North of Phoenix

Before heading north out of Tucson, we met up with Randy and Pam Warner a couple with similar backgrounds to ours. They started full timing about three years before us and own the same year and model coach as we do.  They nicknamed theirs the Roadrunner and write a blog that we have found helpful in our travels (http://warnerrvnews.blogspot.com).  Our paths have come close, but this is the first time we have all been able to meet.  I told Randy I felt like the Coyote chasing the Roadrunner at times. 

Finally Caught the Roadrunner!

 We made reservations at a municipal park on Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix.  This turned out to be one of locations that we like so much we extended our stay.  We were able to explore the area in the Jeep as well as hiking. 

Lake Pleasant

Searching for nearby trails, I found a good description of a Jeep trail called “The Back Way in to Crown King.”  It promised moderate difficulty, various eco systems, several old mining sites, and beverages for those who make it all the way to Crown King, AZ.  We loaded up some food, beverages, and gear in our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and headed out.  We wound our way down 20 miles of dirt road and found the trailhead rock with “CK” painted on it.  We headed north along the trail and put the Jeep in low range four wheel drive to better control our descents and assents.  Most of the trail could be done in two-wheel drive, but a few places will require four-wheel drive, ground clearance, and driving skill.  After a couple hours, we came across a Jeep and Bronco with some folks our age out enjoying the same trail.  We joined them and continued up the trail.  I raised the Grand Cherokee to its highest suspension setting in a couple places that required maximum ground clearance.  At one point even this was not enough and the driver’s side rocker guard came down hard on a boulder.  The traction control systems drug the Grand Cherokee over the obstacle and we continued on thankful we had install steel rocker guards.  On a steep grade about an hour from Crown King, the Bronco decided to die.  The older carbureted system could not deal with the altitude, incline, and fuel level in the tank.  I hooked a strap to it and towed it the last hour up the mountain.  Once in Crown King, the Bronco owner refilled the tank and got it to fire up.  We shared a cold beverage at the saloon and toasted our adventure for the day.

Back Trail to Crown King, AZ

Stubborn Bronco

Jeep to Rescue

Happy Survivors!

A Welcome Sight

Battle Scar!

On another day, we hiked the trails around the Lake Pleasant Park.  They have a well-marked trail system suitable for hiking and mountain biking.  There are signs indicating wild burros are present and markers explaining that the burros are descendants of the original miner’s burros.  Pattie said she saw some, but I didn’t see any and questioned her eyesight.  After hiking for hours and driving around, we finally saw some.  Never doubted her!

Wild Burros

A fellow Air Force warrior and good friend lives just north of Phoenix.  He and his wife invited us over for dinner one night.  We had a great evening telling stories and enjoying a perfectly cooked steak at their beautiful home.

Fellow Warrior and Friend

In the next addition, we will head further north to Prescott Valley and Sedona, AZ.

Thanks for keepingupwiththejonesrv! 

Southwest Sun

Where did January go?  If you have been trying to Keep Up With the Jones’ RV, you better be moving with a purpose.  We finished up our annual doctors’ appointments in Auburn, AL Mid-January and headed west trying to escape the bitter cold front.  We made it as far as Twitley Branch CoE Campground near Meridian, MS before we stopped for three days and rode out the front.  Temperatures dropped to 12 degrees Farenheit (a new record for us in The Bus) and we received about an inch of snow.  Thankfully, we were able to get our AquaHot heating system serviced by Brannon Hutcheson (Custom RV in Vina, AL) the day after Christmas and this weather put it to the test.  The system worked great keeping us warm inside and in the basement.

After three days, the roads ahead to Shreveport, LA were open so we headed to Barksdale AFB, LA.  We stayed two nights then headed to Dyass AFB, TX where we enjoyed a nice TexMex dinner out.  From there we made it to Brantley Lake State Park near Carlsbad, NM.  We stayed four nights allowing us time to hike in the area and see Carlsbad Caverns.

We also took a day trip to Roswell, NM to check out the UFO Museum.  I have seen quite a few UFOs in my day, but none that I thought were from an alien culture (although these guys do look like some politicians I know).

Next stop was Holloman AFB, NM where we visited White Sands National Monument.  It was very interesting to learn about the wildlife that lives there.  We had fun hiking all around trying to identify various tracks in the sand.  Leaves blowing to and fro across the sand make some unique artistic markings as well. We also took a pretty drive up into the mountains to a community called Cloudcroft and had a wonderful BBQ lunch at Crazy Jacks. We arrived 1/2 hr before the restaurant opened and had to wait 45 minutes in line. They still had snow up in the mountains.

One cool thing about this monument, they let you walk as far as you want too.

Critter tracks!

After White Sands, we headed southwest to Fort Huachuca, AZ near Sierra Vista, Arizona and found they have an excellent FAMCAMP.  We visited the Fort's museum and learned its important history in settling the west and its role today in strategic communications.  We made time to wake up early to see the Super Blue Blood moon, what a pretty sight that was! We took a day trip to Tombstone, AZ (location of the famous Shootout at the OK Corral) and were happy the town has closed off and kept the old Main Street as original as possible.  We ate at Big Nose Kate's Saloon for lunch.  The food was awful, but the history was rich.

Men's Room Urinal at Big Nose Kate's
(Where else can you get this level of detail!)

Our basic plan to head west was to make it to Tucson, Arizona for some warm weather.  Apparently many others had the same idea because when we arrived at Davis Monthan, AFB near Tucson, they were full and we were placed in a overflow area with no hook-ups (Boondocking).  No big deal, if it is for a few days until a spot comes open.  Unfortunately since so many desirable southeastern RV locations suffered hurricane damage in 2017, more RVers headed west.  We visited the Pima Air Museum and drove around the outskirts of the USAF Boneyard.  This is truly an amazing place in aviation history. 

B-17 like the one Pattie's father flew in WWII

We took a drive out to the Saguaro National Forest and hiked a trail to an old limestone furnace.  The area was beautiful for us, but I bet the men who mined and worked the limestone back in the late 1800's hated it.

We also took a drive to old town Tucson and visited some artist shops and looked at many of the restored old houses. After five days boon docking at Davis Monthan, AFB, we decided that if we were going to boondock; it should be in a beautiful setting.  We found a nice regional park on Lake Pleasant northwest of Phoenix, AZ and reserved a few days with and without power and water.  This turned out to be an excellent location for hiking, off-roading, and visiting the Phoenix area, but that is another story.

Our Route West 2018

Thanks for keepingupwiththejonesrv!

RV tip:  Don’t jump into the physical stuff too quick when visiting a new location.  Your body is accustomed to certain plant life, temperatures, and altitudes.  Set-up camp and take a day to let your body adjust to a new environment before strenuous activity.