Wednesday, February 19
The crew and I are up early. The three of us wander around outside our campsite on Palm Canyon Road in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona. The air is crisp and cool, the sky is blue, and, when we turn toward the sun, the warmth on our faces is a delight.
Early morning at our house
I put the crew’s individual plates on the floor of the Best Little Trailer.
Bridget and Spike chow down on ground turkey. I get out my camp toaster and make two slices for myself to accompany a cup of hot coffee.
Outside we go! I love to eat outside. I have on my hat, a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a pair of jeans, and my Bear Paw boots.
You may think that’s weird.
To wear boots on days that reach temperatures in the eighties, I mean. That’s the way it is in the desert. Warm days, cold nights. The cozy boots give my feet a good start on the day.
Bridget, Spike, and I take a short walk in a wash near our campsite.
Do you know this desert flower?
We see a jack rabbit, our first at this camp.
Little tracks with a line in between give evidence of a rodent, the line in the sand caused by a dragging tail. Apparently several frequent this wash.
By 10 a.m., back at camp, I’m putting on short pants and my new Keen sandals. By noon the crew and I will keep to the shady side of the BLT.
The morning slips by.
I alternate between responding to blog comments inside at my laptop table and reading outside in my lounge chair on the outdoor rug. The crew follow me, in and out, wherever I go.
Time for lunch!
Lunch is a salad of leaf lettuce, grape tomatoes, and sliced, hard-boiled egg. Especially yummy are the tomatoes grown on the poop of Mexicans! Bridget and Spike share a hard-boiled egg for a mid-day snack.
“Hey, guys. How ’bout we take a little ride over to King Canyon Road?”
“Yippee!” they exclaim in unison.
Well, not really. But that’s what they’d say if they could.
To get to King Canyon Road, we go south on Highway 95.
King Canyon Road
The road is the next one south of Palm Canyon Road, across from Stone Cabin. It takes you to a beautiful section of Kofa Wildlife Refuge.
And to think I once thought the desert was all brown . . .
We pass through BLM public land before reaching the boundary of Kofa. You can camp in both areas.
Someone has settled into a primo campsite!
Rigs of all sizes will fit here. There are several large, flat areas to choose from and the ground is firm.
Wide open, empty spaces are between campsites. Wonderful!
Once inside the refuge, the rules are posted on a sign at the entrance.
Several of you may have seen these peaks already. They remind me of Valley of the Gods in Utah, only a different color.
Camping is limited to 14 days and to established sites within 100 feet of the road.
I’m curious how these conical hills were formed. Do you know?
At the time of our visit, campfires are also allowed. Dogs must be kept on-leash. If you have pets with you, it’s best to camp and hike away from cholla.
“Ack!! Run! The cholla are coming!”
I find a very pretty, empty campsite and park the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
“C’mon, you little devils. Out you go!” Bridget and Spike scramble to the ground.
What a beautiful campsite. I’d love to camp here.
This is one side of the campsite. Someone forgot their hummingbird feeder. The sky is that glorious shade of blue shown here (no photo enhancement).
The only negative I know to camping on King Canyon Road is the distance to grocery stores in Quartzsite. You know, we’re all about food these days, now that the crew eats raw meat and bones. Sheesh. Hmm . . . Maybe I should stock up and move us over here for a few days.
The desert ground is rocky.
For that reason, we like to take our walks in sandy washes which are easier on the paws. It makes it easy to find interesting plants, too.
The crew likes to follow a path, rather than wandering around.
I let go of the crew’s leashes. We usually follow the rules, but, hey, they’re not bothering anyone (and no one’s around anyway!).
Shady lady
The crew having fun
Our exploring time is cut short due to the increasing heat of afternoon.
Only a little bit further, my sweet desert dog
A cool drink awaits each of us back at the PTV.
Isn’t this a super campsite? And this photo shows only one of the great views.
I have lots of photos I’d love to share with you. I’ve probably included too many already and this post is getting very long!
However, there is one last thing I want to say . . .
Holey Moley!
Did you see the comments under the last post? Did you read them all? If you did, you deserve a medal because there are over 210 comments as I type this. What a fabulous group of readers!
You may think I bring this up in order to brag.
A volunteer ranger? Gee . . . I know funding is tight, but a cactus? “Um, excuse me, sir. Your fly is open.”
Well, maybe just a little bit.
The other reason is to encourage you to go back and look at those comments again.
Why? Because there’s a heckuva lot of information on a wide range of topics and some very entertaining reading . . .
Just a few: What you can and can’t bring into Canada, a video about a neat-o 12-volt cooler/freezer, Arizona rules regarding cacti, true stories about rude campers and dealing with finicky eaters, suggestions for dry skin, air compressors, Native American natural remedies, big rigs, small rigs, travel and full-timing plans . . .
Even some poetry, for crying out loud!
Love it!
Another reason to go back to those comments . . .
Your comment may have received more responses that you haven’t seen, so go back and check.
Thanks to all the readers who participate in our “comment community.” If you haven’t joined us yet, please do!
King Canyon Road going home
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