Ratsofrass

Palm Springs has unexpected walls

From the Salton Sea, it was time for me to head north, back to the land of cold white stuff. My allowed time in the States was coming to an end and I needed to be north regardless of what the weather might be. The first stop on the way north was a fairly short hop as I was not in a hurry yet to get back into colder climes. I might as well enjoy the pleasant early spring warmth as much as possible before heading back into early spring snow and chill of late March. Where better to enjoy the weather than Palm Springs? Continue reading →

Slab City frees mind at a cost

Living in Slab City is free, like boondocking, in both senses. But like boondocking, it doesn’t quite fit in with regular society. The normal expectations and rules don’t apply here. Perhaps that is why we nomads all come to visit The Slabs at some point; there is an attraction to a kindred spirit lifestyle. As I mentioned in my last post, while I was at Bombay Beach, I took the Grom motorcycle over to Slab City for a little tour. Actually, I visited The Slabs a second time hitching a ride with friends a couple of days later. So, I have a couple of perspectives to use writing about this much visited “last free place” in America. Read on to to be perspectivized! Continue reading →

Salton Sea follies

The Greyhound is a cutout in an abandoned building

For the first time in my nomad life, I was going to be caravanning with a group to our next destination. Up until now, I had always joined a group in progress, or had people come to a spot I’d picked out. We were thinking of camping at Slab City, which I felt was better in a group of known friends. However on the way there we discovered an intriguing spot we just had to camp at. It even had water (of a sort) nearby. Read on to see what we found!

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Joshua Tree not so treed

Lizzy a little bigger than my hand in Joshua Tree Park

I was camped again among friends near Joshua Tree National Park (Joshua Tree or JT). The plan was to explore the park from our boondocking base camp here. I had seen Joshua Trees before near Searchlight, NV but was informed that JT had much more dramatic hills and rocks as a backdrop for their trees. Having friends meant that I could hitch a ride some days with one of their cars, and use my motorcycle on others. Exploring with others for a change would be fun. Stay tuned to see what we found out here!

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Searching for Water Camping

I had a couple of ideas for my next spot to boondock. My plan was to travel down the Colorado River south of Blythe and see if I could find a spot to dip my kayak in the water for a second time this winter. If that didn’t work out, I’d travel to Joshua Tree National Park to meet up with friends. If I couldn’t have water, I could at least have some trees to look at I figured. Read on to see my difficult choice of spots I ended up having to pick from!

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Kofa North unexpected find

I was on my own again, exploring the north east end of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. I had explored a bit of the west side previously, but even there I only scratched the surface. Kofa is big. I started out camped on the edge of the park, with the plan being to take the motorcycle into the park and see if there was a better spot I could drive to with the RV. Read on to see what I found!

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Bouse boondocking revisit

Contrails decorate the sunrise sky

I’m not strictly chronological in my tales of the desert. There is an advantage to being able to tell the tale of a month past, being able to group common themes together like my tourism bits in my last post.

This time I was meeting with some new friends who had started the nomad life about the same time as me. We both have had our trials and tribulations with snow.

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A bit of tourism desert style

Bouse Museum as you drive up to it from Highway 72.

While staying so close to Bouse, I decided to take the opportunity to explore the village a bit. I must play tourist at least once while I’m down in the desert! There is a long history of mining and some interesting WWII history in the Bouse area. I also took advantage of the motorcycle to meet up with some friends at a bar in the middle of nowhere. History, with food and drink to wash it all down!
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A Foxy Bouse Spot

Remains of processing near Little Butte mine

It was time to resupply. Rather than hit Quartzsite with its limited grocery options, I went up to Parker. Parker isn’t big city level of selection but it’s a hell of a lot better than Quartzsite. My plan was to make use of the scouting information I picked up with the Grom the last time I was in the Bouse area. I was going to camp at what looked like an awesome spot from my little five minute visit with the motorcycle. Read on to see if the spot lived up to my expectations! Continue reading →

The Quartz in Quartzsite

I found cacti in white rocks

I made my way north from Yuma knowing I probably would not be back this far south again until next winter. I was headed up to Quartzsite to meet Carolyn for her Arizona meet and greet. After that, I had no plans other than boondock somewhere in the area. I have to admit, I’ve been lazier than expected about seeking out new places. When there is no time pressure to see stuff before you have to go back to work, I find I just linger longer wherever I happen to be. But not having a direction to go now left me rudderless. Read on to see where I ended up!
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The great wall of Palm Springs

Slab City frees mind at a cost

Salton Sea follies

Joshua Tree not so treed

Searching for Water Camping

Kofa North unexpected find

Bouse boondocking revisit

A bit of tourism desert style

A Foxy Bouse Spot

The Quartz in Quartzsite

friends

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