Quartzsite is crazy this time of year with hundreds of vendors, special shows, food, the book store and a ton of snowbirds escaping their snow-bound homes.  We chose to camp at The Cove in Blythe, about 25 miles from Quartzsite.  The campground is on the River and has all the amenities.  From there we spent a day at the CIBOLA WILDLIFE REFUGE.

Sandhill cranes are a sure sighting if you visit at the right time, and we did! We searched the flocks of birds with our binoculars and identification guide in hand, but after a while they all looked alike.

Along the Goose Loop Road we see owl houses built by the park service. Unfortunately the owls have left for a while

Headed out to Parker on the river is an adventure. You never know what you will find from a burro to a saguaro that has snuck across the border to California.

ONE ODD DESERT TREK IS LOTS OF FUN AND MAKES YOU PART OF A SECRET CROWD. OUT OF PARKER YOU TURN RIGHT AT A LITTLE SIGN THAT SAYS “CIENIGA.” FOR SEVERAL MILES ON A BUMPY ROCKY DIRT ROAD ITS THE ONLY SIGN YOU WILL SEE. WE RACE ALONG IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND SUDDENLY FIND A TRAFFIC JAM. DOZENS OF CARS BUMPING THROUGH, MOST PASSENGER CARS. THIS GOES ON FOR 4 MILES TIL YOU REACH NELLIE’S SALOON AT THE DESERT BAR. ONCE IN SIDE YOU WILL BE AMAZED ITS FREE, THE BANDS ARE GREAT, THE DANCE FLOOR IS FULL AND THE FOOD FLOWING – MOSTLY HOT DOGS AND BURGERS.

GREAT SUNSETS! THIS ONE IS IN BLYTHE:

OUR FRIEND: CHRIS STAHL

AFTER A NIGHT AT THE AVI MAKING OUR DONATION TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS, WE ENJOYED THE SOLITUDE IN HOLE IN THE WALL CAMPGROUND IN THE MOJAVE PRESERVE. WE HAD HOPED TO SEE THE NEWLY RE-OPENED MITCHELL CAVERNS BUT IT WAS CLOSED.

WARM IN THE SUN, BUT A BIT CHILLY WHEN IT GOES DOWN!

BELOW IS AT COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND IN JOSHUA TREE:

WE ARE SO VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THESE WILD LANDS TO VISIT. LET’S HOPE THEY CONTINUE TO SURVIVE.