February 9, 2021 Sky Camping

I walked down Main Street this morning. On my way back, I saw a coyote walking in the wash behind the grocery store. I really wanted a picture but common sense prevailed. February is mating season and the coyote can be particularly aggressive at this time of year. I crossed to the other side to continue my walking.

We were packed up and ready for our first roof top tent adventure. We left directly after breakfast. We left our perfectly warm, safe, comfortable RV at Ajo Heights.

On our way through town, we stopped to look at some of the street art. We have posted the first one before but it is a good reminder…Humanitarian Aid Is Always Legal.

We were on pavement for a short distance.

We took Darby Wells Road and just kept going. We wanted to be closer to the mountains and further from people. We were able to achieve those goals. The nearest camper was 6 miles away! How is that for socially distant? We found a perfect spot for our overnight wilderness camping.

The camper is supposed to be up and ready in 1 minute…we need some practice before we are that proficient…but it is easy enough to get it up and ready! We have two good sleeping bags and we brought extra blankets because it was forecasted to get down to 48 and we were not sure how warm we might be. We packed a lot of gear from the RV. As we get better at overnight camping and supplement our gear with some better options…maybe we will have to pack less than a full Jeep load for just one night!

We were in a really stunning area. A beautiful setting with expansive views of the valley far below. It is hard to visualize with pictures…but Tim would like to share this video with you.

We spent the afternoon gathering firewood and exploring the area around our campsite. I spooked a little cottontail.

This is a packrat nest. They like to incorporate shiny bits into their nests. It is important to keep the hood of the car open when camping in their habitat…they like to build nests in motors and chew on wires and stuff!

Bits fall off of cholla cacti. The bits are then carried sometimes by wind or water but more often by animals and on peoples clothes…(as Tim can attest…they are very pokey and are hard to get out of skin and socks)… where they drop to the ground and grow a new cactus. Sometimes they are also called jumping cholla for this reason. They are very resilient and need very little to plant themselves.

We saw lots of these little lizards darting about.

I took a nice walk but not too far from our setup.

We enjoyed a nice bottle of malbec and a fire as we watched the shifting light and the clouds. We listened to an owl hooting off in the distance. The peace and the solitude were deeply soothing and relaxing.

We were camped not far from the Barry Goldwater Range where military piolts train. For a while this evening we had our own private airshow, the jets weaving serpentine arcs across the sky.

We enjoyed a dinner of turkey chili and grilled pitas as we watched another sunset. It was so cloudy that we didn’t think we would see much color but we were pleasantly surprised.

Cotton candy colored clouds.

We got up together during the night when Tim thought he heard something scratching around in the engine. We didn’t see anything with our big light! The clouds obscured all but a few stars. The tent was sturdy and comfy and warm enough. Temperatures really didn’t plunge into the 40’s until around three this morning. We slept and woke up with the sun rising over the mountains. It feels good to push ourselves to try this new thing…we are so fortunate and happy! We had so much fun!

February 8, 2021 RTT

Ajo Heights RV Park Ajo, Arizona

Good morning!! No time for our usual morning routines today. We were awake and on the road as the sun came up.

Today the true reason for our stay in Phoenix is revealed! About a week ago, Tim and I were riding across the desert. We were looking at all the amazing, remote places that there are to camp. We carry a tent with us…but we haven’t really wanted to sleep on the ground here. It is rocky, and there are snakes and scorpions and tarantulas that call the desert THEIR home. There have been several times that we have been on a trail and have had to turn around and go back…even though we really wanted to see more. Anyway, the other day I asked Tim if he had ever thought about getting one of those tent things that go on the roof of the Jeep. He wasn’t sure I would be interested or that I would want to crawl up in there…but the tradeoffs are enormously rewarding. We started to do some research when we got back to the RV. The IKamper Skycamp 2.0 was highly rated and had a hard case and was big enough to sleep 4. We got really excited about it. We wondered if we should wait and get it later this spring and then we realized that we could really use it here. Tim found a dealer in Phoenix. Boris from Simply Go Camping was very helpful. He wasn’t sure that we could get the large tent camper on the Jeep but he did have a Skycamp Mini in stock. The next day, Tim called him and told him we would be at his shop first thing Monday morning to get the tent installed. So, we spent a very enjoyable weekend hanging out at White Tank Mountain and then this morrning we were in the city by 9.

Boris was very patient with us. He answered all of our questions and he and Tim found safe way to mount the larger camper on the Jeep. This is exciting news because we really want to be able to use the camper with Ollie and Austin!

Thanks Boris…we are looking forward to many overland adventures with our new tent!

Simply Go Camping has this logo. Boris is trained as a graphic designer. He calls his logo “cake”…mountains, roads, trails and waterways.

We left at about 11. We had thought we might go to stay at Painted Rocks. Instead, we headed south to Ajo. We got a nice site at Ajo Heights. We wanted to explore off-road camping options for tomorrow and so we took a ride. We have a couple of options in mind.

When we got back to town we went to get purified water and some groceries. It was already dinnertime and so we stopped at Agave Grill and got great sandwiches.

We spent the rest of the evening getting ready for tomorrow’s overnight trip. We had to set up the tent and leave it open to air. It seems really roomy and comfy inside. We won’t post a blog about our first RTT (Roof Top Tent) adventure until Wednesday.

February 7, 2021 Ford Canyon Trail

I enjoyed the morning outside in the fresh air.  No humidity, warmth, sunshine again…it is snowing at home…

We decided to go for a really good hike.  We had FaceTime with the grandkids this morning and we were talking to them about cacti.  We took some pictures to send to Ollie so he could see.

This hike was listed as a moderate hike.  There were long sections of fairly flat and smooth trail mixed with patches of rockier terrain.  Even so, we had no trouble negotiating our way.  We made it to the portion of the trail that gets more difficult…two diamond difficult.  At that point we had hiked for 3 miles.  We both felt good enough to keep walking but we also knew that we had to walk all the way back.  Something I read yesterday about trail hiking that I had never seen written before made a whole lot of sense; “When half you water is gone, turn around.” 

What a truly nice day to be outside.

Because we were not on our home network…we were not abe to stream the game as we had hoped. Tim watched live highlights and the score of the Super Bowl as it was played.

I fixed grilled shrimp and little sweet peppers stuffed with feta and fig and cheddar and bacon. Our fancy feast made it seem a little festive.

The sun had already gone down by the time I thought to take a picture.

It’s getting dark now and we can see the lights of Phoenix twinkling in the distance. I love that this park feels really wild and remote but the city is just a few miles away.

February 6, 2021 Ironwood Trail

White Tank Mountain Regional Park Surprise, Arizona

After we completed our morning exercise, we packed up the RV and left on 10E. 

We camped at White Tank Mountain. 

We have stayed here once before but only for an overnight.  We didn’t really get to explore or enjoy the park.  This is a beautiful place with lots of cactus varieties.  It is green and lush compared to the desert in southern Arizona and southern California. 

We sat out in the sunshine for a short time this afternoon.  It was 71 degrees.  Not too bad for February!

We went for a nice hike this afternoon.

Curly spined California fire barrel

Teddy bear cholla

Strawberry hedgehog cactus

This evening, the city of Phoenix, below us in the valley, was bathed in pink light.  The skyscrapers were gleaming. 

Home Sweet Home…

February 5, 2021 Chuckwalla Mountains

Mayflower Regional Park Blythe, California Day 4

I was going to do my usual routine this morning when I saw a woman walking her dog out across the fields.  I decided that instead of walking the neighborhood streets, I would walk that way as well. 

I walked for a long time and had just decided to turn around when I saw another woman walking with a baby in a carrier.  She was coming from an area that I thought would be along the river.  As I walked down over the hill. There was a sign indicating that I had entered an Ecological Reserve. 

It was a lovely, peaceful walk.  I saw lots of birds including quail, roadrunners, hawks, ducks, a variety of wading birds, and maybe a golden eagle.  There were all kinds of scat, paw prints, claw prints, and hoof prints.  I wished that I could just sit there for a while and watch the happenings, especially by the marsh.

Before I knew it, I had walked more than 2 miles and so it was time to go back. 

We had to stop at the diner this morning to get a picture of this old Chevy truck.

We took the Jeep on 10W and got off on Ford Dry Lake Road. 

The gravel road took us through Government Pass in the Chuckwalla Mountains and then down behind the mountains and through a second pass, Graham Pass, then back to the highway.

Driving through the passes was stunning!  It was 75 and sunny with no clouds.  We were surrounded by jagged peaks and desert. 

This evening we went to get a carryout order from Garcia’s.  The authentic Mexican food was good.

February 4, 2021 Dinner Reservations On The River

Mayflower Regional Park Blythe, California

Today was a good chore day.  It was sunny and it was warm but it was WINDY! 

We went to town and threw clothes in at the laundromat.  Then, because the Starbucks was across the street, we treated ourselves to another cup of coffee.  We filled our gallon jugs with purified water and went to the carwash.  When we got back to the laundromat, it was time to switch the clothes to the dryer.  Everything was dry in 25 minutes!  That is one good thing about a nice laundromat…you can be in and out with lots of stuff in a really short time!  We went to get groceries and got back to the RV by lunchtime.  We spent a quiet afternoon. 

This evening we packed our dinner and went to find a place along the river.  We thought we might go to the Palo Verde Diversion Dam but the area was closed because of COVID.

We had fire and enjoyed the setting sun as it cast light on the mountains on the Arizona side.  The coyotes were carousing and serenading us tonight!

February 3, 2021 Ghost Towns

Mayflower Regional Park Blythe, California

Last night as we lay in bed, we could hear the coyotes calling to one another.  Yesterday as we were driving from Palo Verde, we saw a pack of four coyotes crossing the road in front of the RV.

I started the day with a walk by the river. 

Last time we were here, an owl was nesting in this tree. Supposedly, she still lives here. I have looked for her every day but haven’t seen her yet…though Tim heard an owl during the night.

We drove across farmland on our way to today’s adventure.  We saw more than 100 sandhill cranes grazing in the alfalfa fields.

Tim found a Jeep trail that would take us to a little town of Midway.  We traveled 20 miles across the Colorado Desert.  We were always surrounded by mountains.  It was a warm and sunny day, perfect for a long ride.

We turned onto an old railbed.

We had to cross the railroad bridge or turn around and go back.  Tim walked it, tested it, and declared it safe for passage.  I didn’t even like walking on it!

A video.

The little road took us into Midland.  This is a ghost town.  From 1925 and into the 60’s, this area was mined for gypsum.  There certainly isn’t much there now.

From Midland, we had to drive 20 more miles to the town of Rice and Highway 62.  We stopped for lunch.

As we approached Rice, I took over and drove the rest of the way.  Rice is also a ghost town. In Rice there is some unusual art…you never know what you are going to find in the desert…thousands of pairs of tennis shoes draped from the fencing.  The tradition began as an underwear tree.  People traveling along Route 62 would toss underwear from their cars onto the tree.  The tree caught fire at one point and people started throwing shoes onto the tree.  Then, a fence was built and the shoe garden was born.

We rode our bikes out to the end of the road again this evening.

More coyotes making noise!

February 2, 2021 Blythe

Mayflower Regional Park Blythe, California

Good Morning!  I group of gambel quails scuttled away as I opened the door.

This morning I chose to walk along the river on the California side.  There had been a few brief rain showers.  The sky was brightening and the day was already mild.

We traveled only about 30 miles to Blythe, California.  We have stayed at Mayflower Regional Park before.  It is a pretty park, also on the Colorado River.  The view from our front door.

When we arrived, this crop-duster was working the nearby fields.

We took a 6-mile bike ride to the end of the road.  We passed acres of alfalfa fields.

There were stacks of hay bales.

Southern California snowman.

Later, we walked down to the river’s edge.

This evening, we listened to a local radio station called the “Badass Blues 101.7”.

We watched a glorious sunset.

We ate fish tacos with slaw and pinto beans.

It was a nice stay at home kind of day.

February 1, 2021 Another Road Less Traveled

Oxbow Campground Palo Verde, California Day 2

I began my day with a walk.  This is the view from our front door. 

The heron in this picture is eating something…maybe a fish…

Our campsite.

I walked from California, across the Colorado River and into Arizona. 

I saw this loggerhead shrike in the top of a tree.  This little bird is a fierce predator.  They have been known to kill animals larger than themselves by stabbing prey with their beak and twisting very quickly to cause whiplash.  They are quite aggressive and are also known as butcherbirds.

Later this morning we packed the car for a Jeep adventure.  We spent the day exploring Trigo Mountain Wilderness.  This is a stark, severe environment.  There isn’t much vegetation and there is very little water.  The rocks are sharp and jagged.  The austerity though is also very lovely.  The first pass was up into a mining region.

We drove further south, crossing the desert and then descending into a deep wash, Clip Wash.

We climbed out of the wash and had lunch.  There was burro poop everywhere!  Tim decided to use it as firestarter and so we enjoyed a small fire as we ate. 

We climbed up out of the wash and into the mountains.  The road was very rough.  In some spots the gravel bed in the wash was very deep, causing the Jeep to rock and pitch as we drove.  Later the road got even more interesting. 

Enjoy this video…though it truly doesn’t show how bumpy and rocky the road was!

There was some water pooled in the crevices of some of the boulders.

Big craggy mountains.

We never made it to the end of the trail.  After we turned to go back, Tim drove the toughest part and then I took over and drove the rest of the way.

Tim spotted this trio of burros.

January 31, 2021 Cibola NWR

Oxbow Campground Palo Verde, California

I took my morning walk in the desert.  I walked about a mile and decided to turn back because I could no longer see the RV. 

I walked in the other direction and started to see lots of animal prints in the areas with thick vegetation, the areas that get more moisture because they are depressed in the desert floor, washes and other low-lying areas.  I think that the majority of the critters live here where water and food are a little more available.

We had a short ride today. 

We were looking for another site in the desert but we didn’t see anything ideal.  We drove on to Oxbow Campground.  It is part of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.  We found a spot on the Colorado River.  We saw a roadrunner and gambel quail in our campsite.  Later in the day, a hummingbird was peering at his reflection in the RV mirror.  He kept coming back.  He even stopped to admire our US map.

After lunch and quiet time, we took the Jeep to explore.  We have been here before but it is a nice ride on the riverside. 

We took a Jeep trail or two.

We drove to the Cibola Lake Overlook.

Access to Cibola Lake is closed from September to March. This is an important habitat for migratory birds. Today we saw a flock of white pelicans.

On the way back to the RV we saw this small raptor. We were not sure what it was though Tim guessed it might be a kestrel. The American kestrel is the most common small falcon in North America. I am not sure that I have ever seen one! It is a beautitful little bird….the picture is inadequate!

We prepared spaghetti squash with onions and mushrooms and tomatoes and ground turkey in a savory marinara.