Monday, March 7, 2016

Winter Paradise Ending!

 

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The warm days are just getting warmer!  Looking to find somewhere cooler we travel east to the Congress area where the Escapees’ North Ranch is located. We decide to dry camp for a couple of days which turns into four nights!

Beautiful flowers are blooming in the ditch next to our spot.

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We spend our days exploring the area, looking at the cute little houses and walking in the desert behind the park. A drive up to Prescott, AZ, finds big trees and, surprisingly, fruit trees in blossom!

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David has another doctor’s appointment, it’s time to return to the big city of Phoenix.  David’s report is good….heart rate regular!  We say good bye and thank them for their excellent treatment.

We have one last week in AZ before it’s time to hit the road. We decide to spend it at Lost Dutchman SP…our very most favorite place!

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It gets hot during the week with temperatures in the upper 80’s but we manage to survive without too much discomfort.

One day we drive up to the Tonto NF to visit Phon D Sutton, our favorite parking lot from last year.  The forest service has now banned camping and the area is deserted.

I get a real treat…no photos…but there is a river otter playing in the waves, one of the few I have seen in the wild.  He’s in the current where the Verde River runs into the Salt and he dives and cavorts..much like a porpoise!

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On our last night John and BJ join us for dinner at the campground.

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We have a great time sitting around the fire and swapping stories….forget to take photos!

Heading east, we take a new route through Globe and stay on HWY 70 until Lordsburg, NM.  We decide to stay in Safford, AZ at a RV park but it is not too appealing and there is a WalMart handy.

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The Dream Catcher Escapees Park in Deming is our destination and our current location.  We are waiting for the big rain to move out of our path.  Meanwhile we are socializing and learning how to line dance!

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The plan is to stay at Escapees parks on our way east…but you know how it is with jello plans.

Reservations at Gunter Hill COE start on 3/14/2016.  See y’all!

22 comments:

  1. Great news about David's heart!
    Safe travels east.

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    1. Thank you...we will be cautious.
      Love hearing about all the nice hikes you are doing....so many places to see....

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  3. Ye gads you two are so close, I should pop over and see you. When do you leave for Gunter Hill?

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    1. Sorry I drag my feet about answering. Facebook really does get in the way. We have 1500 miles in front of us and possible bad weather, so we are heading out tomorrow.
      Will give you a heads up when we get back in the area.

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  4. It was so nice to see you one more time! Love the sunset reflected in the truck window.

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    1. Likewise, John. Can't remember when we had a more enjoyable evening!

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  5. GREAT to hear David is doing well...thanks for giving me a "Superstitions Fix"... did you take one of the none hookup spots, as you seem to be all the way in front...take care and safe travels, storms are currently all over the place in this part of the country...Horst sends

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    1. Yes, we were camping in the "overflow" loop with no hookups and right beneath the Flat Iron of the Superstitions. Alas, I heard that they will be upgrading the overflow loop to water and electric and placed on the reservation system....just like they did with their last overflow loop a few years back. Screws up my spontaneity!

      Glad you mentioned the storms. Thought I had kept an eye on them but we changed directions (again) and are in Pecos tonight. Having trouble trying to decided between 10 and 20 routes. Or maybe we should just stay put for 4 days while the system runs through Texas?

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    2. Your routes aren't that great no matter which way ou go...Houston has got some flood warning out, I thought I saw some warning in Shreveport about the Red River....thought if you are going back to Tn then maybe meander up to l-40, but that looks kinda dicey....and most of this doesn't stop until Saturday...Having said that, locally its been intermittent, I have a Day Surgery, and they did not want to reschedule, one of the kids and her fiancee is from KC is coming down and so far no Flight delays or cancellations mentioned....so I guess its a crap shoot.....Be careful...and flexible(haha)....Horst sends

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    3. Yes on the crap shoot! We are heading for the Green Eggs and Ham rally near Montgomery, AL.
      Tonight we are on I-10 now at the Caverns at Sonora. Traveled with light rain off and on and a mix of sun. Will try to advance another 100 or so miles again tomorrow. Horrible signal here even with the Wilson booster. Need to see the Caverns some day.

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  6. So happy David is in normal sinus rhythm. Here's hoping he stays that way. Happy travels.

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    1. Thanks, Allison for checking in. I am so pleased with the results of the procedure! Now if we can just get some good followup treatment in Chattanooga.
      And thanks, again, for your blog post that led us to Dr. Su.

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  7. Nice wrap up report. Wishing you safe travels as the weather is nasty for the next few days. Great news on David. Know you're as relieved as he is....jc

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  8. We are holed up in a hole tonight. Dry camping at the Escapees park in Pecos... surprised as the other parks were very nice. This is not one to visit.
    The weather channel says it is raining here but it is not, yet! Don't know when we will ever get out of Texas!

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  9. sounds lovely!!
    I'm out of my house and find out today what offers have been made. Living in my new trailer is great - but a little tight with the constant rain of spring in the PNW! At least the RV park has cable. It's been 3 weeks since we've had a rain free day! The silver lining is that I have plenty of inside time to organize the piles of stuff I jammed into the trailer while emptying the house.
    I'm basking in your pictures of the sun :)

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    1. Anne, how nice to hear from you. And I remembered that you were picking up your new Escape this winter but I must have missed the house selling event! Are you officially full time now or will you find another place?

      Know you are loving that bigger space. We are still so very happy with ours! I visited a couple from BC who had a 19 foot while in Lost Dutchman SP. Their inside space was picture perfect, no clutter, everything in its place. Inspired me to be a better house, or trailer keeper.

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  11. Oh Lynne hope you're not near LA!! Looks like come this weekend things get tons better and Gunter will be in good shape for St Patrick's Day !! :) HIGH SURF here!!!!!

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  12. Hey Carla. No we are going real slow...trying to stay way behind the worst stuff. We are still west of San Antonio tonight and will still be in Texas tomorrow night. Hoping Saturday we have clear skies.
    Hope you two are staying out of the worst stuff. Are you getting back on the road soon? Take care!

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    1. End of month....COE gig this summer in GA/SC!!! :)

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