Saturday, January 10
Bridget and I emerge from the Best Little Trailer to another Arizona sunrise.
Bridget and the sunrise at Painted Rock Campground west of Gila Bend, Arizona
Today is the fourth day of our second visit this year to Painted Rock Campground.
We left this Bureau of Land Management campground recently and journeyed across the state to Yuma where we enjoyed meeting up with friends. I did not intend to return to Painted Rock when we drove away from Yuma.
I didn’t have a plan at all.
That’s nothing new. I often head down the road with no definite destination in mind, no idea where we will spend the night. I do use my map to find public lands. Just because the land is public, however, doesn’t mean it’s where one can boondock.
Vast areas of BLM desert land are not accessible by a tow vehicle or RV. Vehicles are not allowed in a lot of areas.
Other factors make an area undesirable for boondocking — too exposed, power lines (transformer noise), frequency of ATVers (noise, dust), ground too soft, no existing campsites (a requirement), unclear boundaries between public and private land, possibility of becoming marooned by a road turning to deep mud, just plain ugly, etc.
After driving a few hours I decide not to look for a new boondock.
It takes some mojo to explore for boondocks and I don’t have any this day. Instead I’m drawn to the familiar and easy camp of Painted Rock.
It’s an uncomplicated detour off the interstate, very inexpensive ($8 regular/$4 National Forest senior discount pass), and the campground is spread out, making it possible to camp without close neighbors.
I’m glad Bridget and I are here.
Every day Bridget and I walk the desert together. For our second walk of the day, we go up to the petroglyph area.
I carry a bag containing the day’s trash and throw it in the dumpster near the campground entrance. We stop at a group shelter for its shade. Bridget lies down on the cool concrete while I browse the titles of paperbacks left in a bin for campers.
Thank you for your suggestions regarding the future of my blog.
If you don’t read the comments under each post, we’ve discussed how I can protect my privacy while at the same time continue blogging about camps I make our home.
Privacy policy reminder: No photos of our camp, no photos of me, no visits to our camp, no exceptions. On the other hand, if our paths cross in a public place, I’d enjoy meeting you!
Okay. Let’s move on from that topic.
I’m tired of the privacy issue. If you’ve read comments, you probably are, too.
Every sunrise announces another day and reminds us that we can make a new start.
I’ll try to steer us back to where we belong …. learning, laughing, loving, and living each day to the fullest as we ride the road of life together.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
NOTE: It’s time for me to disappear into the background. I’m going to resist the urge to reply to comments in order to get that fresh start I wrote about. Of course, I can’t keep myself from reading what you have to say!
