Moving day......

Our Location: Superstition Mountain BLM, Apache Junction, AZ

 

 

I was awake this morning before 6:30 am and managed to haul myself out and get the day started just around that witching hour. Riley was up shortly after and together we had things all ready to head out at 8 am. We had discussed with Doug (Miss Adventure Travels) that we'd leave around 9 am but we sent him a text saying anytime he was ready we were too. We agreed to meet at the motel in Tonopah within the half hour. Riley and I headed out and arrived in time to stretch our legs and just do a walk around to check things over before our 100 mile drive. It wasn't too long until Doug & Yuma were coming down the road.  They pulled in and we agreed to caravan to Love's for the dump station, water, propane and of course we dumped our trash as well. 

 

Doug heading back to climb into his rig at Tonopah, AZ

 

Love's was very busy, Riley and I used the facilities while Doug & Yuma headed off to find propane. We had just about finished when they pulled in behind us. Bit of a mix up with keys and locks but after they used the facilities eventually we were back on I-10 East heading toward Apache Junction. Riley and I led the way in the Big Dog and the Igloo moving right along with Doug & Yuma keeping pace behind. It was a pretty straight shot  through  Buckeye, Goodyear, Phoenix, Tolleson, Tempe, Mesa and finally we arrived at Walmart in Apache Junction. In that mess of cities we slipped onto the AZ 202 Loop East (although Pheobe - our RV GPS- wanted us to take the 202 HOV road which I thought wasn't a good idea and so ignored her and took the regular loop instead) getting off at University Dr, and making our way to Apache Trail. 

 

Heading into the tunnel....

 

 

Riley really enjoyed the tunnel....

 

Into the Walmart parking lot we made it, shut 'em down and let out a sigh of relief. We were much closer to our destination now. We all headed off in our own direction agreeing to meet when we were all finished and deciding what to do from there. About 45 minutes later we were all outside comparing notes and discussion Lorne's (A Place Called Away) GPS coordinates. My GPS didn't agree with his coordinates and had it somewhere around Scottsdale, but Doug's phone agreed with Lorne ( I smell a male conspiracy here, don't you?) and so I lead to N Hackamore Road, and then Doug took over. 

 

City skyline...I think this might be Tempe...but I'm not sure, I can't remember.

 

When we pulled onto this road the first part was paved and looked pretty good. Pretty soon I pulled over and we decided Doug would go ahead solo and check things out as he's much smaller than we are and could turn around in a much smaller spot. So we stayed put while we watched Doug & Yuma driving away. It wasn't long until Doug sent a text saying to come on slowly as the road was 'rufffffffffff'. Well we started off slowly and soon were going even slower, at one point I thought Riley might have to get out and push and we'd have to hook HRH Miss Kitty to harness in front of the Big Dog to help pull but we made it without resorting to those extremes. 

I have no idea what kind of fake tree this is, or what it's purpose is..but hmmmmm......interesting, don't you think?

We pulled in to where I'm pretty sure that other crew had parked, Doug and I went off in the jeep to check a few more options and didn't go far until we came to the end of the trail. Turning around we headed the short distance back to the where we'd left Riley, Kitty and Yuma but found a perfect spot just before getting back. Long story short, we are parked, leveled, and enjoying the views by around 3 pm.

Decorative overpass and sound barrier displays add an accent of beauty, whimsy and humour to the drive...

We invited Doug over a cold lunch, we were all pretty hungry and the food was good. Thanks again Miss Riley for all your hard work making salads yesterday, and getting lunch out and ready while we set up outside. Macaroni Salad, Bean Salad, meatloaf, bologna, bread, wraps, pickles, cheese, lettuce, a few condiments made up lunch. We sat around outside our door munching away and enjoying the conversation and the views. 

These beautiful touches add character to the roadsides and certainly offer an interesting view....

After lunch Doug headed home, and we came inside to do a few things more in the setting up process. I called my dad again and we chatted for a while before I headed out to catch the sunset. Not spectacular but pretty nice all the same. 

Doesn't that just look so inviting? 

 

Tomorrow may be a short walk here or there but I think we'll take the day off. I'm exhausted, so is Riley and I think Miss Kitty may be pretty tired as well. 

This is the view out our doorway....

Our spot is beautiful, we are literally surrounded by various forms of cacti, tall, short, round, skinny, living, dead and dying. Care must be taken to ensure we don't bring any into the Igloo for little paws to step on. They stick into tires, shoes, skin, etc. 

Just a bit different view...

The view out the door is spectacular with Superstition Mountain looking back at us. It is tall, striking, imposing, inviting, and greenish. The sprawl of human kind at it's feet is interesting, not distracting, not unattractive but also not expected. It appears as if humans have encroached right to the very edges of the upward slopes. However tomorrow I'll have a better look and give you a much better idea of what I see.

Some of the things we noticed today.....

Mr. Green, I can see why you spent so much time here. It is indeed a very special place. We've seen one horse rider going past our campsite, and one red trolley which stopped just past our roadway and pointed while I'm sure I heard the tour guide saying," I thought we were rid of those Canadians and now look what's here, MORE." 

We are parked in among all cacti.....

So there you  have it, our moving day from Saddle Mountain to Superstition Mountain. A good day, a nice spot, not far from a good friend. Life is pretty good!!! 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment if you like. 

Until next time.... take care, be safe, 

Goodnight from Superstition Mountain BLM, Apache Junction, AZ

Deb

New place to call home, amazing sunset....

Our Location:  Saddle Mountain BLM Land, Tonopah, Arizona

A trip to the clubhouse last night to post my blog, no one was there. It was quiet but the net lagged so I used my own jet pack to post but for just doing face book and email the free wifi was great. 

The view out our front door.

Up this morning around 4 am, think I'm finished sleeping for the day. Read some blogs, made some comments, did a little internet surfing.  The coyotes are howling at 5:30 am, not yapping, just howling. Sound pretty far off in the distance but who knows. 

Coyotes hanging around Why Not Travel Store

Not as cool this morning as it has been lately. The wind has died away now and that's always helpful with over night temps too. Today is moving day so we'll be up and about earlier than usual. Or at least Riley will be, I'm usually up between 4 - 6 am here. 

HRH Miss Kitty

I think I'm kind of getting used to the time zone thing. I'm usually an early riser back in Ontario as well. At 4 am here it is 6 am back there, which is usually when I'm getting out of bed at our summer location. I'm out the door, walking the 1/4 or so mile to Dad's house for morning coffee by 6:15 am. I think the 4 am thing makes me tired just thinking about being up so early. Know what I mean?

Near Buckeye, Arizona, very green....

We left Coyote Howls East around 8:30 am, after dumping and dropping our tag off at the office. As we just finished dumping George popped around the corner to wish us safe and happy travels. Bye George, safe travels ahead for you and Suzie!!

Barry Goldwater Air Force Range area....

 
We stopped around the corner at the Why Not Travel Store for propane, filling our two small cylinders. It took just about the same as the big tank did, and we were happy to leave with all four propane cylinders full.  Two coyotes hanging around the gas pumps weren’t easily scared away and kept returning hoping for a hand out. They were still there when I last looked in my rear view mirror. 

Look more like jagged teeth and mountains.

We pass through the little town of Ajo (Ah -ho) and continued along AZ-85 toward Gila Bend, (He - la) we were enjoying the amazing scenery. We passed through the Barry Goldwater Air Force Range and the mountains were literally standing on end, looking more like jagged teeth than anything else. It was an amazing sight to see. 

Standing on end ....

We neared the suburb of Buckeye (out laying area of Phoenix) and missed the turn for Salome Hwy, but no worries we just picked up I-10 toward Los Angeles. The interstate isn’t the smoothest ride we’ve been on but it wasn’t the worst either. Lots of big trucks passing us by at a very high rate of speed. 

Medium between the two roads....

We pulled off in the little area of 441 Ave in Tonopah. I was surprised there was no public area with an outdoor spigot and we finally asked at a fuel station if we could fill with water and they agreed. Seems they are all on wells in this area. Another time I’d fill in Buckeye, I’m sure it would have some where public to fill up. Needless to say we will be frequenting that fuel stop while in this area. 

We aren't far away now....

Off we headed down the road looking for Courthouse Road. From there it was easy to find the BLM land at the base of Saddle Mountain. We checked out all three roads and settled in the first spot we had liked on the first road taken. Isn’t that just the way?  We have a strong AT&T signal here, and first thing after setting up and starting the Weber to heat up,  I called my Dad, chatted for 15 minutes. 

Sunset shining on the mountain behind us...

We have an amazing spot with a breath taking view out our side door, and all around us in fact but the view out the door is truly the reason we picked the spot. We can see I-10 from our location but can’t hear a thing. A few noises here and there like shooting or something way off, but nothing to bother us. We have a huge site all to ourselves, with our nearest neighbour more than shouting distance away. 

Looking toward the north east....

We went for a walk after lunch, I have no idea how much distance we covered but we were gone for about an hour. When we returned home I started doing some clean up around our site but broke my little folding rake so I had to stop. I’ll pick one up in Buckeye on our trip in there and continue at another time. The roads here are pretty good, with a few that are unfit for long rigs to traverse but they are far back near the base of the mountain.  I think these roads join each other back at the base of the mountain and aren't necessary to travel as each road can be reached from Courthouse Road. The only other issue of any kind might be the exit from the hardtop to the dirt road. Like most of the BLM lands I’ve driven in so far there is quite a lip from the flat surface to the dirt road. However there are a number of different kinds, shapes and heights of vehicles here including some large and small motor homes, some tow behind campers and of course a few 5’ers as well. As they all seem to be parked and staying perhaps the lip is not a problem. Lots of spots, most of them are pretty good, maybe need a wee bit of leveling but nothing too drastic. 

The sun is heading down....

We’ve seen no evidence of coyotes but I’m certain they are around. It’s quiet, peaceful and inspiring. As it is BLM land we can only stay 14 days but according to a fellow we chatted with, no one has been around to check and he’s been in the area for a while. I didn’t ask what a while is but it sounded like at least a week. 

Sinking further and further...

It is now 5:40 pm, the sun has gone down and I’m still sitting outside in shorts but with a fleece sweater typing my post. The windows and vents are shut but the big door is open. The temp reads 63F/ 17C. Not a bad way to spend our first evening here. 

Streaks of red in the night sky...

Our first impression, excellent. I’ll let you know in a few days if our first impressions were correct but I’ll tell you right now I can hear absolutely NO noise from any of the rigs parked here. We can’t hear the Interstate and nothing except maybe a few crickets. Should be nice sleeping here.

Sunset over the Dogsled and Igloo

So there you have it, our travel day. We left Why, Arizona around 9 am and arrived  at Tonopah, Arizona right around 11:30 am. We traveled a bit over 100 miles/ 160 km. It took us a while to select a site, set up and set the Igloo to ‘home’ status again. However I was cooking lunch and chatting with my Dad by 2:15 pm. The drive was easy, no major towns, or no major interchanges to deal with and it was scenic as well.

The last gasp.....

Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave a comment.

Until next time…take care, be safe,

Deb