Wandering in the Desert

The Sonoran Desert, to be specific.

Moon at sunset in Anza-Borrego

After returning from Hawaii, we moved right out to Anza-Borrego, a place we had visited before our trip to Hawaii. We had already experienced the implacable winds, which we had read about on someone's blog.

But the way it howls as it passes metallic corners and edges of Dora, the banging about of anything loose, such as an empty 5-gallon water bottle, or a string tied to the camper to hold the tent down, well, it is relentless. It is as if the wind is saying: "If I can't sleep, then no one else can, either!"

So, you wait. Eventually it will die down. Maybe in a few hours, maybe in a day.

But when the prediction of gusts up to 70mph came along, and a sandstorm that would last 24 hours, we decided that maybe it was time to move on across that desert to a less windy place.

The day we left Anza-Borrego - a rain storm moving in, to be followed by a dust storm.

Dust storm during our drive east out of California

And we found it at Lake Mittry, on the border with California, near the Colorado River. Also adjacent to the Yuma Military Proving Grounds.

Sand dunes in southern California near the border with Mexico

We were glad to see water, and the birds that come with it. Birds on the open land of the windswept dry arroyos were scarce and seldom seen. Without much effort we found a very nice hiking trail up into a canyon, that went as far as the eye could see, and farther than we could hike on any given day. So, we were entertained. The price was the same as in Anza-Borrego: $0.00.

Mittry Lake

But, before long, it was time to pack it up and move to Catalina State Park in Oro Valley, near Tucson. Mari had accepted a gig there that opened up due to a cancellation. Yay!!!

Enough words to describe the place, the beauty, the hiking trails, that together are Catalina State Park and the Coronado National Forest, cannot be found. The geology of the place is millions of years old, so how could we summarize it in a few minutes?

Vermillion flycatcher, Catalina Mountains

The audience at the gig could not have been more friendly and attentive. It rates as one of my favorite gigs ever. I really enjoyed myself, and interacting with, and performing for the audience. During my performance, we were treated to an appearance of the out-of-its-range rufous-backed robin. This occurred while I was reading my sister Colette's poem "The Robin's Nest"!!!!

Also, my nephew who is studying for his doctorate in Tempe - a 2 - hour drive away, came down to see us. It was truly a special afternoon and evening.

After nearly a week in the overflow lot called Ringtail, we decided to seek quieter environs. We threw darts at a map and came up with Roosevelt Lake, east of Phoenix, located in the Tonto National Forest. The drive there from Tucson was mostly beautiful. The copper mines at Globe were surprising. As we neared the lake, the views became breathtaking.

Open pit copper mining near Globe, Arizona

Coming into Tonto National Forest

A drive down Schoolhouse Road yielded this: A mostly closed, practically empty National Park Service campground. Dry camping at its best - there was water available at the restroom. The park host was on solar power, as are we. There was one other camper, about 200 or so yards away from us. Eventually, others moved in, but it has not yet been anywhere close to full.

We have finally been able to use two of the toys we brought along: our kayaks and our bikes.

There are more day trips and activities we can talk about, but this brings you up to speed about our doings for the past couple of weeks.