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Tag: RV problems

15 February 2022

Kofa feels like home

last light desert Kofa Mts moon Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaKofa feels like home for many reasons.  I soak up the desert apricity on sunny days while I wander into my “yard” and get better acquainted with the plants and animals who also call Kofa home.

Saguaro cactus Woodpecker bird sunset Saddle Mt BLM Tonopah ArizonaSunrise for a Woodpecker, and me

After Joann left Saddle Mt the flies chased me away as well.  I had choices to make for chores, 30 minutes east to Buckeye for shopping, then an hour west to Quartzsite for an overnight before south to Kofa.  Or, 30 minutes west to Quartzsite, same north to Parker for shopping, and back to Q for the night before Kofa.  I opted for the second choice, in a different order.

truck hauling trucks I10 West ArizonaIn the morning I called Shady Lane to see if I needed a reservation for the night.  Nope, my usual space would be available.  I hit the road early and drove freeway west to Quartzsite.  Early and freeway, both unusual activities for me.

Tyson Wells Quartzsite ArizonaI wanted to check out the vendors at Tyson Wells and wasn’t sure how parking would be.  February isn’t as crowded as January so I had no problem in the lot that morning.  I walked, up and down the isles, just looking, don’t really need anything.  A stack of five collapsible mixing bowls, screwdrivers, sink strainers, jewelry, rocks, dog sweaters, CBD oil, beads, old license plates, you name it.  I bought none of those things.  Was hoping the Greek food cart would be there.  But a lot of vendors were already packed up and gone.

jewelry caseThen I saw a jewelry carrying case similar to one I have and love, so got that and a couple extra trays that fit inside it. Took it back to the truck and returned looking for something to eat with limited choices and had a sloppy and just OK pulled pork sandwich.  Finally the RV-stuff store for toilet chemical, a kneeling pad and a couple of LED light bulbs.  There’s always something on the RV needs list.

truckcamper Shady Lane RV Park Quartzsite ArizonaFilled both propane tanks after almost three weeks and went to Shady Lane for the night, dump, fill, and long shower.  My reputation precedes me as my neighbor in a classic 1980s Alaskan popup truckcamper had been told I’d be there at some point during his month-long stay.  Finius and Breezy always make me feel at home.

man stop sign SR95 North to Parker ArizonaThe next day’s drive to Parker took a bit longer than expected with a 25 minute wait for road work.  Filling pavement cracks with hot tar is a labor intensive band aide fix.  I ate lunch at a fast food joint I don’t typically frequent, and seems the employees don’t really understand the “fast” part.  Not that I was really in any hurry, but, one young man at the register was on a cell phone with presumably a boss and said rather frantically it was a rush. There were four people waiting, three tables full, and not even a line at the drive up.  Two stores for shopping and back south.

  desert sunset BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset view south

Pulled into camp after 4pm.  It took two tries to find the correct turn off along Palm Canyon Road.  Not like there’s street markers.  About a mile off pavement, take the second left after the red tie on creosote bush, then immediate right and a little ways to a left towards a Palo Verde tree and last seen a trailer, immediate right, follow two-track to my Kofa home, and park to the right out of my sight please.  Don’t get lost.

desert sunset BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset view west

desert reverse sunset Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSunset view east (my driveway in both shots)

Got a good spot a little further east than the last visit complete with Saguaros, Ocotillos, Palo Verde and Mesquite trees.  Best of all, nobody in sight between me and the Kofa Mountains.  Sigh, Kofa feels like home.  Lovely, quiet and dark again, unlike the previous night in Quartzsite.

Kofa Mts sunrise BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEarly to bed tired after a full day of shopping and driving paid off for an early rise to catch the sun.  No luck with those sun rays I caught last year like the header shot (until that gets changed).  First day was plenty warm and sunny and lazy.  I worked on the last blog post and just sat outside enjoying the desert apricity.

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBesides the signal often being weak and iffy, I am bored with my social media choice of FB showing way too much BS and advertising.  All I really want is friends’ updates and photos plus a few group activities and news outlets.  I belong to Instagram and LinkedIn but am not active.  Can only spend so much time online.  Yet in the last many years, social media has become my entertainment and connection.  Is there a FB alternative anybody uses and likes?

finger Kit Fox or Coyote scat on rug Palm Canyon Rd BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaScats & Tracks book

I did have a night-time visitor who didn’t wake me up.  In fact it wasn’t until I went outside in the afternoon that I saw its calling card.  Could be a small piece of Coyote scat, they are certainly around and my camps have been marked before by them, yet their poop frequently contains fur and small bones.  Also could be a much smaller Kit Fox who also live in the area though never seen by me.  This piece of scat was only about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch across.  Dog-like mammals usually show tapered tips on the scat and tend to mark their territories.  The ground is way too hard and dry for tracks.  I don’t see a lot of wildlife, but Kofa is home to many animals who sleep underground during the coldest of winter and often the heat of a summer day, coming out at night to find food.

Gaelyn shadow desert Kofa Mts moon Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd it’s been warm during the day, reaching 80°.  Had to dig out lighter weight clothes and even sat outside wearing shorts.  Have to be careful not to sunburn my lily-white legs.  I am rather a sun worshipper which shows with my tanned arms and face.  Spending a large portion of my summer days outside in a uniform with long pants I have a “farmer’s tan”.  I’d like to work on tanning my legs slowly but then the necessary compression stockings cover from the knee down.

12v receptacle & wiresI usually work on the computer in the morning and have opened door and windows by 10am lately.  Lots of sunshine for the solar panels to charge the battery and the system has been working great and even allows for use after dark.  Except for the 12v socket I plug an inverter into to charge the laptop.  Why are 12v wires so flimsy?  Anything electrical that gets plugged and unplugged regularly will ultimately have cord or plug problems.  I checked fuses, tested the 12v socket, tried a different inverter, and watched videos before disconnecting and reconnecting the wires.  But things still aren’t making a constant connection.  I suppose it would help it I had all the right tools and extra connectors.  I don’t like to mess with electricity but 12v is only two wires.  It’s not rocket science.  Next time I’m in town I’ll get more parts and pieces.

Palo Verde & Mesquite trees moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI am loving these warm days but without clouds those blue skies make for rather boring photos and soft sunsets.  I’ve been tracking the moon rise in the afternoons when it is soft and difficult to see in the pale blue sky.

Mesquite tree Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Mesquite tree Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI took a short walk into my nearby “yard” and became better acquainted with the Mesquite tree.  No tree hugging as it has spines.  Yet I love its crooked branches and rough thick bark.

Mesquite tree curled trunk Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona         Mesquite tree bark Palm Canyon BLM Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

The wood is prized for fence-posts and fuel.  I’ll bet you’ve heard of Mesquite BBQ.  It produces bean-like pods in the summer that were gathered by Southwest Native Americans and ground into flour.  Fragrant yellow flowers attract honey bees.  I have some Mesquite jelly that hasn’t been opened yet.

peace flag moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI sat outside with a book and found the landscape distracted me from reading.  I finally reached decompression from the summer of working.  Only took four months.

Hal Olmsted 2 years old 1949Hal Olmsted Sacramento CA

                                                                               Two-years old & Grandpa

Then I got a call from my sister-in-law.  My brother died.  He’s been unhealthy for many years and was in a hospital with complications and COVID.  This news was both surprise and not.  We weren’t terribly close with lousy history from our youth, him seven years older.  I feel sad for her and especially the grandchildren. This year would have marked 27 years married.  He’s been the stay-at-home step-Grandpa/babysitter for many years.  The biggest shock for me, I am the last of my parents line.

ham & cheese sandwhich It is now I am glad to be embraced by my Kofa home.  I returned to child-like comfort food.  He would know.

zen coloring #1  I have spent much time with a new-to-me adult hobby, coloring with pencils, in a zen-like state of mind.

Sierra cat at door BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaSierra also calls this place home, at least for now

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Arizona, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, Quartzsite, Sonoran desert, United States 12v, life and death, RV life, RV Park, RV problems 25 Comments
25 January 2022

Back to Congress

desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter camping south of Quartzsite for several weeks and shooting January’s full wolf moon, followed by a gorgeous Kofa sunrise, I drove back to Congress on Wednesday.

Palo Verde tree desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMonday was a gorgeous day with mostly clear skies allowing for visible moon rise over the Kofa Mountains.  Of course, I took way too many photos.  But good thing as about half of them are totally out of focus.

Palo Verde tree desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI used the tripod to remove my own personal shake of the camera.  But dim sky with low light is still a struggle for me.  Good thing I can practice every month.

Palo Verde tree desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree desert Kofa Mts full moon rise Earth Shadow BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWould have been better if folks had joined me, but there will be another chance for February’s Geogypsy Journey, Sharing the Kofa Light 14-18.

rd desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaMight have been hard for the Journey folks to leave the next day because of the gorgeous sunrise.

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

desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI had the camper door open by 10am with ideal temperature and little wind.  Cloud shapes created patches of light and shadow all day.

desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde tree desert sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd sunset was no slouch either.

desert RVs Chocolate Mts moon setting BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaWednesday morning I pulled out of camp in time to see the moon dropping towards the Chocolate Mountains.

RVs Big Tent SR95 Quartzsite ArizonaQuartzsite is geared up with possibly thousands of RVs parked nearby on the desert public lands.  The RV Show Big Tent opened Saturday filled with every gadget you didn’t know you need.  I didn’t need anything.

weird shoes GoodWill Wickenburg ArizonaCould you wear these?

On the way back to Congress I went to Wickenburg for a Thrift store fix, groceries, and lunch.

RVs camp Congress Arizona

desert trees mts clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress ArizonaI rejoined Joann’s camp looking up at the Weaver Mountains.  I used to live at the top, in Yarnell, “where the desert breeze meets the mountain air”.  It’s at least 10° warmer in Congress.  Mutual friend Mary stopped by towing her little trailer on the way to Ajo, Arizona.  I forgot to take pictures.  As the sun went down the wind picked up rocking me to sleep.

Palo Verde tree desert Date Crk Mts curved virga storm clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress Arizona

Palo Verde trees desert rd Date Crk Mts curved virga storm clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress ArizonaIn the morning, clouds obscured the Weaver Mountains.  A brutal northern wind lasted all morning along with intermittent rain.  At least it wasn’t the inch of snow Prescott got 45 miles north.  Though I was giving second thoughts to coming back to Congress.  Of course the stormy skies were wonderful to photograph with obvious high winds blowing the virga about.

desert fence mts sunset clouds BLM Stanton Rd Congress ArizonaAround sunset I noticed that the solar charger controller had gone into a fault error message and there wasn’t enough power for even one 12v light.  I prayed the fridge would continue to light as needed with power.  I read with a headlamp and used a small battery operated light I keep for emergencies.  Google was very little help and the manufacturer’s website indicated my controller model had been discontinued.  Hmmmm, maybe for good reason.

storm clouds Vulture Mine Rd Wickenburg ArizonaLeaving Wickenburg

Weaver Mts storm clouds light SR89 Congress ArizonaApproaching camp in the rain looking at Weaver Mts

Still no power the next morning so I checked with my handyman and after trouble shooting under his phone directions everything pointed at a bad battery.  I wasn’t overly surprised considering the battery is five years old.  It’s also huge, heavy, and I can’t get it out of the compartment or lift it.  I had to solve this problem that day or wait past Sunday when nothing would be open and the ice cream melted.  I called an auto parts store in nearby Wickenburg and they had a comparable battery.  Then turned out they didn’t.  However the second parts store I called did.  So I drove to the other side of town.  They tested my battery and the reading came back “DEAD!”  I had to play the helpless woman card to get them to take the old out and put the new in.  But I disconnected and reconnected the panel voltage + wire on the controller in between that process.  And voila, everything worked.  So while in town I fueled the truck at $3.84/gal diesel and filled propane at $3.99/gal.  I was feeling so good about solving the solar problem I treated myself at vendor stands buying a huge bag of Kettle Corn and a jar each of home-made Prickly Pear Cactus, and Mesquite jelly. (Home-made jellies are a weakness of mine.)  Then a quick lunch before heading back to Congress under dubious skies.

By Sunday afternoon the solar controller was once again showing a fault error.  This error “Heat Sink over temperature” reads Greek to me with no charging going on.  Then it would show working, and then not working with no readout.  I had enough power in the new battery to give light for the evening, and kept the fridge lit.

Solar Charger ControllerSame problem the next day.  Well, it just so happens I have a new in the box controller, so I carefully disconnected the four wires, making sure nothing touched each other, and connected them to the new controller in reverse sequence.  And guess what it worked!  Now I just have to enlarge the hole in the wall a bit to mount the new one.

I’m sure this battery and controller problem could have been taken care of in Quartzsite near my last camp as well.  But without coming back to Congress, I wouldn’t have been camping with my friend Joann.  At least until I move on again.

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16 November 2021

First campout this fall near Sedona

cliffs Oak Creek Canyon AZWith the weekend over I made plans for propane fix and started packing with the best hope the problem would be easily fixed.  Didn’t put much in the fridge because I could stop at a store on the way to meet Joann at our first campout this fall near Sedona.

forest fall color Aspen Mirror Lake SR14 Duck Creek Dixie National Forest UtahAspen Mirror Lake Dixie National Forest Utah

Besides, I don’t like to travel on weekends and instead spend way too much time online plus I’m always labeling photos.  Just started October 2020.  Yea, I’m OCD that way and only about a year behind.

Monday morning I called the only propane place within 50 miles that actually does more than just fill monster large tanks.  Yavapai Bottle Gas has service people on duty Monday-Friday 8-4:30 in Dewey, on my way to our campout outside of Sedona.  Plugged the fridge into electricity and mostly finished packing to leave the next morning.  Much more fun was watching a Red-tailed Hawk soaring high over the landscape.  With all the grasses I’d think a rodent diet would be rather plentiful.  Email notification that the calendars were shipped via UPS and suppose to be delivered Wednesday so would be waiting for me after this little campout experience.

hawk on wire sunrise clouds Skulll Valley ArizonaI actually woke up early enough to catch sunrise, and startled a hawk as well.

trees mountains sunrise clouds Skulll Valley ArizonaWith last minute things packed I hit the road by 9:30am and about an hour later the propane diagnosis was a bad valve in one tank.  These horizontal 5-gallon Manchester propane tanks have been a pain in the ass for almost two years now.  An hour later I was back on the road with full tanks and a fridge turned on so stopped briefly for a few more groceries in Cottonwood.

truckcamper & Joann's van trailer FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaPulled into camp about 2:30pm.  Joann had already parked with the new-to-her trailer she’s been working on for it’s maiden voyage beyond the driveway.  Forest Road (FR) 525 is about 30 minutes southwest of Sedona off SR89A.  Camp places are pretty close to the dusty FR525 with a rather large berm from road to camp.

grasses trees sandstone cliffs FR 525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaHung out for a while then took a ride in Joann’s van to the end of the six mile dirt road and saw many more campers along the way, big RVs, tents, and everything in-between.

trees last light cliffs FR525 Coconino National Forest Arizona

trees last light cliffs FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaThe road ended at a closed gate signed for Palatki Heritage Site, ruins and rockart, presumably open for reserved tours between 9-3.  (I tried to call several times the next day with no luck.)  We got there just about sunset and scored when the red-rock cliffs lit up under the westering sun.

grass trees Yucca sunset clouds FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaBack in camp, Joann heated up Shepherds pie, made by her son, for our dinner and we shared with a young man camped nearby in a tent.  A great first day start to our campout.

grass trees hot air balloons FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaAwoke the next morning to hot air balloons floating by.  Absolutely something I’d like to do.

metal camper on truck Sedona ArizonaWe left camp around 10am to visit a friend in Sedona.  Traffic in that town is insane and I thank Joann for being the driver, and knowing her way around.

yellow leaved Cottonwood trees SR89A North of Sedona ArizonaIn the afternoon we road north of town following Oak Creek through a tunnel of fading autumn leaved trees.

trees boulders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona Arizona

bouders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona ArizonaPull offs allow several cars to park in the narrow space between road and creek.  Day use only with picnic tables and grills.

boulders leaves Oak Creek Arizona

trees boulders reflections Oak Creek Arizona

trees boulders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona ArizonaWe stopped at a couple and one we could actually get closer to the water, though the boulders were awkward to walk on like stepping stones between the slippery carpet of leaves.

Oak Creek ArizonaWhat a treat to listen and see the flow of water reflecting trees and sky.  An absolutely delightful day.

Joann's painting & trailer FR525 camp Coconino National Forest Arizona by Joann

hilltop trees boulders Sean FR525 camp Coconino National Forest ArizonaI voted for the next day being a stay-in-camp day.  Joann got her paints and easel out, I sat and read in the sunshine or watched our tenting neighbor get a better signal in the “phone booth” above camp.  I truly enjoy quiet days as part of a campout.  Joann made dinner and I provided desert.

We both planned to head out on Friday before the weekend but traffic started picking up on Veterans Day.  I was in no rush to leave as I planned only about a one-hour drive back to Dewey to visit with North Rim friend Vicki and park and plug-in at her place for the weekend.  We hadn’t seen each other in six months and spent 1 1/2 days exchanging stories almost nonstop.  She cooked dinner and I made salad.  I love when someone else feeds me as I really don’t like to cook much anymore.  Does anybody else get bored with their own cooking?

Sunday morning I left for home with a quick grocery stop along the way in Prescott.  After unpacking the camper and putting everything away I didn’t feel like doing much of anything else.  Thank goodness for quick bake pizza dinner.

I didn’t figure to do much the next day either, except go to the post office for the calendars.  However, when I checked the tracking it came up that UPS had delivered the package last Wednesday to the post office in Prescott Valley.  Wait a minute!  Wrong valley.  My address is Skull Valley.  I just came through there from my campout.  I spent most of the day trying to call the post office and UPS office but nobody answers, no option to leave a message.  Online didn’t help either.  Once UPS SurePost delivered, their tracking stopped.  I REALLY didn’t want to drive 45 miles to the Prescott Valley post office.  Frustrating!  By afternoon I’d decided the next day would be driving an hour each way to pick up a package that should be sitting only 10 minutes away in my hometown post office.  Instead I figured out times for the almost full lunar eclipse Thurs/Friday.  It’s the longest partial lunar eclipse in 600 years at just over six hours.  Much better for my blood pressure.

19 IMG_20211116_095204381fbr Shutterfly g~2

Guess what was at the Skull Valley post office on Tuesday morning?  If you’re still interested in ordering, let me know.

20 IMG_20211116_100022998lewfbr June calendar g-2

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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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  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

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