Turning south off of Highway 95 at Parker, AZ onto Hwy 72 for a few miles and then on to a washboard gravel for 20 miles was a mistake. Not that we had our directions messed up but we should have called the BLM to make sure the roads were passable. Our intent was to reach the eastern end of the Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge, set up camp and try to spot some wetland/riparian birds. We made it to within three miles of the turnoff to Mineral Wash, our road to the reserve and saw a sign that read, "4 wheel drive advised." Oh joy, the road was washed out last year by the spring rains. We took the turnaround loop provided for the chicken fainthearted and camped about a mile back on a small hill.
Our home on the hill for the evening. Look close off to the bottom left and you'll see Jackie with walking stick and backpack out searching for shiny rocks.
You have to admit, if you're forced to pull up short of a destination, a place as beautiful as this ain't too shabby a spot to land.
While there we went out and harvested the big timber, The cactus-like Ocotilla tree, for walking sticks and drum mallet handles.
Final preparation requires removing the thorns, leaves and bark. Gloves required.
Leaving our home on the hill and back out the 5 mph, bumpy road to Hwy
72, we headed south to Bouse (say Mouse) AZ. We've been here 4 days
and in the morning return to BLM Earp, CA (35 Mi) and meet up with our friends
from Colorado.
Sunset looking east toward the Plomosa Mountains, Bouse, AZ
Geeze, almost forgot the new lifer-bird that appeared here in the Bouse desert.
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER.
Pic is a bit fuzzy, he was a bit shy and didn't want to come any closer. Doesn't this just excite the dickens out of you~~
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