Gettin' Back Out There

October 13-15, 2025

Marana - Cordes Lakes, Arizona

Monday morning brings the rain that was expected over the weekend. PJ is already loaded, but hooking up the Jeep is delayed while I wait for a break in the wet. Tessa and I pull out about 10:00. Woo-hoo!

The rain stays with us with some good down pours, and we're delayed in accident-related traffic. Plan A is to visit Ironwood National Monument after I set up at the Valley of the Sun Mobile and RV Park, but with the continuing rain once we arrive I switch to the first Plan B. Which is stay hooked up in the pull-through site, plug in electric, and chill for the afternoon. This park is all deep gravel. No soft dirt, not a sliver of anything green. It's clean, but miserable for the fluffy dog. 

Slow is fine, I'm listening to a good audible book.

The large water bubble in the camera is annoying, probably should have that fixed :-)

Pretty when not flooding my route.

TPMS tells me (in that soft and gentle beeping that doesn't fray my nerves) the Jeep has a low tire. I love my little compressor. Preset pressure and push a button. 4 minutes for 5 pounds.

Glad I didn't need to hook up sewer here. 

Puddles drying, sky clear, we're ready for day two.

Tuesday's a different world. Sunny, blue skies for a longer drive north. I never mind the drive through Phoenix, and today is no different. Hwy 17 has several grades, and I continue to be impressed with how well PJ handles the ups and downs. The terrain has changed when we arrive in Cordes Lakes which is just north of Black Canyon. Cordes Junction Motel and RV Park is behind a Pilot station with several permanent residents, but it's the perfect stop for seeing the national monument, it's clean, and I feel safe.

I appreciate the end site. 

More gravel. There's a nice green grass space, but it's too far for what Tessa can now walk to. So she makes do with what we have around the site. With all hookups connected we check out the area. After a short exploration, we end up at The Cellar for "Linner". 

The Cellar is a hit before I get in the door.

Can't beat a dinner salad that has smoked beets and candied walnuts! Good wings and amber brew too.

Wednesday I'm excited to finally get into a national monument! Just a few miles away I enter Aqua Fria NM, established in January, 2000. The monument includes protected ruins and petroglyphs, but I know I'm not going to see these because they require a hike that my old dog can't do. I also know there's a lot of natural beauty to enjoy from the Jeep. It turns out the Jeep is necessary as recent rains have made high clearance and good tires a requirement. 

Established in January, 2000, Aqua Fria includes over 70,000 acres. In addition to herds of antelope and 194 species of bird, there are 450 registered archaeological sites within the park. 

Why I'm here!

At first I can still see Hwy 17 to the west, then I'm on the dirt road that jumps right into the park. 

For my visit it's all about the views.

Colors change with the moving sun. The road changes with the alternating terrain.

There are a few along the road, but this one hill is solid Beavertail.

One of several boondocking spots before the road gets a lot rougher.

The riparian area is lush with green, and a designated Audubon Important Bird Area. Sounds like there's a waiting list to get in.

Why I have a Jeep.

Green climbs into the rocks.

A few side "roads" branch off the main route. I love having a Jeep, but the hoped for treasure is a rusted water tank.

Large meadowlands are added to the variety of terrain protected here. 

Turning around and heading back always offers something new.

I've seen it before, but mossy rocks seem so out of place in the desert.

The ogres say goodbye and come again!

Prescott is only 30 miles away so I figure I should give the little town another try. The couple times Bill and I included Prescott in our travels we didn't "bond". Many people have shown it to be a wonderful place so I'm optimistic.

Nope. 

It must be me. I'm not supposed to like this place. The traffic starts in Prescott Valley with all the usual box stores, chain eateries, and track homes. Then there's downtown. Mid week, not summer, it's a congested nightmare. I find a parking spot near an interesting looking gallery to keep trying. The sidewalk is as busy as the street, and Tessa isn't wanting to walk around. I make a stop at Trader Joe's for a few things, and walking back to the Jeep I know this is Tessa's last trip. She can barely make it the short distance in the parking lot after walking around the little store. It's okay. I'm not in a hurry today, and I'm not going to force her past her comfort level. 

I'm happy to be out of Prescott. Again.

Proof I was in Prescott.

We're back around sundown for a quiet evening before I pack up and head out in the morning. Two national monuments at the next stop!!

A stack of granddaughters - Reese, Penelope, Magnolia

A tuckered out Elliott after hours of park play and a soccer game :-))