We left Sam's Town RV Park Saturday morning and visited Walmart to do some shopping and headed southeast. Before I knew it we were in Arizona. I didn't have a specific destination in mind, but we headed toward Sedona.
We drove a while, checked out a couple of places to camp but they didn't work for us, and we ended up parking in a level dirt area next to a gas station in Ash Fork, AZ around 6:00. The employees in the store at the gas station were really nice and told us exactly where to park so we wouldn't be in the midst of the big rigs who would probably be coming and going all night.
There was a huge puddle in the dirt next to us, and when I was putting up our privacy curtain blocking off the truck windshield last night I looked out the front window and there were some cattle right in front of us. It was so cool, one was drinking out of the puddle; I love it when things like that happen. I think they had come in from the field adjacent to the gas station property. I tried to get a photo, but I think it was too dark.
When we woke up this morning we were the only RV parked in that area, but right next to us at the edge of their parking lot were about a dozen big rigs all lined up. Seems they have to stay from 8 to 10 hours, depending on how long they've driven that day according to the woman at the gas station store. We had a nice conversation, and she suggested a couple of places to go down the road, Indian Casinos, where I can stay three nights at each casino for free. If I'm in that area, I will definitely check them out. I'm spending a fortune in gas and I'll take all the free nights I can get!
I got some coffee-to-go at the store and got on the freeway and almost immediately had snow on each side of the road. There was dense fog, sprinkles and then heavy rain. Along the side of the freeway were signs warning of icy roads, so I was super careful and drove slower than usual. Wow. This is NOT the Arizona I thought we'd be seeing!
I always get pretty excited about snow, but... I wasn't too happy about driving in those conditions. The snow had stopped and I didn't see any except on the side of the road and in the forests along the way.
We drove to Sedona and stopped at the Red Rock Ranger Station and got brochures and maps and suggestions from one of the Rangers. I wanted to be in one of the Vortex's, but it was chilly and damp and foggy and it's quite a hike to get to them, so we stopped in the parking lot of the first one and willed the harmony to come lower and find us.
I drove around a little and took a lot of pictures and then turned back and got onto the highway again. I had hoped to find somewhere to do some dispersed camping, but felt it was too dreary for boondocking and the Ranger agreed with me. He said the roads and trails would be pretty muddy and even warned me which areas on the map I shouldn't try to drive.
Sedona sure is a pretty area. I'd like to come back this way when the weather is warm and dry, do some boondocking in the forest and a little hiking in the Vortex areas. It would be a great romantic getaway if any of you couples are ever in the area and haven't been here yet. It's not far off the beaten track.
I pulled off the freeway a couple of times following signs for RV Parks, but they weren't worth a stop, so we kept going.
Black Canyon - Lake Mead National Recreation Area - taken at aScenic Rest Area
This looks like a photo from a book, doesn't it?
It's 6:00 now, and we are in a rest area. Arizona rest areas allow overnight parking, no camping, but overnights are okay. It's actually on the sign here. I made myself a great lunch when we stopped around 2:00, and now I'm having cereal and raspberries for dinner. As soon as I post this I'm settling in to catch up on your blogs. :) We've been on the road a lot the last two days and I wanted to stop early today to give Katie a break so she wouldn't get carsick again.
The sun was out here at the rest area, blue skies overhead, with distant clouds in all directions over the mountains; it was beautiful. Nothing else to report - we'll be back on the road again in the morning.
A final shot - the sunset reflecting on the clouds across the freeway:
From Me and My Dog, have a great Sunday evening, everyone! :)
