AstroGypsies

One night here is like visiting a time capsule. Riverfront RV Park, Yuma. I often joke about it being the set of the movie Cocoon but we actually saw some younggerish people, if that is a word;) It’s off the highway, on the Colorado River and a good rest between San Diego and Tucson. The lady that runs this place is a wiry, tough as nails, backhoe driving force of nature:) The property is dotted with old cars and antiques that gives it a nice vibe. The park next door has beautiful walking trails along the river as well so not a hardship, but it was a state park we were longing for!

Our trip East was a bit unsettled. We drove through small rains squalls for most of the trip but the sun shone through in the end giving us some dramatic light and colour! Trailer and truck came out a bit cleaner;) No bad billboards other than the $1000 Complete Cremation one;) I hadn’t checked the park website and when we got there they explained there was only water in the restrooms and showers. The park well had run dry. She said we could go back 7 miles and fill up at the Flying Jay but we decided to ration, and pack a bucket or two while we were here, enough driving;)

This is not a quiet state park. A small hill protects loop A from some of the noise but between the train and highway traffic from Interstate 10 it is a bit of a distraction but a beautiful spot none the less. When I’d made reservations a month ago it was the only camping spot left over the weekend. Given the high price of $30 per night and just electric, no water, at all, but there is a dump station, it is pricey, but full, it is too convenient:) Can’t wait for those $12.00 full hook up New Mexico parks;) We were treated to a lovely sunset but the next day was cloudy, cold and windy so not much hiking. Lot’s of cat cuddling;) The lupines were putting on quite the flower show but the poppies were all closed with the clouds and sprinkles. Cats said it was an approved park but lots of prickly things that we are introducing Rocket to…owies…them there’s cactus! No climbing saguaros young padwan!

Monday morning early had us heading down to South Tucson to Carl’s RV Repair. They got up on the roof did a look/see and measured the roof for the replacement rubber coating and sizes of the broken skylight and hatch covers. Took less than 20 minutes and we were heading to Desert Trails RV Park to wait for the parts to arrive and the Insurance review. This is a busy place this time of year. We are often here in the slower season and ended up the only spot they had was out backing onto the road. Beggars can’t be choosers so here we are, waiting until Wednesday morning to take the trailer in for a few days. This coming Mondays forecast is for rain so we have to wait:( We do have a nice little VRBO house lined up for the 4 nights with a pool/spa and yard for the cats to walk on their leashes. They are not too keen on our current spot, traffic noise, no wild areas close. Was hoping to back out on the desert but not happening:( Rocket is meeting new dog friends and the neighbours all know him now…’Hi Rocket” they say as he flops on their feet. Groot and Gamora are fairly standoffish with strangers which makes Rocket a delight as he is social butterfly:)

Spring here has sprung. The birds are busy and love, er lust, er, both(?)…is in the air;) Cactus Wrens are flirting in the mesquite as Quails run in the under brush. Doves are doing their best cooing and gathering twigs for their very sparse nests:) The distinctive sound of the Curved-Billed Thrasher fills the air. The Great Horned Owls woke me up at dawn hooting away. There is a nest in a saguaro right on the path where Mom is huddled over her eggs, just an eye peeking up every now and then!

I try to go out every day for a peek, keeping my distance. Her partner was hooting to her from afar. According to All About Birds: “With its long, ear-like tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on smaller fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards and cities.” These are the top of their food chain:) Some cool facts:

Great Horned Owls are fierce predators that can take large prey, including raptors such as Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, and other owls. They also eat much smaller morsels such as rodents, frogs, and scorpions.

When clenched, a Great Horned Owl’s strong talons require a force of 28 pounds to open. The owls use this deadly grip to sever the spine of large prey.

If you hear an agitated group of cawing American Crows, they may be mobbing a Great Horned Owl. Crows may gather from near and far and harass the owl for hours. The crows have good reason, because the Great Horned Owl is their most dangerous predator.

Even though the female Great Horned Owl is larger than her mate, the male has a larger voice box and a deeper voice. Pairs often call together, with audible differences in pitch.

I loved to listen to the Great Horned Owls in the arroyo in Baja. There would be 4 or 5 communicating with each other up and down the stream bed. Different pitches and sounds echoing off the sierra. These are the beautiful noise of nature! That is the kind of noise I’m looking for:)

Gila noise, Curve-Billed Thrasher noise, Cactus Wren noise, wind in the saguaros…wait…is that even possible;) ha! I’ll tell you on down the road a bit;) Saludos amigos!