Outdoor Adventure USA

Posted: **Mon May 23, 2016 5:05 pm**

The deserts of the Mojave are as diverse as the people who have been there. Over the centuries it has been used for mining, homesteading, routes from the east to the west, scenes for famous western towns, hunting, movies and TV shows. Many years ago American Indians also used the area extensively. Today the area is a mix of public and private land, but it is always worth a visit. Every season has something unique to offer.

We had 3 days for a camping trip and it proved to be a perfect combination of weather, good food, good friends, good wine, and terrific scenery. One of the great things about this area is the fact that it is located so that residents from Arizona, Nevada and California all have about equal access.

Despite the National Weather Service predictions of blowing high winds and overcast skies, the weather was clear, mildly breezy and comfortably cool. The temps at night did get to freezing, but before bedtime, it made for some great campfires!!!!

The Mojave Desert should be on everyone's list of places to visit.

The Highlights

SCENERY

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CAMP

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CACTUS

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KITCHEN

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SHOWER

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RADIO

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FOOD

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SUNSET

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TEMPS

WISHY WASHY (new and improved)

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Posted: **Mon May 23, 2016 11:00 pm**

Adding to Dave's list:

Flora
Fauna
Scenery
Points of interest
Trains
Moonsets...
late getting out...
Just things of the desert...with eyes wide open!

: Moon on the fall with my day in the desert just starting!; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 01.jpg (74.64 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: I'm glad the monument is back. I stumbled across this while transitioning from night to day.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 02.jpg (76.21 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: I'm a sucker for trains, but throw a graphic sunrise behind it...GET OUT!; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 03.jpg (49.62 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: More moonset. Wow, talk about rabbits on the road! They were out in full force and if I was a predator, I would have been there for the buffet!; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 04.jpg (68.32 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Cima General Store...no longer open for business from what I was told. Like most things, get out there before it all goes away!; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 05.JPG (73.47 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: I should have checked to see if there was a dial tone. You don't see many of these just out and about but out here time stands still.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 06.JPG (88.83 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Doesn't feel good to brush up against but they sure are interesting from a distance.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 07.JPG (116.97 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Flower 01, but look for the hummingbird.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 08.JPG (140.49 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Flower 02; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 09.JPG (165.7 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Flower 03; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 10.JPG (137.77 KiB) Viewed 3836 times

: Flower 04; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 11.JPG (103.77 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Flower 05; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 12.JPG (108.1 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Flower 06; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 13.JPG (86.46 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Flower 07; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 14.JPG (88.36 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Old Snag; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 15.JPG (108.8 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Flower 08; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 16.JPG (127.43 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Baby hawk = eyas...did not know that...had to look it up.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 17.JPG (62.15 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Remnants of a mining complex 01; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 18.jpg (120.64 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Remnants 02; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 19.JPG (97.42 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Panoramic mining complex 01; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 20.JPG (46.77 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Panoramic mining complex 02; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 21.JPG (50.62 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Out building from the outside looking in.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 22.jpg (83.02 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: The trash pile...discarded as trash but there may be buried treasure!; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 23.jpg (181.54 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: Flower 09; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 24.JPG (200.31 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

: A substantial dugout structure that might have been built to keep things cooler. Always like to understand the purpose of the build.; 160520, OAUSA Mojave 640 25.JPG (66.31 KiB) Viewed 3834 times

Posted: **Wed May 25, 2016 12:28 am**

This was another fantastic weekend out in the remote Eastern Mojave Preserve.

It was great to get out and relax with good friends, away from the daily grind, and be able to really sit back and observe this amazing wilderness area. Thanks to recent rains in the area, everything was blooming - I've never seen so many cactus flowers or Joshua tree blooms before. And with very cooperative weather, it was perfect for hiking and exploring.

Of course, no OAUSA camping trip is complete without fine cuisine, and thanks to Dave, Hector, and Rick, we feasted like desert royalty. A nice compliment of spirits helped keep the conversation flowing, and calm winds allowed for campfires every night. We even had a close-up visit from a couple of mule deer does on Sat night - quite an unexpected sight, given the noise level of our conversations, and ham radio monitoring noise levels.

Regarding the radios, the bands were fairly quiet, although we did catch sporadic activity, mostly on 20 and 40 meters. Playing with the amateur bands outside at night under the blue moon, with Mars visible at it's side, was hard to beat, too.

Looking forward to our next outing - 2016 OAUSA Field Day in Los Padres Nat'l Forest, 6/22-6/24.

Here are a couple of pics from the trip:

: The FJ Hilton in camp; FJ in Camp 2.jpg (1.2 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Our three chefs in action; Dinner Prep 1.jpg (1.52 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Sass's famous bean dip "Before"; Sass's Bean Dip Before.jpg (783.23 KiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Sass's famous bean dip "After"; Sass's Bean Dip After.jpg (809.27 KiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Dinner wine selection; Wine Selection.jpg (1.15 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Relaxing around the fire pit; Fire Pit at Day 2.jpg (1.64 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

: View from hills above camp; View from Camp.jpg (1.2 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

: Deer visiting our camp; Deer in Camp 2.jpg (1.4 MiB) Viewed 3814 times

Outdoor Adventure USA

Mojave Desert 2016

Mojave Desert 2016

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