Another Rainy Day!

 

I thought the Arizona desert was a very dry environment with little, or no, rain.  Seems we brought some with us from the deep South.  We had rain most of Monday and it started again last night.  Puddles standing around the trailer this morning, and the forecast is for up to a half inch total before it’s done.

While talking with the refuge volunteer we learned that there was a good possibility of seeing Desert Sheep back in a canyon near where we are camped.  A four wheel drive road accessed, and went up the canyon.  Though it was overcast yesterday, Jim and I decided to give it a shot.  We drove four miles back to the mouth of the canyon in my truck, but hiked the canyon, itself.

Jim checking out a remote rain gauge.

Lots of hidey holes.

We hiked a little over four miles up the canyon, but saw little wildlife except birds.  Found quite a cluster of these nests.  I’m sure Judy can identify the species.

 

Finally reached our turnaround point.  Actually thought we would break out the top of the canyon and catch a better view to the East.

But the canyon just kept going onward and upward.

On the way back toward the truck.

Skull cave?

A pleasant sight.

An eight mile desert hike. Pretty good for two old guys…..jc

What’s Happening!

 

The last two days have been kind of a blur.  Though we are still camped in the same place in the Kofa NWR, we’ve been busy.  Woke on Tuesday morning, following Monday’s rain, to fog.

The sun was trying to make an appearance on the mountains to the West.

Started the day with a hike to the top of a nearby hill, cinder cone, whatever.

Looking down on the desert floor.  Those three white dots are Casitas at our campsite.

The afternoon found us at Crystal Hill.

I found a couple of pretty nice ones.  Pictures in another blog, maybe.  All that was followed by an awesome sunset on “our” mountain.

Today found us in Yuma for a daytrip.  Visited the old territorial prison.

Had a great lunch at a restaurant called “The Garden”.  From there it was to Walmart, and a local produce stand.

Lots of good stuff.  Yuma calls itself the Winter vegetable capitol of the Country.  Growing three crops on the same piece of land each Winter.

A stop at the Yuma Proving Grounds wrapped up the day.

A very busy two days.  But of all the things we did, this is always my favorite.

Later…..jc

Rainy day in the desert.

 

Sally and I are sitting outside, listening to the patter of raindrops in the desert.  Raining enough to run off the awning.

Everyone else has gone to town for laundry, and other things, but we decided to stay at camp.  Thunder or artillery, not sure which, sounds to the South.  The blue dog is nervous, especially with her momma gone.

I’ve read many posts about the sounds and smells of the desert after a rain. I can already smell an odor I remember from younger days.  The smell of a dusty field after a quick summertime shower.  There are other scents coming and going on the light breeze.  Those I don’t recognize, but all are pleasant.  

Now there are no sounds other than the rain.  It must have been thunder earlier that had Sally so nervous.  Her mom just called to let us know she was on her way from town.  Soon, everything be be right in her world again…..jc