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.

It wasn't meant to be...

We tried to go for a hike yesterday, but it just didn't happen. The weather wasn't great. Overcast, and a high of about 55C, which was fine, but then it started spitting rain. Still, we drove about 8 miles (13 kms) from our great boondocking spot to the forest road that leads to the Lava Tube Cave.

But the forest road entrance is at 8,000 ft altitude, and it's closed during winter.

Heading north - Sedona to Flagstaff

Yesterday morning, we had Joe over to the motorhome for breakfast. Some of Ruth's delicious pancakes! And then it was time to say goodbye, as we were heading north on highway 89A towards Flagstaff.

Our original plan was to head up to the Grand Canyon for a few days, but when we detoured down to Mesa to avoid that storm last week, we essentially lost three days.

Hiking on the edge!

We left our boondocking spot 8 miles west of Sedona, and drove directly to the trailhead at Mund's Wagon Trail. I had seen the parking lot from Google maps satellite view, and it looked big enough to park Sherman for a few hours while we went on a hike.

We got there just after 10:00am, and had we been 10 minutes later, we wouldn't have got a spot. You'll find out further on in the story that our entire day would have turned out totally different had we not been able to park there.

So, we were very lucky!

The only problem with Sedona...

is...well...Sedona itself.

The area surrounding Sedona, Arizona is simply spectacular. I don't know the history, but you'd have to think somebody back in the 1920's or 1930's dropped the ball when this area wasn't made into a National Park.

Because it should have been!

It's not the Destination - It's the Journey!

It was only a couple of months ago that we experienced Mexico's fantastic Copper Canyon by train. And we loved it! Riding the rails while looking at gorgeous scenery under clear blue skies just can't be beat. So when we were invited to see the Verde Canyon (often called Arizona's other Grand Canyon!) the same way, we jumped at the opportunity.

Verde Canyon Railroad has been operating scenic tours of the canyon since 1990. An average of 90,000 people per year take this relaxing 4 hour trip. They can add two more this year!

The most interesting thing you'll see that day.

If you visit the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, located only a mile up the road from Jerome, Arizona, it will be without a doubt the most interesting thing you'll see that day.

We had asked the owner, Don Robertson, if we could park overnight in their big level lot and he said that was no problem. When we woke up the next morning, we waited until the 10:00am opening dynamite blast (at least that's what it sounded like!) and then we wandered over to explore.

Overnight in Jerome, Arizona

We were told that there is nowhere to park a motorhome overnight in Jerome, Arizona. And that's pretty much true. But, we did find a nice level spot less than a mile away.

Jerome is an interesting place, and certainly worth a visit.

Not recommended for motorhomes...

When Sherman hears something like this, it's just a challenge for him!

Besides. Highway 89A from Prescott through Jerome, and up to Sedona is a scenic highway, and we wouldn't want to miss something like that! And Sherman has lots of experience with mountain roads, and we're not towing anything so we figured it would be no problem.

And we were right.

Anybody been to one of the Carefree RV Resorts?

When we were asked to write about an RV resort, I almost turned down the opportunity. Because any of our regular readers know that this type of place is simply not our style. We're much more into the great outdoors and being away from it all when we're RV'ing.

However, I know that there are many different ways to enjoy the RV lifestyle, and that staying at an RV resort is a very popular thing to do. So I was curious as to how many of our regular readers would actually be interested in this type of place.

Practice makes perfect...

Another gorgeous day yesterday. Yes, we have to put up with cooler nights, but with sunshine and daytime highs around 60F (15C) are perfect hiking weather up here at Prescott, Arizona. The desert was nice, but I'll take this anytime. I like trees and mountains and greenery.

We've been doing a decent hike nearly every second day lately, and now when we look at a trail that's 10 miles (16 kms) long, we don't even think twice.

Winter Camping!

It was a beautiful sunny morning yesterday, so before we hit the road we went for another hike. Black Canyon Trail is a great place to stop for a short or long walk because the trailhead is right beside Interstate 17 at Black Canyon City just north of Phoenix.

But the trail runs through a river bed that's normally dry at this time of year.

Enough of the big city - back on the road!

We enjoyed our time with Jeff and Star (thanks again guys!), and our first experience with Boondockers Welcome , however we had had enough of the big city. So fortunately, the cold, wet, rainy, windy, and snowy weather system to the north of us has now passed by, and we were happy to be able to head out yesterday morning.

Still, it took us hours to get out of the built up area. We had a few stops to make along the way...

Biggest Booze store ever!

Our Boondockers Welcome hosts, Jeff and Star, had to stock up their booze cupboard, so we went along with Jeff to the biggest booze store ever. Well, I don't know about that for sure, but I am pretty sure it's the biggest booze store we've ever been in.

And great prices too, so we did some stocking up of our own!

February Expenses

Well that was a little better!

Coming off the almost record high month of January's expenses where we did a lot of driving and bought a lot of RV items as well as a new laptop, just about anything would be better.

And it ended up that we spent $1,200 USD ($1,568 CAD)...a full $2,000 less than we spent in January! Let's have a look at how it all broke down...