready for winter to be over, as I’m sure are many of you.  I wish there’d been more rain on this parched land.  Seems like time to find a few wildflowers.  Also time to move further south once again for a little more warmth, a little less wind, and more signs of spring in the desert Southwest.

Birthday month

Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, United States , , , 22 Comments

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