Spring Trip in the Sonoran Desert

[M4Super90]

This past weekend I was able to meet up with Phil (Comprehensivist) and his wife and share an evening camping in the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge. From USP&W webpage: “Of the 665,400 acres within Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, 547,700 acres are designated wilderness, making it the second largest wilderness area in Arizona. The important designation helps ensure this amazing desert landscape is protected for future generations.” Home of the Sonoran antelope and the desert big horned sheep. We started off with a short jaunt up to Palm Canyon and then had lunch after the hike.

Looking back down the canyon to the trail head

The palms

This time of year is particularly beautiful and we hit the narrow window when everything is in bloom. We continued to venture south and went off road about 20 miles out of Quartzite. We hung a left across from the Yuma Proving Grounds, and by my calculations, we were about 25 miles from pavement by the time we stopped for the afternoon. I’m sure Phil was wondering where the hell we were going as he followed, but we always seem to know when we get there.

Unlike many of the green, wet, & woody photos we get to enjoy from mistwalker, the desert is a harsh place with rugged beauty. I tried some in-the-hand shots and I still don’t understand how Brian takes the awesome photos he does. I'll keep practicing. The views from our evening resting spot were quite spectacular

The ocotillo were in bloom and the bees and humming birds stayed quite active. The bees were so active, we actually experienced a swarm go past. You could hear them coming from quite a ways off. It's the first time I have ever witnessed that.

The teddy bear chollas always want to give you a hug

The brittle bush was in full bloom as well

Of course, no trip is complete without some show and tell and we brought a range of knives from Fiddelback, the extended Fiddleback family, and a few other makers.

Some very lovely, understanding, and patient women. :thumbup:

We spent quite a while discussing this duo. The Wingman has been officially handed off to Phil for his review and then it will be making its way to CA, CO, FL & VA. Check for its progress in this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1370769-Wingman-Review-and-Roadtrip

I really like the mirror finish Phil’s Wicked Edge generated on his Gaucho

I tried to “accidentally” get this little beauty mixed up in my knife roll and back into my pack (no luck!). The large chunks of glow are fantastic in the dark. I’d love to have a BC in the same handle config someday.

The AA Forge knives Phil brought with him were outstanding. So much so, I placed an order yesterday. I also liked his RErikson Kitchen knives. Here’s one of the kitchen knives with a “Lil miss” that Judy of 40Point Knives made for me.

We enjoyed a great sunset with some great wines and cheese. There were fantastic chicken shish-kabobs with a spicy asian-style glaze, grilled rosemary lamb loins, and garlic haricot verts (Sorry – no pics of the food. It was dark and my hands were completely occupied with the drinking and eating. ).

Overall, a great time with great friends. The weather was absolutely perfect – 75ish during the day and 45 at night. Great campfire weather! We’re looking forward to doing it again in the future. I think we even made a convert in the process. I’m pretty sure someone said something about “glamping”.

 

[Tech-1]

I have yet to visit KOFA but have driven by it dozens of times. It always catches my eye for adventure. Any big horns around?

 

[M4Super90]

Nope. We didn't see any large mammals except for us. I did see some javilena scat. I also didn't know that the Sonoran pronghorn is actually a subspecies and that the last herd got down into the 20-something left almost 100 years ago.

 

[Tech-1]

That's right, the Sonora pronghorn are there as well. My understanding is their numbers are improving, albeit slowly.
Loved your photos and write up.

 

[hasco]

Knives, wilderness, friends, food and drink........ It doesn't get much better than that! It looks like you guys had a great time. I could just imagine someone walking up to your camp and seeing that table of knives ....

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Random04]

Very beautiful AND inspirational!

 

[prom52]

Phillip:

From the looks of things it appears that you had one heck of a good time.....great wives, food, wine, knives and above all friendship. Thanks for sharing the experience ! Good thing you didn't have to pass through any metal detectors on your way into the Refuge

Peter

 

[bonafide]

Wow .. great thread. Makes ya wanna load up the truck and head for the mountains! Thanks for sharing.

 

[M4Super90]

That's right, the Sonora pronghorn are there as well. My understanding is their numbers are improving, albeit slowly.
Loved your photos and write up.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Knives, wilderness, friends, food and drink........ It doesn't get much better than that! It looks like you guys had a great time. I could just imagine someone walking up to your camp and seeing that table of knives ....

Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks Tod. We actually saw only 1 other Jeep in about 18 hours. I'd feel sorry for folks that were on foot out where we were. BTW, you should be seeing that Wingman soon(ish).

Very beautiful AND inspirational!

Thanks!

Phillip:

From the looks of things it appears that you had one heck of a good time.....great wives, food, wine, knives and above all friendship. Thanks for sharing the experience ! Good thing you didn't have to pass through any metal detectors on your way into the Refuge

Peter

Fantastic time. We wouldn't have failed just because of the knives...

Wow .. great thread. Makes ya wanna load up the truck and head for the mountains! Thanks for sharing.

When the heat rolls in, we'll go the opposite direction. The nice thing about AZ is that you're in a national park wonder land. From Phoenix, 90 miles south = hard core desert. 90 miles north = conifer forests. In the summer that can be a 50+ degree swing in a few hour drive (just Phoenix to the rim). In the winter, it's pool weather to snow. I still love Texas, but this isn't bad.

 

[schmittie]

Looks like you guys had an awesome trip. I've never been to the desert but would love to visit. Can Mrs Schmittie and I bring the canned ham?

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[bonafide]

When the heat rolls in, we'll go the opposite direction. The nice thing about AZ is that you're in a national park wonder land. From Phoenix, 90 miles south = hard core desert. 90 miles north = conifer forests. In the summer that can be a 50+ degree swing in a few hour drive (just Phoenix to the rim). In the winter, it's pool weather to snow. I still love Texas, but this isn't bad.

I'm familiar - I've got family in Tucson. They moved there from El Paso/Victoria, TX (Railroad career). Use to visit them every year growing up (Summers & sometimes Christmas). We'd spend our days in the brush, trying to BB-shoot lizards.
Since adulthood .. I only visit for weddings & funerals.
My cousins always amaze me when they 'show off' their patch of grass in the backyard. lol. I tell them they can come visit and mow my yard any time they feel like it.

 

[M4Super90]

I don't miss mowing or raking leaves the least bit.

 

[M4Super90]

Looks like you guys had an awesome trip. I've never been to the desert but would love to visit. Can Mrs Schmittie and I bring the canned ham?

Thanks for sharing!!

We'd spend a lot of time on "recovery" with the clearance between that door and the ground. No promises about it being in one piece after we tug on it, but bring your bad self on.

 

[jebbello]

Glad you enjoyed it!



Thanks Tod. We actually saw only 1 other Jeep in about 18 hours. I'd feel sorry for folks that were on foot out where we were. BTW, you should be seeing that Wingman soon(ish).



Thanks!



Fantastic time. We wouldn't have failed just because of the knives...



When the heat rolls in, we'll go the opposite direction. The nice thing about AZ is that you're in a national park wonder land. From Phoenix, 90 miles south = hard core desert. 90 miles north = conifer forests. In the summer that can be a 50+ degree swing in a few hour drive (just Phoenix to the rim). In the winter, it's pool weather to snow. I still love Texas, but this isn't bad.

You can't beat the State of Arizona. Besides what you mentioned we aren't that far from the ocean and we don't have to deal with the nonsense of that state.
If I were not to live here, the next stop would be Texas.

 

[M4Super90]

You can't beat the State of Arizona. Besides what you mentioned we aren't that far from the ocean and we don't have to deal with the nonsense of that state.
If I were not to live here, the next stop would be Texas.

I don't know, I kind of miss the cost of living and no state income tax nonsense. Plus, Phoenix is basically a suburb of LA. I miss the southern hospitality, good BBQ and Tex-Mex.

 

[Scotcha]

What a great trip and pics!!! Makes me want to visit the great US of A even more & maybe a trip to the forge on my visit.

My sister lives in Phoenix and a visit might be due

 

[VANCE]

I'm sure that was a great time as I know that Comprehensivist and his wife are a pleasure.
Nice pics....I think we all strive to take pics like mistwalker

 

[schmittie]

We'd spend a lot of time on "recovery" with the clearance between that door and the ground. No promises about it being in one piece after we tug on it, but bring your bad self on.

Well, I do believe you have quickly highlighted one of the SERIOUS flaws from the original design of this Scotty 30 years ago. It's confirmed. We are banished to the boring flatlands. :thumbdn:

 

[Kirkwood]

Nice pics, Phillip. Looks you all had a great time in some beautiful country.

Love that 40point lil' miss btw. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Finally, I am back at my computer and can see the photos better and comment...small screens and fat thumbs don't mix very well for me...

Fantastic post Phillip! I love the photos! I always get captivated by the photos of the desert you and a couple other people post. It is such an alien landscape for me. One day, probably in a median season , I am going to wander around out there some with my cameras. Maybe I can build a platform over the bed of my truck I could shoot from. They keep trying to get me to do SHOT show, but I know how expensive it would be. Big cities really don't hold my attention for long usually...long enough to take some pics of the skyline maybe I don't gamble, not really into sports, I don't deal well with bars (except at Blade for some odd reason...), I'm not into shows or show girls, I just end up wandering off into the desert and getting lost or something