Gold Mines on the BLM

"Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold - but so does a hard-boiled egg."

 

After our little outing from the day before where we discovered the rock cabin perched on one of the hills above La Posa Tyson Wash, we figured Wednesday would be a good day to visit the gold mines.  We had high hopes of finding lots of treasure ….. NOT!





What we had high hopes of was just having a wonderful ride in the desert on a near perfect day.  Now that is what we had.  Finding the mines was just an extra treat.



We also discovered that covering some of the back trails in ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps and even pickups is something other folks do too.  What fun!

The three gold mines we visited are several miles behind the BLM boundary.  It’s a beautiful ride through the desert.  The many trails wrap around the mountains with lots of cactus in the background.  It’s exactly what one expects Arizona to look like.

Gold Mines …. I wonder when the gold really stopped flowing.  There didn't appear to be any left for us.  Besides ..... no way was I going down in those mines ... no way whatsoever!

 

Our last evening in the BLM until January was spent sharing a campfire with our neighbors, Toni and Doug.

The next day we were heading east.  The “Jag” was loaded on the trailer and ready to go  We’ll be back though! 

My little GoPro Camera was mounted on the front bar. The result …. more pictures.

Gold miners guarding their mine ? No worry from us!

Arriving at mines on the right.

We wanted to say "See Ya" to Barbara but she wasn't out and about so .... Barbara, See ya!

‘Tis life on the road

A Treasure at the BLM

"Dream as if you'll live forever.  Live as if you'll die today."

There are many kinds of treasures.  Sometimes we think of treasures like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or trunks of pirate’s gold in a sunken ship.  Other times it might be the friendship of a very special person or the spouse of a child.  Treasures come in all forms.  This treasure was something we didn’t expect to see right on the BLM.  In other words, we found something other than dirt and sand or rocks and cactus.  We found an old rock cabin.  It’s not hidden.  It’s out in the open and I’m sure many others have seen it.   It was in an area that we had not visited before.  Anything out of the ordinary and unexpected we think of as a new found treasure.

The LTVA was established as a place for campers to spend the winter.  The year?  1983 !

Our ride into the desert on Tuesday started out heading east on one of the many sandy riverbeds.  However, it wasn’t long before we got a tad bored with that and turned around.  Bored?  Well, it was a been there, done that thing.  We decided we were going to go someplace we hadn’t been.  We were going to do a little exploring.  There are four different and separate LTVA camping areas south of Quartzsite right off Highway 95 and within about 4 miles of town.  We were going to check all four out.

We started on a trail from La Posa South.  The trail definitely was not due north.  It went a little east, a lot west and even more north.  Eventually we ended up at La Posa North which is a camping area  just south of Rice Ranch at Quartzsite.  Even though there were quite a few campers set up for the winter, there were many more great places to settle in.  Some were already rocked off thanks to the occupants from last year. 

Next stop was La Posa West.  It was just across highway 95.  In January this place is packed with RVs since it backs the location of the Big Tent.  Campers here don’t have to fight long lines of traffic trying to get into the main attraction.  It’s just a short walk to all the entertainment and shopping .

Cabins in the BLM?

We were surprised to see that La Posa West and La Posa Tyson Wash were connected.  We did not know that the Old Yuma Road ran from one to the other.  It does!  The roads and trails within these two parks wind through many great camping areas.  No wonder these parks are full. 

 

The trails also head up into the local hills and that’s where we went.  We discovered the little cabin that at one time belong to someone.  It was half there.   There were several rooms separated by rock walls, a well used fireplace and even cut-outs for windows.  At one time many years ago someone actually spent some time here.    It was a fun find and to us a little treasure.  However, we weren’t the only ones out on the trails exploring the area and the cabin.

We worked our way around the trails and back across the road to La Posa South.  What a nice ride.  I want to do it again but Wednesday is reserved for another part of the desert.  We’re going to visit the gold mines.  We’re thinking that we’re really going to find gold!!

Terry’s been working on a little stagecoach light.  It’s been glued, had putty put in the right places and sanded.

Bet you’ve never seen one of these.  Well, maybe I should say I hope you’ve never seen one of these.  This used to be the adapter that was plugged into our Honda 2000 generator.  We’ve used this plug for a couple years … never a problem.  Never a problem that is until a few days ago.  One prong melted away along with the plug when it came partially loose.  Another repair.  We’re getting used to these repairs and doing repairs isn't a fun thing to get used to.  

‘Tis life on the road.

LTVA - Smidgen of Rain and Wind

 

Life is too short to work so hard.

 

In November there isn’t a lot going on in Quartzsite.  There could be probably as much as you want or as much as you don’t want.  The deal is if you’re looking for a hopping place, you might just want to keep on going down the highway to Yuma.  You aren’t going to find it too hopping in Quartzsite until January. 

Moving our RZR in the garage.





There are certainly some people around but most of the vendors haven’t shown up yet and most of the snowbirds haven’t arrived yet.  Most just nest in other places until it gets close to the time when this small little town becomes a mecca for thousands of RVs and 100’s of thousands of people.

Sassy Denise

In other words, right now you are responsible for your own entertainment.  Thursday was just another day in paradise even though the weatherman sent us a few surprises.  The temperature was 11 degrees cooler than the day before … thank goodness!  On top of that we also received a little wind and a little rain.  Even a couple of rainbows peaked through.

 

In the morning Terry and I decided to head towards town.  The original idea was to head that way on a trail next to the main road.  First, I wanted to take him on a detour to check out a huge riverbed Denise and I had seen the day before. 

When we got to the riverbed we also discovered a trail down, over and nearly all the way to town.  Actually, I’m lying just a tad.  We didn't discover it.  We saw another ATV  heading in that direction so we figured we would follow them. 

Last year we got a little turned around in the desert.  There are lots of trails but not all of those trails go in the direction they look like they are heading. I’m quite a bit more cautious on these little trails now because it can take a long time to get your bearings if you're on the wrong trail and I certainly don't want to run out of gas and have to walk back and then try to find the Jag again.   So many of these trails intersect with each other.My concern was finding our way back if we tried to remember all the turns on the trail getting back. Next time I plan on leaving little trail markers.

Our trip into town was interesting.  We had never had to stop at a stop light when driving  an ATV or UTV.  Actually, we had never had any of them on the main roads of any town.

The sky looked threatening.  We were hoping the rain would hold off until we got back to the motorhome. It did.  However, later in the day we got some rain, some wind and even some rainbows.  Over the weekend much more is forecast and I'm guessing we might even have our furnace on.  It's hard to believe for this part of Arizona at this time of the year that we'd need the furnace.

Here’s Parker out taking Doug for a walk.



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And, if you take a peak behind the shrubs, you’ll see Toni on her computer.

That’s it ….. ‘Tis life on the road.

Desert Dwelling on the BLM

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Quartzsite has two regular grocery stores plus several other places selling either canned goods, boxed goods and even fresh vegetables.  The stores are nothing like the Albertsons store in Blythe (20 miles away) or the Wal-Mart in Parker (30 miles away).  Wednesday we went to Blythe.  It wasn’t necessarily because it was closer but just because we hadn’t been there since last year.  

Terry was actually looking for some plastic scratch cover.  That is different than scratch cover for vehicles we discovered.  The plastic on the JAG didn’t look like it hardly had any scratches when we bought it.  Lately we think there just might have been a magic finish hiding those scratches.  The scratches have sure started coming through.  We were in luck though because we stopped at the right place and talked to the right person.  Now at least we have a good temporary fix.

I wouldn’t have a lot to blog about if it wasn’t for my neighbor’s blogs.  I already posted pictures of our neighbors and their setups.  Denise took some of our setups.  So, I “borrowed” those pictures from her.

Coyotes are definitely around the area.  Folks know they have to watch their little dogs as they certainly don’t want them to become the next meal.  We don’t see coyotes very often but we sure do hear them at night.  Barbara got a good picture of one taking a stroll in the late afternoon down the road behind her RV.

Denise discovered a hummingbird in her motorhome.  The bird flew around but never seemed to find the right place to exit.  Barbara rescued the bird.  We thought it was a goner but seconds after this picture was taken the hummingbird flew off. 

This is how it happens around here.  First one person (Barbara) finds a site and settles in.  Next someone else (Denise) shows up.  Then, another one decides to join them (us).  Before you know it a fourth rig is in the group (Toni and Doug).  Then, stalkers (Edie and Terry) start moving in.  At least that’s how it has worked around here so far.

Next, there is news that Coldsmoke (and perhaps, IYQ) might sail in for a night or two.  I think that’s just about the best part of snowbirding in the desert.  You just never know who might join you and you can always leave when you’re ready.

We’ve certainly been here longer than intended.  It won’t be long until we’ll be moving on too.  We really like it in the desert with the people we’re with.  However, we still need to get those wheels moving again even though we’re still not quite sure where exactly we’re going.  It has been a dilemma.  We’d like to go someplace we can ride the JAG but not so sure we really want to be that far out.  I guess only time will tell.  Thank goodness we don’t have to make that decision today.

 Denise and I on a spin

It’s been warm.  Well, really it’s been quite warm here but with a slight breeze it’s actually cooler inside the RV than if it had been all closed up with the air conditioner running.  Over the next few days there is going to be a big drop in the temperature so things should really cool down.  We’re glad for that.

There are a lot of trails in the desert.  Some are fun to a walk on and others are fun to ride on.  In some places it is scenic with lots of large cactus and in others there’s just a lot of rock and more desert.  Terry and I are thinking it’s about time we find a few trails into town … and we’re going to do just that because in this area all types of vehicles (including ATVs) are allowed on the town roadways.

‘Tis life on the road.

Taking a Break at La Posa

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

 

Sometimes it just feels right to nest someplace other than very busy RV parks.  When we first moved into our spot in the desert our intent was just to spend a night or maybe two.  Well, it’s been now five nights and we’re still here.  It just feels right.

The beauty of the desert.

We have no neighbors snuggled up with their slide against our slide.  We have no real close neighbors at all.  We also have no swimming pool, no club house and no sewer.  Well, we also have no electricity or water.  Oh, sure we can get it.  Facilities are close but the hookups aren’t within reach of our sewer hose, water hose or electrical plugs.  Instead we’re relying on our tanks, our generator and our batteries.  Are we doing without?  Absolutely not.  We have everything we need.  

All we need

Barbara and Katie

Our refrigerator and freezer are functioning as they should.  We have fresh water in our tank even though I must admit it’s getting close to needing a refill.  Our satellite antenna is in a perfect position to bring all our Dish Network channels to us.  Our internet signal is great ….. we have very few needs right now.  Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how we can function with very little but have everything we really need or even want.  

Toni, Doug and Parker

Denise and Benny

We have a huge site with virtually no maintenance.  We do have neighbors.  They are neighbors we know, we like and we picked.  Previous occupants of the area were a little artistic.  Little white rocks have been arranged in the shape of a heart, a lizard and a few other creatures.

On the blog I posted the other day I ended it by saying what they discovered was a fuse.  I really didn’t mean to say that the fuse was the only problem.  It definitely was not.  It was the final fix that indicated everything else was back up and running.  The one blow-out we had in Oregon did a lot more damage than we realized at the time.  We believe debris from the first blowout probably caused a slow leak in tire number two.  Wires were severed from the converter to the inverter.  The cad switch destroyed along with a few other parts melted and ruined.  The transfer switch was probably not a part of this but still a good thing it was replaced.  With new parts and new wires, the hidden little fuse finally put everything right …. we hope.  We feel we were very lucky.  Others have not been so lucky.

Meeting folks on our desert ride

For now …………. things are good.  We have taken a few little rides into the desert. We also met others on the road.  We aren’t sure when we’re going to finish our route into the Phoenix area.  We still aren’t sure where we’re going to go when we get there.  We had planned on being around Phoenix by now but needed a little time to recoup and rest before we move into another RV park.  Besides that, we like it here.

Wide open spaces

‘Tis life on the road.

Arriving at “Q” :~( More Problems

 

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

 

“Q” is definitely a very well known place in the world of RVers.  After all, thousands and thousands converge on this small town in January.  At that time RV parks are overflowing at the seams and deserts fill up with every type of camper and RV.  “Q” is definitely the place to be then.  However, it is not a place to be during the summer when temperatures can soar about 110.  As fall arrives so do desert dwellers start arriving in small streams.

Actually “Q” is quite empty right now.  The parks have a splattering of folks and rigs but not too many.  There are lots of prime spots still available in the BLM but folks have started going in and homesteading for the winter.  Every type and kind of RV and camping gear and be found in this area over the next five or six months.  It’s a mecca of the RV world.  Folks congregate, have campfires, join music jams and just enjoy life.  Obviously most folks are retired.  They’ve worked most their life.  They have a few short years to enjoy a nomad lifestyle while they can and that's what they want to do.  They all know the time will come that this will no longer be possible for them.  Age tends to creep up.

 Barbara & Denise – in the wide open spaces.

We pulled out of Parker not really knowing where we would be heading that day.  Would it be “Q” or would it be the Phoenix area?  It ended up being “Q”.  It was a short day … about 30 miles.   Daily rates definitely aren’t cheap but monthly rates at these parks can be a bargain.  Many can be found right around $200 a month …. well, that is except for January and February when all festivities start and the Big Tent goes up.  The rates take a steep hike for those couple of months. 

Friday morning we still weren’t sure what we were going to do.  We knew we wanted to visit Barbara and Katie (Me and My Dog) and Denise (Sassy’s on ‘Da Road).  They had arrived at “Q” and already picked their ideal location.  Driving down the road into the LTVA we felt like we had arrived.  Thus, we decided to move and spend a few days at the BLM.  After all, we had great people to visit and trails and trails to ride on.  We were thinking things were looking up.  Wrong!

Ever feel like Job?  Most of you I am sure know who Job was.  Job was hit with one problem after another.  We feel like Job.  Now we’re wondering when it’s going to stop.  No sooner had we arrived, got set up and then discovered our six house batteries may have a full charge on them but they are not supplying any power to the coach – None!  Zippo!  Zilch! 

Barbara, Denise, Terry

No power is different than little power.  With no power the water pump doesn’t work, the on board generator doesn’t start and even the refrigerator doesn’t run on LP.  Thank goodness we also brought along our little Honda 2000.  We ran it until about 10:00 last night keeping the refrigerator door shut and then started in at 7:00 this morning.  Items in the freezer remained frozen and in the refrigerator they were still quite cold.  We are hoping to have a repair person out this morning.  Barbara used him in the past.  Denise had planned on calling for an issue she had so the phone number was handy.

We hesitated about moving into the desert in the first place. The reason was because of lack of air conditioning during the middle of the very warm days.  However, we did discover that the wonderful breezes through the open windows have done more to cool down the inside of the motorhome than the air conditioner did.  We like it here but obviously would like it better if everything was working as it should.  It’ll certainly be interesting to see how today goes and if “Bob” gets us all fixed up.  Our fingers are crossed as well as our toes.

Remember the little Verizon phone I mentioned we added to our list of gadgets?  Well, it was definitely a deal.  The phone was picked up at Wal-Mart.  The price of the phone itself was $14.98 but it included $10 worth of air time bringing the cost of the actual phone down to $4.98.  When we set up the phone we were given an option of plans.  This phone was just to be used as a temporary phone when we were in areas without a signal for our AT&T phones.  We wouldn’t be using it every day and actually we were hoping the need for it would be less than more. Verizon has a option where you can pay only for the days you use it.  That was the plan that would work best for us and at $1.99 per day was the cheapest option.  We think it was definitely a deal.

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So, this is Bob.  We think he knows what’s wrong.  We’re hoping this is the end of our problems.  That’s what we’re hoping.

And, now it seems all we know is that stupid tire we blew took a lot of things with it.  The ,transfer switch has now been replaced along with the main battery cut-off and we still have no 12 volt to the coach.  None, zero, zilch.

After nearly all day and replacing lots of wires and expensive gadgets, guess what they found ... a bad fuse.  We now have 12 volt to the coach.  Terry's talking to "Bob" while I update this blog.  The bill is next.  I don't want to see it.

'Tis an expensive life on the road.