2/19 - 2/25/05 Point of Rocks in the Granite Dells

2/19 - Is tréjà vu a word? Or maybe déjà three? If you read the last adventure then you have already heard a description of today's rainy drive from Bullhead City to Prescott... an instant replay of last week. The only difference was the dispersed juniper forest in the higher elevations. Before that, climbing up the grade toward Kingman we passed through some very interesting formations in the Black Mountains, made more dramatic by the threatening storm clouds. Then it was on across I40, an interstate that has seen better days: potholes that could swallow us up if we weren't careful. I hate taking Gypsy through potholes, so I was on the alert for miles, straddling holes by steering toward the edge or sometimes, or, if the passing lane was clear, toward the center line. It's a pretty desolate ride. We made a short pit stop at Seligman, a small & rather dilapidated town whose Route 66 connection & memorabilia seemed to be its only hope.

We are staying at Point of Rocks Campground on the northeast perimeter of Prescott. And there are a lot of interesting rocks in this area; it's reminiscent of Joshua Tree. The camp sites are generally separated by trees & shrubs, so there's a sense of privacy. This campground is somewhat unusual in that there are a number of permanent residents, their RVs have grown roots. It's cool too; we're right at a mile high here. The forecast for the next several days includes chances of snow and some overnight temperatures in the 20's. The longer term forecast as of today isn't looking very promising either, so we could just find ourselves back at Lake Pleasant, rather than Sedona.

2/21 - After a couple of days here, I realize that my note above about "a lot of interesting rocks" is a gross understatement. It turns out we are camped within the Granite Dells, an extensive granite outcropping that extends for a few miles around. There's a nice walking trail into the Dells from our campground & Timmy & I have enjoyed several hikes so far, even with the miserable weather. The Dells are endlessly changing. Around every bend is another vista or fascinating formation. I've taken about 50 photos so far & even after culling some that weren't too good, I still have almost 40 that I really like. Way too many for a gallery like I've been doing. Luckily however, I have been researching slide show options for a few days & had come up with a format that I like, although I still have a couple of window control issues to resolve. Nevertheless, I want to make this slide show available to you, readers, so that you get a chance to experience the Granite Dells too.

As we were returning from one of our walks, I heard some ravens making unusual calls. Then I spotted 4 of them, 2 pairs each flying in formation, circling above the rocks. I managed to get a picture that shows 2 clearly & the other 2 somewhat obscured. They moved off before I could get a really good shot.

2/23 - All of this rotten weather has kept us indoors most of the time (besides the time I'd be indoors working anyway). But I've put the time to good use putting together additional slide shows for all of the galleries as well as Favorites & Critters shows. All are now available on our revamped main photo gallery page. I added some improvements over the original Dells slide show & have since revised it also. The shows aren't seemless, but I don't plan to work on the innards any more, unless I hear of too many problems from you folks out there in cyber land.

The view out my back window into a small corner of the Dells has been enlivened daily by a variety of birds. Besides several varieties of sparrow, we've had juncos, warblers, robins, spotted towhees & yesterday, a pair of roadrunners came by. I was only able to get a shot of the hen. Also saw a baldy fly by yesterday afternoon. There are lakes on both sides of the highway here, both very high and very muddy. But maybe it's the lakes that attracted the eagle.

Once again I find myself plotting how best to survive another week of lousy weather. The forecast for next week is for more of the same, with a break this weekend. I considered Patagonia Lake, only about 15 miles from Mexico, but at over 4000', it's just as cold there as it is here. I want to get warm again! Enough of this Oregon weather! So we'll most likely head for a lower elevation, try to dry camp, but make sure we have a place to go for a recharge.

I just took Timmy for his night time walkies & was astonished to see stars. The clouds have cleared, however briefly. And the bright full moon reminded me that it was just a lunar month ago that I captured the Moonrise over Four Peaks image that has inspired me to try to make our galleries (& now slide shows) more than just collections of travel snapshots.

2/25 - We really have enjoyed hiking in the Granite Dells each day over the last week, but I grow tired of the cold. There was ice on the water in my tripod ballast bucket yesterday morning. It's not going to warm up in the higher elevations for a while, contrary to my hopes when heading this way. So tomorrow we are going to head for the low desert. I'm going to check out the free camping area at Crystal Hill south of Quartzsite, AZ. This will be our first shot at true boondocking, no improvements there at all, 15 miles from services of any kind. The 5 - 10 day forecast for that area has improved in the last couple of days, indicating more sun & a lot warmer than here. If that area doesn't work out, my backup plan would be the BLM lands around Quartzsite or possibly north of Blythe. Still boondocking, but not quite as remote.

So the quest continues and another adventure awaits!

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