April 14, 2010

Quite the campsite!

Oatman Ar

I talked to Seth the other day and he reminded me of a story that I forgot to tell you about. When Marty and I were checked into our hotel just outside of Oklahoma City,we parked in an empty parking lot. We went out to get something out of Ruby and she was surrounded by a bunch of K-9 police dogs and officers. They were parked right up against the van, so Marty (being the protective person he is of Ruby), didn't like that and of course had to say something in a rude tone to the effect of the parking lot is empty and they didn't even leave enough room to open the door. He wasn't happy!! We couldn't figure out why the police would have Ruby in their sites. It turns out there was some kind of training or something going on and they were just checking out the bumper stickers.

Also in New Mexico we saw a lot of armored 4 wheel drive vans and pick-ups. We later drove past some secured government stuff.

We went to Verde Canyon and road the train through the canyon. It was a beautiful day and we had packed a picnic lunch to eat before the ride. The ride through the canyon was great, the train went through a tunnel carved thru the rock, an opening just large enough for the train.

We went thru the Prescott National Forest where the elevation was 7,000 ft and overlooked the canyon and beyond.

Someone pinch me! I can't believe the beauty that I am seeing.

After the train ride we decided to take the back country byway instead of the scenic route. We were so glad we did. The road we were on was on the side of a mountain and was barely wide enough for two cars. We were pleasantly surprised to come across a very happening place. Lots of art galleries, cafes and specialty shops.

Had a really hard time finding a place to camp, we finally came along a KOA just outside the Grand Canyon.

Guess who woke up on the road again? Yep. I've decided that when we camp I will sleep with the keys! Rachel, that toothebrush came in really handy thanks!!!

Grand Canyon day! Oh my gosh absolutely beautiful. We were at the park before it opened so we went to the cafe near the visitor center and had breakfast. The pictures don't do this justice. We stopped at every overview. We found a dirt road with an open gate, it might just as well said "welcome". We drove down a couple of miles and found a quiet spot hoping to see some wildlife, before we knew it we were asleep, that was the best nap we've had for a long time.

I have been so excited about visiting the skywalk at the Grand Canyon, but after talking to one of the park rangers he told us that it was $80.00 each to walk out on the platform and the pictures make it look a lot longer than it is. He directed us to a watch tower that had a better view. We went there instead. I wasn't going to complain to Marty about being cheap because he has been very generous (I have lots on new jewlery). The view was spectacular. I thought it was really cool that the watch tower was designed by a woman in 1932. She oversaw the entire construction down to the placement of each rock.

When we left the canyon we drove thru Navajo Indian Reservation. The park ranger suggested we try a navajo taco it was really good. Meat, bean, cheese, lettuce etc. on fry bread.

While driving we happened upon Wupatki Sunset Crater Volcano National Park. The elevation was 7045ft. I can't believe how high we were.

Had to start to find a place to spend the night, as we were driving we thought we saw snow, Marty said no it can't be snow it was 72 that afternoon. Sure enought snow, not just flurries, it was snowing and blowing, then as quick as it started it stopped.

We found a nice little dump to spend the night in. I mean a real dump! We were tired and it was just to sleep so...we brought in our bed linen and pillows and went to sleep. The man said he had wifi, but there wasn't a signal strong enough. When we went to breakfast the cafe also had wifi, but noone knew the security code!!

We were off to Joshua Tree National Park. On the way (continuing on the backcountry byway) we came across an old prospecting town, Oatman AR. What a find! The town was great, they put on a gunfight show in the center of town. All the merchants were dressed the part. Oh, while we were driving there up and down a mountain with no guardrails and drop offs hundreds of feet, maybe millions, there were signs to watch out for animals but we couldn't make out the animals until we got to town. There were wild burros. They were walking the streets and protected by law. They are decendants of the burros the prospectors brought with them looking for gold.

Marty also found some more bumper stickers. Dad, you'll love this, it's my favorite.. It says the three stooges, with pictures of Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer!!!

We left Oatman and continued to Joshua Tree, we drove and drove and drove and drove. We are deep in the desert. We found the park (after 11:00) and went to sleep. It was a dry, dark campground. No hook-ups, there was a composting toilet, but not even electric in the bathroom. The visitor and ranger stations were solar powered. There were some great campsites there, right in between the rocks.

This morning we went into town for breakfast and got some groceries for lunch and went back to the park. After driving from one end to the other we decided to not stay there another night. So we hit the road. We stopped and made a couple of sandwiches and ate in the van.

I had wanted to visit Death Valley, but after the last few days I am done with desert!

The desert is someplace you don't want to be if you have sjogrens!! My eyes were on fire. We stopped a couple of times just so I could put drops in them. Does anyone know just how big the Mojave desert is? It is big. We drove all afternoon and for miles saw noone and nothing. We made it to Barstow CA and are now in a hotel/motel.

Marty found something he wants to do tomorrow, but I wasn't really listening, too tired to do anything more than nod my head.

Marty and I are spending soooo much time together, I can't believe that after 30 years I'm finding out things about him that NOBODY should know! He's asleep so I will tell you, (don't let on like you know), he knows ALL the words to the Partridge Family song "I Think I Love You" How sad is that? There is more, but if I told you he'd kill me! Send me a private email. hahaha

OK, getting silly now. Thanks for reading, and please talk to me, somebody, anybody please say something!!!

Good Night