Ratsofrass | Ralph's Words on the internet, about the internet, and whatever else I feel like talking about

Remains found around Death Valley to Pahrump

Posted on Monday, 2025-Dec-22nd by ralph

My journey north takes me around Death Valley, and into the Pahrump area. The area is empty of people, with only a few small settlements about. But there is a rich history, of which many bits remain standing in the dry desert air, if you are willing to head out and explore parts unknown. Join me in my explorations to see what I found.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boondocking, California, history, WTF | Leave a comment

Alien Trump tells fortunes in Baker

Posted on Monday, 2025-Dec-15th by ralph

No, this is not a political rant, rather a telling of a quirkier bit of a tourist attraction I encountered. I was on my way north, heading towards Death Valley. My stop for a few days was Baker, where I would encounter a few surprises. While I wasn’t abducted by aliens, I at least got to try some of their delicious jerky. Read on for my alien experience.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aliens, boondocking, pictures, rant, touristy, WTF | Leave a comment

A mix of Cali Cultures

Posted on Monday, 2025-Dec-8th by ralph

After resupplying in the Palm Springs area, I decided to explore north of there, in what some people call Homestead Valley. I’d seen on the maps that there was a scattering of BLM land that was not too high up. That’s a good thing in that it was not that warm yet. I was also just far enough away from the Los Angeles metro area to be out of range of homeless camps or party spots just outside of the city area. But it turned out I was definitely close enough to get a mix of LA and local rural culture in the area. It was an interesting mix. Read on to see what bits of culture I found boondocking in the desert here. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boondocking, howto, pictures, WTF | Leave a comment

Rockhounding where rockhounds have been

Posted on Monday, 2025-Dec-1st by ralph

Part of a geode

I had explored most everything northwest of Blythe in my current round of boondocking. I had explored every area around Blythe that was not Native Reserve or private land, except for southwest of Blythe so far. My discussions with the locals suggested there was some promising boondocking out there, if you were willing to try some rougher roads. There was also some geode mining areas to check out. That all sounded good to me, so it was off to check out the Black Hills and Palo Verde Mountain area.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boondocking, California, hike, mine, pictures, rocks | Leave a comment

People in the middle of nowhere

Posted on Monday, 2025-Nov-24th by ralph

I had to resupply in Blythe, so it was time to move to a new spot. I was not done with the Midland area yet, as I had found new cool areas to explore while out on the motorcycle. I expected the spot I had found to be empty, but no, it ended up being a local hangout. Read on to see who I found. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged boondocking, California, mine, pictures | Leave a comment

Yuma visiting, Blythe exploration

Posted on Wednesday, 2025-Nov-19th by ralph

Midland sunset

I arrived in Yuma to visit my friend Larry, whom I met during my first adventures boondocking in Quartzsite. I had a small list of things to work on for the RV, plus one new upgrade that was going to have to be done at some point anyways. Then it would be off to boondock in some new areas around Blythe. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arizona, boondocking, California, howto, pictures, repair, RV | Leave a comment

Bouse desert tree spot for DC fridge troubleshooting

Posted on Wednesday, 2025-Nov-12th by ralph

I left my nice spot beside the Colorado River only reluctantly, heading towards Quartzsite: the winter meeting spot of many nomads. I had picked a spot for a group of us to meet, but not in Quartzsite. I was going to be closer to Bouse, camped in an area with fewer people. I had found a spot wayback off the road, out of sight of most people who like to camp in that area. There were even some nice trees to camp beside. That is the advantage of returning to an area you are familiar with, you know the best spots. Come see where I’d be spending a few weeks with friends. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arizona, boondocking, desert, howto, pictures, repair | Leave a comment

Super secret Colorado River camp

Posted on Friday, 2025-Nov-7th by ralph

Colorado River upstream view PXL_20241220_000217751

There be camping near here

One advantage of having a motorcycle with you is that you can go exploring around your environs and see what other spots might be available near you for boondocking. I typically look at the aerials of my surroundings while I’m boondocked in a new area and go explore anything that might be a good boondocking spot nearby. The motorcycle gives me extra range to go exploring further afield. This time, I end up finding an unexpected free boondocking spot right by the Colorado River! Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arizona, boondocking, kayak, pictures, river | Leave a comment

Fire follies

Posted on Saturday, 2025-Nov-1st by ralph

I was camped beside a power plant, not far from the Colorado River with Needles being opposite of the river there. I was low in the valley, so that helps with the temperatures being warmer too. My hope was to avoid the shooting that goes on all around the area. I did get less shooting, but replaced that with some unexpected 911 action in the area. Read on to find out what happened. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arizona, boondocking, howto, pictures | Leave a comment

New discoveries in familiar territory

Posted on Thursday, 2025-Oct-23rd by ralph

Pahranagat sunset PXL_20241123_003425938

Sunset from my campsite

I was camping in Pahranagat NWR, enjoying the warm weather following a challenging trip south this year. I planned to spend a week at Pahranagat. I have been here before, so I knew this was a nice area. There were some areas to explore I had not been to yet. I’d find out too, there were things I didn’t know about to see too. I still had a leaking tire to deal with, but other than that I was free to explore around the area, working my way further south to eventually meet up with friends in the Quartzsite area. Would I have other problems along the way? Read on to find out. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged camping, howto, Nevada, pictures, repair, RV | Leave a comment

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