THIS POST IS COMING TO YOU FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR SEDONA ARIZONA

SEDONA ARIZONA’S RED ROCKS AT SUNSET

It was already well into the 70’s before 9 this morning so we  we weren’t long in heading ourselves out the driveway heading for higher & cooler elevations.  With Winnie’s A/C on we made a quick stop at the Congress Post Office.  Nuts!! No Jammies yet:((  Threw some gas in Winnie’s tank & with the Jeep tied on behind we headed up the Yarnell Hill.  The rig handled the hill just fine.

 

WINNIE CHASED THIS CLASS A ALL THE WAY UP YARNELL HILL

Quick stop at the Cornerstone Bakery in Yarnell & we were on our way.  Destination Sedona Arizona.  Well not so much Sedona proper as the area somewhere around Sedona.  We had a couple hot tips on a few quiet boondocking areas.

<<< COMING OUT OF YARNELL’S CORNERSTONE BAKERY WITH SOME GOODIES

It was a familiar drive for us up through Peeples & Skull Valley.  Wound our way along Iron Springs Road into Prescott & picked up the Pioneer Parkway which took us in a North-Easterly direction around Prescott.  Broad sweeping vistas as far as the eye could see.  Long golden Valleys stretched to distant mountain topped horizons.  And lots of Evergreen trees & forests around Prescott.  I figure if I was forced to live in a city in these here parts I would choose Prescott just based on scenery alone.

GLAD WE DIDN’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THIS LONG TRAIN IN KIRKLAND JUNCTION

 

THE GENERAL STORE IS NOW CLOSED & KELLY CHECKS OUR GARMIN

SWINGING WAY AROUND PRESCOTT

Topped a rise north of Prescott & I could see the snow covered SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS just north of Flagstaff maybe about 75 miles away as the Crow flies to the North-East.  Made our way to a place called Dewey & headed North from there.  Traffic had been lite until we hit #17 coming up from Phoenix.  From there the traffic just got heavier & heavier.  Cottonwood was a manic mosh of metal monsters.  Kelly & I had stayed at DEAD HORSE RANCH STATE PARK back in late 07 but neither of us remembered this much heavy traffic around Cottonwood then.  So glad to get out of that traffic mess & onto highway 89 heading for Sedona.  We were back out in our comfortable countryside again & darned well planned to stay there!!

FROM PRESCOTT WE CAN SEE THE FAR AWAY SAN FRANCISCO PEAKS NORTH OF FLAGSTAFF

BEGINNING TO SEE SEDONA’S RED ROCKS ACROSS ARIZONA’S SWEEPING VERDE VALLEY

We did find the area several fellow RV Boondockers had recommended but we immediately ran into an unexpected problem.  Headed up a dusty road & pulled over into a flat spot to unhook the Jeep.  As soon as Pheebs got out she had 4 flat tires.  The whole area was covered in those dreaded Goathead prickly stickers.  They are the most miserable things of ever.  Got the stickers out of Pheebs paws but we had them stuck to the bottom of our shoes too.  We knew that particular area was not going to work for us.  With the Jeep we scouted another couple roads but they were too rough for the rig.  We knew of one other place across the highway so off we went.

We knew Annie was tucked away on that side of the road somewhere so we cruised along the gravel road slow until we spotted her RV through the trees.  Found us a spot to pull in & walked over to Annie’s place. 

ANNIE’S TUCKED AWAY IN THE TREES

We had never met her before but we have been following THE GOOD LUCK DUCK long enough to know about Roxie & Annie.  Annie was home & soon her dog Jake & Pheebs were making fast friends.  Nice to finally meet Annie, a nice easy going Gal.  She knew of a couple camping spots within walking distance of her so we all walked over & checked them out.  Could tell right away it was not going to be an easy campsite.  There wasn’t a spot of ground flat enough anywhere to land a fly let alone a 26’ Class C rig with no levelers. 

 

THAT’S MINGUS MOUNTAIN ON THE HORIZON

We did manage to wiggle into a spot on the sloping hillside & with the aide of some plastic Camping World levelers we did manage to square things up a bit but nowhere close to level from side to side.  Not much we could do about it though because we didn’t know where else to go.  On the plus side we do have a great view out over the Verde Valley & we can see the twinkling lights of mile high Jerome way across the valley on the side of Mingus Mountain.  A cluster of lights on the valley floor below I’m guessing belong to Clarkdale & Cottonwood.

JEROME IS ACROSS THE VALLEY ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE DIRECTLY ABOVE WINNIE’S HOOD

Don’t know if we’ll stay in this spot or search us out a new location in the morning.  Kelly suggested we hit a Home Depot & get them to saw us up some sturdy 2’ sections of board to use as levelers.  We just might do that as they are always handy to have along for un-level situations like the one we are in.  In our Damon Class A I always carried a ready to use lumber yard with us.

  

No idea where we will go or what we will do over the next few days here but I’m sure we’ll think of something.  We just wanted to take advantage of this warmer weather in an area that is not normally known for warm weather this time of year.  Temperature in the rig this afternoon was 83F.  I’m wilting, I’m wilting……………..

Been awhile since I have stood out under a big Moon in short sleeves but it is warm enough tonight to do just that.  Jerome is just a tight cluster of shimmering diamonds nestled into the darkened side of Mingus Mountain across the valley. Our nocturnal landscape lay before us bathed in an ethereal hue of tumbling Moonbeams………………

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Jim had a terrible day fishing on the lake, sitting in the blazing sun all day without catching a single fish.  On his way home, he stopped at the Fish Store and ordered four rainbow trout.  He told the fishmonger, 'Pick four large ones out and throw them at me, will you?'  'Why do you want me to throw them at you?' Asked the clerk?'  So that I am able to tell my wife Sandie, in all honesty, that I caught them.'

The fisherman's golden rule: The one that got away is always bigger than the one you gotta weigh.

ASH FORK TO CONGRESS ARIZONA…YAHOOIE LOUIE WE’RE HOME:))))))

HOME:))

We were up before 5 a.m. so had us some time to kill before sunrise.  Luckily we have our computer pacifiers to keep us entertained.  I sure have not missed television morning news programs with all their giggling theatrics, continuous doom & gloom repetitive tunnel versioned & narrow focused broadcasts.  We have little idea what is going on in the world at the moment & what a refreshing break that has been this past week.  Getting up in the morning & habitually snapping on television news has been such a bad habit for way too long!!

SLIPPING SOUTH THROUGH THE CHINO VALLEY EARLY THIS MORNING

Ok, on with the day now that I got that little burr out from under my saddle.  We were on the road about 6:15 just after first light.  As expected it was a quiet peaceful drive south down highway 89.  Watched old Sol climb above the mountain range to our east.  I knew Mingus mountain & Jerome were over there & that brought back memories of a harrowing navigational error we made in our early years.  FROM BEDROCK TO DEAD HORSE ARIZONA.

A short stop at McDonald’s in Chino for coffee to go & a doggy walk.  Spotted the Shadow Cowboy while there.  Well he’s not really a Cowboy but I think he is a shadow of his former self sometimes:((

 

SLIPPIN ALONG ON IRON SPRINGS ROAD, NEW PAVEMENT & ALL

Temporarily misplaced ourselves for a few blocks coming around the bypass in Prescott but we got er figured out & back on track.  Iron Springs Road is a great drive.  Lots of great scenery, rock formations, long sweeping vistas across miles wide valleys, mountain peaks, & just enough sharp curves & steep hills to white knuckle any inexperienced driver.  Last couple of times on this stretch of road we encountered a lot of road construction but not this morning.  All done & lots of new pavement.

THERE’S THE LITTLE SKULL VALLEY RESTAURANT WE ATE AT JEAN:))

Pulled over in Kirkland to take my jacket & flannel shirt off.  Temperature was already 70F & it was only about 8:45 a.m.  What a beautiful morning’s drive.  I think we later got up well into the 80’s today. 

ROLLING THROUGH PEEPLES VALLEY

 

As we approached Yarnell I thought about the 19 Firefighters who tragically lost their lives there this past summer.  As we came into the north end of town we could see where the fire had come right down into the town & right up behind some of the downtown business’s.  It’s a miracle that whole little town didn’t catch fire.

COMING INTO YARNELL’S NORTH END

 

KELLY CHECKS FOR TRAFFIC BEFORE HEADING ACROSS TO THE BAKERY

ONE CAN SEE HOW CLOSE THAT YARNELL FIRE CAME TO DESTROYING THESE DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET BUILDINGS

For Kelly there is no driving past the Cornerstone Bakery on Yarnell’s main street.  Aha so that was her motive for not wanting to leave Ash Fork too early.  Wanted to make sure the bakery was open when we got there.  And it was.  A Maple Donut breakfast for me.  Kelly buried herself in some kind of Cinnamon delicacy.  

HERE SHE COMES WITH THE GOODIES

Didn’t have to go far up the road to begin our decent down the Yarnell Hill into our great Sonoran Desert Valley below.  We were only minutes from home now.  We could see Congress spread out far below.  Winnie handled the sharp curves with ease & geared herself down when needed.  She gained a lot of experience this trip & cut her teeth like a true RV.  I love driving the Yarnell hill.  It’s like a Midway ride, but no room for mistakes.

THAT’S CONGRESS SPREAD OUT ON THE DESERT FLOOR BELOW

THINK I CAN SEE MIKE McFALL WAVING AWAY WAY OUT THERE AT NORTH RANCH

Rolled into Congress & turned right over a set of railroad tracks.  Turned right again onto Ghost Town Road.  What a great feeling that was to be coming down the last mile of our long journey.  Everything looked much greener than I had remembered it.  We passed nice houses & we passed junk yard houses.  And then there we were, left blinker on & into the driveway.  It was 9:11 Arizona time.  Kelly jumped out quick to open the gate because our Jeep was still on the road.  And in we came & shut her down.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh:))

DOWN ON THE VALLEY FLOOR WITH CONGRESS AZ STRAIGHT AHEAD

 

TURNING RIGHT ON GHOST TOWN ROAD FOR THE LAST MILE TO OUR HOUSE…AND THERE IT IS AT LAST:))

Jumped out of the rig & the first thing I looked for was all the Cacti I had planted.  They were all gone.  I was so disappointed.  I figured I might loose half of them but to lose all of them………  Gone without a trace as if they had never been there in the first place.  Even my Cactus Man was toppled.  We walked around the property looking at things & I could see right away I had my work cut out for me again.  But thankfully not nearly as bad as last year.  And it’s the kind of yard work I don’t mind doing.  Lots of weeds.   Aside from my Cactus disappointment it was sure great to be back to our Arizona home.  And how great for Pheebs to have lots of room to run around the entirely fenced in property.

TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY & KELLY OPENS THE GATE

Next we went into the house.  Everything was exactly as we had left it.  But there was a bad smell & it took awhile to track down the source.  Four dead & decaying mice.  When a house has been locked up for 6 months one can expect those kinds of things.  Although we had not expected that.  It was also obvious we Canadian Critters would not be moving in till the Arizona Critters moved out so out came the vacuum cleaner & all kinds of cleaning solvents.  And that set the pace for the day.  Lots of Spider webs to deal with & a ka-zillion million things to do all at once.  We never let up all day until we crumbled into our recliners around 6.  And knowing us, we will be right back at it first thing in the morning.  It’s all part of the overall enjoyment.  Gotta remember water & birdseed out for the birds, etc. etc. etc.

LOTS OF CLEANING AHEAD OF US

PHEEBS WATCHES AS WE BEGIN UNLOADING THE RIG

Took us a bit of doing but we set up our satellite dish, found the bird & we now have TV.  Sirius satellite radio hooked up to the Boom Box & my Ipod is tethered to our Bose sound system again.   Oh & then there was my loooooong hot shower this afternoon.  Ya know, I think I am beginning to show a bit of age.  Enjoyed the week of travel but it’s good to be at our southwest base now all comfy & stretched out in my big room here.  Overhead fan going, Jim Reeves & Hank Williams on the Bose. Sitting in my comfy Ikea Poang chair, & Pheebs asleep beside me on my bed.  Lots of room for my cameras & atlas’s.  Even got a cold Cranberry/Raspberry drink on the go.  Nice cozy ambient lamps on & all feel’s well & good.  And a big soft cushy bed to sleep in tonight.  Best part about that will be our morning tussles again when Pheebs comes bounding up on my bed to get me up.  We missed our morning tussles all week when Pheebs was unable to get up into my over the cab tree house bunk.  She’s a pretty tired but happy little doggy tonight.  But then again, we all are:))

  

And thanks to Eileen in Phoenix for correcting my spelling of the Chino Valley.  It’s Chino not Chimo.  And I’m surprised nobody caught my mis-spelling of Albuquerque a couple days ago.  I had been putting an extra e in the word Albuquerque making it look like Albuequerque.

OUR BACK YARD IS LOOKING MIGHTY GREEN

Funny thing happened to us sitting on our loveseat with our laptops a couple night’s ago.  I began to notice some odd things happening on my screen.  It was as if my curser had a mind of it’s own & my screen was scrolling on it’s own.  Oh no, had I picked up a computer virus somewhere.  Had something taken over my lap top.  Well yes, something had indeed taken over my computer.  It was Kelly’s mouse.  Sitting right next to me working on her laptop, her mouse was somehow controlling my screen.  We’re not exactly sure how that happened & it hasn’t happened since but it sure confused & had me worried for a few minutes.

<<< GOT MY LITTLE COMPUTER STATION SET UP IN MY BEDROOM

Second funny & not so funny thing happened a couple days ago as well.  We had us fly infestation of sorts on our way down from Canada.  Stopped & bought some fly stickers at the Trinidad NM Walmart.  Hung 2 of them from cabinet knobs.  We had just stopped at the KOA office in Raton.  Kelly slipped inside to make the reservation & Pheebs jumped up on her seat but oh oh, something wasn’t right.  There she was standing on the seat with a fly sticker wrapped around her neck just like a necklace.  Was able to get the fly sticker pulled off her fur but oh what a sticky mess it left.  Soap, water, brushing, more soap, more water.  More washing.  Repeat the aforementioned half a dozen times interspersed with a few snips of the scissors to eliminate some impossible to clean matted fur & we were about as good as we were gonna get.  Oh Peebs:)) 

YEP, GOT A BIT OF YARD WORK AHEAD OF ME ALRIGHT

Ever been rolling down the road & have an axle brake on your trailer?  Well it happened to the HAPPY CAMPERS a few days ago in Arkansas on a 4 lane highway with narrow shoulders.  Couldn’t get a new axle but came up with a different solution.

KELLY’S BUSY GETTING THINGS SPIFFED UP IN THE KITCHEN

NICE TO BACK IN OUR COZY LITTLE SOUTHWEST ADOBE HOUSE

That’s it for tonight folks.  We are soooooooo tired but were already discussing our first road trip from our home base today.  Probably going to be Slab City over there in that California place………………………..

AND I HAVE A TIRED LITTLE TRAVELER ON MY BED TONIGHT

GROANER’S CORNER:((  Did you know a crocodile cannot stick out its tongue. Ya, I thought you did.

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.