The many mines of Bouse

Posted on Monday, 2023-Jan-30th by ralph
Grom and pits SR603118 (2)

An RV could fit down this hole.

My holiday season camping spot near Bouse turned out to have lots of backroads leading lots of mines and other surprises. There is a long mining history here. You just have to look at a topo map to see how much mining activity has occurred in the area. While I wished I could have been a little closer to the hills, there still were some things within walking distance. I had plenty of destinations to pick from with the motorcycle. Read on to see what I saw!
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Solitude between the people and the aqueduct

Posted on Tuesday, 2023-Jan-17th by ralph
Lizard SR602934 (2)

Morning Lizzy visit to my camp

I decided for my second week in the desert that I would check out a new area, but nothing too far away from Bouse, where I had some vague plans to camp with Carolyn and friends over the Christmas holidays. I had seen a promising area west of Parker on the way down to Quartzsite. It was outside of the popular area close to Parker, but looked like more of the same camping without all the people. This solitude is what I was looking for. Read on to see what I found. Continue reading →

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Quartzsite BLM camping

Posted on Friday, 2023-Jan-13th by ralph

RV through the trees SR602896 (2) With my new solar installed, my plan was to hang out near Quartzsite for the week, at the Plomosa Road BLM camping area. I arrived back to find my spot still still available, so decided it was good enough to not move for the rest of the week. I was not planning on spending my winter close to Quartzsite. Having been here before, I have formed my own opinions about the area. For me, it’s not the desert experience I’m after. Let me explain further.  Continue reading →

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Solar at last

Posted on Friday, 2023-Jan-6th by ralph

RV solar install IMG_20221129_100151360_BURST000_COVER (2) My only real goal this winter was get my solar upgrade done while I was in the Quartzsite area. I had set up an appointment at Discount Solar, a place that has a reputation for doing good work, but not at a discount price. The Quartzsite area gets busy over the winter, but I was there a little before the rush. My base while I was here was the Plomosa Road 14 day BLM, chosen in the hopes it would be a little less busy. Read on to find out how it all worked out! Continue reading →

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Unexpected forest

Posted on Tuesday, 2023-Jan-3rd by ralph
Stick figure Cholla SR602857 (2)

Stick figure Cholla

I had a slightly longer drive to my next destination, as I wanted to avoid the Las Vegas area for boondocking entirely. I had scouted out a road and trailhead east of Searchlight, Nevada with the googles aerial. It had some promising looking spots on BLM land. But I did not expect the forest I encountered upon arriving there. I certainly didn’t mind this surprise! Continue reading →

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More about Mesquite

Posted on Thursday, 2022-Dec-29th by ralph

Me Grom SR602716 (2) My week in Mesquite ended up being more interesting than I expected, like finding the old Route 91. OK, that was interesting to *me*, being a bit of a map and transportation nerd, but hopefully those of you who read my previous entry didn’t fall asleep because I found out more stuff in my continued research! Plus there are some motorcycle adventures if you read past my old road obsession!
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The original original Route 91 found

Posted on Saturday, 2022-Dec-24th by ralph
People pole SR602787 (2)

At the old Riverside Gas stop

As I was now far enough south to be out of the cold and snow, I was not motivated to travel long distances to get to warmer climes. So today I had the luxury of only an hour and a bit drive to my next destination, west of Mesquite, Nevada. Good thing too, as I had to dump my tanks and get groceries. I hoped to be done by lunch so I had lots of time to explore around for my next spot. Continue reading →

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At the northern end of the warm zone

Posted on Thursday, 2022-Dec-15th by ralph

Path I rode down SR602683 (2) I left my abandoned campground, expecting that as I headed further south there would be less snow and warmer weather. That was not true, the weather stayed about the same temperature, and the snow cover got heavier as I approached Salt Lake City. How far south would I have to go to get out of the snow? But first, a stop to get a USA cell phone in Brigham City. Continue reading →

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Plan B implemented

Posted on Monday, 2022-Dec-12th by ralph

Near McCammon PXL_20221102_204433900 (2) I awake at 5am in the dark. Might as well check the weather forecast and see how much snow is coming. The forecast has become much more bleak, in fact there is a snowfall warning out now. I lay in bed for a few minutes contemplating my options. Plan A was to move a short distance to a spot I could get out of driving downhill all the way back to pavement. Plan B was to hightail it to the USA. I think about having to be back in Canada in late March if I leave today, but then I make up my mind. I’m going to take a page from  Lazarus Long – do what I need to do to survive today, and figure out the rest when it comes. Plan B, implement! Continue reading →

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Plan A for snow

Posted on Thursday, 2022-Dec-8th by ralph

Edwards Lake clouds SR602625 (2) I left Calgary for the last time this year, heading south to visit friends, then onto an area in south east British Columbia I had been to before, Edwards Lake. I hoped to stay there for a couple of weeks delaying my entry into the United States long enough so I would not have to come back into Canada next year until closer to mid-April. I knew the weather was deteriorating rapidly – cold and snow were in the forecast everywhere. But would my spot be enough of a haven to stay in Canada a couple more weeks?

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