Whazoo's Boondock The Big Quiet

yes we have gone back but the salt cedar has grown too tight to be able to drive a TC through them to cross the wash. Plus as always, BLM has closed the road to all but Autorized Vehicles. There was no garbage or even a fire pit anywhere down that road, making it now a six mile hike vs a short walk.

Dave ... have you ever made it back to the Cosmic Ashtray a second time?

I think I remember seeing a picture of you sitting on top of your camper to reach branches that needed trimming on the way in.

Howdy ol Amigos, if I were Dan Quayle I'd wonder if there was an "e" in amigoes. Ah, but Quaylecheck says no, ok.

I'm late to reply, my wife had a bunch of days off. No camping this time, but I do stay off the computer when she's home, preferring to spend as much time with her as possible.

Thanks gbopp.

Hi Mike, We haven't been to Craters Of The Moon yet but it's on the list. I imagine it's similar territory so I know we'll enjoy it. See ya Mike.

Ahoy Bryan, "splendiferous" looks like a great scrabble word, let's add it to the dictionary.
Sound Of Silence is one of my top faves too, one who's words actually have meaning. Have you seen the video of the group Disturbed doing it? Awesome video and the guy has a fantastic voice, too bad they're heavy metal band. Thank you for thanking me Bryan!

Hey there Mark! Well I am trying to work on the composition thing, thanks for noticing. However lol, when I get excited I forget to check my settings. Don't look too close at my sky shots. Something about handheld in low light with too long shutter. I've gotta start using that tripod.

Thank you Phyllis!

TCINTN, Just one word Ed, thanks!

Hello Rick, Yes life's lessons have told us to keep going. That may not work for us sometime though lol. Us guys hate turning around don't we?!

noxnnhoj & K Mac, Thank you both, I've always appreciated your replies!!

Well Prof, you've outdone yourself this time with your over-the-top kudos, thanks so much.

Hello Camer Jeff! Hey you came thru Boise without a peep? Gonna spank you sometime. I'll have to check out the Wild Reservoir, thanks for the tip Jeff.

Ahua Clarryhill! I think there's a tribe somewhere that greats good friends with that word, it means "great to see you again Friend, lets go to IHOP for breakfast." Well...at least we were both Popeye fans, remember the Sea Hag? So don't worry, you're not "off", well maybe a little. Catch you later on the trail!

Hi Ya Tuna Fisher, Thanks and I'll hope your upcoming trip is good. Spring is a great time to visit if you're not going into the mountains on backroads, they'll be many still closed to snow.

Cal, Yes those trees are a scourge. As with most invasive species there is no easy way to get rid of them.

Thank you Alex!

Hah Ranger Tim, it's true isn't it? And I like your term, Magnificent Desolation. I imagine a lot of people don't see it that way, thankfully.

Bill! I hope you're doing well these days and getting some time outdoors. But look, I didn't drag you along, you were right there in the back seat, with Duke on your lap surrounded by stuff with a smile on your face, hopefully. Thank you Bill. it's my pleasure to read your reply, take care.

Aha deserteagle56, I'm hoping you caught the cynasism in my statement about those birds. I had no idea they were that bird brained to fly into you on your bike but the land closures on their behalf remind me of another bird that put all my friends in Oregon out of logging business. Congratulations on your move 50 years ago, I'd love to do the same thing.

pnichols, I'll pass

Hi Yoly! While I may carry water for some, I'm certainly no better than you lol. Hey I blame Dr. Suess for the strong desire to go and see what may or may not be there. McEilligots Pool was a life lesson for me, you just never know what fun you'll catch. See ya Yoly, enjoy Georgia for me!

The sunsets and "afterglows" are spectacular. You're a better man than I oh Gunga Din :-)

Wait til tinnitus sets in - no quiet camping anywhere anymore! :)

I grew up in Pennsylvania and now, for the past 50 years, I've lived out here in the Nevada outback. My eastern friends often ask me why I choose to live in a place so isolated. From now on I will just give them the link to this post of Dave's. It will explain it much better than words ever could. A couple months ago I had to attend a funeral in upstate New York, that reminded me what hustle and bustle, and noise 24 hours a day, mean. I was very glad to get home.

As far as the sage grouse, after having observed them for so many years I have come to the conclusion that they are the dumbest bird alive. Must be a close relative to the dodo bird! No wonder they are about to be put on the endangered species list! They will stand on a road and be run over instead of getting out of the way. So far I have had two of them kill themselves by charging into the side of my dirt bike, and the government is paying good money to have people put flagging on fencing because the sage hens fly into the fence and kill themselves.

Dave & Lynn,

As always, thanks for dragging me along. The photos are stunning. The quiet out there must be so deafening you strain your ears waiting for a sound. Just awesome!

Thanks,

Bill

Tim, I remember the first time we were in a place that quiet -- boondocking in the Eastern Sierra. Both DW and I were trying to figure out what that noise was -- whoosh whoosh whoosh -- sounded like a pump was on somewhere. (We have spent all of our lives in the urban roar of Southern California.)

Looked under the seat -- nope, the water pump was off.

It took us a few minutes to figure it out.

And now it ain't boondocking without that soundtrack!

Stunning! .... and other than animals, my kinda place to camp!!

Thanks for sharing as always!!
Dak

The Owyhees are so quiet that my heartbeat annoys me! Magnificent desolation.