Whyte's Retreat

Yesterday morning we hiked to Whyte's Retreat.  This is a BLM Shoreline Campsite for boaters on Lake Havasu. Through a cooperative effort with BLM, volunteers from Cattail Cove State Park constructed a hiking trail out to this site.  In fact three different Cattail Cove trails lead to Whyte's Retreat, giving hikers lots of route options.  We used the Ted's Trail route. During our hike I felt like we were in paradise, lots of trails to hike right from our door step, and an abundance of sunshine everyday. And of course there are lots or birds and critters to hold our attention.

a pair of Greater Scaup

Harris' Antelope Squirrel 

Honey Bee on Creosote Bush blossom 

Learning the Trails of Cattail Cove

Jim & Buster with Lake Havasu in the background

Every day we are hiking a diffent trail here at Cattail Cove State Park in an effort to become familiar with the total trail system.  Yesterday afternoon we did the McKinney Loop trail and this morning we did the Wayne's Way trail. The trails we have to hike yet are, Ripley's Run, Ted's Trail, and Whyte's Retreat.   Because we have our RV set up right next to the trailhead, one of our responsibilities will be to answer any questions hikers might have. As you can see from the photos the terrain is not flat here, but climbs and descends numerous gulleys, washes and canyons, so we are getting in a nice cardio work out every day. We already feel we are starting to settle into a good rhythm of eat, sleep, and exercise.

Jeanette & Buster on the descent down into Boat Launch Wash

Moving Day

Today was moving day at Cattail Cove State Park.  After six days in the campground in site 49, we moved to our new diggs for the season in the overflow lot.  It took some doing as we had to take into consideration levelness for the refrigerator, and the back of the RV needed to face the sun so that the air-conditioner didn't shade the solar panel. Because of the grade of the parking lot we needed eight inches of blocks unter the front wheels.  Ranger Keith was good enough to construct some blocks made out of 2x8 stacked four high to make us level enough for the refrigerator. Plus he rounded up a picnic table for us. Believe it or not it took all morning to move and get set up.  After lunch we took Buster for a hike on the McKinney Loop Trail.  You can see that we are conveniently locacted right next to the trailhead for the Cattail Coves trail system. The McKinney Loop is the shortest loop of several that make up the complete system.  We will be getting aquainted with them all in the days to come.

Jeanette points out a Double-crested Cormorant

This Morning's Birds

Here are photos of five of the twelve species I saw this morning along the shoreline of Lake Havasu while hiking the mile and a half McKinney Loop Trail.  Every day I am spending some time hiking and birding to familiarize myself with the trails and birds here at Cattail Cove State Park.  When I met with the head ranger Cindy Smith today, she said I wouldn't need to start working until after the first of the year.  So, in the meantime I will continue to enjoy myself  as I learn more about this location.    

 Great Blue Heron

 Pied-bill Grebe

 American Coot

 Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Christmas Greetings from Arizona

This is camping site #49 in Cattail Cove State Park where we have enjoyed Christmas Day. It's a perfect site, just the right direction of grade so that there is no need for leveling blocks, and a nice tree for afternoon shade, plus water and electricity. Our friend Glenn came out and we did a morning bird walk and then he joined us in a Christmas Potluck that the park puts on every year.  Cattail Cove State park is located on the shore line of Lake Havasu a mere 17 miles south of our previous camping site at Lake Havasu State Park in Lake Havasu City. We drove here Saturday arriving around noon and decided to to stay for three nights, but within a few hours we found ourselves with a commitment for the next two months!  We will be leading bird-walks and serving as campground hosts in the overflow parking lot. Our aimless wandering around this winter has come to an abrubt stop.  The wear and tear of looking for the next campground, and route planing was getting to be stressful, so staying put in this lakeside oasis for a couple of months doing what we love feels great.  We owe our good fortune to the wonderful head ranger Cindy Smith who we have worked for previously at two Arizona State Parks. Cindy has us staying here temporary until later this week when we will move to our volunteer site in the overflow lot.

Goodby Lake Havasu

This morning we left Lake Havasu State Park.  After camping and birding with Glenn Reuben for over a week, first at Davis Camp County Park for five days, and then at Lake Havasu State Park for three days, we said a temporary good-by and are heading in two different directions.  We are continuing on down the Colorado River, stopping at three more Arizona State Parks, Cattail Cove, River Island and Buckskin Mountain.  Glenn is spending one more day at Lake Havasu State Park and then off to boondock for a few days at Craggy Walsh.  We are both pretty sure we will meet again this winter some place.

Our time at Lake Havasu has been colored by unusually cold and windy weather, so leaving sort brings hope for nicer weather.  The other adverse effect has been that Buster has been sick for the last day or two.  In addition to a lack of energy he has had constant trembling, a feeling of a fever, and occasional panting.  We were worried enough to contact an animal clinic, but at 650 dollars to check him, plus what ever else they would do, we decided to hold off for a bit. This morning he appears some better, and Jeanette dressed him in his Christmas sweater to say good-by to Glenn. We have dumped our tanks in the RV, taken on fresh water, and Jeanette is stocking up on groceries at Bashas' as I write.      

The Three Amigos

Early this morning Glenn Reuben, John West and I went birding at Castle Rock Bay, just to the north of Lake Havasu City.  Glenn and John are shown in the photo scanning the marshy area of the Colorado River on this section the Mohave National Wildlife Refuge.  These beautiful water ways are in a way John's office.  This is were he paddles his kayak on almost a daily basis, and where he takes a lot of his amazing photos that find their way to his website: www.johnwestimages.com. Glenn has spent a couple of weeks boon docking in nearby Craggy Wash, so consequently he has spent a fair number of hours here too. We had about as much fun as three elder adults can have scrambling up and down rocky mesas looking for better views of the water fowl in the many water ways. Click here to see our bird list with photos.