Tours
Geogypsy Journey Tours
Join Gaelyn (aka Geogypsy), retired Park Ranger naturalist, for a Geogypsy Journey. Fun guided nature tours that focus on the interactions of life and land through stories of natural and cultural history while surrounded by splendid scenery with a small group of like-minded people. This immersive experience brings connection and a sense of place to a variety of environments.
-Good for your mental and physical health
-RV/camping experience
-Connect with nature
-Educational and entertaining
-Learn and share
-Meet new people
Sonoran Desert
Mission: Through exceptional experiences, I strive to share knowledge that fosters a deep connection and respect for nature, inspire wildlife conservation, and enrich and renew lives through shared exploration.
Who, What, & Where
I may have retired after 29 years as a naturalist Ranger with the National Park Service; however I’ll never stop loving the chance to share a special place with others.
Geogypsy Journey Tours provide the opportunity to join with others in nature, immerse in the environment, learn, be creative, tell stories, laugh, and share a landscape experience. As a naturalist, I will guide your sensory experience connecting with nature.
Geogypsy Journey tours are made up of a small group of 6-8 people, RV/camping—must be self-contained—off-grid (*boondocking), typically on public lands for up to five days. Participants are responsible for their own food and beverage, transportation, and accommodation onsite or offsite. Noisy generator hours with groups consent. You must be flexible; GPS coordinates may change due to camp site availability. Cell signal is never guaranteed.
Bring your stories, camera, paints, journal, musical instrument, dancing shoes and hiking boots, imagination, or whatever you choose. Mostly, bring yourself with an open fresh perspective on life, eager to learn and share.
You will need to provide a contact’s information and sign a waiver as I am not responsible for accident, injury, or theft. I do encourage you to be careful and will be available to assist where I’m able with first-aid skills. All liability lies with the individual camper that shows up at the event. Reservation includes profile pic to be recognized, phone number for texting, email for other updates. Well behaved pets only. Bring firewood. General locations will vary and be announced on the geogypsytraveler blog. Contact me to be added to an email list and notified about future Geogypsy Journey Tours.
I love to see people traveling safely and would like to suggest a winter camping runaway to the apricity—warmth of the sun in winter—in the southern Arizona desert. Time to connect with nature. As the temperatures drop in the north, that’s where I’ll be and you should join me for a Geogypsy Journey Tours.
Recommended donation $100/day/person—refundable up to $100. Group size limited to 8 people. Family rate considered.
*Boondocking – defined as camping off the grid without being plugged into city water, sewer, and electricity, however, that does not necessarily mean going without those things and instead using propane, holding tanks, solar power, and conservation. Also known as “dispersed camping” on public land means up to 14 days in the same location. This gives you a bit of time to get to know a place.
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Geogypsy Journey Tours Calendar 2023
Sharing the Kofa Light – Feb 2-6, 2023
Full moon Sunday Feb 5th
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge AZ
More details below
Contact if interested
Exploring the southern Sonoran desert – March 2023
March 7th full moon & March 26th birthday darkness
Most likely far southern Arizona
Exact location to be announced
More information coming
Contact if interested
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Sharing the Kofa Light – Feb 2-6, 2023
Full moon Sunday Feb 5th
From morning to moon, early February light dances with the Kofa Mountains located south of Quartzsite, Arizona. Join me to explore the Sonoran Desert life, geology, and history. RV/camp for free on BLM public land adjacent to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 665,400 acres of wild and wonderful Sonoran Desert at least partially surrounded by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) managed public lands. The rugged Kofa Mountains provide an amazing backdrop to the Sonoran Desert plus comfortable winter temperatures (60/40° averages), and amazing light from sunrise to after sunset, plus under the moon. Sometimes clouds enhance the mid-day shadows in this unique environment and even the tiniest life in the desert holds intrigue. After many years of exploration, I’d like to share this piece of desert and what I know about the cultural history, geology/rockhounding, ecology, wildlife, birdwatching, and light for photography.
Participants are responsible for their own food and beverage, transportation, and accommodation onsite or offsite. (Quartzsite 30 minutes north, Yuma 60 minutes south, Blythe 45 minutes west, Phoenix 2 ½ hours east). We will be off-grid *boondocking on public lands, show respect and Leave No Trace.
We will meet on the BLM desert about 20 miles south of Quartzsite and along Palm Canyon Road, before entering the National Wildlife Refuge. This Geogypsy Journey will include a campout, desert walkabout, Palm Canyon hike, full moon if the sky is clear, time to gather and share stories, and other possible activities or local attractions. Potluck possible with group agreement.
Accumulated memories will be shared around the campfire and as a souvenir later… Please bring one special item to share, your stories, camera, paints, journal, musical instrument, dancing shoes and hiking boots, imagination, or whatever you choose. Mostly, bring yourself with an open fresh perspective on life, eager to learn and share.
Recommended donation $100/day/person—refundable up to $100. Group size limited to 8 people. Family rate considered.
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Meetup
Fun couple of days camping somewhere beautiful. Let’s get to know each other. Contact me or look for notifications.
Road Trip
While I travel, Geogypsy Journey Tours can include You. If I travel in your neighborhood, it would be nice to meet and I’d love to see your favorite nearby natural places. Of course I’d also be looking for overnight parking/camping/boondocking, which can include some driveways. I am always working on a plan to travel. Some of you are already on my list and hopefully more will be added.
Currently planning for summer 2023 to the Pacific Northwest.
Presentations & Private Journeys
I’d also like to take Geogypsy Journey further when I camp in other places along my travels and include presentations about a variety of topics, mostly nature, national parks, or RVing, because that’s my thing as you know. (List below)
In addition, I am open to privately organized small group Journeys at a variety of landscapes.
Topics for public presentations
To schedule an exciting presentation, please contact me to discuss your unique topic interests, schedule, and budget.
National Park Service (NPS):
History of NPS
Rangers get paid in sunsets – what we do to earn them
So, you want to be a park ranger – the ins and outs of making that happen
My life as a national park ranger – 27 years and six locations
Natural & Cultural History:
Oregon Caves virtual tour – see the cave without the long walk
Geology of the Grand Canyon – Discover how the canyon formed
Connecting to nature – full immersion in your local natural environment is good for your health
Safari in South Africa – virtual national parks tour for the wildlife
Geology of Bryce Canyon NP – Hoodoos and Grand Staircase
Travel:
See the Southwest including national parks and more – when, where, and how
Making a plan – research is part of the journey
RVing:
The only right RV is for right now – and maybe not tomorrow
RVing America for 40 years – from van to 5th-wheel and everything in between
Geogypsy Journey Tours Calendar 2022
Meetup – October 2022
Meet and greet
Possible locations: Kaibab National Forest or Skull Valley, AZ. Either way, it’s time for autumn colors.
Contact if interested.
Exact date and location to be announced
Lunar eclipse in the desert – Nov 8, 2022
Meet and greet November 7 & 8, 2022
Eclipse begins approximately 1am and ends about 7am
Contact if interested
Exact location to be announced