A new year and a new experience for me to winter over in the Southwest US! I usually winter in Florida, and the difference being in the southwest is considerable. Dryer air, dusty conditions and longer roads between stops. The WIN's seem to be scattered and not many or no people at the Circuit locations. So I headed to Apache Junction, AZ where a friend stays for the most of the winter. Here I found the most number of WIN's and some cool people that I enjoyed talking with. Stayed nearly a month here and had a good time doing small projects on my RV or truck.
I like to stay busy and the time flew
by until time to meet my brother in Quartzsite, AZ. We met up and decided that since a cold front has arrived where the nights got to below 40' and moved to a campground with electric. I was in the WIN's January meeting area but it was before the meetings started up.
Bob's ladies were so excited to go see the Rock and Gem show. several times this week they browsed different parts of the show, yet amazingly no stones showed up in Bob's RV!
The local museum had good displays for a "free" museum, the staff were very enthusiastic in showing us around.
Saguaro Today is a shell of what it once was, high winds toppled this giant. The below pic is with Haleys comet.
I provided a demonstration at the WIN's gathering for the Alaska trip, sharing information of what amazing sights, cost of travel, and highlights of the trip. At the end there was only one question so I think we provided the information they wanted to know.
Bunnies Travel Notes:
THE 4th ANNUAL BLOUNT FAMILY MOTORHOME TRIP.
PROLOGUE: we’ve been on the road for 11 days now, so it’s probably past time for me to write my travel log. A little prelim info: we have a new family member with us this year; introducing Leslie Plau, aka Erin. She has joined our family to help us with cooking, driving, and whatever else we need as we are all aging and don’t have the energy, and sometimes cognitive abilities we used to have. She’s delightful, quirky, thoughtful, and talented.
PART ONE: PORTLAND TO ANAHEIM
As most of you probably remember, last year we ended up doing our RV trip without an RV, and had many transportation problems. We finally got the problems with the RV fixed, took a shakedown trip to the coast in October, and felt good about the logistics and shape of the RV.
As usual, about 4 days before our departure, we brought the RV up to the house to load it up. Sunday night, we moved it to hook up the jeep so we’d be ready to take off at 0darkhundred Monday, and realized the steps didn’t automatically retract as they should, Bob put them in permanently and we’re using a step stool to get in and out. New steps and mechanism were ordered, and are waiting for us at our niece’s in Mesa.
Monday, Jan 6, 2025 we pulled out of the drive 15 minutes ahead of scheldule, and began our journey. The trip was mostly uneventful, other than Bunnie slipping in the mud at our first rest stop. We made it through all the passes without any snow and arrived in the RV park in Lodi in time for dinner. Tuesday morning, we got on the road @9ish, went down the road about a quarter of a mile, and stopped for gas. We then realized we’d driven off without the step stool. Leslie and Ode went back to get it, and we went on our way. We kept hearing warnings of high winds through the grapevine, and they were right. It wasn’t so bad in the grapevine, but going through LA area was awful. At one point we heard a strange cracking noise on the roof, and pulled over to find the seal on the windshield (or something like that) had torn loose. Bob managed to secure it so we could keep driving, and we went on to Anaheim, where we couldn’t find the RV park. After driving back and forth on Harbor Blvd, we finally found it. The GPS kept changing the address to Fullerton, instead of Anaheim. I was getting a bit anxious, because I knew Disneyland is on Harbor, and we were on Harbor, yet I couldn’t see it. I was so close, but not there. But I managed. We got the RV hooked up, jumped in the jeep to check out how far Hayley’s day care was, ate dinner and settled in for the night.
Disneyland was wonderful of course. It was Leslie’s first time ( other than a trip when she was 12, of which she rembered nothing), so I had a great time being a tour guide, and sharing memories of my many trips. It was also Ode’s first visit, and first major outing as a service dog. He did great. I rode the IncrediCoaster with Leslie (why do I this to myself?), while Bob and Jan were waiting some kid ran past and smacked Ode in the face. That and the noise of the roller coaster freaked him out, but once they moved away to a quieter spot, he was able to settle down. He also freaked out on the Pirates of the Carribean. The two quick drops in the dark at the very beginning scared him, and he was trying to climb into Bob’s lap the whole ride. Other than that, he did great.
We did the Main Street tour, which took us into Walt’s apartment, which was the second time for me, but still so exciting to know I was in the space where he actually slept. This time, we got to go out on the patio, and while we were there , the parade went by. It was so exciting to view it from up there, and to think of Mr Disney and his family watching it from there.
World of Color was a new one, and always incredible, but it made me feel old to see most of the movies and characters featured were newer ones, not the classics I remembered from my childhood.
The fireworks the next night were a combination of fireworks and laser projections on the castle. Although they were amazing, I thought the projections competed with the fireworks, drawing my attention away. They were good, but not the best fireworks I’ve seen at Disney.
Nearby where we are camping is the areas oldest tree.
Also nearby a sign showing off road destination with gps coordinates.
Met up with cousin Earl and Denise in Phoenix. Did a day trip to Tortilla Flats AZ with them and brother Bob and ladies. Beautiful scenic drive and fun lunch.
The walls are covered in dollar bills, also bills from other countries.
Front left going clockwise - Bob, Bunny, Earl, Denise, Jan, Tom
Goodyear, AZ at the Arizona Balloon Classic. 9 balloons, we're parked in the RV looking out the front windshield. Perfect!
I liked seeing the balloons, I have caught small glances occasionally before but not the whole process. Now I don't feel that I have to make Albuquerque balloon Festival.
A couple of hours later we arrive in Organ Pipe National Monument. Registered for a campsite right there in the visitor office. Bob, Bunny and I took a walk around the campground identifying all of the different cactus and shrubs. That was fun!
We did the 21 mile drive route to see natural arches. Along the way we kept identifying cacti and refreshing our minds . That's allot of work 😳
Moving on to Tucson everyone wanted a down day, so I went to an Air and Space Museum next to the Air Force base so many planes and helicopters it could be overwhelming. I browsed the planes and only took pictures of unique ones
But, it is a great endeavor. Much todo about the capability to test what changes made by humans can effect the earth, sadly there were no displays or articles shown of actual experiment that demonstrate it. Such as how does vehicle exhaust emissions impact soil or plants?
West Saguaro National Park made for a full day tour of the Sonoran Desert Museum and the park visitor center. The driving tour we were not able to hike the petroglyphs area, there was just too many people and no parking. Still learned a lot about cactus on the Discovery trail.
Ranger talk was excellent, he is a Naturalist and answered our questions easily.
I am having fun traveling with my family, I suppose I should tell them so, what do you think?
We stayed a few days in Tucson and a travel friend of mine, Karen text asking where am I, she has flown in to Tucson that day! She is staying with another traveler who I had met in Puerto Penasco just last November. We caught up in a lodge and shared experiences. So much fun!
Today we moved a big 35 miles to Benson, AZ and caught some of the murals, some more were just not good pics because the sun was not right for photos.
We attempted to go in the cave tour in Kartchner Caverns, booked full today, but we are set for tomorrow morning (right after sunrise, 8am)
Got some down time, so I’ll do some catch up.
Where I left you last before we skipped to the Bioshere2 was in Quartsite. Not sure exactly where I left off, but I know I shared about the Camel Tour, which is not a tour on a camel, as I originally thought, but a self guided tour using a map showing interesting places in town, marked by a camel statue.
The Historical Museum is located at the original stage stop. They connected 2 historical buildings, the old school house and the post office. Because they were connected, the doorway between them was very low. Even I had to stoop to avoid hitting my head. It had lots of very interesting photos and letters and information about the influential families of the town, and I was very impressed with how they presented it with the very limited space. In the back (outside) was a bunch of miniature houses, built by one of town’s founders. He made a model of his former home back east (I think in Kentucky), his sister’s, who had moved out here with him) former home and a castle for his niece. He some other models, too, of the old Quartsite buildings, including an old bar. The frontsides were open, so you could see the people sitting at the bar, and the pool table complete with cues and poolballs.
On our last day there, the giant RV showed opened, so we went to look at the things they had to offer, such as RV accessories and gadgets. There was a booth with lots of Alpaca wool products made in Peru. Leslie and I bothe got beautiful panchos (ponchos?) with sleeves. I know that sounds weird, but they are beautiful, and keep you warmer than a regular poncho.
From Quartsite, we drove to Mesa, where we had made reservations at an RV Resort. These are what makeup most of Mesa as far as I could tell. My friend Helen lives in one (practically across the street from where were), her daughter lives in the one where we were,and Bob’s and Tom’s cousin winter there, their real home is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We all agreed it wouldn’t be a bad place to live as retirees, if you wanted to live in Arizona, which I don’t. There are two (or3?) outdoor pools, an indoor pool, hot tubs, a cafe, a woodworking shop, a lapidary/silversmithing shop, a gym, sewing rooms, shuffleboard, miniature golf, corn hole courts, tennis and picklie ball courts and tons of activities. Helen says they call them sleep away camps for seniors.
While we were there, I had lunch with Helen, we had dinner with the Blount’s niece, and visited with our dear friends Burt and Nadine, who live in the neighboring town of Tempe (in a regular home on a regular street; they have to plan their own activities, lol).
Oops, off to dinner now to meet with another friend, Wolf Toby Schneiter. More later.
**not sure if the great Blount family, or the great RV adventure. You can decide.
Assayer tools
Note the dates that each Territory is entered into the US.
Ok, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted about our BLOUNT FAMILY RV TRIP 2025. Every time I think I should catch you all up, I feel overwhelmed since it’s been so long. So, I decided to skip a few weeks ( the rest of Quartzville, and the week in Mesa, and 2 days in Organ Pipes Cactus National Monument), and talk about the last few days. Don’t despair, Dear Readers, i will fill you in later.
We arrived at the Fam Camp here at the Air Force Base in Tucson shortly after after 4:00 p.m. or 16:00 as they say in the military. We were all tired and dusty, after boondocking the last few days, and very much in need of showers and washing machine. Hayley had been rubbing her butt on the floor since she was in day care in Anaheim, so we picked up some dewormer. The next day, she got into Ode’s food and ate a good amount of that, resulting in diarrhea. All over Ode’s bed, the floor, pee on Bob’s shoe, etc. so we were very happy to find a laundromat 40 feet from our parking spot. The showers were in the same building as the laundry facilities. The next morning, (I’ve lost tracks of the days of the week) Bob and Tom went to register us, and we decided to stay a week, with one down day (that day), a trip to the Biosphere today, down day tomorrow, then Seguarro National Park and High Desert Museum, the following day.
Not much to report about yesterday. Bob, Jan and I ate lunch at base cafeteria ( yuck, very few options for me). I was having a hard day, so came back and took a much needed nap. Last night, I took Hayley out for a walk and got totally turned around and lost. I was beginning to panic, but I knew I was still in the RV park (apparently I wasn’t, I’d crossed to a different park) so eventually I’d find my way home. Just as I reassured myself I was safe, a pack of coyotes starting howling, but they were pretty far away, so they didn’t scare me, or Hayley. A woman was out walking her dog, who looked like Hayley, so I asked her for directions. She walked with me a little ways, and it turns out her grandfather lived in West Lynn, and she spent her summers there, and then she lived in Alaska. Small world, eh? Just as we were starting to talk a little more, Bob pulled up in the jeep, and took me home. I’d been gone for over an hour, an Ode had woken him to go out so he realized I was gone.
Today, we went the Biosphere. The Biosphere 2 was absolutely fascinating. It is “a massive laboratory greenhouse where scientists conduct research to hep us better understand what climate change does to our environment” (direct quote from the back cover of the book Inside Biosphere 2, Earth Science Under Glass; which I bought at the gift shop/ bookstore. “…Biosphere 2 is an epic 3 acre structure that’s home to an artificial ocean, rainforest, marshland, and rock formations”.
Yesterday, we downloaded the Biosphere App, which is a self guided tour. I thought this was very clever because each person could go at their own pace and listen the narration, which in my case went directly into my hearing aids, so I didn’t have to worry about being close to the guide or asking someone to repeat everything to me.
In 1991 eight people, four men and four women, were sealed into the Biosphere for 730 days, or as they said on the tour 2 years and 20 minutes. I bet they were counting down those 20 minutes. Can you imagine being sealed into with 7 other people, some you barely knew, totally removed from the outside world? They did each have their own apartments, and contact with the outside world through phone and computer, but still. All meals were communal; they cooked on an 8 day rotation, dinner, then breakfast and lunch the following day, but as they said, you didn’t dare burn the food or mess it up. There were no do-overs with the limited food they had. I just can’t imagine. Most of them worked together beforehand, but one person did join them right before the project. They were chosen by their skills, and it seems no psychological testing was done to see if they were compatible, or had any social skills. Two couples got married after they ended the experiment (I was about to say “ after they came out”, but that has totally deferent meaning), and they are still together. They were given very clear instructions no pregnancies were allowed while they were in there.
So, Dear Readers, you’re current where we are now. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll fill you in on the rest of Quartsite, Mesa, and Organ Pipe Cactus Monument. Oh, wait, Bob and Leslie are just discussing we may not have a down tomorrow. Well, whatever. I’ve done writing for tonight, so you’ll be caught up eventually.
Visiting Tombstone, AZ we attend a live actor show including a shootout!
There are allot of videos of the OK Corral shootout on YouTube. Going in person is pretty enjoyable too.
Walking around town especially in the side streets you can find signs on buildings that describe different parts of that time period. For example "Hop Town" was the name of the local Chinatown.
I count 3 separate places that have actors doing shootouts. I really enjoyed the one in Old Tombstone. Funny! 🤣
Not an actor but he is a character... Brother Bob, oh and bottle of Sarsaparilla
Cochise County Courthouse museum
Mining lights, in the picture is candles anchored above where each man is working
Later we stopped at a copper mine in Bisbee, AZ. Bunny, Leslie and I did the mine tour although I did enjoy the tour and learned more about mining, I believe the mine tour near Colorado Springs, CO is much better.
We stopped at Chiricaghua National Monument but couldn't stay. There is a length limit of 24' after the visitor center. The parking lot would not accommodate us either. So disconnect, turn around and go away. No other place to park either.
The drive up to the visitor center was absolutely beautiful, many juniper trees in buffalo grass fields in the narrow valley leading up to the visitor center.
A few pictures inside the visitor center
After staying overnight in Wilcox, AZ we part ways, Bob headed back to Oregon, me see a few friends in AZ before heading east.
