Visit to Queen Canyon

Awake at 7 o'clock this morning, but it took me two hours to get through the Wordles and Phrazle.  That six letter word took me forever.

Stepped outside at 9 o'clock and it was nice and warm with no wind.  Going to be another beautiful day.  By the time I was finishing breakfast at 11 o'clock, Deb and Riley were ready to head up to Queen Canyon.

Queen Canyon Road runs off of Palm Canyon Road about 5 miles in.  Palm Canyon Road is fairly well worn, but the 5 miles of King Canyon Road is merely a Jeep and 4 wheeler road that zig zags through the desert to the north.  Basically, it was 5 miles at 10 mph.  Took over half an hour.  And it was rough.

Palm Canyon is on the right side of the mountain and Queen Canyon is off to the left.

Looking back the way we drove up.

We finally made it in Deb's Dogsled with no real problems, but there was a lot of bouncing going on.  Finally, we reached the entrance.  We stopped and hiked around the entrance way.

The entrance to the canyon is on the left, but we decided to hike around this huge rock outcropping.

Deb and Yuma made it up to the base of the rock with a little slipping and sliding.  Deb is standing on a rock and there is a big drop off right next to her.  As for me, I had to crawl up on all fours like a spider and I could tell I was out of shape for hill climbing.  

Beautiful view, but I was out of breath.

Looking down at the canyon entrance.

We drove into the canyon for approximately a mile and finally it became too narrow for Deb to drive comfortably, so we called it a day.  I must say this drive beat us to death.  I'm thinking this is my last tour of this canyon.

As we headed towards camp, I finally saw something alive in the distance.  This Raven was sitting on the limb of a dead tree guarding his food.  Looks to be a cactus flower. but just guessing.

We all felt like we had been through a meat grinder by the time we returned to camp.  After resting for a bit, I started rearranging stuff in the White Lion's bays to make things more efficient in hopes that I will be heading to Yuma next week.

As I was working, a white truck came towards our camp.  I figured it was a Ranger and sure enough it was.  Nice young gentleman, new to the job stepped out of his truck once he knew Yuma wouldn't bite him.

He told us although this is BLM land, it is restricted and we were not allowed to stay here.  There are no signs indicating this and we are next to a fire ring.  We were very nice, and when he asked when were planning to leave, we said on Monday after the holiday, and he said that would be fine.  Dodged a bullet!

Didn't get much over a 1000 steps today.  Just have to make sure I get back on the wagon tomorrow.  Yuma had his dinner with a hotdog and I had two yummy hamburgers for dinner.  Time to get this post on its way and call it a night.  Nearly 9 o'clock.

Thanks for stopping by.

Visit to Palm Tree Canyon

 This morning we made plans to visit Palm Tree Canyon.  It is about seven miles from our camp and located in the big mountain that is the background to our camp.  One of the mountains in the Kofa Mountain range.

Palm Tree Canyon is the large dark area on the right side.

We were off at 10 o'clock after breakfast and I rode with Deb and Riley in their Dogsled.  Their name for the truck pulling the Igloo, their 5th wheel.  You can go to their site and get a different prospective of our visit.  On a long and lonesome highway....

Didn't take long, but we did stop along the way for pictures:

Looking to the left on the road to the canyon as we get fairly close to the mountains.

Looking back the way we came up.  Beautiful!

Canyon wall on the left as we enter.

Looking back the way we hiked up.

Looking into the canyon.

It was about a quarter of a mile in when we spotted the palm trees in the crevice above us on the left canyon wall.

Last winter when Yuma, Nick and I came up here, Nick climbed up to the palm trees.  A difficult thing to do because there is no pathway up to them.  Here is a link to that hike:  Hike into Palm Canyon.  We were also fortunate last year to catch the trees in sunlight.

Walls of the canyon.

It was quite cool in the canyon without sunshine.  Felt good to get back out into sunlight and warm up.  Soon we were back to hwy 95 and had to make a decision to go left where it is warmer or go right back to camp.

It won't be long before we are heading to warmer climes, but not today.  Supposed to warm to the 70s here for the remainder of the week and through the weekend.  That is perfect.

We arrived at camp around 1 o'clock, so we spent three hours on this adventure.  We went our separate ways to rest and have lunch.  I only had 2700 steps after our climb into the canyon, so Yuma and I took a nice hike near camp for a couple of miles.  Much easier to hike on flat surfaces.  Got in another 9000+ day.  

Going to publish my post, have a little chicken salad for dinner and call it a night.  Thanks for stopping by.

Visit to Quartzsite

 This morning after breakfast around 10 o'clock, I rode with Deb and Riley into Quartzsite to look around and do a little shopping.  This is the first time any of us has visited when it wasn't crowded with the Big Tent and RV Show.  Amazing how quiet the town is without the tens of thousands RVer's in town.

This place is overflowing when the crowd is in town.  Just a locked gate and toy truck inside today.

We wandered through all the open shops, but prices are high even without the crowds.  I have bought several hats over the years here and this year is no exception.

Deb is in the market for lithium batteries to replace her dying wet cell batteries, so we stopped at both Solar Bill and Solar Discount.  Deb wasn't buying, but she wanted to see what they had and price them.  She also learned a few more things about lithium batteries.  We finally ended our visit by stopping at the Roadrunner Market, the largest food store in town.  No Walmart around this neck of the woods.

We returned to camp around 12:30 and Yuma was happy to see us.  I finished my second cup of coffee and laid in the sun on this warm and beautiful afternoon.  Then Yuma wanted to go for a walk, and I knew I wanted to reach my daily goal of 8000 steps.  I already had 2770 from our visit to town.

We headed west toward the Formosa Mountains and by the time I made it back to camp, I had 8330 steps.  Made my goal and felt fine.  Here are a few pictures taken on my hike.

End of the line.  Beyond this sign is the Yuma Proving Grounds.

Actually had a chicken sandwich and coke for lunch.  I normally don't eat lunch, but all this walking is making me hungry.  A little later in the day, I took one more small walk to break 9000 for the day.  Yuma enjoys the walks so he can explore.

With the clouds this evening it made for a beautiful sunset.

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoying everyday boondocking things

This morning I was out the door at 9 o'clock for my walk with Deb.  It is a beautiful morning, a little on the brisk side but very sunny.  Perfect for a walk.  Yuma is always happy to go hiking.

Yuma runs a mile in circles before we even get started.

He's circling us now.

We are heading about a mile west into the desert so Deb can show me where she, Riley, Deb and Tom stayed three years ago before Covid.  It is about a mile and a half from hwy 95.

Our destination.  This Saguaro was green when she last visited three years ago, before Covid.

We headed back and I had walked about one and three quarters of a mile, but Deb's goal is three miles each morning, so she kept walking.  My ankle was giving me just a twinge, so I decided to continue my walk later to get my three miles in.

I had a leisurely breakfast when I returned and just laid outside in the lounger enjoying this beautiful weather and landscape.  It was about noon, when Deb and Riley came out for a short walk and I joined them.  Few more steps on the Pedometer app on my phone.

Around 2:30, Yuma and I took another walk, this time for about a mile.

Those are a portion of the Kofa Mountains where the Palm Tree Canyon is located.

Plomosa Mountains in the background.

Our camp west of the Kofa Mountains.

In the picture above I am quite far from camp and I have zoomed in making the mountains look closer.

Tonight is Yellowstone on Paramount+, so before it started at 6 o'clock, I fixed Yuma dinner and grilled myself two hamburgers.  While eating dinner, I watched the show and now I'm finishing my post for the evening.  

It is already past 8 o'clock and soon we will lie down and rest for the evening.  Yuma is ready for bed already.  He's had a fairly active day.  Me too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Slow day and more cleaning

 I am slowly getting into the groove here in the desert.  I awoke again with the sun and did my Wordle and Phrazle games.  It wasn't till around 9:30 before Yuma wanted me out of bed now.  

It was sunny but quite a bit of wind all night and this morning.  It felt cold in the wind, so I just opened the door and let Yuma wander around till he came in for breakfast.

Little later as I was lying in the lounger with my coffee, Deb came back into camp after her long walk and sat down for a little chat.

She had mittens on and Yuma had never seen those before.

When all my breakfast was done and Deb had left, I finally got up and finished cleaning the bathroom and my bedroom.  Now I didn't do this all in one run.  I had to take breaks and lie outside in the sun.  Just feels so good.  I have the WL's door facing the south and the wind is out of the north, so I'm shielded from the wind.

The day went quickly, with occasional visits from Deb and Riley and walks with Yuma.

The three amigos

In the late afternoon before dinner, I plastered the cracks in the coolant overflow tank with the remainder of my Epoxy and I'm hoping that solves my overheating problem for good.  We will see when I head for Yuma in a week or so.

I forgot to thaw hamburgers for me and Yuma, so we had delicious hotdogs again.  They are yummy.  Yuma ate his hotdog with his dogfood and then came over to me and started barking, wanting mine.  That little pig!

Nothing on TV and Yuma and I are ready for bed, so I'm calling it a night at 7:30.  Me and Yuma are heading out with Deb for her morning walk, so I have to be up and ready by 9.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Cleaning House

 Woke up with the sun this morning and it was a cold 36 degrees outside.  I just laid in bed and and solved a few Wordle games and a Phrazle.  I play daily with Patsy and Nancy.  Patsy got us hooked and some days are mind draining not to mention time consuming!

At 9 o'clock I popped out of bed and put a double layer of clothing on and Yuma and I stepped outside.  To my amazement there was no wind, a bright sun and all ready warmer outside than in my metal home.  The extra layers came off quickly.

We ran into Riley walking up to the Igloo and I asked if Deb was far behind.  She said Deb was still hiking and she was ready to quit so came home.  They are early risers and usually hike about 6-8000 steps early.

Yuma and I headed in the direction Riley came from and it wasn't long before we could see Deb coming out of the mountain foothills.

Yuma finally saw her approaching and off he ran to meet her.

Yuma enjoys being with Deb and Riley.  Many more pets and attention.  Look at that smile on Yuma and Deb too, as they approach the old man.

See what I mean?  Look at that sly look in Yuma's eye!

Yesterday, I promised myself I would clean house.  After breakfast and a couple of cups of coffee, it was noon already.  Couldn't procrastinate any longer.  I pulled out a bucket and filled it with soapy water and a mop.  I hardly started when I broke the mop handle and then I was on my hands and knees cleaning the floor.

 You can see where I haven't mopped.  The WL had gotten very dusty over the summer and I didn't bother to clean it when it wasn't running.  Now that I'm really boondocking, it is time to clean house.

Mopped and then did a little walking the dog and then a little laying in the sun until dinner time.  Also had a few chats with the neighbors.  Yuma gets spoiled over there.  It turned out to be just a gorgeous day.  Very little wind and the sun beating down.

Tonight is Gold Rush, so around 5 o'clock I pulled out the grill and threw three hotdogs on.  My, did they taste good.  Yuma loved his mixed with his dogfood.

He's a happy and tired boy.

While eating dinner, I was watching Gold Rush and now Gold Rush: White Water.  As soon as they are over and I've finished my post, I'm calling it a night.  

Thanks for stopping by.

First Full Day of Boondocking

Slept in this morning till around 8:30 when the coolness of the morning had subsided.  Yuma and I took a walk and I can tell it will be a beautiful day.  No wind but supposed to pick up later in the morning.

 Deb and Riley are early risers and they were just returning from their long morning walk.  Yuma raced up to them and led them home.  He really enjoys Deb and Riley.

Today is going to be a cleaning day.  Because I was in limbo, I really didn't spend much time cleaning the White Lion.  I hadn't even opened the living room slide during my stay at Kay's place.  Just didn't want to do anything that may prevent the WL being towed if necessary.  

I'm still not feeling up to par after the stress of driving here, but feeling better.  Got a good nights' sleep so that was good.  Knowing I have two weeks of boondocking makes me feel better.

I have a leak in my water tank but it must be high because I was able to hold half a tank.  When I filled it at Kay's house, I noticed the leak.  It managed to get the bay beneath the tank wet and I had three cardboard boxes there.  I pulled the contents out and for now they are in plastic trash bags.  When I hit a store, I'll purchase plastic containers and I won't have that problem anymore.  Next time I fill I will see if I can find the leak and hopefully repair it.

I took out the rugs and shook them.  Then I did a quick sweep of the living and kitchen area to get the sand out.  That's a losing cause around here, but got to keep at it.  

I got my lounger out and the big outside rug out so Yuma would have a nice place to lie in the sun.  We also took small walks while I was working because Yuma was getting tired of me not paying attention to him.  Yuma loves laying in the sun!  Silly dog!

I also put up my flag.  As you can see there is wind.

In the afternoon I called it quits and just relaxed in my lounge chair getting some sun.  Tomorrow I will sweep and mop the floors but not today.

Here are some pictures while Yuma and I walked around the area.

I've been away from home for three weeks now and finally a full day of boondocking.  Wasn't sure if this was going to happen.  Looking forward to two weeks of rest and exploration after I get thing cleaned up.

Caught the glow of the sun just as it was leaving for the night.  Thanks for stopping by.