Now There is One, Looking for Wildflowers, and More of Our Ride Down King Valley Road

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Monday, March 6, 2023

We stepped out this morning just before 8 o'clock to blue skies and scattered clouds and looking to the left of us we could see that the Igloo was connected to the Dogsled. It was moving day for Deb and Riley and they were ready to go. They walked over and after hugs and several see you laters it was time for them to go. 

As we stood there with one quick wave Deb pulled ahead
and this spot was empty.

They are off and later we heard they had made it to their
destination safe and sound.

Tom and I sat down to enjoy our first mug of coffee and when
the sun went behind a cloud there were shadows on the 
 Dome Rock Mountains and an immediate chill in the air.

We sat out for a while and enjoyed out second mug of coffee. Going inside while Tom had something to eat I decided to get our laundry ready to go. While I had something to eat Tom loaded the laundry into the Jeep and headed into Quartzsite to the laundromat. While he did that I took care of somethings here at home. We will be pulling out in couple of days and there are a few more stops we would like to make in Arizona, two of them will require reservations, before we point the Stinger "B" East. As the navigator of this crew I had a few phone calls to make today and some research to do. After talking with Tom when he got back with our clean clothes we have a "plan". Fingers crossed after a couple of calls tomorrow that everything will fall into place for the rest of our time here in Arizona. If not there is always Plan B we will just have to figure it out. 

Later this afternoon we sat out for Happy Hour it was a little chilly with a slight breeze but we put sweatshirts on and dealt with it. 

Looking out to the South I just liked the look of the sky. 

Just as the sun began to set it popped out from beneath the 
clouds, where it had spent most of the day, and the 
sun's light brightened this spot in our view.

Tonight's sunset

Then looking towards the East I again just liked
the way the sky looked.

One final look towards the West and the sun was gone from
our view but its light was still beautiful.

That was our day and it ended in the quiet of the desert as the darkness descended upon us.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

The sky was cloud covered when we stepped out this morning and there was somewhat of a chill in the air. Yet we persevered and brought our second mugs of coffee out to enjoy. Deb and Riley were off to run some errands in preparation for leaving in the morning. I mentioned to Deb that Tom and I were thinking of taking a ride down Plomosa Road in search of some blooming wildflowers and would she and Riley like to join us around noon. 

Deb joined us though Riley opted to stay home. So off the three of us went in the Little Black Limo in search of some "blooming flowers". There were no flowers to be seen but we did check out a few spots and found some nice ones with cell service we all said we would consider in the future. Always nice to have options and new views to enjoy.

First stop was for a picture opportunity. I am not sure how
 many times I have taken these two pictures as we drive

 through this section of the Plomosa Mountains. This is looking
 West and it is my favorite view on Plomosa Road.  

Some views on 

one of the roads

we drove down.

We stayed on Plomosa Road until we reached Salome Road in Bouse where we took a left and headed towards Parker. Then after a few miles we finally found the wildflowers blooming on both sides of the road. Tom pulled over and we all got out to take some pictures. I was only able to identify two of the flowers we saw then I gave up looking. Named or not named they where all beautiful.

Arizona Lupine

Desert Primrose

With all the clouds there was not a visible sunset this evening.
What we did see was a lovely rose afterglow.

It was a good day we ended up taking a fun ride checking out some boondocking areas and we found some blooming wildflowers. I have read with wildflowers there is no guarantees but the 2023 season seems full of promise. We may just see a nice colorful display in the desert and that would be wonderful...🤞

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge 

The Refuge was established primarily for conservation of desert bighorn sheep and their habitat. This is still one of the primary management objectives. Subsequently, wilderness visitors are apt to encounter man-made structures such as concrete dams, windmills, and other modified or enhanced water sources. Many of these structures, built in the 1940s and '50s, have been allowed to slowly deteriorate, while others are maintained by Refuge staff to provide essential water needs for desert wildlife. On occasion wilderness solitude may be interrupted by the sounds and sights of aerial overflights as Refuge staff conduct wildlife surveys. The airspace over the Refuge is controlled by the military; thus, you may also see and hear military jets and helicopters during your visit. By and large, however, the remoteness and solitude of Kofa's backcountry is unmatched by other, more heavily-visited wilderness areas.(from the internet)

These first three picture I took  as we followed the trail

to this Horse Tank.

There is water in this tank.

The rest of these pictures were taken by Tom.
The horse tank is in the middle of this picture.

At this point Riley and I turned back on the trail. I will be posting those pictures in our next blog. Deb and Tom continued on to a couple of more tanks and the pictures below are what Tom took of that hike. 

Looking at the pictures Tom and Deb took on that part of the hike I wish I would have had my hiking pole with me to continue. Deb posted her pictures over several days on her blog, On a long and lonesome highway... not just of this part of the hike but the entire ride.

Our days continue to flow forward all to quickly. At the same time there is a peacefulness to each on of them that is felt inside. This time like all the other adventures we have enjoyed out here in this beautiful place called the Sonoran Desert will be held in our memory book to open as the years go by. 

We are glad you stopped by!

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.

Checking out Quartzsite (Chris's Visit...Day Four) King Valley Road (Chis's Visit...Day Five) Another Catch Up

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Sunday, February 24, 2019

Today Chris and I did some shopping our first stop Gem World. She was looking to pick up some geodes and other rocks and I knew this would be a good place to start. Plus, they have a nice variety of other things that are fun to look at. We, also, visited another rock shop further down the street and then went over to Kuhen St. and checked out some of the vendors still around. Then with our purchases complete for the day we headed back to the Stinger "B" to pick Tom up and head over for 4 o'clock Mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Mission.

After Mass we headed over past Scaddan Wash BLM and down Mitchell Mine Road. Chris had been asking about seeing some Saguaros up close plus other cacti and we knew of a good spot down that road. Plus, there is the constant hunt for interesting rocks. We have a bag in the Stinger "B" we will be delivering when we get home.

Tom took this picture of Chris and I.
I am pretty sure she is looking for rocks.

Our "selfie" with the Saguaro.

Saguaros

Staghorn Cholla

Barrel Cactus

Teddy Bear Cholla

Even up close the Teddy Bear Cholla looks soft.

Saguaro and Ocotillo

After collecting pictures and rocks we headed over for a ride by Dome Rock BLM. Tom wanted to show her the area over there including the mine.

The sun was slipping behind the mountains just as we turned on the road.

There are some nice views to be seen

of the mountains in the distance

and all the RV's still parked in the LaPosa LTVA's

It was an enjoyable day just hanging out, chatting and spending time together. As the darkness descended on the Sonoran Desert we made our way back to the Shady Lane RV Park.


Monday, February 25, 2019

Today was Chris's last day here. One of things we wanted to do was take a short ride in to the Kofa Wildlife Refuge. We have taken this ride back to the Horse Tanks before so we knew it would be a nice one but not be a long one. It was a warm day and we did want to spend a little time sitting outside enjoying the sunshine.

The Road we took today.
Our destination, the horse tanks. 

Ocotillos

Teddy Bear Chollas

Hedgehog Cactus

Staghorn Cholla

Views walking back to the Horse Tanks

Is that a face ion the side of the mountain?

Some purple wildflowers.

Tom moving quickly down the path up ahead of us.

Then we spotted the water.

I believe this area is part of the Castle Dome Mountains.

The area though rugged is beautiful.
One lone Saguaro up above.

According to the map there are several more tanks in the area.
Chris and I opted to stop here. Tom went on to the next one.

Tom said this one looked deeper.

Some small yellow wildflowers.
Unfortunately we did not see many wildflowers on our walk today.

Zoomed in on one the lone Saguaro pictured above.

I believe this is a type of Prickly Pear Cactus.

We can see the Jeep up the small incline.
The walk back to the first Horse Tank was fairly short. It is the path
over lose rocks which can be fun, though, it really was an easy walk.

There was a pretty ocotillo just up the hill from where we parked.

This is were I left this year's Valentine Roses from Tom.
I always hate to put them in the garbage.

Turning back onto King Valley Road.

On our way back to the Stinger "B" the picture by the sign.

Our last Happy Hour and it was warm enough to sit outside.
We are so glad she came for a visit.
Cheers to many more in the future.

We ended  Chris's visit with what turned out to be a nice ride into the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. On the way back to the Shady Lane RV Park we took a quick ride into LaPosa South to show her where we parked in January with friends. Then a quick ride around we ended up crossing one corner of the Magic Circle, we wanted her to have the full tour. It was nice that at least for her last evening with us it was warm enough to sit out for awhile. We enjoyed her visit and hope she can say the same.
(Note: I try to get the names of the Cactus correct but I am never sure I have, if not sorry about that.)

Glad you stopped by for a visit. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.