Desert Messenger

November 4, 2015 www.DesertMessenger.com 13 A huge full moon rises over the Plomosa Mountains, casting a soft glow onto the Palo Verde Tree at the edge of the driveway. A kanga- roo mouse scurries around, inves- tigating the boxes of merchandise that appeared a few days ago in his front yard. Behind us, just beyond the BLM boundary, a cacophony of coyotes howls wildly for almost an hour, as if in lament at the newly arrived humans beginning to in- vade their desert. It's that time of year again. Dot- ing lovers will once again call on the stone cabins, petroglyphs, and ghost towns that enjoyed quiet soli- tude during the summer. Plants, animals, and other natural features that have been blissfully ignored for months will become the subject matter of countless photographs and videos. Treasures washed out of the mountains by summer rains lie patiently waiting to be discov- ered and collected by admiring fans. So here we are, back in our famil- iar stomping grounds, ready for another season. There are lots of new happenings and exciting changes taking place in our little town. But the timeless treasures that attract folks to our charm- ing corner of desert remain the same. Stately saguaros stand on By Jenn Jedidiah Free for RocksInMyHead™ Sleeping bags, water jugs & giant playground guard like sentinels, while chollas resembling fuzzy sculptures dot the landscape. The remnants of ghost towns beckon us to explore, and the walls of stone cabins whisper tales from long ago. Brightly colored rocks entice us to dig in the dirt, and the hopes of finding some elusive yellow metal captivate our thoughts. Native ruins utter volumes about ancient peoples, if only we would stop for awhile, and listen. This is our playground- a giant play- ground called desert. Wilderness abounds on all sides, giving up its secrets to those who venture outside the town limits. And now we have six months of sunny and mild winter weather to go outside and play. So, what are you waiting for? There is so much to do here, in our beloved Quartzsite desert. There are hun- dreds of miles of trails just waiting for you. There are intaglios and crystals, tailings piles and arches. Grab the family, the dog, and some friends. Throw the gear and sup- plies in the truck or ATV, and get out there and explore. While some spontaneity is good, it is also important to plan ahead. Advance planning will help you to organize your day, as well as pre- pare tools and supplies for your excursion. It is important to do a little research ahead of time, to decide where to go, what to do, and routes to take there and back. Have maps and other resources with you to assist and enhance your trip. Also be sure to have the tools you will need for the planned activi- ties. Another reason to plan ahead and prepare is to be sure you have enough food, water, and emergency gear for all involved, and to know what the weather will be like before and during your excursion. Often, in the excitement, folks plan for the fun times, but forget about safety. Even when visiting places you have been to before, be careful not to let familiarity breed a false sense of security. A good rule of thumb is to always take every- thing you may need to comfortably and safely stay overnight in case an emergency forces you unexpectedly to stay out in the desert through the night. Finally, go out to have fun. By plan- ning ahead, a lot of the stress and potential problems of an excursion should melt away. Go out to enjoy the desert, the fresh air, and the sunshine. Approach your outing with an attitude of excitement and adventure, but also with caution. And, when heading out to that ghost town, rockhounding site, or other attraction, remember to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Take your camera and just savor the beauty of your surroundings. For information on prospecting lo- cations, ghost towns, mines, petro- glyphs and more in and around Quartzsite come to Rocks In My Head, Rice Ranch A37. We have a great selection of gold prospect- ing and rockhounding books, maps, supplies, tools and equipment avail- able, plus other great resources and information on ghost towns, native sites and more. And, as always, we have lots of fabulous rocks, fossils, gemstones, and other treasures from the earth. We are open from 10-5, 7 days a week, and online 24-7 at www.RocksInMyHead.com. Call 605-376-8754 for more info. ADVENTURES WITH ROCKS 928-916-9812 RV ROOF COATING FREE Estimate Very Reasonable! 1YR FREE Service w/Roof Call Bob

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