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November, 2007 - We arrived in Quartzsite, Arizona and stayed for ten days. We were so intrigued
that in January 2008 we returned for two weeks. Prior to our fulltime RV lifestyle we visited almost
every corner of Arizona and thought we had seen it all. But until you have experienced Quartzsite in
the peak RV Snowbird season you have missed out on a unique Arizona phenomenon.
June, 2008 - Sunset Crater outside Flagstaff has long been a favorite area of ours. We arrived with
our new fifth wheel after traveling 1,200 miles from Chanute, Kansas. We boondocked in the Cinder
Hills while Mark installed our solar panel system. Between work on the panels we rode our bikes
through Sunset Crater and hike the Lava Flow Trail. After a few weeks we headed to the North Rim
of the Grand Canyon, passing the spectacular Vermillion Cliffs before climbing the winding road into
the high elevation Kaibab forest.
July, 2008 - We left Flagstaff to search for a cooler area, and ventured around the Grand Canyon--
the great chasm that splits northern Arizona latitudinally--to its northern side, the Grand Canyon's
North Rim. We found a little piece of heaven in the Kaibab National Forest where perched in a cool
forest glade at almost 9,000 feet. We boondocked there for three weeks. Every few days we would
venture to the rim, doing a hike or two and enjoying the stunning views.
November, 2008 - After a month of shoreline fun in San Diego, we made our way across the
California desert to Yuma, Arizona. It was quite a contrast, and on a few occasions we woke up
thinking we still heard the blare of the foghorn in the distance. We met up with the local bike club and
did some terrific ridesand a hike around town. We also wandered through the forbidding cell blocks of
the Yuma Territorial prison and watched the magic of the "balloon glow" that is part of the annual
Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival.
December, 2008 - January 2009 - Drawn between social engagements for the holidays, we wandered
from gatherings with friends in Quartzsite to fun times with family in Phoenix. We returned to Quartzsite
twice, visiting the RV show and enjoying the impromptu parties-in-the-desert that are so much a part of
the Quartzsite experience. Back in Phoenix we hiked to an ancient watering hole in White Tanks
mountains.
April, 2009 - We crept out of the cold, windblown plains states and emerged on a desert bluff
overlooking a rich blue lake lined with cactus and desert flowers: Roosevelt Lake, Arizona. It was the
perfect place for some R&R after a long cross-country slog. Spring was springing, and we spent
many happy days kayaking, biking and taking photos.
October, 2009 - We finally reached the northwest corner of Arizona along with the flocks of RV
snowbirds flying south. Lured to pretty Havasu Springs Resort by a man in an old pickup passing out
brochures, we breezed through two brief sales presentations and were rewarded with four free nights
at the resort, a free evening at the resort's waterfront restaruant and $100 cash. Not bad!!
November, 2009 - Stopping first at White Tanks Regional Park and then Bartlett Lake in the Tonto
National Forest, we felt welcomed home to the Phoenix area Sonoran Desert by the cheery saguaro
cactuses. Our days were blessed with a chance meeting with members of the vintage trailer club
"Sisters on the Fly" and by a brief encounter with a stray kitty.
August, 2011 - After putting the boat away for a few months in San Carlos, Mexico, we run through a
long list of chores in Phoenix, AZ and then dash to Bonito Campground in Flagstaff with our trailer.
Here we have a chance to unwind and ponder our four years of RV and cruising travels as we take in
the sights of Sunset Crater Volcano and the Indian ruins at Wupatki National Monument.
September, 2011 - We finished our summer RVing season with a Labor Day stop at the Iron County Fair
in Parowan, Utah followed by a touch of Interbike bicycle tradeshow madness in Las Vegas. Taking a
last deep breath of pungent ponderosa pine woods in Williams, Arizona, we discovered the second
largest canyon in the state (Sycamore Canyon) and enjoyed some Route 66 nostalgia.