Williams, AZ
Our stop at Camping World is a good experience. It seems like such a long time since we've taken the coach in, and just had things done right and on time. Oil change and levelers lubed (really just cleaning the dirt out from the sand storm). We thought our water pump was going out and were having them replace it. The tech discovered the line was loose and making noise, all he did was tighten it again, and all good! Hopefully the quick fix is long lasting.
Grand Canyon Railway RV Park in Williams, AZ, is very clean with nice views of the mountains, decent spacing, picnic tables, and all smooth asphalt pads and interior roads. After the lack of decent campgrounds, and the frenetic energy of a busy Flagstaff, this immediately feels better. Both the train station and the historic downtown are two blocks away, the Safeway just beyond that. Although the tracks are only 50 yards from the back of our site- and a couple freight trains have rumbled by, blowing their whistle - we don't mind. Nice to be away from the noise of I-40.
Weather is moving above freezing at night, we may stay longer than the week already planned.
While Friday morning finds most of our neighbors catching the shuttle or walking to the train depot for the ride to the Grand Canyon, we opt for driving south to find the small lakes in the area. We aren't done with the forest, and there's lots more of it here in the Kaibab National Forest.
Just a mile south of town is Santa Fe Dam with such a small "lake" that we don't stop. Instead we continue until we find the dirt road to Dogtown Reservoir. The water now covers what was once an expansive prairie dog town - thus the name. The campground is closed, there is one truck at the boat ramp, a family of four passes through in their ATV, and we have the place to ourselves.
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| Dogtown Reservoir with Bill Williams Mountain |
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| Great to be at the water again |
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| Peaceful to watch him soaring over the water |
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| "Can't believe I didn't bring my pole!" |
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| Humphreys Peak majestic in the background |
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| Looks smooth, but the wash board surface makes us glad we're in no hurry |
Getting to the turn off for the lake, we find it closed. Bummer. We can go back the way we came or go another 18 miles on the dirt to pick up I-40. Let's do that!
When we pull off to a small parking lot we're delighted to find a nice, flat trail. The Sycamore Rim Trail connects with the Overland Trail. It has a wonderful history including being a regular route for nomadic Hopi tribes and early pioneers.
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| A beautiful day among the pines |
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| Looking up from a big ol' tree hug |
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| While I'm intrigued by the tall grasses laid flat from water.... |
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| .....Bill discovers a deep rock canyon with water. So competitive! |
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| It is much steeper than it looks here |
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| I'm always impressed by growth from solid rock |
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| Difficult access keeps these tanks in their natural state |
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| Bright yellow on a burned trunk |
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| Delicacy among the rugged |
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| Lichen on lava |
Still lots more to see while we're among the trees. The temps at our next stop are already 30 degrees hotter :-(
We just had our RV serviced at the Tucson Camping World. Among other things, we asked to have our levels lubed. They said they didn't do that!!! So, $1,000 later and we still need to have the levels lubed.
ReplyDeleteThey told us they don't actually "lube" them because it gums them up. Instead they cleaned them of all the dirt and sand. We could immediately tell the difference - no more funny noises, and work great.
DeleteA nice drive is along Old Route 66 through Parks in the Pines to Bellemont. Fabulous views of the San Francisco Peaks and the burgers at the old gas station/deli in Parks in the pines are pretty good as well. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteCool! Haven't heard of it so we will definitely check it out. Thanks!
DeleteOur experience says that Camping World is not the place to go if you want to "get things done right and on time". From what we've read, most of the RVers who have had service there agree with us. You must have great karma if you can go for service at CW and come out satisfied. But the way probability works, it's probably not in your interest to keep patronizing the chain across the country. In any case, please keep all of us informed of your service experiences. :-)
ReplyDeleteI do read of lots of unhappy folks who've gone to CW, but also know several who have always been happy. Our home CW gave us mixed service, from outstanding to unsatisfactory. This latest one has so far been our second best overall service experience. I suppose the water pump could fall out tomorrow :-))))))) Will definitely keep posting about who we use and how we like them!
DeleteI've also heard really bad things about Camping World so I'm really glad to hear that your experience was a good one. I guess it just depends on "who owns the franchise". I love that you go the opposite direction from the Grand Canyon and find solitude. Any place in nature where all you hear is the sounds of nature and all you see is the natural world is a wonderful wonderful place. Looks like a very nice day.
ReplyDeleteOverall I hear bad things about RV customer service :-( What we like about getting work done at CW is that it's guaranteed and covered by every other CW. Since we don't stick around an area too long that gives me better piece of mind down the road. We're going to brave the Grand Canyon this week, but have really enjoyed the less-traveled thus far :-)
DeleteWas the tall grass laid flat by water or snow, Jodee? That's what tall grass in Michigan looks like in the spring each year.
ReplyDeleteThe trees are beautiful in your photos!
Could certainly have been snow, but it was all in one direction so it looked like water had rushed over it. Very cool looking :-) I'm loving these Ponderosa Pines - they smell great too!
DeleteI had a quick job done at that CW and was happy but no so much with the one in St George, UT. Besides, their labor rate is so high. Of course I'm loving your trips through the beautiful Kaibab forest. Enjoy the canyon.
ReplyDeleteI think they're hit or miss, but we sure liked this one! More forest today, loving it here.
DeleteYour quiet walks in the forest are lovely. But Bill does look a bit wistful standing at the edge of that lake (you know, the one with LOTS of big hungry fish in it!). We also stayed at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park last October when we were passing through -- very convenient for a stroll down old Route 66. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs much as we love the desert, I think it makes us appreciate the trees even more. Yep, the location has been so convenient!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful day...I love walking thru the forest and listening to the birds and the breeze in the tree tops!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy....
It's a special place, especially by ourselves :-)
DeleteAhhhhh, so nice to have things going well and calmly once again!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly :-) Didn't realize "stuff" was affecting our Zen until we put it behind us.
DeleteIsn't it so much fun to be on pavement after all those dirt parks! It just makes everything feel clean:) Glad you are enjoying your new spot. Lovely drive and terrific hike. Water on the trail is always a delight. Poor Bill! He just can't get it right whether to bring the pole or not:) You seem to have forgotten the star of the blog!! No one Tessa photo:(
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to remedy my error - don't tell her she missed a post! Yes, loving the clean of the pavement right now. Rain expected in a couple days so I think we'll stay here to avoid the mud - and because we can :-)
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