WatsonsWander
  • Travel Journal
  • Our Airstream
  • Live Infographic
  • About Us
  • RV Resources
  • Contact

WatsonsWander

  • Travel Journal
  • Our Airstream
  • Live Infographic
  • About Us
  • RV Resources
  • Contact

A Great Start to the New Year

written by Amanda January 16, 2018

December 30 – January 13
We spent the first two weeks of 2018 hanging out in the desert surrounded by gorgeous scenery and great friends. With ample opportunities for hiking, biking, exploring, extended happy hours, warm fires, delicious shared meals, and enjoying a general sense well being, I would say we’re off to a great start for the new year.

Sunrise

Starting the year off right with some spectacular sunrises

After our very social December trip to the northeast where we enjoyed a few weeks of non-stop social outings, it seemed like some solitude was in order. But at the last minute, we decided to reach out to a few friends with an invite to join us for New Year’s Eve and beyond. The result was a small gathering of awesome people in a prime location smack in the middle of a patch of Arizona desert.

KOFA Camping

Desert neighborhood vibes

KOFA Camping

A good sign for the new year

I sometimes struggle with the social aspect of RVing. Large groups of people are not my idea of a good time, and often even small gatherings can be stressful because they usually involve new people or those that I didn’t know well. But this time was different. I finally feel like we have a solid group of real RV friends (as opposed to casual acquaintances) and since we’ve spent a lot of time with all of them we’ve moved past the getting to know you small talk leaving more room for silliness mixed with meaningful conversations.

Friends in truck

Love these faces :) Also, proof that you can fit 4 in the backseat of a Tundra.

Near the end of our two week stay the festivities in nearby Quartzsite ramped up (we were parked about 20 miles south of town). There was the annual RV show, the ongoing flea markets, and numerous groups gathering for rallies and convergences. The RV show and flea market were not on our radar this year — we went to both two years in a row a while back and have deiced it’s not something we need to do again. Same with the rallies and convergences. A few people from our group moved over to the Xscapers gathering where they were expecting something like 300-400 people! Umm…no way. We’ve never been rally people and the idea of trying to meet and socialize with that many people is horrifying to me.

Group walk Kofa

I would much rather hang out with 4 people rather than 400!

So while there was a lot happening about 30 minutes north of us, we happily remained in our small bubble of close friends and wide open spaces. Instead of seminars on solar panels and perusing the same junk that same dude was selling three years ago we went on numerous walks, a hike to see the native palms in Palm Canyon, hiked up to Signal Peak twice, took our bikes on the dirt roads that wind through the desert, and spent countless hours laughing and enjoying the company of some really great people.

Palm Canyon, Kofa

Native palms in the canyon

Kofa art

Public art

Kofa, Arizona

A few new friends

Dueling grills…

Grilled Pizza

For grilled pizza night!

Cholla at dusk

Cholla cactus at dusk

Signal Peak - Kofa, AZ

Hiking in the rugged desert

Signal Peak - Kofa, AZ

Kofa Mountains

Signal Peak - Kofa, AZ

At the top of Signal Peak

Signal Peak - Kofa, AZSignal Peak - Kofa, AZSignal Peak - Kofa, AZSignal Peak - Kofa, AZ

Kofa, AZ

Evening Glow

4 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Amanda

previous post
Looking Back on 2017
next post
Lost Dutchman State Park

You may also like

Sizzling in Salida

July 1, 2013

Back in Tucson at Gilbert Ray

February 21, 2014

Gilbert Ray Campground

February 5, 2013

Exploring the Sawtooth Mountains

September 14, 2017

A Couple More Days in Cloudcroft

May 9, 2014

Return To Capitol Reef

October 10, 2017

Cactus Hunting & Concert Going

February 19, 2014

Idaho Eclipse O-Rama

August 28, 2017

Christmas in Tucson

December 28, 2015

McDowell Mountain Regional Park

February 13, 2014

4 comments

Debra January 16, 2018 - 4:12 pm

Nice photos! I’ve been in kofa for the last week, first time here. Isn’t it so beautiful! Love it.

Reply
Pat Hall January 16, 2018 - 5:36 pm

I love those photos from Signal Mtn. I really want to get to Kofa next year. We are staying in the southeast this winter.

Reply
Kim January 16, 2018 - 6:03 pm

Beautiful pictures!! My husband and I spent last week in Sedona; went to Grand Canyon (snow was there) and Phoenix also (no snow – 80 degrees on Saturday – sooo nice). We’re from MN so we needed a little warmth; got back just in time for the Vikings game – WOW what a fantastic finish!

I’m with you when it comes to fewer people….couldn’t do the large gatherings very often. Maybe once just to see what they are like, though.

Reply
bill bennett January 18, 2018 - 9:42 am

Ah, life is complete again. The Watsons are on the road. Back to my armchair traveling.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

days on the road

About The Watsons

About The Watsons

This is the story of Tim & Amanda. Since 2012, we have traveled the U.S. while living and working from our renovated 25-foot Airstream. Follow us on our crazy journey in search of beautiful scenery, fun adventures, interesting people, tasty foods, and more…

Keep in touch

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Email

Subscribe by Email

* indicates required

Wandering Threads Embroidery

Wandering Threads Embroidery
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top