A change in the weather!

Last night I awoke to the first measurable rainfall, since leaving Oregon on October 1st, complete with an amazing lightning storm! Even though last night put on quite a show, I awoke this morning to clear skies and a temp of 63 degrees!

Just to catch you up on my travels, I left the Lost Dutchman campground on Friday morning after getting Amy off to Eugene on Thursday afternoon. I headed south to Madera Canyon with the goal of finding a Painted Redstart. It took till Sunday afternoon to succeed in that effort so my life bird count is now 404! Coincidently, I located the bird at the same watering hole as I located the Elegant Trogon. Unfortunately, the pictures I took all focused on the limbs between me and the Redstart so the image of the bird is blurry!

I had been watching the weather forecast and saw that it called for thunderstorms to roll in mid week with gusty winds and rain. As I was on a dirt road, on an exposed hill facing the direction the storm was approaching from, I decided to head west to the Yuma area where the storm would have less impact and I would be camped on pavement. So here I am back at Senator Wash. Temperatures have cooled and looking at the forecast, it will stay that way!

Back at Lost Dutchman

Amy and I have bounced around for a bit. Senator Wash then Oxbow campground near Cibola NWR and lastly boon docked in desert near Quartzsite before coming here.

The views here are always amazing. Amy will be flying home for the holidays so I'll be bacheloring it for a couple months. Amy just came running into the trailer in a panic. A tarantula walked across her path outside!

That's the largest spider I have ever seen! Amy says she is not going barefoot here anymore! Always exciting on the road!

Squaw Lake near Yuma

We are now at Squaw Lake campground  just below Senator Wash dam. I have been here a number of times in the past 3 years but have never seen the campground this empty 

or Senator Wash reservoir so full!

The reservoir goes up and down, not from natural in flow, but from a pumping station  at Squaw Lake. The reservoir is used for irrigation and the water level changes weekly. Most of the shore area is under water so not many shorebirds as in the past. It is a bit hotter here than we like so may not stay long. We did purchase the $75 annual pass so no more camping as long as we stay in a pass covered campground. 

Painted Rock Petroglyph campground

We stayed 1 night in Tombstone and had a great meal at Big Nose Kates Saloon. It was 33 degrees when we woke yesterday morn so headed west toward Yuma. We are at Gila Bend at the petroglyph site.

As you can see it is pretty barren but with my senior discount it is only $4 per night.

There is a large heap of boulders covered with petroglyphs from indians and early travelers thru this area.

As you can see the markings completely cover some of the rocks. Here is an arrogant idiot ignoring the do not enter signs.

When he saw me taking his pics he claimed there were no signs on the other side. I ignored him. Having walked completely around the mound myself, I knew that was a lie! Maybe his girlfriend was impressed!