SOME MORE PICTURES IN THE QUARTZSITE AREA

We are just about to leave the Quartzsite area and head a little east.  But we have been delayed some after Connie heard the Smoke alarm/propane alarm going off while we were filling our water tank at one of the LTVA's (Long Term Visitors area) BLM has in this area.  Turns out we did have a propane leak and those alarms are well worth having.  We hope to get that all fixed up tomorrow (Monday the 1st of March 2021) as we have a mobile RV repair outfit coming to put in a new line). We had him cap the leaking line last Friday and will replace it tomorrow.  Here are some catch up pictures:

The ocotillo are very green this year when all other plants are just starting to turn.

These are called mortar holes.  They happen when wind blows in a cave and they start swirling around making these very round holes. 

My hiking partners.

 

Another mortar hole with water in it.

Zeph loves hiking into this tank because he gets to go swimming.

This tank's water looks a little stale.

A pukka in the rocks.

We hiked into palm canyon where there are palm trees in the desert.

This trucker has a sense of humor!  This is a Tonka truck strapped down on his trailer!!

This low boy is for hauling large equipment so the little truck is what is being hauled!

Down in the Quartzsite, AZ area and will be here for a few more days.  Been doing some hiking everyday and a couple of drives in the KOFA National Wildlife area.  Will be here for a few more days then head further south and east.  A few pictures from around here.  The blog folks have changed a lot of things so bare with me while I learn some of the new ways of posting.  f

The ocotillo is the greenest plant right now.  Spring is a little late this year.

A pretty sunset.

Our camp.

View from camp.

Pictures from a drive over McPherson Pass.

My GPS by some shards we found a couple of years ago and found again.

I really like the looks of these old dead trees around here.

Sunset tonight.

DOWN IN THE DESERT

 

19 February 2021:  Had the “check engine” light in the jeep come on.  Took it down to the local NAPA place in Overton which also has a couple of mechanics who turned it off.  The computer said it was a slow leak in the EVAP system.  Most common thing for that is the gas cap was not on tight!  But the light will not go out until a mechanic hooks up his computer to the jeep’s computer and turns it off.  And of course, charges you the going rate for tourists per hour!  After that we filled the propane bottle and got fuel then drove down to Echo Bay and spent the night in the campground there.  Got up and filled with water and dumped the holding tanks.  Then drove to Quartzsite and are camped out in the BLM near Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  Have camped here for years.  Will spend some time here before moving on.  

 

A road runner in the campgroind.

Lots of solar panels in Nevada.

More solar panels.

 

Boundary of KOFA.

The desert east of camp.

Connie and Zeph waiting for me to take a few pictures.

Zeph ready for a haircut.

All the stickers really get his hair all fouled up.

The mountains of KOFA.

A cactus with a lot of spines.

 

SOUTH 2021

10 Feb 2021: Left home and headed south to warmer temperatures we hope. The first day we made it to just south of Twin Falls and stayed at an RV park just before Jackpot, NV. A fairly new one and we were able to put in some water and not worry about it freezing. The drive was good except for the wind, especially through Craters of the Moon National Monument. Was amazed at the amount of traffic we encountered in the Twin Falls area this year. Just more people in this world, I guess. Drove down to Lake Mead and camped there. We have camped here at Stuart’s Point for many years when coming down south. Were quite surprised at the number of campers here this year compared to the last few years. Lots of new looking RVs with folks just looking to get away from everyone because of COVID I guess. The first day here we were treated with an Air Force HC-130 dropping PJs out for water jumps in Lake Meade not very far from where we were camped. Brought back a lot of memories to me of my days flying that aircraft in Alaska and New Mexico. 13 Feb 2021: Took a drive up to Mormon Mesa just north of Overton, NV. Interesting place and a very large mesa. Also stopped by the market and picked up a few things. Had a pretty good thunderstorm go through in the afternoon. Pretty strong winds blew a lot of folks’ things around. 

 

Driving out of Challis towards Arco.

Ice on the Salmon River.

Going through Craters of the Moon.

More Craters of the Moon.

Driving through Nevada.

First Sunset at Lake Mead.

PJs jumping out of the HC-130

We are socially distancing here at Lake Mead.

My traveling companions. Zeph with his worn out frisbee.

Lake Mead.

From the top of Mormon Mesa.

On the top of Mormon Mesa.

Telephoto of distant mountain.

Valley of Fire.