Saturday, March 11
A full moon lights the desert around the Best Little Trailer as Reggie and I snuggle in our bed. Crying coyotes mark the end of our last day at Midland LTVA, Blythe, California.
“Well, Reg, tomorrow we move camp to a place we’ve never been.”
Sunday, March 12
I’m up early preparing for our move. I bustle about, clearing counter tops, locking windows, closing vents. The bureau drawers are placed on the bed and floor. Laptop and inverter are wrapped in the comforter. All cabinet push-knobs are in. I check that faucets are tightly closed. The refrigerator contents are rearranged, some going into a plastic box with lid. Other items are put in a plastic box on the floor of the BLT.
Outside . . . The lounger, Reggie’s bed, and the blue mat go into the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
“Okay, Reggie, all aboard!”
I stoop to pick him up and he scampers away.
“Come here, you little rascal! You want me to leave you behind?”
He zooms around my legs, then lies down in the rough sand, belly up in submission.
I toss him in.
The Perfect Tow Vehicle needs a quart of oil. Transmission fluid is good. Coolant is low so I add some, being careful not to overfill. Tire pressure looks good on all tires. They were checked recently so I skip this ritual.
I hitch up the BLT and we rock and roll over to the trash bins and dump station.
Goodbye, desert lilies . . . .
We’re off!
Route 95 north takes us through green fields and away from the aroma of freshly cut alfalfa.
A last look at the Big Marias . . . .
Reggie settles into his bed while I drink coffee from my thermal mug.
It’s a beautiful day for travel! I hope we get to camp before the sun bears down on us. It’s going to be a scorcher. Well, the higher elevation should work in our favor.
Oh, brittlebush is in bloom!
Not much traffic this morning which allows me to stop for a few photos. Masses of yellow spill over the rocks.
Route 95 takes us along the western edge of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.
The road reminds me of ribbon candy as it follows the contour of the land, dipping into each deep wash, then rising, then dipping again . . .
At Vidal Junction I see gas is $2.79 a gallon.
The gauge says we have half a tank so I keep pushing northward. At Needles, the PTV climbs onto Interstate 40 west. After about 40 miles we take exit 100 for the Essex Road and go northward.
This is Mojave National Preserve.
Other than one stop for a walk-about, Reggie has slept all morning.
This landscape shows volcanic rock formations. It isn’t as green and lush as the desert around Blythe. Some would call it desolate.
I try not to make judgments about natural surroundings. They are what they are and I’m open to what can be found and enjoyed.
Nature provides shelter for her creatures.
I bet those caves are cooler in the summer than out in the blasting sunshine.
A sign says that Mitchell Caverns is closed.
Hmm. . . too bad. That would’ve been interesting. . . .
The air blowing through our open windows is cool, although this is a hot day. About 12-15 miles from the interstate we reach our destination!
My first impression is that the campground is crowded.
Then I realize all those vehicles are Sunday day-use people. I choose a spot away from the main group of RVs and tents clustered closer to the entrance.
Okay, a few details on the campground . . . .
Sites at Hole-in-the-Wall are neat with level, sandy gravel, picnic table, and fire pit/grill. Camping fees are $12 regular/$6 with Senior Discount Pass.
There are vault toilets, trash bins, and hand pumps for water. A camp host is on-site.
At the kiosk I read a sign stating quiet hours (no generators!) are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Although these photos don’t do justice to the massive rocks and buttes around us, there is enough obstruction (and distance) to almost obliterate any signal for internet (and probably phones).
Even with the antenna up, I get a reading of 1x and 1-2 bars. Surfing is slow to impossible, only enough for an occasional peek at the blog and for a few words of comment. Hours go by with no connection at all.
That’s okay. We will enjoy a “mini-vacation” within our vacation of a life and only stay two nights.
Reg and I walk down to the entrance and deposit a check for $12 in the iron ranger.
The rest of the day is for relaxing!
I sit in my camp chair and watch jackrabbits gamboling among the bushes around our site. A red-tail hawk circles high above the joshua trees. A cactus wren lands on a cactus (of course!) and chortles in that scritchy way cactus wrens do.
By mid-afternoon the air temperature in the sun must be near 90 degrees, but in the shade it’s comfortable. A cool breeze comes down from the rocks — canyon air maybe?
I walk Reggie and, even though cholla are present (see above photo), the campground road is clear of spines.
Before closing this post, let’s have some fun!
For me there are two sounds that say, “You’re in the desert now.”
I invite you to listen.
One is the coyote howl. (Follow the link and scroll down to find “coyote call,” among other animal calls.) Imagine these sounds are your lullaby!
The other is the song of the cactus wren. Follow the link, scroll down, choose the tab for “sound (California).”
You’ll feel as if you’re sitting in the shade with us at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground in the Mojave Desert of California!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
The following morning a cactus wren sings from the top of the outhouse.
CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
