So, anyone Snow-Birding this season?

We're still debating between Florida (ya, we're east-coaster's) or doing the drive and going AZ. Both have promise and adventure, yet we're leaning AZ... 

That means skirting southern USA as we approach and more opportunity.

You snow-birding? Where I ask... 

There is a lot of National areas (as well as state) to take full advantage of your way. Our man reason would be to hit the Keys and find an area/spot to overnight. May have an answer for that from another group.. Gives FL a leg up!

Here's where AZ takes a giant leap, it ha so many areas to just overnight...

The space between here and there has so much opportunity... Hmm... 

Any 'Birder's' do it? Never seen New Orleans, especially in winter... it would be on the way to AZ depending how far south I travel..

Lived in Yuma, aye? If indeed we head that way I'd be travel south from Joshua Tree on the Cali side of the Colorado River. The Picaho Recreational Area looks very interesting! You familiar with it? 

I'm hoping to get permission to cross the Barry Goldwater Range into Cabeza Prieta and landing in Organ Pipe.. Have you done this?

Appreciate the offer! In my new rig, I don't require any shore-power. I'm running now150ah of lithium and my DC/DC (traveling very 3-4th day) keeps me powered up. Just a fairly level size spot the size of a pickup! Love the system!

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I'm not sure we'd do 3-4 months, yet I wouldn't wish to miss Jan/Feb around here. To be back by mid-March sounds about right to me. 

Rig looks great. I like the pop top, had a popup Toyota mini for awhile which was a really nice park it anywhere rig although kinda hard to keep warm in the winter. 

Plenty of room for ya. PM me a couple of days before you plan to arrive and I'll give you directions. 

BTW, that 'bug-out' rig probably gets a lot of attention, but it will fit right in out west...especially if parked near all the other 'over-landers'....

Real close to my potential arrival timeframe! I still hoping the RTR happens and would be a first time for me. Figure right now I'll be at Roadrunner, but Magic Circle has a cool name!

Plan is to travel to Joshua Tree by desert! AZ Peace Trail & Bradshaw Trails as main ones. Have you been on them? 

Magic Circle? Well, our YARC group is not far from that but we are not nudists...but sometimes you can see them and often hear the music at their party tent, wafting thru the cool evening air.

I hang out with friends in and around the LTVA and BLM areas near Quartzsite mostly...and I meander down to the border towns but that is kinda 'iffy' now also. 

Also I usually attend Quartzfest but again...that is kinda 'iffy' as of now. The big RV show is supposed to be a 'go' but with limitations and restrictions.

Didn't know that about the Magic Circle.. that would have been a surprise! RTR will probably be an informal meet up, much like most everything of this sort this winter.. I have a Truck-camper meet-up towards the end of Jan, so could be in the area for a bit.. 

Hoping to have my Ham License by then, yet will have the GMRS running on Channel 1. 

You would enjoy Quartzfest then, its primarily ham radio related but there are a lot of other activities on offer....normally. 

Of course this time...who knows....

But something to think about...and it is on BLM land so you get two weeks free camping. I plan to be there....If they have the blue welcome tent up, or the main special event station, or the main fire ring area, I am roughly about 1000 feet DUE WEST of that area...about even with the first 'wash'...I mean....how many grey-colored r-pod 171s are gonna be there anyway?  You'll find me. 

Have a VHF hand held or scanner tuned to 146.550 simplex when you get there.

  http://quartzfest.org/ - https://quartzfest.org/

My general location, not exact (since the spot might be taken by someone else) but I will be in this area, zoom out for a view of the intersection:

http://www.google.com/maps/place/33%C2%B03506.6N+114%C2%B01332.3W/@33.5851491,-114.2264478,217m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d33.5851515!4d-114.2256513 -

http://www.google.com/maps/place/33%C2%B03506.6N+114%C2%B01332.3W/@33.5851491,-114.2264478,217m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d33.5851515!4d-114.2256513 - https://www.google.com/maps/place/33%C2%B03506.6N+114%C2%B01332.3W/@33.5851491,-114.2264478,217m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d33.5851515!4d-114.2256513

To get there, you head south out of Q and turn right on La Paz Valley Road, then turn right again, onto the desert floor, past the welcome stand if its operating, and head in a NW direction towards the main area with all the campers that have antennas...you cant miss us. You'd be welcome to join our little hamfest in the desert!

When you start seeing antennas like this, you know you have arrived:

I'll have to dig a bit deeper and see what's up! I was posted this morning about a few folks looking to caravan Quarzite AZ to Baja. They're a boondocking group with several Overlander members.

Don't know what the Covid restrictions are. Other than that, you'll need passports, tourist cards (called the FMM) which are good for up to 180 days and you can get at the border, MX auto insurance, also available at the border, and you need it regardless of what your US policy says. If you're going way south in Sonora you'll need a temp vehicle importation permit, but not for Baja or northern Sonora. Do not bring any firearms into MX unless you like the idea of spending time behind bars there. If you bring a dog (and want to bring him back with you) then you will need rabies paperwork.  None of this stuff is a big deal to do, and there are tons of US and Canadian citizens and vehicles with US tags.  

I read the email pack sent to me this am for requirements/rules to join the group. Much of what you said was in there, plus specific requirements for the group. I'm impressed by the way they did it.

They only want 4 rigs and 3 have committed so far. I signed in as an alternate, due to It's a long trip and so far Wifey is only on board for a 6 week run. Right now I have her in for the Gulf run with a 'We'll see' once we hit Texas. I know with 6 weeks I'll cross AZ as well. Baja may have to wait for another year and I have her committed to being gone 3 months! 

If it turns out good, I'll post up on the next one for informational purposes for this group. 

I will always have smile when I see an rPod at a campsite!

I also recieved much input running Yuma, AZ to Organ Pipe by Overland. Routing is becoming very important and not suggested as solo. Very interesting area and will research further. 

I believe I'm building a season path with warmth in mind.. 

Then again.. I'm not totally sane (so I'm told)!

Depending on how we feel we make it to Tallahassee Fri/Sat and stay in the Apalachicola NF then travel along the Gulf Coast to North Padre Island for the next 2+ weeks landing in San Antonio around Feb 9th.

I don't wish to push to Carlsbad, so what's to be seen San Antonio to Carlsbad? 

From there it's what I hoped to see in southern AZ working my way to Yuma on or about Feb 20th. Still debating, yet learning so much about possibly heading into the Baja.

Latest thoughts as we enter AZ posted:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA2WmUlKTkU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA2WmUlKTkU  

Looks like we'll run a bit of the southern border to Big Bend NP and a bit more and turn north up into Marfa, TX and hope to see the mystery lights! Several historical places as well as interesting places, natural & man-made, to enjoy along this route. 

What I thought would be just another drive through Texas (very top typically for us), is working out to be something of much interest to us! 

(ask your wife!)

I had to look that up! Too Cool!

We'll drive right by it!

I have and we'll be 1 week before Fat Tuesday. Most all Parades/outdoor activity has been cancelled (that I've read so far). I'm fair sure even that won't stop most from showing up anyway. 

We followed that with 2 nights on St George's Island. That State Park is a beauty! Be hard pressed to find another that nice! Water & Electric at the site. Hot showers, flush toilets and fairly private sites. All this for $26 (and change) a night! Beach was fabulous! Learned it's some of the best surf-cast fishing on the Florida coast.

Heading towards Pensacola and another water district campground (Mystic River) we stayed over night at Grayton Beach State Park. Amenities step up to sewer on site, balance is the same. Not near as much beach, still white sands and bigger waves.

Laundry day (how exciting) and will travel by a couple more beaches to compare before turning north for camp.

Oh ya... 75° and humid here

Safe Travels!