www.quietwalkphotography.com – Quiet Walk Photography

February 28, 2025August 10, 2025

Snow in Arizona – February 2023

Early Morning View from the Campsite on Black Rock Road

It is February and Clifford and I are camped on Black Rock Road in northwest Arizona. Even though we are in Arizona, winter feels like winter. We were pleased with the mild temperatures on the trip to Snow Canyon last week, but on my birthday, it is 18 degrees when we get up. Although the morning is quite chilly, there is a gorgeous blue sky all day long. What a great birthday gift that is!

Clifford is treating me to a buffet lunch at a casino in Mesquite, Nevada, about 25 miles away. After a great lunch, we go to the pawn shop that we had gone to when we were in Mesquite at the balloon festival a couple weeks ago. That day I had seen an old violin in a new case and talked myself out of buying it. In the meantime, however, it occurred to me that the case alone was worth the asking price. Fortunately it is still there, so today I buy it with Clifford paying half as a birthday gift.

On the way back to Black Rock Road, we stop at Cedar Pockets, the rest area/campground where we met our nomad friend David several years ago, but which closed due to covid in 2020. It is open again, but this time of year almost no one is there. Clifford naps in the car while I hike the trail that goes from the campground down to the rest area. Hiking by myself gives me time to connect with the beauty of the day.

What a fun birthday week with our outings, the beautiful scenery and blue sky, and a new old fiddle to try out. Not to mention some very pretty sunrises and sunsets.

Sunset over the Virgin River Gorge as Seen from Black Rock Road

One day, just as we arrive back at the campsite after a trip to St. George for groceries and supplies, David invites us over for dinner and a movie – “RV,” staring Robin Williams. It was especially funny because almost everything that went wrong is something we three can relate to in our own lifestyle of traveling and camping in our RVs.

On Valentine’s Day it is snowing and although I generally avoid walking in the wind, I bundle up to go out to take photos. Being a Montana mountain girl, I have missed seeing snow. Of course the snow doesn’t last long, but I enjoy it while I can.

Pine Mountain is so pretty the next morning, I have a good time walking about taking photos, despite the chill of the breeze.

A week later another snow storm passes through, followed by another a few days later. There is not a lot of snow and it is gone from the basin by afternoon, but the mountains retain their new white coats and I like feeling the freshness of new snow surrounding me.

Overall, February weather proves to be cold and windy with a mix of clouds and wind, chemtrails and wind, a bit of rain or snow and wind, a little sunshine now and then, but always wind. The wind makes the days feel too cold for walking or playing instruments outside. One day the wind was blowing hard enough to keep us rocking and rolling for hours with gusts up to 50+ miles an hour.

Both Clifford and I have lots of indoor projects. I’m currently tending toward “Ask and Listen” and moving forward in my day based on that with more focus on what feels good, avoiding the wind as much as possible, but popping out for photos most days.

What will March bring? We will soon see.

January 31, 2025July 21, 2025

Balloon Festival and Snow in the Desert – January 2023

Evening View of Pine Mountain from the Doorway

Clifford and I are camped in our RV, Cougar, on Black Rock Road not far from our friend David, a fellow nomad. The last weekend of January, Clifford, David, and I make a trip to Mesquite, Nevada, to the balloon festival. We meet friends Rick and LeeAnn there, go to a casino for a great lunch, the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum, and a pawn shop while we wait for the evening Balloon Glow when the balloons are filled and lit up. At the pawn shop I saw an old fiddle in a brand new case; I was tempted to buy it, but since I don’t really need another instrument, I talked myself out of it.

At the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum with Friends

We parked on a hill on the edge of Mesquite to watch the activity below until dark, then found a place to park near the balloon field so we could walk through and see the balloons up close. The balloons are huge and colorful and it was fun to walk among them.

Balloon Glow at Mesquite, Nevada, Balloon Festival

In my miscellaneous reading, I come across something called “Five Minute Journal,” which I added to my daily journal writing: 1) – Inspiring quote. 2) – List 3 things I am grateful for. 3) – List 3 goals for the day (and did I accomplish them, if writing pm). 4) – List 3 things that were amazing or made me happy. 5) – Anything I would have done differently. In reviewing the journal for this blog, I find what I wrote in the Five Minute Journal to be quite interesting. I am glad I did it, at least for a while.

As January draws to a close, the temperature is warm enough for Clifford to sit outside on the sunny side of Cougar to play music, even getting bit of a tan.

An exciting change of weather happens the very next day – SNOW! I spend a long time walking in the snow taking photos. It doesn’t last long, but it was delightful for me while it was happening.

By the next day, the last day of January, the snow is all gone, except for the new white coat on Pine Mountain. What will February bring?

July 23, 2023April 23, 2026

Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival – July 2023

Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival – July 2023

Bitterroot Valley Setting for Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival

Thursday July 20, 2023

Clifford and I have been camped at the Charles Waters Campground in the Bass Creek Recreation Area in the Bitterroot Valley, about halfway between Florence and Stevensville, Montana. Today is moving day and we are headed to the Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival south of Hamilton, Montana. After breakfast and dishes, we finish packing and leave Bass Creek by 10:00 a.m. We meet my sister Nancy at Stevensville and caravan to the venue.

Although many people with their campers, vans, and tents are already here, we find a spot that is fairly level and Nancy parks beside us in the shade of a big pine tree. She has fixed up the back of her pickup with a cot and beds for her two dog, Ellie and Harvey. We have lunch of cold chicken and potato salad before Nancy and I walk about with the dogs. None of the bands are playing today, but Clifford with his dulcimer, Nancy on mandolin, and I with my old fiddle play music at our campsite awhile before dinner at our RV.

We Find a Spot at Hardtimes – Cougar and Nancy’s Truck

Friday July 21

I am up early, as is Nancy with her dogs. I make coffee for the two of us, and then fruit, yogurt, and granola for a light breakfast. Nancy and I walk the dogs, which is easier than keeping them relaxed in these new surroundings. A big motorhome arrives and parks next to us, and its generator runs continuously, even though this is a non-generator section for parking. Kind of gets on all our nerves and we can’t even hear ourselves well enough to play music. Oh well, we are all here to enjoy the bands, so there is no point in letting it spoil the enjoyment of being here.

The onstage music starts in the late afternoon and we head over to the sitting area to find shade to set up our lawn chairs with a view of the bands onstage. The bands are all very good. I especially enjoy Lockwood as their fiddle player, Taylor Buckley, is SO GOOD! It is late by time the last band of the day finishes and we all head back to our rigs to go to bed.

Saturday July 22

Today is a full day of bands on stage. It is a better day for Nancy and the dogs, as Ellie is happy to just lie in the little creek that runs through the sitting area and Harley relaxes as he cuddles up on her lap. It is a hot day, and cold salted water is a beverage of choice. Clifford bought me a cute skirt and I bought myself a cool mug, not that I need more mugs, but I liked everything about it. As I chatted with the guy who sells them, it turns out he is from Great Falls, Montana, and he was probably in the Great Falls orchestra the same time I was, back in the 1980’s.

Double Bass Waits Its Turn to Go Onstage

I walk around taking photos, as it is hard for me to sit still for so long and I can enjoy the bands even when I am moseying around. I skip the last band as I am so sleepy I can’t stay awake.

Sunday July 23

Today is the wrap-up for the Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival. I make coffee for Nancy and myself before we head on over to the sitting area. There are fewer bands today, but the raffle is always fun. After the last band, I stick around to help with take down. Nancy has to head home so she and her dogs can get back to their normal routine, and Clifford is at our site playing and singing.

Clifford Plays and Sings in Cougar’s Shade

I walk about to pick up any remaining trash, but there isn’t much. People here were good about picking after themselves.

I like to help out, as we are staying here until tomorrow. It is just too late to pack up and make the drive to our next destination – Quartzflat Campground near Superior. It has been a hot few days – upper 90’s, but there is a pretty sunset this evening and we appreciate ending this adventure with spending a peaceful night here after the lively hubbub of the weekend. Many thanks to Mike and Tari Conroy, the Hardtimes organizers, and the many others who help make this such a wonderful festival.

Colorful Sunset at Close of Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival

July 20, 2023April 21, 2026

Bass Creek National Recreation Area, Montana – July 2023

Wednesday July 5, 2023

We make the decision to leave Divide Bridge Campground today because of the mosquitoes. Clifford is very sensitive to insect bites, so it is not fun for him to be outside and I am looking forward to seeing family in the Missoula area. Leaving today wasn’t the plan, so I didn’t pack anything last night, but we are getting to be quite efficient with packing and are on our way by 10:00. That is when Clifford discovers that the squishy brakes he felt yesterday are due to having no brake fluid! This is not good, but luckily the RV electric brakes still work, so with great caution, we leave the campground and head to the Pilot west of Butte to buy brake fluid. Adding brake fluid seems to take care of the problem, as we drive around the parking lot testing the brakes. After getting gas, we are on our way again.

In retrospect, we think the brake line was disconnected when the repair shop in Ely replaced the bearing and when they hooked it back up, they neglected to refill the reservoir. Very dangerous for us!

It is a scenic drive to our next destination, and enjoyable except for oscillation east of Missoula. That is scary and we don’t know what caused it.

We arrive at the Charles Waters Campground in the Bass Creek National Recreation Area in the late afternoon, after a week of driving, only 750 miles, but it felt like a lot longer! The campground is quite full, but we find a site that we like.

Over the years this has been one of or favorite campgrounds. We left our last winter campground in Nevada a week ago, so it is with relief that we will stay put and relax for a few days.

My sister Nancy lives not far away, so she comes for music – she, Clifford, and I play some bluegrass tunes with her on the mandolin, me on fiddle, and Clifford on dulcimer before having nachos for dinner. It is great be to here!

For the next several days, I make a habit of walking the campground loop and visiting the creek in the morning before sitting at the picnic table with a good cup of French press coffee.

The usual activities and projects fill the day: Tai chi, texts to share photos with family and friends, emails, and editing for a couple of authors. I am glad to have cell service to take care of such.

Clifford spends a good amount of time with the ham radio, often adjusting the antenna to fit the location. He also plays dulcimer and sings outside as often as he can.

On Nancy’s day off, she comes out again and we hike the trail along Bass Creek, stopping for photos here and there. It is always fun to hike with a friend, especially a sister friend.

Back at camp, we finish the afternoon with nachos for a late lunch and playing bluegrass music. Nancy had brought her mandolin, I get out my fiddle, and Clifford always has his dulcimer ready to go.

Sometimes Clifford and I go for a walk around the campground or down to the creek, but his feet hurt, so our outings are fairly short. I am always on the lookout for wildflowers

A special treat one day, my daughter Katie and her boys, my grandsons, come to camp to visit. I haven’t seen them for awhile and it is wonderful to see how these boys have grown. They are such well-mannered teenagers and good-looking, too. Katie brought some snacks, so we sit and visit as the boys explore the woods.

Midway through our stay at Bass Creek, I drive the back roads to visit my other daughters near Alberton. My time visiting with these girls (now grown women) goes by quickly and soon it is time to return to Bass Creek. I am very grateful for the time we had together, campfires, morning coffee, an outing to a nice restaurant .

Clifford and I will be leaving Bass Creek soon, heading to Hamilton for the Hardimes Bluegrass Festival, so we take a day to get groceries and visit the laundromat in nearby Stevensville. This errand outing gives me the opportunity to get a couple photos of the lovely Bitterroot River that flows the length of the Bitterroot Valley until it joins the Clark Fork River near Missoula.

Bitterroot River as seen from the Bridge near Stevensville

Thursday July 20 is our last day at Bass Creek, which starts with quiet time at the picnic table, but is followed by a whirlwind of activity to get ready to leave for Hardtimes. We have appreciated our time at this campground surrounded by mountains and trees, with the creek nearby. It was great visiting with my daughters, and fun having time with Nancy for short hikes and playing music. Clifford and I have enjoyed our days here, but it is time to move onto our next adventure.

July 5, 2023April 19, 2026

Road to Montana – July 2023

Thursday June 29, 2023.

We leave Willow Creek Campground at Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park as soon as we finish packing. Seems like we have more to do this time, maybe because we have been at this location for three weeks as we waited on the repairs to the Suburban at a mechanic shop in Ely, Nevada.

It is approaching noon by time we get going. We are heading north on US highway 93, the main north/south route through eastern Nevada. Nevada is very green, especially for a desert state. We arrive at the pullout north of Wells, Nevada, near the wildlife bridge in late afternoon, about 160 miles, a long day’s drive for us.

Cougar at the Pullout North of Wells, Nevada

I pick up trash so we can enjoy sitting outside for a snack before napping. We have spent the night at this spot before. It is convenient, but always trashy. It has the convenience of being on our route and there is decent cell service, which is always a plus. And it is scenic in a Nevada desert sort of way.

Sunset at the Pullout North of Wells, Nevada

Friday June 30

We are up and on our way after a quick breakfast of fruit and yogurt. I take a photo of my favorite tree here at this pull out with the East Humboldt Range in the background, with snow still on the peaks.

Today is another 160 miles to reach Burley, Idaho, Walmart. It is quite a hot day, so it is nice to shop at Walmart in the coolness as we pick up some groceries and supplies. Our time in Nevada has been devoid of big towns or Walmarts, so it is quite the sensory experience to go shopping. Panda Express is within walking distance and makes an easy dinner for us – someone else to cook and clean up. Later, while Clifford naps, I check text, email, and do lots of duolingo. Having cell service again is quite the treat. I just don’t have the time or energy to work on the bigger project of preparing the next blog.

Saturday July 1

We have an even longer drive today from Burley to the rest area at Dubois, Idaho. As we are leaving Burley, we discover the differential is dripping oil. We stop at a Maverick station before getting back on Interstate 84 to check it and check again at a rest area, and since it doesn’t seem to be worse, we keep on going.

Today is in the 90’s with no air conditioning in the vehicle, so we are glad for evening and cooler temperatures when we reach Dubois. Luckily, our favorite spot on the edge of the parking lot next to the grass median is available. We check the dripping oil again, but it still seems stable. As usual, I pick up trash before we sit out for a while.

Dark clouds build to the north and the wind picks up. The wind becomes stronger with rain and we head inside. Cougar is rocking and rolling and we are glad to be parked right next to a semi that is blocking the wind. After a while, the wind calms down, the rain stops, but within a few minutes the wind hits from the south. Very odd. It is as though the calm moments were the eye of the storm. Sure glad we weren’t still on the highway, as it would have been very dangerous. We have nachos for dinner, glad for a safe place to spend the night.

Sunday July 2

We leave Dubois, Idaho, mid morning and only have to drive 135 miles to reach our next destination, Divide Bridge Campground south of Butte, Montana. We plan to stay long enough to get through the 4^th of July holiday.

After spending the winter in Arizona, it is nice to be back in Montana.

We arrive at Divide Bridge Campground in mid afternoon and there are several sites available, including one by the Big Hole River. This well-maintained BLM campground is always a good stop for us. The river sites are my favorite, but one has to deal with mosquitoes. Well, maybe they won’t be too bad this time!

Campsite at Divide Bridge Campground Near Divide, Montana

After we get set up, I walk up to the tree line on the hill behind the campground, as I can get a bit of cell service there, enough to receive and send text. That is helpful, as I can let family know how our itinerary is shaping up. As I walk, I pass by a grave marker in this scenic location. It is old and I am curious to know who Dennis O’Boyle was. I can only barely make out the letters of his name and the date.

Monday July 3

It is not so hot today, which is great. The morning starts with puffy cumulus clouds, but becomes overcast by afternoon. Today is kind of a catching up day after several days of travel, catching up with journal and going up the hillside to catch up with text and email.

Rock Outcrop Dominates the Landscape at Divide Bridge Campground

The mosquitoes aren’t driving us crazy (yet), and Clifford even felt well enough to sing and play outside, which he hasn’t been able to do for a while.

Tuesday July

Today there is a mix of cloud and sun with a cool breeze, so much nicer than the 90’s we experienced on the drive here. The mosquitoes are not around in the cool morning, but they come out in the warmth of the afternoon. I try burning coffee grounds as a repellent, as I had heard that works, but either I am not doing it right, or the mosquitoes didn’t get the memo. I walk about for a few photos of the river and flowers, but mostly I stay inside to enjoy the view out my big window away from the mosquitoes.

Wednesday July 5

We make the decision to leave Divide Bridge Campground today because of the mosquitoes. Leaving today wasn’t the plan, so I didn’t pack anything last night, but we are getting to be quite efficient with packing and are on our way by 10:00.

Despite the mosquitoes, this is one of our favorite campgrounds and we will no doubt stay here again some day.

June 28, 2023March 29, 2026

Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park (Part 3) – June 2023

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Clifford and I are camped at the Willow Creek Campground in the Ward Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park. The day we arrived, we discovered a leaking wheel bearing on our old Suburban, which has been in Ely for repairs for the past week. My cell phone was accidentally left in Ely when we dropped the Suburban off. Yesterday, we got a ride to pick up the Suburban. We are glad to have our vehicle back and I am especially happy to have my cell phone back

This morning with my phone in hand once again, I go for the morning walk, past the bench alongside the creek and on to the old bridge. I take more time with the iris, as they are abundant now, but soon they will give way to other flowers.

Mornings are often calm and that is the best time to go, as walking in the wind is too energy draining. This particular morning, I leave later than I want for the morning walk and it is already getting gusty, so have to cut it short. Flowers photos don’t work well when the flowers are whipping around. Ah well, there are plenty of indoor projects – working on blogs, taking care of email, meals and dishes.

Saturday June 24

We are still at Willow Creek even though we are at the 14-day limit. Without having the Suburban for over a week, our travel itinerary has changed. The park ranger is understanding and we are given permission to extend our stay for a couple days, which I take good advantage to walk to the bench again. Acres of wild roses in bloom, columbine, and flax have replaced the wild iris as objects of my attention.

Wild Rose Bushes Make Their Appearance Along Willow Creek

Columbine by Willow Creek on a Blue-Sky Day

Back at camp, working on a blog, writing in my journal, tai chi, and sharing a few photos keep me busy, and fiddle comes out before it is too dark to see the music. This is Amateur Radio Field Day, so the radio has Clifford’s attention much of the day.

Sunday is filled with taking care of mundane projects. Looking ahead at maps and weather app, it looks like Wednesday or Thursday will be the day to leave. The temperatures have been in a range of about 50 at night to 70-80 high and it is time to move north. One of these last days at Will Creek CG, I discover a tick biting me. The head is not embedded fortunately and it was easy to remove, bur it doesn’t make me too comfortable with hiking off-trail for photos of flowers and the creek.

Interesting light at sundown catches my attention.

Wednesday June 28 is our last day here. Despite the forecast for a high wind day, it is the calmest day we have had in quite a while. I take photos of the white prickly poppies along the road and then walk to the bench. Despite the tick bite, I still walk off-trail, but shower and put on clean clothes when I get back to camp. In the evening, I pack up as much as I can to make tomorrow’s leaving easier.

This has been a very good campground for us and we hope to return on a future journey through Nevada.

June 19, 2023March 27, 2026

Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park (Part 2) – June 2023

Tuesday June 13, 2023

Clifford and I are camped at Willow Creek Campground in the Ward Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park. Yesterday we took the Suburban to D&S, the vehicle repair shop in Ely, Nevada, to fix the leaking bearing that we discovered right after we arrived at the campground.

Today Clifford got a message from the mechanic at D&S. The mechanic says the failed bearing is because we are carrying too much weight (6-gallon containers of water) and other stuff on top of towing. The weight could be an issue, but it doesn’t explain three failures in 250 miles of highway driving at moderate speed. One failure was shortly after a bearing replacement when the Suburban was not loaded and we weren’t towing. Things are not adding up here. (Eventually it is determined that the bearings from Big O are cheap Chinese imports inadequate for the size and weight of the Suburban.)

It was only after our ride dropped us off at the campground yesterday that we realized that we left the mail with some items that Clifford needs, my purse, and my cell phone in her truck. I was totally bummed about not having my phone for taking photos until we get back to Ely to get the Suburban.

For the next week (except for taking photos with Clifford’s cell), I work on little projects that don’t involve my phone – texts and emails with Clifford’s cell, journal in the morning, fiddle in the evening, and work on February 2022 blog. I am reading Law of Attraction. Of course, this is not new to me, but the presentation is different and I appreciate the Words of Wisdom that come forth for my consideration. I write my favorites in my journal.

“Today, no matter what I’m doing and no matter who I am doing it with, it is my dominant intention to look for things I like.”

The weather has been interesting with clouds and rain some days, even thundershowers with very loud and close thunder, a beautiful rainbow one day, hail another day, but sunshine often. On windy days, except for a couple photos of flowers or clouds, I focus on indoor projects – preparing photos for blogs, journaling, and reading, while Clifford continues fussing with antennas trying to get better reception and transmission on his ham radio.

Although we can’t sit out every day, Clifford works on his antennas frequently, and I do Tai chi outside as often as I can.

Once in a while it is warm and calm enough to play music together, mostly fiddle tunes from the Phoenix Folk Group in the UK. Clifford also plays and sings a great variety of popular songs. It’s always nice when this can be done outside. Since there are few people here, there is no one to complain.

One day Clifford and I walk to the charcoal ovens together, which was a fun hike and interesting as we read the kiosks about the reason for them being there. It was an environmental disaster to cut all the trees, changing the valley ecology. Sometimes the people making these decisions are looking only at the profit motive, not the long-term welfare of the land and it’s ecological systems.

Another day, Clifford and I hike on the trail toward the mountain. There are a variety of flowers along the trail and the wild iris are especially delightful.

I show Clifford the bench I discovered along the creek and then we continue on to an old foot bridge. It has a special ambiance, but I am reluctant to walk across it. We want to take a different route back to camp anyway.

Bench Along Willow Creek (Photo by Clifford)

I make chili for dinner and it is nice enough that we are able to sit outside to eat. No word from the mechanic as to status of suburban.

Despite the inconvenience and expense of the Suburban issues and no cell phone, I am grateful and happy to be alive. Today’s Words of Wisdom from Law of Attraction confirm that that is a good idea! “Get your eyes, words, and thoughts off of WHAT-IS (if what is is not what you want) and put them purely on what you want now, which encourages me to stay focused on the positive, including the trees for shade and ambiance, flowers, using Clifford’s phone since mine is still in Ely, pleasant temperatures, scenic views, and the fun hikes together.

One morning, after making a smoothie for our breakfast, I go on a hike by myself. The sky is amazing blue and wildflowers are plentiful. I work with Wild Child, as I call the wind, to get moments of stillness for photos of flowers, still using Clifford’s cell. It is getting warm for me by time I head back, but what a lovely time with nature.

In the afternoon I send photos to family and friends, get in an hour of fiddle practice, and still have time to work on the next blog. It is an enjoyable and productive day.

The next day is much too windy to go walking, so the focus is on indoor projects: fiddle inside, work on next blog, journal, and tai chi for me. Clifford always has radio and a list of projects that he works on.

Monday June 19 starts with breakfast, my usual projects, and radio for Clifford. He is always tweaking his antenna to get the best communication possible no matter where we are located. Finally a call from Jennifer, the receptionist at D&S. The Suburban is done and she comes out to get us. Back in Ely with wheels again, we run a few errands before heading out to camp. I am very happy to have my phone back!

June 12, 2023March 27, 2026

Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park (Part 1) – June 2023

Wednesday June 7, 2023

Clifford and I are leaving Cave Lake Nevada State Park today but before we finish packing, I take a shower at at the bath house and do some Tai Chi in a spot of sunlight while Clifford checks into his net on ham radio. Then we have yogurt and fruit for a quick and easy breakfast with no cleanup involved. I packed as much as I could last night, so it is not hard to finish up and we are on our way to Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park by 10:00 or so. Both of these state parks are near Ely, Nevada, in east central Nevada, so it does not take long to get there. Wildflowers are on hand to greet us at Willow Creek Campground.

Arriving at Willow Creek Campground in the Wards Charcoal Oven Nevada State Park

We drive around the campground loop and agree on site #6. A little tricky backing Cougar in with the big pine tree right next to the driveway, but once in place, Clifford unhitches and parks the Suburban at the front of the driveway. That’s when I notice the oil leak from a rear bearing. This is not a good thing!

Clifford has enough cell service to call a mechanic in Ely, D&S Repair, and we are scheduled to take it in on Monday – almost a week from now. If we are going to be somewhere while the Suburban is repaired, Cave Lake with flush toilets and hot showers would have been nice, but the advantage here is that the friendly ranger will be understanding if we have to stay longer at this out-of-the-way park. T-mobile (Clifford’s provider) service is okay here, but no Verizon (my provider). However, I can use Clifford’s phone for communication to stay in touch with family. We get set up, trying not to worry about the issue with the Suburban.

This is a great location in the foothills of the Nevada Egan Range. There are scenic views across the valley to the Schell Creek Range.

I really appreciate the trees here creating ambiance, shade, and privacy. The old junipers have a lot of character. Willow Creek Campground is small but nice with plenty of native trees and shrubs for privacy between sites. Each site has gravel, a new picnic table and canopy over the picnic table for a pleasant camping experience. We are grateful for water here, and the vault toilets are maintained. I am pleased to see wildflowers all around.

Wildflowers at Willow Creek CG – Ragwort

The morning after arriving, I walk about near camp to take photos of the mountains and wildflowers, and then I explore the trail across the road that meanders through the woods.

Wildflower Friends – Wild Buckwheat and Phlox

I discover that this trail leads from the campground to the ovens. I only go as far as a junction with a trail along the creek, as I need to be better prepared before heading further.

The next morning, armed with water and my 2-meter radio, I explore the trail toward the mountain to the west and discover a bench right alongside the creek, which often becomes my morning destination. The views from this location are peaceful with trees, shrubs, mountains, and wildflowers every direction. It is not long before my morning walks take me off the trail and along the creek itself for many more delightful photos.

Monday June 12 is our day to take the Suburban to the mechanic. It is a beautiful day with big cumulus clouds and only a touch of rain.

Although we are a bit uneasy about driving the Suburban to Ely with a leaking wheel bearing, we have to get it there, so off we go. There is a ride service that we plan to use for a ride back out to camp. When we call to set up a ride, no one answers. Hmmm While we wait for a return call, I go to a cute place down the side street called the Flower Basket Coffee Shop. I order a coffee and settle at a table to write in my journal. I am looking forward to some quiet sitting time with coffee and journal. But Clifford texts to let me know that Jennifer, the receptionist at D&S, the mechanic shop, will give us a ride back out to camp.

Back at the campground, we unload the groceries that we had picked up on our way to D&S. It is only after Jennifer leaves that we realize that we left the mail with some items that Clifford needs, as well as my purse and cell phone in her truck. I am totally bummed about not having my cell phone to take photos. It may be another week or more before we get back to Ely. Clifford offers his phone so I can continue taking photos, which is much appreciated, and in the meantime, we will continue to enjoy this lovely peaceful place.

June 6, 2023February 8, 2026

Cave Lake Nevada State Park – June 2023

Wednesday May 31, 2023

Clifford and I arrive at Cave Lake Nevada State Park after leaving Patterson Pass this afternoon. This small campground is very popular, but we find an available site on the downhill side of the campground. We are happy to be here, but will only be able to spend a week.

Cell service is marginal, but using Clifford’s hotspot, I am able to make contact with family and friends to let them know where we are and to keep abreast of the news.

Hot showers are a real plus at this campground. Since there is no one camped near us, we can play music outside, which is something we always enjoy.

Although there are not many wildflowers here, the views are good and I enjoy the walkabouts.

I can see a mountain range to the west with snow-capped peaks even though it is June, but in looking at the map, I can’t tell what range I am seeing. There are numerous mountain ranges running in a north/south direction in this state with wide valleys between.

When we were here last fall, we drove up the mountain for a picnic and to take photos of autumn color. This time, we go on an exploratory outing to find where we might camp when we leave here. Ward’s Charcoal Oven State Park, about 10 miles south of Ely, is one of our outings. Quite the history of how all the trees were cut and burned to make charcoal needed for smelting steel for the railroads carrying silver ore. The land has never recovered and is barren for miles, but fortunately, the campground in this state park, Willow Creek CG, is situated in what remains of a juniper and pinon pine forest.

We also check out a large forest service camp to the southwest of Ely, but all the sites seem to be reserved although there is almost no one there. Odd. There is a BLM road across the highway, but no sites, not even any good places to pull off the road. Then Egan Summit, another BLM area with cell service and a good view of the nearby mountain range, but no shade and it appears to be an ATV place, which is not so good for camping. There could be dust and noise much of the time.

We go to the little village of Ruth, just to check it out, desolate, almost a ghost town. Back in Ely, we find a city park with picnic tables and have a picnic before heading back to camp.

Wednesday June 6 is our last day here. I pack up as much as I can to make moving preparations easier tomorrow. We have enjoyed our time here, and perhaps we will come again.

May 31, 2023February 5, 2026

Patterson Pass (Part 2) in Bloom – May 2023

Sunday May 21, 2023

Patterson Pass is turning out to be a great place for us. We had seen the highway sign for it on other trips north/south on the highway 93 corridor through Nevada, but didn’t check it out because it looked to be too far off the highway and possibly too steep for towing Cougar with our old Suburban. However, the grade is milder than it looks, it’s quiet, very few people here, exceptionally scenic, and the wildflowers are amazing.

Scenic Views – Snake Range Across the Valley

The sky is less hazy today and it is very pleasant sitting out with coffee and my stack. I am happy and grateful to be alive! As always, wherever we are, Clifford works on his ham radio and antennas to get the best reception he can. it is always fun to put out the sign our friend LeeAnn made for him.

Monday May 22 – We sure do like this place. I’m glad I didn’t talk Clifford out of coming – not that I can talk him into or out of anything, but he had concerns about not having enough propane. We are being as conservative as we can with the propane. It’s so peaceful and scenic here, really a perfect spot for us right now.

There is a heavy rain in the afternoon, great for the trees and flowers.

Wednesday May 24 – It is mostly cloudy again this morning, but very pretty. I take photos of paintbrush with snow-capped mountain in the distance. As the clouds build, it looks to be an indoor day, but out my window I have a view of the sky, mountains to the east, juniper, and paintbrush, so I’m happy.

Paintbrush with the Schell Creek Range in the Background

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Today I talk to the neighbor Kristine as she is out walking her dog. She is very friendly and it is nice to chat with a woman. She is solo RVing and has had quite the interesting life this past year. She is very adventuresome and I admire her courage!

(kristinedidit on Instagram)

In the early evening, across the valley we see a storm cell of over the Snake Range. Very interesting to see such a localized formation.

Saturday, May 27. So lovely this morning as I sit in the shade of one of the junipers with coffee and journals. I love my front yard with the junipers and so many wildflowers. The wildflowers are totally delightful, but as clouds and breeze increase, it becomes too windy for good photos. However, life is good and I am grateful to be here now.

Clifford is taking advantage of the pleasant weather to work on his bicycle. He enjoys pushing the limits and going where many bikes don’t go.

Sunday, May 28. This morning we get up very late, but the extra sleep is needed after staying up late working on projects. Every day I see different wildflowers on my way to and from the restroom and as I walk about the campground. Globe mallow are beginning to bloom. I love the wildflowers here, the views, our site with Junipers hugging us, but especially the wildflowers.

Tuesday, May 30. I went to bed a little earlier last night, so was up before 7:00 and went for an early walkabout. Our friend Lori has come to this campground and is camped nearby. She and I chat as we walk down the road where the globe mallow are more fully blossomed.

Wednesday, May 31.

I get up early as we are leaving Patterson past today. Lori left before we got up, as she has a long drive to her next destination. It was fun to see a friend, and I hope her travels go well. I didn’t do any packing last night, but will get started as soon as Clifford gets up. This has been one of my favorite campgrounds ever, largely because of the flowers. I’ve taken hundreds of photos, but nothing captures the essence of just being here with them in person. I am grateful that we have had this opportunity and look forward to coming to this campground again some day.