3 months BOONDOCKING in the DESERT and here's what happened... (Work Camping at Kofa - 6 of 7)

We've been out here alone on a remote wildlife refuge all winter. We're a few weeks away from heading homeward, and we're finally ready to share the what we've learned -- both the highs and the lows of this unique experience.
We’re Charles and Jill, and we’re volunteering as work campers at Kofa refuge in our Bigfoot 25RQ travel trailer with our two cats. We're glad you're here to share the adventure, as we get to know our new enormous back yard. #workcamping #rvlife
Please note that drones and trail cameras are not allowed on the wildlife refuge, and “commercial” videography is currently not allowed on federal lands. We applied for and were granted a special use permit during the process of being hired as work camping volunteers.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (administered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service) www.fws.gov/re...
Volunteer jobs through the US Federal Government (for work camping search for jobs with campsites): www.volunteer.gov

[@charlenecarnes8139]

Love your videos! I would love to visit the area one day! My goal is to volunteer for many camps when my kids are out of school. Love that kind of life style. Thank you for another great video. Wish you two and your fur babies all the best❤❤❤

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Thanks, we appreciate you and hope that you will have a chance to get out there and try the volunteer life too!

[@patriciamartick1192]

Is prepping and painting water tanks worse than spending months burying those water tanks with sand? I think I'd prefer the scraping and painting myself. But your videos have been fascinating since I know I'll never go to that area myself and I've learned a lot that I never expected to learn. I'm looking forward to seeing you both and hearing more stories when you stop by on your way back to Vermont. Travel safely!

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

We discussed your question, and if you're comparing apples to apples (five months of stripping and painting tanks vs. five months of shoveling) we WOULD take the shoveling! There were two tricky things about painting the tanks. One was getting the old paint off, and the other was having to drive a long way to do the job and then having to wait 24 hours for primer to dry before putting on the paint coat (so we would do the drive again the next day).

[@patriciamartick1192]

Which adds more reason to pack that tent on your next adventure!

[@rickseyeview5345]

Great video! Wow! I did not realize that you have been away from home so long.

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Yes, it's crazy isn't it -- it will be almost six months by the time we get back.

[@jamesbrumfield1594]

Hi, I live in SoCal, Kofa is my go to for nearby boondocking "escapes" and it is where I learned to camp/boondock last year. I camped on Kofa Queen Canyon Rd a few weeks ago just before the first right curve and noticed your rig but did not see you guys (didn't want to bother though). Getting a spot near Signal Peak on the main road is awesome too as the sunrise/sets are hard to beat! Thanks for the videos and take care!

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Hi James, You have a wonderful back yard to play in! Thanks so much for supporting our channel by saying hi.

[@jamesbrumfield1594]

@@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods I actually made that comment before I saw this last video and I had to come back as I forgot to thank you not only for the videos, but for your hard work in helping sustain Kofa. The wildlife are thanking you too. I was shocked to see the waste that some miscreant left behind and I am sorry Charles had to pick that up and you had to see it. Disgusting. I have picked up mylar balloons, cigarette butts, water bottles etc there...to think the balloons could've come from anywhere (a child) but the rest are from "campers" ...this is why I camp and bike is to get away from those people. Also, was nice to see you are from Vermont, home of Bernie and the best band to ever jam... Phish! Safe travels!

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

@@jamesbrumfield1594Ha, you know there were actually TWO giant trash bags full of human waste. I picked up one before I sanitized my hands and grabbed the camera!

[@meglange3595]

Great video/info 👍. I'm quite certain I will never get to visit there but I sure have enjoyed learning about it through your eyes. Some might see the desert as barren and ugly but there is truly so much beauty to be found.
Hope those last 5 tanks are easy jobs. Painting ranks WAY down on my list of things I like to do 😖.
See you next time!! Take care!! 🥰♥️

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

As it turns out, someone else may have to paint those tanks since we have been asked to help with desert tortoise surveys! I don't think we will find many actual tortoises, and it will be hard work but we're looking forward to a new task.

[@scho6350]

What an experience! It is almost coming to an end. Very educational and informative! See you soon back in New England or Vermont!

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

Thank you, we are looking forward to that too!

[@nancyclardy7882]

I could hardly hear you in parts of this video, but I really enjoyed it. I am sure you are ready for "home". Love ya

[@OvertheRiverandThroughtheWoods]

The truth is... my microphone fell out of my pocket somewhere in the desert, and we upgraded to a new type which is fancier but there's a bit of a learning curve with the settings.