Once Bob arrived to Kofa camp the days flew by with busyness every day. We explored the desert on the ground and in the air, walking and driving for new perspectives on a familiar landscape.
Blogging as Bob’s Eyes, Bob hails from northern California where he has water to actually use that kayak on the roof. His classic Chevy van conversion has seen a few rebuilds including adding 4×4. It’s a great ride and makes a cozy home on wheels. He offered to take the van on back roads I can’t/won’t drive, and I am all in for that. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been ready to go bye-bye.
Thankfully, Bob is not an early morning person because neither am I. I may be out of bed by 7 or 8 am but my preference is not to be mobile until at least 9 or 10am. Yet there’s no rush on these lazy days in Kofa camp. We spent some time chatting just to catch up, and we’re both yackers.
We’re also both photographers, so waited until about 4pm to leave camp and drive the Queen Canyon Road to Skull Rock. We traveled this road two years ago and I haven’t been back since.
Just a little too rough for my rig.
Watched for Bighorns along the way but no luck. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to protect the desert bighorn sheep.
We parked near Skull Rock that sits below a huge balancing rock.
Desert Bighorn Sheep scat
Bob lead the way up a wash to a water tank, Cereus Tank.
I’d say this water collection point started off as a natural tank but has been enhanced by humans. A US Fish and Wildlife trail cam is pointed towards the water. Bet that captures a lot of cool shots, and why I want a trail camera. After 20 years of drought, many natural tanks have gone dry.
Balanced rock
Looking out
Had to check out the popular Skull Rock.
The return drive at twilight was gorgeous. Finding the turnoff to camp in the dark proved to be a challenge until I recognized the creosote bushes. Went inside for a late dinner and listened to the coyotes sing.
Before noon the next day a light wind prompted Bob to get his kite out. He had to make a few adjustments and did finally get it off the ground. Dare I call the low slow kite a senior dance with rests, much like its owner.
Later in the day we took a couple hour walk from Kofa camp, mostly just moseying along and of course taking photos. We lost site of camp briefly, but made it back.
Because Bob pushed encouraged me to take video to post on YouTube I added that to my repertoire using my phone. What a learning curve. I made short videos and put them together for a test using the video editor in the Photos app on Windows 10. I also made a video tour of the truckcamper in one shot. I like the shorts better because if I don’t like the take, I can easily do it again. I will have to practice a lot more and post them as I go on my new YouTube channel, Geogypsytraveler. Hope you’ll check them out, like, share, and PLEASE subscribe. If I can get to 1000 followers, YouTube will monetize the channel and I would love to augment my income to keep on traveling and sharing. Thanks in advance.
Bob sent his drone up the next day. He says it’s all practice. Isn’t everything?
I spent most of the day figuring out how to move videos from phone to laptop by either Bluetooth, very slow, or just tethering which is much better. Then I put together another video walking around Kofa camp. Bob is getting used to his phone because at home he doesn’t have enough signal to use it regularly. So we’re teaching each other all kinds of things. See, you can teach old dogs new tricks.
In the afternoon we took a ride in Bob’s van to the end of Palm Canyon Road. We’ve both been there, but mostly the van batteries needed charging.
Didn’t walk up the Palm Canyon trail and instead walked a short ways south in an adjacent dry wash.
Mostly hung out for the evening light and did get back to camp before dark.
I took more photos and more videos so spent the evening putting together another YouTube video saying bye-bye to Kofa camp.
Lots of agriculture surrounding Yuma
Because the next morning we left Kofa camp. Actually got on the road by 10am and drove south to Yuma to shop. How I hate towns and traffic. Always takes me too long in any store. The energy is so weird I have to work extra hard to stay focused. Of course it had been two weeks since my last shopping.
Finally got on I8 east to Gila Bend. Oh yuck, so much truck traffic and everybody going over 80mph, except us. Paid $5.55/gallon for diesel along the interstate. Ouch! I was going to dump and fill in Gila Bend but after getting turned around in town changed my mind and instead just headed south to Ajo and a few miles beyond. Had enough propane and water for at least a couple more days.
My usual go to places along Darby Well Road were full so continued further on the road and took the first feasible opportunity. Darby camp was next to an old abandoned corral area with a windmill and water tank. Some interesting artifacts around. But at 4:30 after a full day, exploration was put off until the next day.
Except for the exceptional sunset.
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