My Side of the Adventure

The trailhead to Palm Canyon is accessed, appropriately enough, via Palm Canyon Road off AZ95. The road is dirt/gravel but is well maintained and mostly flat. Campsites abound but many are close to the road. And the deal-breaker for many – the cell signal is poor. But if that doesn’t matter to you, and you want to enjoy some absolutely beautiful, rugged scenery, give this area a try. (As usual, I recommend clicking the first photo for an enlarged view and then clicking through the slideshow. Click “i” at bottom of each photo for full captions.)

[I’ve been busy attending Quartzsite events so I’m behind on the blog.]
Next I headed south – back to Palm Canyon. When Sara and I hiked there, we both were interested in returning there to camp. Didn’t stay long, however. More on that later and the busy week (+) following. Here is a night image I took while camped at Palm Canyon. More photos later. (This one is best viewed on a computer/tablet in a dark environment)

The third caravan camping spot for me was just over the California line from Parker, AZ. Without hesitation, I would say the highlight here was definitely the night sky. We were far enough away from Parker that there was little light pollution. I got to practice on my night photography (which still needs work, but I think I’m improving).
I got to meet several new ladies in the caravan and we enjoyed several campfire chats learning about how long each of us have been on the road, whether we are full- or part-timers, our rigs, what brought us out on the road, etc.
And, as usual, I got in a few hikes.
(Quite a few photos in this set. I recommend clicking on the first photo and flipping through the slideshow. Press “I” for captions.)

These should have been included with the previous post. (Click for larger versions & captions)

My next move took me to sort of the “Mecca” of nomads and RVers, Quartzsite, AZ. I’ve been hearing about this little town for many months and, indeed, I saw more “homes on wheels” in a few days’ time than I’ve seen in all the years of my life put together.
I camped with an organized caravan, as I had previously done, but did my usual exploring.
(Again, I recommend clicking the first photo in the upper left and then using the arrows to click through the slideshow. Caption available–for most–at the bottom. Click “i”, if needed)

Last images of my first camping spot with the organized caravans
(Always easier to click on the first photo to scroll through enlarged images and to see captions)

Only about ten minutes away from where we were staying were beautiful sand dunes. I was determined to go sled down them. Well, the sledding thing didn’t happen but I enjoyed them anyway. Climbing them was hard work; if I climbed those all the time, I would be in much better shape!

More from the South California desert. I wanted to see the namesake for American Girl Mine Road, so one day I drove my SUV as far as I thought I should on a rough rocky dirt road and then hiked the rest of the way on a very windy desert day. My face was red from the wind by the time I got back.

Just like they say, Texas is big, so it took a while to get from the eastern border to the western border, especially since I didn’t take the straightest route. So – more photos from Texas than from anywhere else (so far).