Monday, April 23, 2012

I'm not going to win the Frugal Boondocker award this month!

Well, once we arrived at this RV park, Distant Drums RV Park in Camp Verde, AZ,  and I looked around and checked out the facilities, I decided I was going to stay longer.  This park gets an A++and I'd highly recommend it if you are in the area.

The Good Sam rate for one night is $30, and a month is $561. That's for a smaller back-in site, I'll post a photo tomorrow of my site.  It's not really small, just smaller than some of the others, and there are some REALLY nice, big RVs here.  The $561 seemed like a bargain - especially in this heat, when the A/C will be going all day.  I felt a little guilty making this decision after just spending a month at Santee Lakes in Jan/Feb, and I have to admit I'm going through boondocking withdrawal, but I'm glad we're here for a month.

 Check-in, office

 Small store with ice, drinks, some RV needs and pet needs.
Also free coffee all day.

It’s a really “posh” place – I think.  They have full hook-ups, free wi-fi and cable TV (I just ordered a 19" TV on-line from Costco which should be here by the end of the week), a library with used books you can take, 


a meeting room and  kitchen I can use if I don’t want to use my RV oven in this heat
 

a pool and spa,


a small work-out room, 


 a little fenced dog park where I can play ball with Katie, 


and propane on site that I’ll get when I leave.

They even have a community computer for guests, free of charge.  And they pick up any trash bags left out before 8:00 am so you don’t have to walk to the dumpsters!  

After you check in, a volunteer comes by in his golf cart and leads you to your site, then stands there and guides you in until you’re perfectly positioned.  I’ve never had that service before.

They have five private showers.  They are full bathrooms, you go to the office to get the key, and when you’re done you bring the key back and they go clean the bathroom - after each use.  That’s really nice!


 Notice the fancy paper towel?
That's what happens when you forget your towel. :)

They also have a laundry with six washers and dryers.  They are $1.50 each, and don’t accept coins, you pay at the office and they give you a card that goes into the machine when you use it.  I did my laundry this morning, and while the wash was going,  I walked down the hall to the shower, and when I was done the washing machines were just finishing and I put the wet clothes into the dryer.  It worked out nicely.  Everything here is spotless.


Notice the TV, iron and ironing board.

This park doesn't charge extra for electricity or pets; my A/C has been on for two days now, and it hasn't cost me extra.  The Palms is finally cool.

I spent this morning cleaning and vacuuming The Palms, then did the laundry and took my looong shower, and this evening I put out my rugs, chairs, American flag and solar lights, so I'm all set up and ready to relax.  I think the weather forecast says the temps are going to be going down, but if we have some hot days in the next month, I might even try out the pool.   I've heard the hot tub is really nice on cool evenings, too.

The RVers here seem to be upper middle aged to older (like me).  I haven't seen any kids yet, and the whole park is very neat, quiet, and friendly.

I’m really going to enjoy this month, then I'll drive to Indio for my f/u blood tests and then head to New Mexico for the rest of the summer.  I’ll be back in boondocking mode by then, and I'm sure I'll be raring to go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRAYDIN AND DREW!


Saturday was my youngest grandson, Graydin's, birthday.  He is now 3!  I called to wish him a Happy Birthday.  They were having a busy day with his older brother's Little League game, then the family was going out to a place that has pizza and games.  I was there for Kennedy's 9th birthday, and Graydin loved playing the games where you sit in the "car seat" or "motorcycle seat" and drive.  The road is on the screen in front of you and he loved that.  He was turning the steering wheel like a pro.  I'm sure he had a great time on Saturday.

Sunday was my middle grandson, Drew's, birthday.  I called to wish Drew a Happy Birthday and he told me what he got for his birthday presents.   We talked for a bit, then as we were hanging up, he said, “Thanks for calling.”  So cute - he's 7 now.  Such good manners!  

I haven't gotten any photos yet so couldn't put any in this post, but I'm sure they both had great Birthdays!

That's it for now - I hope you all had a nice Monday.  :)

16 comments:

  1. Looks like the kind of place we might like some day. I put it on my Pin Board for Arizona.

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  2. That looks like a really nice place. I bet you will enjoy having all the hook-ups and amenities for a change.

    Happy Birthday to Graydin and Drew.

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  3. I'm glad you decided to go someplace to get a little a/c. Boondocking in Arizona works in the winter but not necessarily in the summer. Your park looks fantastic so go and enjoy it!!

    Happy birthday to Graydin and Drew also.

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  4. Camp Verde had some really nice RV Parks. On the other side of 17 is Cotten Wood and it has a really nice Camp Ground with I think 2 lakes. It's called Dead Horse Ranch. I didn't get to see all of it as I had a deadline to get to Williams.
    Enjoy your stay and all the wonderful amenities.

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  5. As long as the budget allows I believe that balancing the boondocking with some comfortable camping is a great idea. Thanks again for sharing the adventure. The vicarious travel is a real joy!

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  6. Perfect! You and Katie both deserve some pampering with a lovely park such as this. It certainly is not an extravagance, considering you have spent so much time off the grid and the temperatures are warming up. So enjoy to the max and take the time to relax and recharge your batteries - physical, spiritual and rig! Kinda wish we were there!

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  7. Very nice park! Bookmarking this one. It's like being on vacation :)

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  8. I'm glad to see you somewhere with some AC. It looks like a great park and the rates are reasonable, especially since they don't charge extra for the AC.

    Enjoy that pool and hot tub!

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  9. Looks like you are in a place that could spoil you pretty quickly. Enjoy.

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  10. Hey girl, it's all about choice. I don't remember you promising to become a boondocking hermit so why shouldn't you enjoy the park for a while?

    http://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/

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  11. Boondocking is great when the weather cooperates, but it's also nice to mix it up and spend some time hooked up if you can find a nice place, which it sounds like you have. Enjoy the month!

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  12. Nice place, I especially like the dog yard that Katie can play & run in! The place really looks nice & clean. What happened to your tv that you need a new one?

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  13. It is great to not have to pay extra for elec!! that can really add up!! I always had people help me back into places & guide me there :) It was the least they could do, so that i did NOT take out part of their landscaping, fencing or buildings :)

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  14. The pool looks good! And, I might stand under unlimited hot water for a few days.

    Roxanne
    The Good Luck Duck

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  15. Definitely glad you decided to treat yourself to hook-ups and A/C !! You deserve it girl !

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  16. This looks like a FANTASTIC place, and you and Katie absolutely deserve some pampering! I don't think it is wasteful at all, I think it is smart and sensible, and I am so glad you will have some A/C in the heat as well. How clean and pleasent this Park looks! I am a total newbie to the whole RV lifestyle, obviously, lol, and I have never seen an RV part of any kind before. Thank you so much for sharing all the pics. (())s to you and Katie.

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