A Breezy Day in the Desert!

2 Feb, 2019; Dome Rock BLM, Quartzite AZ

The day is getting progressively more windy!


The day started out OK – I was able to sit outside with Phoebe in the sun, which she really likes. But, it’s gotten a lot breezier – my app says it’s between 15-17 mph.  Enough that I put away the awning and took down some of my outdoor twirly things.

A local craft show at the Quartzite Improvement Center


One of my camping neighbors, Linda, had mentioned she was going to take in the craft show – she has friends from New Zealand, who make really pretty jewelry pieces using a very iridescent abalone found in New Zealand. Of course, we found many other things that caught our eyes as well. I ended up with a copper cloak pin for my Pendleton shawl, some earrings made from fishing lures, a hand-beaded hummingbird to hang in the trailer, and a French fruit knife (I’ve been looking for one forever – I love the long thin blade for cutting fruit).






I finally updated my travel map!


I was only about 3 years behind!!  I wanted to be able to break out each year of travel with a different color pin and preferably filter the display.  So, last night, I finally buckled down and did the research, all the data entry and now I have a reasonable map of my travels in my current trailer. Luckily, I keep really good records of where I go and stay – so, it was pretty easy to do the data entry – just a bit tedious.

Where I've camped: Travel Page

Google maps makes the filtering part really easy – there is a little icon on the top left corner of the map that, when selected, let’s one filter on different ‘map layers’ – I set up each year in a different color and on a different layer. I’ve seen maps that used different icons (I just used a pin) – but, it would be cool to use little trailers instead of pins!


I may do special stand-alone maps in the future when I want to high-light a particular trip (like to Alaska, or if I go across Canada into the Maritimes and then down the east coast).

Signs of spring . . . .or at least, recent rain!

1 Feb, 2019; Dome Rock BLM, Quartzite AZ


Today was about relaxing in the sun


I took Phoebe on the usual (but shorter) walks around the area.  We're avoiding one whole end of the camping area due to an off-leash, known-to-be-aggressive Doberman (whose owner doesn't regard the rangers, or even the police, to be anyone he should pay attention to).  Phoebe is just as happy to lie on her blanket in the sun.


The desert is very green this year.


I put up a hummingbird feeder, added tire covers to the trailer, put out my awning and read.  I watched several rigs pull in, wander around, and finally settle on their spot for the rally next week.  Marty took off to take photographs; she texted to tell me that she ended up at KOFA and would spend the night there.

I was focused on the little things today.  Tiny flowers, the quiet (broken by the occasional hummingbird zooming through) and the patterns the crossing clouds made on the desert floor. A very peaceful day.




I love the 'zebra' stripes on the Creosote branches
 



Ocotillo leaves
Ocotilla blooms

Ocotillo branch