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Watching the sky from Arizona camps

mts full moon sunset clouds BLM-VFW Yuma AZWatching the sky for sunrise, set, and the moon plus campers that come and go provided the week’s entertainment.

sunrise VFW-BLM camp Yuma AZSome days’ entertainment starts by watching the sky for a colorful sunrise.  Now happening at a respectable hour when I’m likely to be awake.

Tamarisk tree moon BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZThen later watching the sky as the waxing moon peaked over an invasive yet beautiful Tamarisk tree.

RVs sunrise clouds BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZ g-2Not always easy to avoid the many RVs parked nearby.  Sometimes it’s a huge motorhome towing a SUV on a trailer, school bus or ambulance conversion, a 5th-wheel, tow-trailer, van, car, or a motorcycle.  People come and go.  I went out for propane and groceries plus found a strong enough signal to put out the last blog post.  I’ve decided not to call these things “chores” anymore because of the negative connotation.

RVs mts low clouds BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZWatching the sky for storm clouds that did drop some light rain for most of a day.  Thank goodness not a gully-washer storm or there would’ve been mass exodus because most of us RVs are parked in a huge dry wash.  Also not a lot of solar charging going on.  But did have enough to charge my phone and laptop plus start the fridge most of the time.

RVs mts low clouds BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZThe next morning I was watching the sky drop over the eastern mountains.  The 1% chance of rain held off and the day warmed to a partly cloudy 71°.  I was actually able to get online briefly and check emails.  Yippee, Social Security is giving a cost of living raise starting in January.  Might be enough for an extra tank of fuel, if I didn’t drive a diesel.

RVs sunset clouds moon BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZLow clouds that evening meant no moon on the horizon but it did show at sunset.

RVs fog BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZAwoke to fog so thick I could barely see the neighboring RVs.  Watching the sky over the next three hours the sun began to burn off the fog, then it came back and hung for a while before clearing completely.

elec poles mts full moon BLM-VFW Yuma AZWhich allowed for the almost full moon rise on the horizon.

RVs train mts sunrise clouds BLM-VFW Yuma AZWaking to the sound of yet another freight train roll by got me watching the sky for another pretty sunrise.  In fact I was up early because Joann was coming to get me.

Verde Canyon RR locomotives Clarkdale AZFrom her place in town I was able to load the Verde Canyon train video.  I know, I never got a blog post out about the train ride, and I might not.  But the video is fun and I hope you’ll check that out.  And please subscribe if you haven’t already.

Christmas tree & Sierra in camper BLM-VFW camp Yuma AZJoann’s home is well decorated for Christmas and she gave me a present to unwrap saying it’s gag gifts and part of a tradition.  We don’t usually exchange gifts, however we decorated the small tree together last year then took turns hanging it in our respective campers and a friend in a nursing home had it for a while also.

Christmas elfI now have an elf on a sort of shelf but it keeps moving to different places.

chocolate hunk santaAnd who can resist chocolate?  Not me.

elec poles mts full moon BLM-VFW Yuma AZI was a little late watching the sky for an almost full moon.

light poles full moon Quechan prkg lot border MexicoI was back to Joann’s on Wednesday picking up the box of calendars on my way to the Mexican border.  Gayle had a dental appointment in Algodones the next morning so we camped in the parking lot on the US side and I was watching the sky for moon rise.

2023 calendar coverCalendars will be shipped this week.  Still a few left if you’d like to order, $25 each includes shipping in the USA.

Arizona, Places I've been, United States, Yuma , , , , 19 Comments

Pack and go to Grand Canyon

Vishnu Temple & Wotons Throne canyon clouds Lipan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFinally, I get to travel, so I packed the camper and left to go to Grand Canyon.  Boondocked on the Kaibab National Forest near Grandview Lookout Tower and explored the eastern end of the South Rim.  It’s a Grand adventure because I’m not all that familiar with this side of the big ditch.

grass bush Brushy Mt clouds Skull Valley ArizonaI may not travel on holidays like 4th of July, but that doesn’t stop me from making a plan to go to Grand Canyon this month.  And I like to pack slowly so started off with filling water bottles and loading them into the truck.  Eight gallons will ride on the passenger seat floor and five more inside the camper.  That’s over a week’s worth of water and I can refill in the park.

hat pins on curtain in camperAnother project was to move my hatpin collection from one curtain to another…

new curtains…because, I made a new curtain for the camper.  Bought a Pier One lap-blanket at a thrift store that is just the right green (unlike the photo) and size when cut in half.  I don’t sew but a glue gun worked just fine to hold a casing and hem.  Three “C” hooks reinforce the tension rod.  I’m happy with how it turned out.  Nice and heavy to keep out the winter cold and bright morning light.  I know, it’s summer.  But the job had to be done.

Sierra cat Skull Valley ArizonaIn order to go to the Grand Canyon I needed to create and schedule blog posts and videos.  So I spent more than a day at the computer with my assistant staying close by.  She seems to know we’re going to travel.  I packed a few more things but really had to wait until morning for most of the food stuff.

metal sculptures Valle ArizonaSeen in Valle

Finished packing and hit the road Thursday morning about nine.  Shopping and diesel fuel at $5.53/gallon on the way.  I really wasn’t rushing as I didn’t want to arrive at the park entrance during the busiest time mid-day.

arch Gateway to Grand Canyon Williams Arizona

RT66 store Williams ArizonaDrove through historic Williams then headed north on SR64.  Took video almost the whole way and will create a Rambling Road Trip for my YouTube channel.

Red Butte SR64 North ArizonaRed Butte

Pulled up to the park entrance at 4pm and after three rigs in front of me I was ready to go to Grand Canyon, but not the main Village area.  Instead I headed east towards Desert View Watchtower.

canyon Duck on a Rock overlook South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMy first stop to actually see the canyon, Duck on a rock, is just wide parking along the north side of the road.

canyon Grandview Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI also stopped at Grandview Point but didn’t stay long as I wanted to find a boondock camp for the night.

About one mile out of the park on a rather rutted gravel road I entered the Kaibab National Forest, parked at the first obvious camp, and made a 360° video.  I knew this wasn’t going to be a private site so wasn’t surprised when a motorhome arrived and parked nearby.  Sadly, this German family had three tiny yet noisy children.  Thankfully, they pulled out in the morning.

pink Pincushion cactus flowers bee Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAfter a late breakfast, I walked the road about 3/4 mile to Grandview Lookout Tower.  Along the way I saw several other nice campsites and thought I would choose one another day.  Bright pink cactus flowers beckoned me into the forest and a cell tower was a total surprise.  No wonder I had a decent signal in camp.

Grandview lookout tower Kaibab National Forest Arizona

looking up tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAs I approached the parking below the fire tower, four side-by-sides on tour roared up.  Some of the group climbed and others did not.  They didn’t stay long and I had the place to myself.

up stairs Grandview Lookout Tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSo I climbed, the first set of stairs.  Even though I am not afraid of heights it’s a little disconcerting to look down through a gridded step.  I tried mostly to look straight ahead.

looking down thru Grandview lookout tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI stopped at the first landing, fascinated by the lines and patterns of the structure.  Then I climbed the second set of stairs.

looking up Grandview lookout tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaBuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, the steel Grandview tower is 80 feet tall with a 7×7 foot cab on top that wasn’t currently staffed so I couldn’t get inside.  Yet I decided to climb the third set of steps to get a view above the trees.

view North from tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe two-room cabin accommodates the fire lookout person.

canyon view N from tower Kaibab National Forest Arizona

canyon view North from tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI could barely see the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim to the left and that’s Echo Cliff between the trees on the right.  At 40 feet up I could tell this wasn’t going to be an exemplary place to shoot the upcoming full moon, even with clear skies.  So that was far enough for me.

going down Grandview lookout tower Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI took a bunch of video but had to hold both rails on the way down.  Maybe I’d come back if I moved camp closer for a chance at sunset, if not the moon.

Nuthatch bird Kaibab National Forest ArizonaNuthatch

grass trees Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe next day after choosing photos to process from the tower, I spent most of the day sitting outside, watching birds, breathing deep the rich smell of a Ponderosa Pine forest, and even a short walk about camp.  A new neighbor came over and we chatted for a while.

trees sunset from camp Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe evening ended under an orange glow.

A partly cloudy morning called me to get out and go to Grand Canyon.  So I slowly bounced my way out of the National Forest and back to pavement.  I drove east thinking I’d be at the Desert View Watchtower for sunset.  But there were several overlooks to explore along the way.

light & shadow canyon Colorado River Moran Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

light & shadow canyon walls Moran Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMoran Point, named for famous artist Thomas Moran who joined John Wesley Powell in 1873 on an expedition to go to Grand Canyon.  He later used sketches and photographs to paint the 7×12 foot “Chasm of the Colorado” that hangs in Congress to this day.  Sadly, his depiction is not an actual location but a composite of imagination.

view West canyon river clouds Lipan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaNext stop Lipan Point offering some of the most expansive views with the longest perspective of the Colorado River.  To the west can be seen the oldest rock, 1.75 billion years, carved by the river within the inner gorge.

Colorado River Unkar Delta shadows Lipan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaBelow, the “S” curves of the Colorado carve through the rare red tilted layers of the 1255-1100 million years old Supergroup.  The lower left sandbar, called Unkar Delta, is where ancient Puebloan people lived and grew crops between 850 to 1200AD.

view East & Northeast canyon river clouds Lipan Point South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLooking upstream the river appears around a bend coming from the north, and the Marble Plateau can be seen with Echo Cliffs on the eastern horizon.

canyon Colorado River clouds Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI next stopped at Navajo Point mostly for the exceptional view of the stone built Desert View Watchtower, where I planned to be for sunset.

It was hot that afternoon so I found a shady place to park in the oversized vehicle lot for the tower and after a reconnaissance walk to the rim returned to the camper for a nap followed by dinner.

canyon river sunrays clouds Desert View South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

sunset rays clouds temples Desert View South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

canyon sunburst sunset clouds Desert View South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSunset was Grand, and lasted for about an hour as I stood in awe watching rays beam down highlighting the temples and topography.

Sadly, the first-come first-serve Desert View campground had been full at noon.  I really didn’t want to drive back into the forest after dark.  So, I opted to stay put and figured if anybody came by to kick me out I’d tell them I wasn’t camping but was hoping the clouds would clear so I could photograph the night sky, and then be there for sunrise.  All good reasons to go to Grand Canyon.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, Places I've been, United States , , , , , , 31 Comments

Walk, talk, read, and write while camping near Kofa

desert Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe temperatures and clouds have been ideal for camping near Kofa.  I walk, read, and write under the most beautiful of light.  Of course, I’m taking photos.  Plus I’ve been fortunate enough to engage in several conversations, talk and type.

I am not more than 100 feet from the Palm Canyon Road and camping near Kofa National Wildlife Refuge on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) public lands.  Yes, there’s some traffic but it’s not rush hour.  It’s lovely and would only be better if I could have Shared the Kofa Light with others on my first scheduled Geogypsy Journey.  Maybe next month.

bus conversion BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAfter the van/bus/RV gathering began to break up, the desert went back to its quiet nature.  The bandwidth also increased but I never expect that to last.  Every day more folks pulled out, some returned, a few buses stayed.  Thought this one was rather unique.  I even had a van neighbor within sight on my “road” for a couple days.

Saguaro cactus desert Kofa Mts clouds last light BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaYet none of that really changes my daily routine while camping near Kofa.  If the wind hasn’t made it too chilly I try to get out for at least a short walk.  You know I’m not working on miles or steps at my sauntering pace.  Instead I meander between the vegetation avoiding the prickliest taking photos of the landscape.  The land is braided with small washes to cross (and look for pretty rocks), dry now but there’s plenty of evidence that water sometimes flows.  Debris caught against bushes and larger rock versus small pebbles tells that story.  Happens when I’m not here.

Saguaro sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Saguaro sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI often walk in the late afternoon anticipating the golden hour light and sunset.

Jackrabbit Cholla Saguaro cactus Chocolate Mts sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaStartled a Jackrabbit on the way back to camp.  They run and freeze, blending into the dusky landscape.

Sierra cat gives me the tap BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI also try to spend time every day writing, with help from my assistant.  I’m working on 1000 words a day.  Always journaling (200-400 words/day), often blog post writing (500-1200 finished post), and remember I’m working on a book, sometimes.  Though I will admit the last doesn’t happen daily but in spurts.  I am easily distracted when camping near Kofa.

Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaEspecially when there’s colorful sunrises unique to every day.  I am glad first light respects a decent hour during the winter while camping near Kofa.  Although there’s still a chill in the air it’s worth adding another layer and making coffee wait just a little longer.  It’s rather sad that I’m in such a beautiful place and I don’t go anywhere else but instead sit day after day at the same place.  I am happy not to have to move for two weeks. And that’s not really very long in the whole scheme of life.  Yet it’s one of the reasons I miss Joann as a neighbor as she gets me out and is willing to drive as well. Not to mention some very interesting conversation.  So I am glad there’s enough signal for us to chat online, each from our remote desert locations.  Enjoyed an extended phone call from a California cousin.  Even a windy day that pretty much keeps me inside turns out good.

desert sunset clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnd the sunsets caused me to at least get in and out the door, carefully down and up the step, several times.

desert Kofa Mts sunrise clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAnother nice sunrise.

desert rd mt clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThen later with no wind I walked under cloudy skies but the light was dull so I focused more on close things.

cactus desert clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe Saguaro cactus is a known icon of the Sonoran Desert along with numerous kinds of Cholla cactus with spines that seem to glow under almost any light.

barrel cactus BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaBut also give wide birth to the red and yellow spines of the Barrel cactus providing an occasional break in color from the olive-green creosote that is everywhere.

Palo Verde bark BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Arizona

Palo Verde bark BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI am always drawn to the shape and color of Palo Verde trees.  Their unusual green trunk and branches with scaly bark perform photosynthesis.  I find all this and more camping near Kofa.

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

campfire BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs the wind stayed down I watched sunset over a small campfire.  Then the temperature dropped and it was back inside for the night.

desert Kofa Mts clouds sundog BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAlthough I didn’t get up for all the pretty sunrises hardly a day goes by when I don’t take a photo of something, usually with the big camera but the phone will do in a pinch.  And even though warm enough for the door open by 11am, I saw a tiny sundog which says the upper atmosphere holds ice.

flag desert Kofa Mts BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaThe calm 70° day was simply made for sitting outside reading in the desert apricity.

desert Kofa Mts reverse sunset clouds moon BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI would have been very busy had anybody signed up for my first Geogypsy Journey: Sharing the Kofa Light.  Lesson learned, don’t compete with anything January in Quartzsite and advertise further ahead.  An amazingly beautiful day would have welcomed anybody camping near Kofa, clouds put on a show for days, and the moon…  I did my usual, enjoy the view and spend some time outside photographing and reading.

possible Badger through screen window BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAt one point motion caught my eye and I saw an animal about the size of an over large ciabatta loaf hustling along.  The one photo I took was through a window screen and then it was gone.  I wracked my brain for a bit thinking, it had to be a badger.  Only the second time I’ve seen one in the wild—first at Bryce Canyon—and never in the desert.  Many desert mammals lean toward nocturnal lives to avoid daytime heat.

desert Chocolate Mts 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 of course more sunset.

red Ocotillo flower BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaI do see birds when camping at Kofa, yet not plentiful, and way too fast for my camera.  I hear Ravens and Phainopeplas.  A hummingbird approached a red light cover above the door on the camper before flying off to the one surviving cluster of Ocotillo flowers they prefer.  Guess I could put up my window feeder for hummingbirds.  Gypsy brought a high school friend to visit, along with zucchini bread, and of course I took no photos.  I am terrible about people pictures.

Saguaro desert Kofa Mts last light clouds BLM Palm Canyon Rd Kofa National Wildlife Refuge ArizonaAs I worked on this post over the weekend, I got carried away with a ramble about conversations, real time, online, and anytime.  So I posted it separately from here.  BTW, thanks for all the comments.  As Jodee said, I hit a nerve.  No surprise that many of you of similar age identified with my jaunt down memory lane.  And although some would also like more comments on their blog posts, many of you made a good point about too many comments, especially as I answer them all, working on the conversation.  If everybody that read a post, commented on the post, I’d spend all my time responding to comments instead of walking, talking, writing, and reading while camping near Kofa.

Arizona, Geogypsy Journey, Kofa NWR, Places I've been, RV life, United States , , , , 15 Comments

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