WARM WINDS A BLOWIN IN THE KOFA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:))))))

BOONDOCKED JUST SOUTH OF THE KOFA MOUNTAIN RANGE

With Arizona’s milder temperatures this year I had been keeping an eye on the thermometer up around Sedona the past few weeks & with daytime highs in the 60’s last week & earlier this week I was hoping we could grab a few days in that area.  However checking the 10 day forecast I saw the temps dropping into the low 50’s with rain forecast for Friday.  Night time temps down at the freezing mark.  We missed our window of opportunity but we’ll have us a look at Sedona again maybe around the end of March or early April on our way North.

 

FIRST TIME USING OUR NEW SOUTH GATE & IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM

Kelly surprised me Wednesday afternoon when she returned from Wickenburg with the words, “if we can get the rig loaded up we can leave tomorrow”.  Well that was all I needed to perk up my spirits again.  We talked about Yuma, Borrego Springs, or a return to the Kofa Mountains.  We liked the idea we can be into the Kofa’s in about two & a half hours from our house so that was our destination.  Plus now that all the congestion has cleared out of Quartzsite it just made it more practical for us to head back on down through there.

ALWAYS GREAT TO BE ON THE ROAD GOING SOMEWHERE

We had Winnie’s wheels rolling by 9:50 & it was the first time through our new south gate.  Worked pretty slick.  Quick stop at the Post Office & we were westward bound on 2 of my favorite lite traffic highways.  Number 71 from Congress to Aguila & number 60 from there to Interstate 10.  Just put er on ‘Cruise Control’, sit back & enjoy Arizona’s mighty fine scenery rolling by.  From I-10 to Quartzsite is only about 12 miles.  A customary stop at McDonald’s for coffee & we were on our way again.  Winds had really picked up throwing a lot of dust into the air in Quartzsite.  No traffic jams, no crowds, no problems.  Now that’s how we prefer to do Quartzsite. 

 

YEP WE’RE IN QUARTZSITE ALRIGHT

 

Q’S MAIN INTERSECTION MAY LOOK BUSY BUT NOTHING LIKE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WEEK AGO

Knew exactly where we were going so headed about 30 miles or so south of the Q & hung a left into the desert across from Stone Cabin & made our way along a dusty desert road back into the mountains.  An area familiar to us between the Kofa & Castle Dome mountains.  Kofa’s to our North & Castle Domes to our South.  ‘How sweet it is’ as Jackie Gleason would say.

SO NICE TO CATCH SIGHT OF THE KOFA MOUNTAINS AGAIN

 

CHECKED OUT FIRST ONE CAMPSITE THEN ANOTHER

DECIDED ON THE THIRD ONE

We headed back in far enough this time to a spot where the only sound in the air was the wind rustling the hair around under my Cowboy hat.  Not another RV in site for as far as the eye can see.  No telephone wires, power poles, light pollution, buildings, noisy traffic, nothing.  Finally a spot that totally suits our much preferred style of boondocking.  No television signal with our antennae but we do have internet.  We really gotta get on the ball & get ourselves a ‘Dish’ receiver & activate the TracVision dome we already have on the rig.  It is already set-up & programmed for Dish TV.  Sometimes we just drag our feet too darn much.

 

PRETTY NICE FRONT YARD I WOULD SAY

 

I’D SAY THE LOOK ON KELLY’S FACE PRETTY WELL SAYS IT ALL:))

We are in the KOFA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE not far from where we were back in 2010.  We especially like it here because of it’s remoteness & the fact nobody else is here.  It’s like we have this whole mountain playground to ourselves.  Not everybody’s fancy of course but it sure fits us to a T.  Oh how we love listening to the silence of the wind in the Saguaros:))  We are totally ringed by mountains.  Some near, some far.  We’ll be on the desert Jeep roads in the morning in search of something.  Not sure what yet but I bet we’ll find it:))

 RETIRED ROD left a Rattlesnake vaccine link in my Wednesday post.  Click on RATTLESNAKE VACCINE to read about how this works & what it does.

 

Sometimes the difficulties of finding a place can stretch into a lengthy day resulting in an unexpected sighting.  In this case it was Bighorn Mountain Sheep in the Yacqui Pass over in California & it happened to Doug & Dolly at MISS ADVENTURE TRAVELS.  Their elusive destination Wednesday had been Ghost Mountain in the Blair Valley.  A Police car followed them back to Borrego Springs.  ‘Oh-Oh’. .

And Awwwwww Nuts!!!!!!  Our loveseat couch broke.  We were both on the couch, Kelly went to get up & the bolts pulled out of the floor at the back of the couch & we both suddenly tipped forward.  Luckily I caught my laptop with my feet.  Right now we have yellow plastic tire levelers under the front of the couch to keep it from tipping forward.  Bruce back home had made a special block of wood to fit under the front bar of the couch but of course I forgot to bring it.  We’ll pull the cushions off tomorrow & have us a look at what happened.  I’m not optimistic we will be able to fix it the way it was though.  I remember how much trouble Ron & Scotty had installing it last summer……….

FOR KELLY & I IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE SCENERY, THE PEACE & THE QUIET………

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Ethan walks into a barn with a farmer to buy a horse.  The horse is laid down in some straw. After giving the horse the once-over Ethan says, "This here horse ain’t got no shoes on."  The farmer replies "Well he ain’t got up yet.

A LITTLE MAGIC IN THE KOFA MOUNTAINS

KELLY LOOKS BACK ON OUR CLIMB FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CANYON

Spent the morning doing one of my absolute all time favorite things.  Walking quietly along a beautiful mountain trail.  We had heard the Palm Canyon Road south of Quartzite led into the Kofa mountains where a short uphill half mile rock scramble brought one to a narrow canyon high up on a rock faced wall.  In that barely accessible canyon were reported to be about 40 palm trees.

SAGUARO’S STAND IN SILENT SALUTE TO THE DISTANT KOFA MOUNTAINS

First of all though I had better get my mountains straightened out.  A few days ago I called the hauntingly beautiful jagged Kofa mountains, the Castle Domes.  That was wrong.  The Castle Dome range is further south along the highway towards Yuma.  I have taken photos of the Kofa mountains every time we have been to Quartzite but this morning was the first time we ever went to the Kofa's & actually drove right up to them, touched them, and hiked right into them.

THE DESERT FLOOR FLORA CHANGES AS WE GAIN ALTITUDE

We left our campsite around 9:30 after another nice desert walk this morning.  The turnoff for Palm Canyon road was about a 20 minute drive south of us.  Left turned off highway 95 & headed east on the gravel & slightly washboardy road.  Hazy mountains loomed closer as the Saguaro cactus became more numerous & the rocky landscape began filling with prickly cholla plants.  The rugged Kofa mountains were absolutely majestic in the morning sun as we followed a winding road right up to the face of the mountains themselves.  A parking lot marked the end of motorized traffic & from there it was boots on the ground for the climb to the palms.

HEADING UP THE TRAIL IN SEARCH OF THE PALMS

I enjoy driving through scenic places but to actually get out & physically hike into those scenic places has got to be one of the greatest things.  I cannot put into words the feelings I have when heading up a rocky mountain trail with towering & shadowy rock formations all around.  Blue skies high above with Saguaro cactus, Palo Verde trees, & greenery along the trail.  Cactus wren calls echoing from the canyon walls with the occasional eagle overhead.  There are bighorn sheep in these mountains………& there is quiet.  Not a sound.  A whisper is almost an intrusion into these serene surroundings & it is one of the reasons we prefer not to hike with others or in a group.  It is the peacefulness of nature that we seek on these hikes.  It is the beauty I try to connect with in my camera lens.  I can't do that when surrounded by talking & distracting people.

PALO VERDE TREES ADD GREENERY TO THE CANYON

We walked & clambered our way along the narrow rock strewn pathway leading ever upwards into the narrow dark canyon stopping for photos & to marvel at the wonderment all around us.  At one point Kelly mentioned that it was like walking in a Harry Potter movie.  Any moment we expected to round a corner & there in the distance high atop a distant slightly cloud shrouded bluff....Hogwarts itself. 

THE TRAIL ENDED JUST BEYOND THIS POINT

I saw the small wooden sign before I saw the palms.  The sign simply said 'Palms' with an arrow pointing slightly upward.  High on the other side of the close canyon wall was a long narrow vertical canyon in itself & in it were the palm trees in a long single line.  Had the sign not been there we would have walked right by without ever seeing them.  We briefly contemplated the rugged hike down, across a boulder strewn wash, & then up a steep 200 foot climb to the palms themselves but considering our limitations decided against it.  I still think I could do it ok though.  We silently sat here on the rocks for awhile, each lost in our own thoughts.  We soaked up the magnificence & tranquility of our surroundings..........and then we heard voices!!

    

THE PALMS ARE HIGH UP IN THE CANYON WALL  (click pics to enlarge)

Some folks from Washington State came on up the trail from the parking lot & stopped to admire the palms.   We all had ourselves a little bit of a chin wag before Kelly & I started back down the rocky trail.  As mentioned before, descending a trail is generally always harder than going up.  Especially hard on aging knees.  We stopped a few times on the way down trying to figure out if our new Delorme GPS system actually knew where it was but we obviously have not made it to first base yet in understanding how this little techno wizard of a gizmo works.

 

THE WASHINGTON STATE FOLKS

We were back to the rig around 2 & I spent a big part of what was left of the day just kind of dozing off here & there from all that great exercise this morning.  Wished we would do more of that sort of thing.  Great for not only the body but for the mind as well.  I sometimes feel we waste way to much of our southwest time doing too darn much of nothing.  Too much nothing stuff & not enough nature stuff!!  Too much time in the people world & not enough time in Mother Nature's world.  Some people are most comfortable being around other people.  I am most comfortable being where I was this morning................10-4!!

STOPPING TO CHECK THE DELORME GPS

I have too many photos to put in the blog tonight so I will have to make a special effort & put this morning's hike into a web album & I plan to have that album online by tomorrow night.  Wish me luck................

   

KELLY IS DWARFED BY THE MIGHTY KOFA MOUNTAINS

GROANER'S CORNER:((  The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom!!

BLOGGER WEBSITE http://thebayfieldbunch.com/

OUR PHOTO ALBUMS  http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy/

The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now....AL.

AN AFTERNOON GROUP HIKE TO 4 PALMS CANYON

ANOTHER MIGHTY FINE KOFA SUNRISE

With my 15x70 Celestron binoculars tripod mounted I was able to see 2 of Jupiter's moons Thursday night & probably had the clearest view of the the Orion Nebulae I’ve ever had.  Could also see the flicker of campfire about 4 miles away at the base of the Kofa Mountains.  Had seen 3 vehicles headed up Queen Canyon road a couple days ago.  Two towing Teardrop trailers.  They are camped at the spot where Pheebs got into the Chollas Wednesday.

ONE MUST ALWAYS BE VIGILANTE WHERE ONE STEPS IN THE DESERT

Kelly had to act as spotter this morning as I attempted to get my right foot onto the ladder rung climbing down from my bunk.  I made it but it was cliff hanger there for a few seconds.  She suggested we get a safety net.  I suggested a parachute.  We both agreed a bungee cord attached to my ankle would be more entertaining.  We do have a tall step stool along so will try that too & hey, maybe a slide:))

  

SURPRISED AT THE SIZE OF THE PALO VERDE ROOT…SAGUARO’S HAVE WOODEN INNARDS & SLENDER ROOTS

We dug out & fired up our Delorme P40 GPS unit this morning.  Bought this new 3 or 4 years ago & have hardly used it.  Maybe only has about an hour of time on it total.  We just couldn’t seem to figure the darn thing out.  It was misplaced for about a year & when we did locate it the instruction book was missing.  That was probably another year before that turned up.  Anyway we have the unit & instructions once again re-united & we’ll have another go at understanding the darn thing.

 

A drive just up the road this morning to Kofa Refuge hosts Ann & Bill filled us up with some more info on interesting things to find here in the mountains.  Ann confirmed it was Jasper Springs we were at Friday.  Had we continued further we would eventually have reached the KOFA CABIN.  If we don’t make it up to the Kofa cabin in the next few days we have it on our list for the next time we return to the Kofas.

BILL, RV SUE, ANN, & KELLY

 

SPIKE & BRIDGET WITH RV SUE

RV SUE dropped by with Spike & Bridget & we all agreed to meet again back at Bill & Ann’s for a hike up a nearby Canyon called 4 Palms.  At 1:30 in the afternoon we set out in a 2 vehicle convoy for the Palm Canyon parking lot.  Once there our narrow rocky trail led north from the parking lot along towering rock cliffs.  All the dogs did so amazingly well right off the bat scrambling over rocks & boulders, down through steep washes & spinning their legs coming up the other side.  Bridget stayed pretty close to Sue while Spike headed up front behind Bill who was leading.  From there on it was a see-saw of dogs passing people on the trail & people passing dogs.

 

SUE  RIDES SHOTGUN IN BILL & ANN’S TRUCK & WE FOLLOW THEM TO PALM CANYON

Only drawback to the hike was the cloud cover.  It takes sunshine to pop the colors out of the rocks & plants but nevertheless it was a fine day for a rock scramble with views across the valley stretching for miles & miles. 

 

SPIKE, JULIE, & SAMMY WITH HER REAR BOOTS WERE ALL RIGHT AT HOME ON THE TRAIL

BILL LEADS THE WAY

We slipped & sometimes stumbled our way along on loose rocks, climbed a few boulder strewn levels, eased ourselves down embankments & picked our way up the other side.  Lots of nasty Teddy Bear Cholla along the way but neither dogs nor people came into contact with any of them.

  

  

 

ANN CHECKS FOR WATER AT THE BOTTOM OF A DRY WATERFALL

 

WATER BREAK & BILL CHECKS HIS GPS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE

 

Kelly & Sue along with Bridget & Spike didn’t go quite as far as Bill, Ann, Sam, Julie, Pheebs & I did & headed back to the trail head. 

From there they took the Jeep back to Sues.  Meanwhile we probably went another half mile to the head of 4 Palm Canyon.  And it was here we stopped for a rest & scanned the towering cliff face rock monoliths for Big Horn Sheep.

 

   

Dry waterfalls could be seen along with crevices & obvious small caves.  Water was spotted at one point near a cave entrance high on the sheer vertical granite walls.   We didn’t get to see any Palms because we figured they could be anywhere up the distant canyon which would require hours more of hiking. 

 

It was time to turn back & head for home.  Probably took us half an hour to reach the trailhead.  Pheebs & I rode back with Bill & Ann, Sammy, & Julie.  Just as we reached our rig the sun came out.

HEADING BACK

THANKS FOR THE HIKE GUYS

With gray skies behind the Kofas & a low setting sun it was pure magic as I watched the mountains catch fire spilling their long smoky shadows into the canyons.     The Kofa Mountains have always reminded me of a magical place out of a children’s storybook.  The many rugged peaks bring memories of old castles with their ramparts, parapets, & drawbridges.  Shadowy canyons & steep precipices evoke memories of darkened dungeons, fire breathing Dragons & Knights on white Horses. The mountains are a Kingdom of imagination & adventure & will always remain in my memory as a place of wonderment & majesty.

Tonight we welcome Rick & JoAnn from RICK & JOANN'S RV TRAVELS to our Blog Followers Friend Connect list.  You just joined us in time for our exploring adventures here in Arizona’s Kofa Mountains.  Thanks for reading along.

And while we were out on our hike today Sue’s blog ‘RV SUE & HER CANINE CREW’ hit the one million visits mark so a big ‘Congrats’ from all of us over here at the Bayfield Bunch.  I think it hit the million mark just as I was taking Spike’s picture this afternoon:))

YEP, THAT’S RV SUE’S RIG OUT THERE

GROANER’S CORNER:(( 

-The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
-Why is the word big so little and the word little so big?
-Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
-How is it possible to have a civil war?
-If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

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- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.