Day 45 Monday February 25

Palm Canyon within Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Its not all sweetness and light

Mostly though

Drove, after pancakes with F and E, from LTVA north of Quartzite to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, a distance of 20 miles or so. Palm Canyon is the name of this part of the refuge which is 600,000 acres so there is more. Slipped into a spot upslope from the basin bottom and only a short but strenuous bike ride to the canyon trailhead. Nice line of palms up a narrow side canyon but not oasis as is the usual way.  Felt very small again but didn't push into the boulder scramble high up the canyon. Bike ride back to van not as fun as it could have been if I had brakes on both wheels. Fried last 2 of the 4 pack of giant steaks from some grocery buy 4 days back. Cooked under a ironwood or mesquite tree for the wind break and to use up the backpacking gas bottle. Had the boiled potatoes and the cabbage salad. Couple of hot toddies due to the coolness of the night. Clear, Milky Way clear as it gets since the moon is down. Chatted with a couple of South African/Canadians in the deep dusk as they were taking their large dog for a walk; B was less than welcoming. The pair are in the wine industry in Lillooet, BC. F and E off to Palm Desert for the medical. Stay here tomorrow, go get R on Wednesday in Phoenix then to Tucson for R&R at a BnB.