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Saturday, March 14, 2015

Arizona is full of fantastic boondocking spots

We left Flagstaff yesterday morning around 10:00am. Stopped to get some gas, but only a little because it's cheaper in Kingman and we're headed there today.

Can't believe the wide variance in gas prices in Flagstaff. From $2.30 to $2.70! I don't understand why anybody would pay $2.70, when it's $2.30 across the street.

We put in 20 gallons at $2.34 a gallon (80.6 cents per litre $CAD). The station that was selling for $2.30 wasn't motorhome friendly. Besides, we can fill up at $2.30 in Kingman. That's the most we've paid since we arrived back in the USA.

Had to do most of yesterday's driving on the Interstate. We put the cruise control on at 55 mph (90 km/h) relax, and let everybody pass us. The speed limit on that stretch is 75 mph (120 km/h). Most people don't seem to care about fuel efficiency.

Yesterday's drive, 47 miles (75 kms).

I noticed that something wasn't acting right with Sherman's transmission. At highway speeds it seemed like the "overdrive" wasn't kicking in. You start thinking about transmission problems, and the dollar signs ring up pretty quickly! Fortunately, I think I've got the problem solved. There's a switch on the brake pedal that releases the torque converter lock up when you hit the brakes, and I think that switch has gone bad. I'll try and buy one today in Kingman.

I had read about a possible boondocking spot near Ash Fork, and we pulled in to have a look. Sure enough, there are probably about 20 different free sites at this location in the Kaibab National Forest.

And nobody here but us!

Sherman, parked up for the night at 35.22029 -112.37674

Not anybody around until a couple of hunters pulled in. We had seen quite a few empty shells on the ground, (and a bit of trash that I went around and cleaned up!) and that had us a bit worried, but I guess at this time of year it's not much of an issue. Still, there are guys with guns out there shooting at things that move, and we wanted to go for a walk. So I put on my bright red "Don't Shoot Me" t-shirt!

Nothing in the way of trails here, but a lot of dirt roads.

Quite a few other decent campsites. I imagine it might be busy during the summer.

Kevin, with his "Don't Shoot Me" shirt on. This is an old unmaintained section of the historic route 66 highway. Now, it's open to cyclists only. Well, cyclists and hunters.

Yet another great Arizona boondocking spot, despite being fairly close to the interstate highway.

We're at lower elevation now, and only 47 miles outside of Flagstaff and there's no more snow.

Today, we're going to do a long section of historic route 66 in order to stay off the Interstate. 

Oh, and I made a campground reservation yesterday. First time in almost eight years of RV'ing that we've made a reservation for a campsite! We're going to be meeting an uncle and aunt of mine who will be camping at Kodachrome Basin State Park in Utah next month, and its a small park that fills up quickly so we've confirmed a spot for April 19th and 20th.

Thanks for remembering to come back here to do any of your Amazon shopping!


31 comments:

  1. That same shot of Sherman could have been taken in the African savanna!

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    1. You are so right, I even said to Kevin that day that the scenery reminded me of Namibia!

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  2. So pleased you didn't get shot!

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  3. I love the "don´t shot me shirt "idea. It did make me lough a bit.

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  4. One can't be too careful when there are over eager hunters around. But where was Ruth's "Don't Shoot Me Shirt"? :cO

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    1. Luckily the whole time we were there we didn't hear any gunfire but after seeing the hunter with his gun, we weren't about to take any chances. I didn't have a shirt bright enough, Kevin offered his to me but we figured he was a bigger target and if I stayed close by I would be fine. Guess our strategy worked!

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  5. Looks like a nice spot and a fun place to explore. Thanks for the coordinates. We need to get Ruth a bright orange shirt! Grace (in Tucson)

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    1. Yes, there are so many small forest roads going in every direction so lots of places to explore.

      I used to have a bright orange one, years ago but only wore it the once so I got rid of it. Actually now that I think of it I do have a orange top but it isn't large enough to wear over my other tops and not sure it would stand out enough. Good thing I stayed close to Kevin. :-)

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  6. Yup. Looks like Africa. Even the Route 66 part.

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    1. So much so, that I was looking for ostriches, springbok and kudu!

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  7. Enjoy your route 66 travels, an interesting route in places.

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    1. It was interesting, I think that we should have stopped a few times to have a closer look at some of the places. Good thing there is always the next time.

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  8. I thought you had lost your mind when I saw on Facebook you had made campground reservations lol but now I understand - family!

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    1. Lol, we still can't believe we did that either but sometimes you just have to do these things. Yep, family is always a good reason. :-)

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  9. You will like Kodachrome. Nice campground, but no internet, unless you climb to the top of a certain hill and you might get 1x on your phone. Here is our blog post from last year. http://metamorphosisroad.blogspot.com/2014/04/kodachrome-basin-state-park.html Have fun!

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    1. Looks like a great spot, I am sure that we will enjoy our time there. We have no problem being without internet for a few days. We didn't have it when we stayed at Apache Lake either, and actually it is rather nice for a change.

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  10. OH good idea on the "don't shoot me" shirt! We do blaze orange up north with the deer hunters. Love your boondocking spot. Very nice!
    KarenInTheWoods and Steveio
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    1. We thought that it was wise to wear something bright, we don't want those hunters to mistake us for some kind of wild animals! ;-)

      The boondocking spot was pretty but at night we did notice a bit of traffic noise from the nearby Interstate. If we were going to stay there longer than one night we would have driven much further away from the highway.

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  11. That boondockinng spot looks soooo peaceful.

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    1. It was other than a bit of traffic noise at night.

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  12. Love the spots with the trees to park on which ever side you need to. Good idea on the shirt choice. One never knows.

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    1. We like having that choice too. We try to park so that we have less sun on the side of the motorhome where our refrigerator is.

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  13. We drive route 66 whenever we get the chance.

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    1. Yep, it has some really quirky places and things along the way as well as some really pretty scenery.

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  14. How do you find so many great out-of-the-way boondocking areas?

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    1. The internet is your friend! It is our greatest aid, by doing google seaches for camping or boondocking in the area and then going from there. Stopping at visitor centers and the US forestry offices to see where boondocking is available. Sometimes it is just a simple as driving by somewhere and thinking this looks like a good spot. We never park where there are signs saying no overnight parking/camping if it looks like private land we will ask at near by businesses to see if it would be Ok to stay the night. We spent two months in Arizona and never stayed at a Walmart for the night, not even once. We did stay at one Home Depot and a few casino parking lots but that was it for parking lots. It does sometimes take a bit of work. Hope this helps you out a bit.

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    2. Makes sense... thanks for the insight. I only ask because I'm about to embark upon my own personal "mobile-living journey" in a conversion van starting in June and I am always looking for as much information and wisdom as possible from traveling veterans such as yourselves... thanks very much. :-)

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    3. Congratulations, on making the decision to start full timing. I am sure that you will love the life when you get out there on the road and really start experiencing the amazing feeling you will get of being free and being able to do what you want and go where you want.

      If you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us, we are more than happy to give you any advise that we can.

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    4. Thanks very much. I actually did it for a short time about 30 years ago, but while traveling in Colorado I got caught up in the middle of a high speed police chase and they ran the bad guys car into me totalling my van, destroying all my things, and putting me in the hospital so after that I returned to the conventional lifestyle. But now after all these years I still have the bug to do it so here I go again. Hopefully with a better outcome than last time... LOL!
      Thanks again and I will definitely keep you both in mind for any advice you can offer... thanks, and safe traveling. :-)

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