Moving in Southwestern U.S.

Note: This is my initial entry - it's much longer than future entries are likely to be. To see any photo enlarged, left click on it. To return to the entry, hit the "page back" arrow in the upper lefthand corner of your browser screen.

Since early in 2008 in southern CA and AZ, I've been seeking warmth, wide open spaces, clear skies and friendly people - and places to fly my RC model airplanes. So far, its been colder than normal with some rain and there definitely are friendly people. In spite of occasional, non-fatal crashes, am getting more proficient at controlling the models! Landings remain a challenge!!

The Palm Springs CA area is ritzy with RV parks getting up to $150 a night and providing every imaginable amenity. This one sports a 1-mile inland waterway and RV "pad" owners often will have their electric party boat at their own dock! Then, there's the nearby Fairgrounds in Indio where attending a RV rally means being packed in like sardines and without any amenities! I sampled both (free pass to the $150 one; paid for the other!).

On to Anza Boreggo State Park CA to meet up and boondock with friends, John and Mimi Porter from San Diego, who drive a well-equipped RV (solar panels, etc.). John and I managed some successful RC model flights, using a nearby dry lake bed as our "field".

We have been and are caravanning from spot to spot. Mimi is one good cook!! They like my wine and brie cheese!!

On to Quartzsite AZ where, during January each year, as many as a million people - most in RVs of all descriptions - congregate and spreadout on the vast desert floor, enjoying whatever brings them to this "happening". Here's a desert mountain sunrise.

Down to Yuma AZ for supplies, dump waste and refill tanks with water, propane and fuel. Active Marine airbase there and witnessed squadrons of Warrior type aircraft do their thing, which includes flying at supersonic speed to vertical take-off and landing!

Up to a BLM site just noth of Yuma called Imperial Dam to boondock, fly RC model and take Jeep rides along what is left of the Colorado River. The nearby Army Proving Ground hosts the Army's demonstration parachute teams each winter to train. Open to the public, it is a thrill to watch their precision "flying" and landing. Very professional and entertaining.

Now in a small remote "town", Ajo in south central AZ and boondocking (in remote area w/o hookups) amongst other boondockers who have happy hour and morning coffee gatherings around a campfire. Interesting, sometimes "different" people from all walks of life. Most are retired and full- or semi-full-timers.

Ajo abuts the Barry Goldwater Military Range - a vast deolate area stretching 130 miles to the west and Yuma. Military jets use the range to practice gunnery and bombing. Jets fly low right overhead on their way to do their thing. One hears, then sees them, and soon thereafter, feels the shock of the detonating bombs.

Weather finally warming up and the promise is more of the same - hooray.

On to Casa Grande this Sunday, caravanning with the Porters 100 miles or so through the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation. We will be attending what promises to be a most interesting and educational RV rally - The Gypsy Journal Rally.