Sunday, February 28, 2016

A Week at Buckskin and Musings

 

The musings come first.  Been wondering why on earth can’t I make myself sit down and write? Decided that I am just not motivated or there’s too much distraction with the ongoing medical issues and managing all the demands of the trailer.  And I’m seriously short on my “alone” time 

It is good to be around real live bodies instead of just cyber relationships but I’d like to have a better mix of both as I am missing my blogging friends.

With that said, I can resume our travel story.

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This is the Colorado River at Buckskin Mountain State Park near Parker, AZ. The rv park on the opposite shore is in California. 

We are fortunate to book 3 nights at Buckskin just after the big Dome Rock gathering.  It is very hard to get into this park due to it’s popularity.

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Our site is close to the river but it is also on a very busy corner with lots of traffic! On the third day the temperature hits 90F. We stay in with the A/C blasting!

We find that there are cabanas available and we move even closer to the river!

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We stay another 4 nights, just not ready to leave the river, the coots and mallards and the ever changing colors of the Colorado River.

One morning I hike up the campground trail.  The path is straight up from the entrance.  The views are breath taking!

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That’s our blue Tundra, middle left, at the top of the row of cabanas.

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As I take this last shot, a fifth-wheel drives by and blows a friendly greeting. I wave, feeling connected to this vast world of snow birds.

David and I have been to this part of Arizona in 2012 but we didn’t go see the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City. It’s time to see a piece of history!

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The path goes along this canal.

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This is the 25th anniversary plaque. The bridge was taken apart piece by piece in London and shipped to CA.

We also missed the Parker Dam on our first trip. The road goes along the California side of the river.

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It is famous for it’s depth under the river bottom.

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It goes 235 feet below the river bed and 85 feet above.

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These sad, but cute, little panhandlers were mooching just past the dam. Signs are everywhere saying to watch for the wild burros.

We say good-bye to Buckskin Mountain and head east, searching for some cooler temperatures.

There is an Escapees park with dry camping in Congress and the weather is said to be cooler!

We stay four nights at North Ranch, enjoying every moment. David sees his first pickle ball match.

We take the winding road up to Prescott (and stumble across more fiberglass friends hidden in the forest). We have dinner in a fancy small town diner and see real cowboys in Wickenburg.

And now we in the Phoenix relatives’ back yard, getting ready to celebrate the granddaughter’s birthday. It’s hotter than it is suppose to be by  15 degrees.  Would like to land on a mountaintop but David has another doctor’s appointment. Will be heading back to Apache Junction tomorrow.

Hello, Superstition Mountains!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Desert Rally and Rivers

 

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Time to get caught up!

It is Superbowl Weekend and my new husband…the one with his heart in rhythm..says he must see Peyton play his last game. The big fiberglass rally at Dome Rock in Quartzsite, AZ starts Monday and we join our Texas/Mississippi gang at a park a few exits west of Dome Rock.

The campground is on the Colorado River. While the gang enjoys the game, I enjoy the water.

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Meanwhile, back at the game, David seems to be enjoying his bowl of chili as much as the action.

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Lots of socializing…we all have been going in separate directions for the past few weeks.

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Monday morning comes too soon.  It’s time to give up all those extras….like electricity and water!

We relocate under the Dome Rock just off the road by the same name. Our Oliver friends,  our Mesa friends and other blogger friends are already there.

Over the week we watch all the fiberglass trailers arrive….until the rally morphs into the largest fiberglass rally ever!  By the following weekend, Greg, the host, reports 183 trailers register.

We choose a site ontop of the ridge that overlooks the rally.

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We set up the baby Clam, hook up the portable solar panel and we are ready for a week of visiting.

View from our back yard….

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Views from our hill top site.

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I try to get a better photo of all the trailers and give up!  Everyone is spread out.  I visit by riding my bike from camp to camp.

Socializing is the main agenda! Taking sunset photos is secondary.

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John, BJ and I decide to hike up Q Mountain. John finds the trail and BJ and I follow.  It is a very short hike but straight up!

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Another view of the mountain.  There is a flag on top.

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John and BJ do a little geocaching and I discover there is an app for that!

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View from the top!

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Looking down at an old mine.

Back to the rally.  This rally only has organized events on the last day.  The Ladder Ball Tournament is a favorite.

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Music and campfire is a great way to end the week.

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And the 2016 (record breaking) Q rally is over!

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After the rally,we manage to get 3 nights at a state park in Parker, AZ.

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But not ready to tell that story, yet!