A guy in a white car with two round lights mounted on top drives up the lane.
He touches his hat and smiles a greeting and continues on to Wolfgang and Kathy’s camp. Turning around slowly he goes back down the lane. I didn’t see any official marking on the car, but I think he might be a camp host of sorts, checking on campers to make sure we don’t go past the 14-day limit.
It's all here . . . Casita, crew, camp chair, mountain, cactus, bushes, dirt . . .
Bob and Tammy stop by on their bicycles.
Their campsite is further past Rick’s on our lane. I haven’t gone to meet them because Rick told me soon after we arrived that they have an old dog who has a bad attitude about other dogs.
Since then, I was up at Rick’s and he said Spike snuck up to his place and “got into it” with their dog while they were visiting him. This was before I put the crew on coyote alert (in the pen or on a leash).
Spike looking guilty and Bridget looking pathetic
Neither dog was hurt. Way to go, Spike. Spread around some good will in the boondocking community.
Bob asks, “Has anyone come around checking on the 14-day limit?”
I tell him no, because at that point no one had. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, we heard there’s a new camp host. You know how people are sometimes when they’re new on a job. . . gotta enforce the rules.”
I nodded in agreement to that. “Rick told me he stays until he’s told to move.”
The sunshine comes and goes all day.
The breeze is cold, coming down off the mountains, I guess. The crew and I take a long walk anyway and I take some photos.
A sandy wash off of Darby Wells Road
At home I bring my camp chair inside and set it in the aisle facing the back of the Casita. My legs are in front of the heater. So comfy!
I read a few more chapters of my book and pay my monthly bills online (credit card and Verizon) before reading some of the crazy news of the day. I also look up some information about my Olympian Wave3 heater that Rick asked for.
For lunch I toss the broccoli salad from the IGA deli onto some greens with some croutons and a bit of Caesar dressing. Hmmm, good idea. Supper is my ol’ reliable beans-tomatoes-green-chilies-and-rice combo . . . filling, tasty, and cheap. I do miss my crockpot meals though.
I’m waiting for a decision to form . . . whether to stay here through Christmas or move further west to Yuma. With the weather the way it’s been, I haven’t explored this area yet. I want to wander around the shops in town, but not when it’s dreary or windy or cold.
I’ll take each day as it comes. This isn’t a contest, right?
rvsue
I’m with Rick. If you want to stay, stay until you are asked to leave. Boondocking can’t possibly need a 14 day limit can it? What problems could come from staying 21, 30 or more days?
It’s not like there are limited sites and folks waiting in line. 🙂 Although that picture of you set up sure makes it look GRAND!
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I hope it’s one of those rules that isn’t enforced, but it’s nice to have just in case it’s needed. Like when someone takes the wheels off a car (with or without a goat tied to it) and leaves it sitting on blocks indefinitely
Hi, Darrell!
I’ve often wondered that about cars . .. People think nothing of throwing down a huge wad of money for a Lexus so they can ride around with an ad on the back of it.
Hello sue;
There are two other real nice camping areas not far from where you are now. Just east near Why, AZ.
Gunsite Wash, free BLM area, on-site host so there is some level of security. GPS 32.239059 -112.750207
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Not free, but very inexpensive. Dump/water. A really unique place. 31.940612 -112.810566.
Take a look in Google Earth.
Enjoy:
ed
Hello, Ed!
Funny you should mention Gunsite Wash… I was reading about it today in a book I have called Southwest Camping Destinations by Mike and Terri Church. Sounds like you recommend Gunsite. I might go there if I decide to stay in the area once I leave Darby Wells.. There’s plenty of winter left . . . no hurry to run off until Quartzite in Jan.
Thanks for writing the info ….
We use the Church book as well and have always found the information to be a fair representation of the area. Gunsite Wash is a nice camping area but not dramatically different then Darby Wells but does make a nice change of pace.
Should you feel like drifting closer to Q, rather then farther away, the several BLM areas around Yuma are nice. Lots of neat things to see & do ,in & around Yuma plus good access to dump/water fill places.
We’ll be at Q in January as well.
Have fun:
ed
Sue, there are crockpots that sit on the stove top on the lowest setting for boondockers. I got one about four years ago, but it turns out a simple heavy aluminium large pot does just as well for me, so I gave it away. Some folks just use a dutch oven on the stove top with great results also.
Hi, Barney!
I was thinking about just slow cooking on the stove. Only one thing bothers me . .. I’m in and out of the Casita all day. I’m afraid the flame on the stove will be blown out and I won’t notice it, thus gas spewing out . .. My stove is right in front of the door. I have trouble turning the flame low without it going out anyway. Always had an electric stove, you see.
Looks like you have sunny sky and white puffy clouds. Here in south central NM, we were lucky to have the worst of the storm bypass us! We got some rain and 2 really cloudy days! As usual your photos are wonderful! I agree that you should stay until you are either ready to leave or asked to leave. Is Yuma warmer?? I understand about missing the crockpot…. I love mine! I made chicken fried steaks tonight as per Jool’s recipe on her blog! Turned out great! YUM!
Oh, that does sound good! I think Yuma is supposed to be warmer because of its low elevation as well as southern location. But who knows with this crazy winter ….
I passed you on my way to CA. I spent the weekend at the Slabs visiting a friend staying at the LoW (http://www.lonersonwheels.com/) chapter there. I’m visiting my parents and sister’s family for xmas. Hope you and the pups have a great Xmas too!
Some places enforce the 14 day limit pretty strictly but not all. Mainly it’s an issue of manpower which the govt can’t afford right now. Rick has it absolutely right!
Keep having fun and stay safe Sue.
Steve
One of these days, Steve, we’re bound to meet!
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family…. You stay safe, too.
No worries. It’ll happen when it happens 🙂
Thanks, Jool!
Yes, this is no contest. This life is a DIY project you get to do what you want and what keeps you comfy and happy !
Sometimes pets can be like children and act up. My dog is very old and she still can get into trouble at a second so I have to keep a sharp eye out for troublesome situations. Then they get all lovable and we forget about the naughty stuff and enjoy their company.
Julia
I never would have guessed Spike went up there and got in trouble. He plays the sweetheart around me. Now I know he has a dark side . . .LOL
Well, when you’re ready to do up Yuma, there are a couple of great boondocking places there. A good one that’s nearly in town is just a couple miles north of the Interstate on Hwy 95 right behind the VFW Hall. It gets crowded before/after Quartzsite, but very convenient to get laundry and groceries in town during the day and dance a jig at night at the VFW! Hmm….maybe save that one for New Year’s Eve??!!!
I keep hearing about the VFW boondocking spot from different people in different places. It must be popular! It’s nice to be near groceries and laundry. When I first drove into Darby Wells I thought, oh, this is kind of remote. Then I found out Ajo was a few miles away . .. perfect!
Thanks for the recommendation.
Hey, Parker! Words to live by . …
You’ve probably heard of it, but we really liked Senator Wash BLM area north of Yuma. Huge community of boondockers, great water (Yuma’s is awful), multiple dumps. They even publish a newsletter. Yuma leaves a lot to be desired in our opinion.
Gayle
Decisions, decisions. What great dilemmas you are faced with in your new life! 🙂
Sue, I’ve spent some time at the VFW boondocking area but didn’t like it. They DO enforce the 14 day rule. It is a popular spot but very noisy. Right off the I-95 so lots of traffic noise and right next to the railway tracks so lots of noise from that also.
I’m currently at a great boondocking spot not too far from the VFW and it’s amazing ! E-mail me if you want any further info.
Hi Sue, Wow, isn’t this a great way to spend Christmas! We sent out our RV Christmas Card to all via our website http://www.garvinwanderlust.blogspot.com to all our family, friends, and blog friends. We also plan to be in Q in January. 20th through 24th during the “RV Show and Flea Markets” We know it will be crowded, but it should be a lot of fun. We hope to see ya while we are there. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We have been following your blog since its beginnings. We agree with you. It is a great life!
Hello, Herb and Cindy!
Thanks for sticking with my blog all this time. Maybe I’ll bump into you at Quartzite. . . You know what I look like . . . or at least you’ll see The Hat.
Merry Christmas to you both!
Hi Sue, Andy Baird, of Travels With Andy, uses a Nissan Thermal Cooker instead of a crockpot. Here is a link to the page where he talks about it. I thought it might be of interest to you. http://www.andybaird.com/travels/saving-the-earth.htm Love your blog. My husband and I have our condo up for sale and hope to be fulltimers soon. Take care, Pam
Sue, you are living my dream.
@Pam – thanks for the link to Andy’s site. He has several good ideas and the Thermal Cooker sounds fantastic. I will definitely have to invest in one of those, even before we start our nomadic venture.
Pam,
Thanks! I’ll check it out …
This was a great blog to explore! Thank you Pam for sharing! Lots of great arguments for boondocking and I loved the Nissan Thermal Cooker idea!
Sue, been reading through your comments and have a few opinions. The BLM site at mile marker 2 south of Why is ok but it is no way as nice and scenic as where you are. Flat with a lot of shrubbery and too easy for Coyotes to get in close. We stayed there for about half a week 3 years ago before moving up to Darby Wells. If you get a chance, head on down to Organ Pipe National Monument past that BLM land and do the loop drive through the Ajo Mountains. You will find that loop drive road beginning on the left side of the highway across from the Organ Pipe Visitor Center and Campground. A really great scenic drive.
Definately would not recommend the VFW area north of Yuma. We did an overnighter there last year. Crowded and you might as well be in an RV Park because of the many rigs all clustered together. Not scenic!!
When near Yuma we boondock on Ogilbe Road west of Yuma in California. Lots of room out there and no crowding. A super great area for the doggy guys to run with great terrain visibility. Easy 20 minute drive back into Yuma’s western end where there is a nice mall, groceries, supplies, etc. If you head that way just email me & I will give you directions and other tips for things to see and do in that area. Also where to dump tanks, take on water and do laundry without having to drive back into Yuma.
Yuma is an easy city to drive through because I-8 runs right through it in basically a straight line in an East/West direction. You will have a time zone change when you cross the Colorado River there as well. Just in case you decide to go that way of course…….AL:))
Wow, Al, you are a boondocker’s goldmine! Thanks for the tip. I most certainly will be emailing you for details. It sounds just right for me and the crew.
What’s good for one person isn’t for another. It all goes back to what you described . . . We understand each other, so you know what kind of camp I would be happy in.
Looks like a sunshiny day here .. hope the same for you and Kelly!
Surprised to hear that Spike took off on his own like that but maybe the “altercation” wasn’t all his fault if the other dog is unfriendly. How is the solar working for you these days? I would imagine the 14 days is so that people don’t set up permanent residence. Keep warm.
http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com
My guess is that both dogs were trying to establish territory. The territorial instinct of male rv dogs must be in overdrive.
I laughed at your last line. One of my sons watched me (trying to help-which I politely refused), scratched his head and said, “Why would you do this to yourself on purpose.” Be both fell down laughing. The apples sometimes do fall far from the tree. LOL