We took a day off from exploring and concentrated on domestic chores. I did some baking, including biscotti and a new recipe; doggie biscuits for Mavrik!

It was a package mix a friend gave me that included a tiny little shamrock shaped cookie cutter. I made LOTS of cookies, good thing Mavrik likes them!

Today is the full moon! Before we saw the sun rise we had a beautiful view of the moon setting!

The moon setting in the west, behind the mountains flanking the Colorado River on the Yuma Proving Grounds.

After a good breakfast we headed north to the Palm Canyon Road and took a spur off of that into the Kofa Queen Canyon. Basically we were following a wash into this fantastic canyon . We bounced slowly along the road until we reached the end, the “Road Closed to Motor Vehicles to Protect Wilderness Values” sign. We continued on foot up a deeply rutted wash, apparently the road had continued on in the far distant past. We reached a hillside where the faint jeep tracks ran up, we followed them and looked down at the end of another road, the “Road Closed…” sign with its back to us!

The view from the top of the hill.

On our way out of the canyon we stopped at the ‘arch’ along the wash.

The ‘arch’ looks pretty small, but the boulder is huge! We had to hike up to it, and had great views through the gap.

Mavrik in the arch.

Today we rode a little further out on King Valley Road, the major road into the interior of Kofa, which eventually takes you to The King of Arizona Mine, the namesake of the refuge. We turned south on a dirt road toward the White Tanks.

Looking back at King Valley and the road that brought us to the tanks. The Kofa mountains are in the distance.

We had to climb above the first tank and follow the wash up to this beautiful spot!

Heading back down we had this view of the reflection in one of the upper pools.

Mavrik enjoyed clambering around on the rocks.

We left the hustle and bustle of Tucson behind and headed back to the peace and quiet of the desert at Kofa Wildlife Refuge! The Jeepster earned it’s keep in the next few days as we explored the area in the south section of the refuge. This area has a concentration of water sources, enhanced natural tinajas or tanks, that are highlights to visit. The closest to our campsite are the Horse and Grey Tanks. A short bumpy ride in the Jeepster got us to the site and we hiked to several of the tanks, the first of which was fairly full and relatively clear!

The reflections scared Mavrik, but he got a drink anyway!

This tank reflected the rock wall surrounding it.

I’m visiting my Mom in North Carolina and we took in a few exhibits at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. A very interesting exhibit “Lines of Control: Partition as a Productive Space“, focusing mainly on the border between India and Pakistan, was very thought provoking.

Mom. In the Antiquities Exhibit (I know that sounds terrible, but that’s where we were!).

From the Medieval Collection:

Patron Saint of Big Hands!

Patron Saint of Huge Feet!

Patron Saint of Emergency Bathroom Visits!