Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Sitting Out the Rain - Mostly

April 9 - 11, 2016
Kingman, AZ

Although big trucks don't take the day off, Saturday is still a good day to travel the Interstate. There are very few others heading west with us. 

I love/hate this section of I-40. Beautiful views all around, with mountains in the distance and interesting canyons and vegetation along the highway. But the road itself sucks. Rather than repairs, they opt for Rough Road signs. As if one doesn't immediately know this :-(  Strong cross winds stir up about half way to Kingman, upping the rating to "somewhat challenging".

The winds are leading a three-day rain storm which we've decided to sit out here instead of paying higher rates elsewhere - and then staying inside.

Zuni Village RV Park is a Passport America park with FHUs, decent size spaces on level gravel, and a few trees that don't block our satellite. It's on the east side of town, next to a storage place, with several permanent residents, and perfect for our needs.

Bill contacts our friend Kevin who used to live here (he's on vacation in Hawaii, we have no shame), for a dinner place recommendation. El Palacio in Old Town is great. Good food, and margaritas without labels on the bottom of the glass :-) Very good margaritas.


A wonderful old building
Without any real plans to see anything in the area, we still head out Sunday morning to check out the Hualapai ("people of the tall pines") Mountains. A Mojave County Park, there is a ranger station, tent campground, cabins and teepees for rent, RV "park", trails and a small playground. This is a rugged area, narrow roads, pit toilets, minimal signage, and incredible views.


2000 ft elevation change from Kingman, AZ

The clouds move in
Seven rustic cabins and one log house among the trees
At the top of the narrow, twisting road is the RV park. Steep grades lead to uneven dry camping spaces. I would say definitely not for larger rigs, but there is a Class A pulling out of the space closest to the road. The corners are very tight and he catches a few branches along one side. As the rig uses every bit of the narrow road, I don't know what would happen if another one were coming up at the same time.


Sharp and tight
Getting down the mountain as the rain arrives
We drive around an area with large properties near the base of the mountain. Some have amazing views of the valley below and the craggy mountains above. The rain really starts coming down, and by the time we return to town the streets are flooded with a strong flow.


Difficult to see, water covers the sidewalks and is moving fast
Debbie told me back in January that the Sunday chicken at Cracker Barrel is a must-have. This is the first time we've been near one on a Sunday - gotta try it.


She's right! And enough for two meals too :-)
The rain continues off and on through Monday evening, and we enjoy it from our little home. Watched "The Big Short" (excellent, educational, and depressing), and planned our summer route. Hard to believe we're planning another summer already - the 9th is our ten-month anniversary!

We already have reservations near Zion and in Bryce, and will visit relatives in Ogden, UT. Memorial Day we'll be in Dinosaur National Monument where hopefully the National Park Centennial Celebration will draw fewer crowds than the more popular and accessible locations. 

We'll spend June in Colorado, hopefully fishing while staying somewhat cool. Wyoming and Montana will be home through mid-September. 

Of course Jello is the name of the game, so maybe we'll do something else :-)

For the next week we're at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area near Boulder City, NV.






19 comments:

  1. Never fun to drive a big rig in wind. Stone cabin is cute. You'll be close to Valley of Fire. My summer plan is easy, move back to the North Rim. I like the new header shot.

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    1. We definitely plan to get to Valley of Fire while we're here. Thanks, still trying to figure out how to make it smaller :-)

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  2. Not sure where you are going in Colorado but if you are in the vicinity of Rifle CO on I-70, their SP 10 miles north of town is highly recommended. I have a write up with photos on my blog. There is a label for Rifle CO on the right side bar that will take you to the post.

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    1. Thanks! Will check it out - we're pretty open after the 20th!

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  3. Your header picture is gorgeous Jodee.
    Your summer plans sound awesome....I love Colorado and the wildflowers. If you plans change, we will be in Gunnison, CO in July!

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    1. Oh! We're in Gunnison early June but maybe we'll cross paths elsewhere.

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  4. Love the header, Jodee! Too bad the glasses don't have labels...they add flavor! :)

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    1. Thanks Jim. Well they did at least add fun :-)

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  5. When we go to Cracker Barrel I get a take out box right away and put half my meal in it. That way I don't eat 3/4 of it then feel too stuffed but have not enough to make another meal. :)

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  6. I love the mountain peaking through the clouds.. So pretty... I have some good news.. We are buying the truck and a trailer to go camping in.. I hope to meet up with you this summer.. :-))

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    1. OMG!! That is great news :-)))) We'll be in Wyoming in July, hopefully we can meet up there. Will also be at the state park near SLC in mid May, we could maybe grab lunch while we're there.

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  7. Wait until you get to Louisiana -- they don't even bother to put up "Rough Road" signs. I-10 is like a frikkin' roller coaster here. (Your observations always make me laugh. :-)) Your upcoming plans sound delightful. Hmmm….wonder if we're going to be in Bryce at the same time as you guys?

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    1. We'll be in or near Bryce from May 3-12 - would be thrilled if you were too :-) I've heard I-10 is horrible in LA - it sure messes with a nice travel day!!

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    2. Oh darn -- we're just going to miss you! We'll be in Bryce the 15-18th. I can read all about your adventures before we get there. :-))

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  8. Sounds like a great summer so far! Our only summer plans are to visit with our daughter, Jessica, and her husband Mike. We're all meeting up at Mike's g-parents place in McCall, ID in late July. Gotta get this dang house on the market-we're itching so bad to be on the road!

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    1. Glad you're getting up to ID - should be so pretty! I remember the feeling that it was so far away - and the house feels like such a big hurdle. Sending you lots of house-selling mojo and hope you're out here sooner rather than later.

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  9. Sounds like a fun plan for the summer. Very nice that you don't have to write them in deposits like we have to do in the east. Glad it wasn't you guys pulling in or out of that campground. Scary looking picture.

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    1. The "site" they pulled out of was even scarier, steep and very rough - I wouldn't take the rig up there no matter how beautiful :-(

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