Into the Hills!

Hitting the road is always a good feeling! The first leg of my summer adventure has begun. Leaving Tucson, and heading towards 5000 ft. The Trip would be 200 miles, which is almost two thirds the distance to my final destination in the white mountains. Not only is it gonna be a summer of great weather, but it will be great on the bank account as well. Here's a few more pictures....................

The first 120 miles brought me through  flat desert country, and such towns as Red Rock, Picacho, Eloy, Casa Grande, and of course Phoenix suburbia, but after that the twist, turns, ups, downs, and climbing had begun!

More Mountains

Finally a familiar site I've stayed here before. The Mazatzal Casino in Payson. Weather forecast for next week 65 to 75. Just about perfect for 14 year old Husky, and great for napping as well.

 My new backyard til the weather changes, or I am asked to leave :)

 Candy enjoying a morning walk in the Tonto national forest 55 degrees out. Her kinda weather!

 Perching Turtle at home in the police station parking lot.

For you NBA fans. Woke up to find this colorful rig next to me this morning, it was almost as glamorous as The Turtle. Nice group of people on a mission. To find out more about there quest Click Here! Thanks for stopping by! Good Day!

Summer Plans

Yep thats's snow! Took this picture at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson February 20th. Now just a bit over 3 weeks later temps have been in the 90's. I would have been gone days ago, if it were not for family in the area, where I was able to hide out in the shade. This also gave me some more time to plan my summer adventure.

During the winter I have been going through my options for the summer. Some included a trip up the coast, staying in the national forest in eastern Arizona, or traveling around New Mexico on the state park pass. All this stress from being in such a conundrum could only be answered by one individual. Candy the Navigator.

Anywhere that the temps don't get above 75 degrees, and I can roam the forest all day was Candy's final decision. Eastern Arizona it is! Examining the map I found the perfect route . First leg would be to the Payson area located at around 5000', then up to the Mogollon Rim at 7500', the final leg will take me into the white mountains where you can camp up at 10,000'

The plan is to stay in each general area until the temps get over 75, then head further up in elevation. All this done in Arizona, and only traveling 320 miles (one way). Thanks for visiting, and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wasson Peak Tucson, AZ

 Wasson Peak Via King Canyon Trail is a 7 mile hike round trip with a elevation gain of 1939ft. Trail head is located just across the street from the desert museum.

 The beginning of the hike is fairly easy following an old road to the Mam-A-Gah picnic area, where you are able to find petroglyphs, after that the trail becomes rocky, and eventually turns into a steep set of switchbacks up to the peak at 4687 ft . Definitely not as high as the Mount Wrightson hike, but well worth the views, and Wasson is accessible in winter. Heres a few pics of the hike......

Peak is on the other side of the High Mountain in the background.

Bird Nest

Watch your step!

Summit View

View of Tucson

Trail seen from the summit. Switchbacks to the left. Hope this warms up some of you northern reader. Thanks for visiting!

Slab City Tanks

On my final day at the Slabs I woke up early to venture out to the tanks, which are the old water storage tanks for the military base. They are said to have been painted by one man over the course of a few winters. Here is a few pictures of my hike out to the Tanks.

The first set of tanks,also the furthest away, and is occupied. Gave a few friendly hello shouts, but all I ended up getting was a barking dog.

Tank dwelling close up. Neat tire structure and water tank located on the roof, and the black area off to the right had a goats living under it.

Tank art

Peeking over the edge of the short tank its been converted into a chicken coop. 

Second Tank depicting corporate giants as monsters, and dinosaurs.

A neat bus conversion sitting next to the Kama Sutra tank. Unfortunately my camera battery had died, and was unable to get any pics of this tank. Looking back maybe it was fortunate for some viewers, as this tank maybe offensive to some, and definitely not safe for work :) A quick google image search, and you'll understand.

Few pics of the general hike, and life below sea level. Found several seashells in this wash.

Thanks for visiting!

The Salton Sea

While at the Slabs decided to take a short trip to see the Salton Sea. Reviewing google maps it appeared that Niland County Park, and Marina was a mere 14 miles up the road. I immediately envisioned bikini's, boat's, and beaches. Half an hour later we had arrived! It was not exactly what I visioned. Candy, me, and a bunch of seagulls were the souls in the area. Still a very interesting area though. Heres a few pics..

The Salton Sea, which isn't a sea at all, but California's largest lake, is said to have been formed in 1905 when a flood broke a dyke on the Colorado River, and for 2 years flowed into the Salton Sink. Creating a lake that is 35 miles long, and 15 miles across, this area is also said to be home to Ancient Lake Cahuilla.

In the 1950's the lake was stocked with fish. Modern resorts, and towns sprang up all over. The Salton Sea had become a favorite vacation spot to millions of people, but all that changed by the the 1970's. because the lake has no outflow, besides evaporation leaving behind all the salts and fertilizers, that are picked up in irrigation canals which now flow into the lake. Salinity level's got to be so high, it killed birds, and fish by the millions, the people left, and the towns suffered.

The sea is believed to have vanish and reappear several times over the last few thousand years, it is currently vanishing once again. If it disappears completely death valley will no longer hold the record for being the lowest point in the U.S.

Walking on the shores its not sand, but bones.

The Turtle at the Sea, and Candy laying in the front seat. 

One of the many remaining structures, at this once thriving county park. This one appears to have been the bathrooms?

Bombay Beach one of the small towns still in existence in the area. Overall the trip was very interesting. Wish  I would have done more research before visiting  there's a lot of mysteries in the area. Perhaps on my next visit I will do a lot more exploring. Thanks for visiting!

Slab City more Pictures

Here's a few more pics of some of the sites out at Slab City. I'm headed back to Arizona to see the family, probably already there by the time you read this, but will get some pics up of my visit to the Salton Sea.

Slab City Skate Park built from an old pool.

Pet cemetary

One of several clubs at the Slabs

Shoe Tree

Solar store and solar powered vehicle

"The Range" free Saturday night talent show

Mission

Believe this is East Jesus

:)

Another old Rocket. Ill definitely be heading back to the Slabs. If you missed the first Slabs post Click Here. Thanks for visiting!

Slab City

 Slab City the is known to some as "The last Free place in America! 640 acres of free land that was once an old military base, now handed back to the state of California with no restrictions on the deed. There is no form of government, no police, no water, no electric, no services whatsoever. Yet you can come stay here as long as you want, even build a house if you wish, and never have to pay property taxes

 When I first pulled into the Slabs my first thought was to turn around, and get the heck outta dodge, but I decided to explore a bit. After driving around for a half hour getting a feel for the place, it appeared that I had found the good part town, so I parked the Turtle.

 Walking around a bit looking for my ideal camp spot, that's when I heard a voice shout out "Can I help you?" I approached the women who invited me into her motor home, and introduced herself as Donna. She pointed to the area  bombs get dropped. Told me about the various clubs, where the stage was, skate park, and much more. (Still gathering pictures of all those, so Ill save them for a later post.) After the long introduction to the city I continued my search.

 Eventually I found my spot on the edge of town across a wash, with a few neighbors, always did enjoy the country. Here is a few pics of some of the dwellings in the area occupied by retirees, hippies, artists, conspiracy theorists, and all other walks of life.

 Snowbird heaven

 A well kept area nicely fenced

 Old school buses which were occupied, but also guarded by large dogs which seemed to be rather aggressive luckily they were on large chains.

Small dwelling with TV

Large Compound

Another Compound

Home built from scraps of just about anything

Interesting lil Casa

Camo Camp a well kept area

Another well kept home

My slice of heaven in Slab City, and to think I could build my own home here for just the price of material. There's still plenty more to explore, so Ill be getting more pics, and insight on this anarchist commune. Thanks for visiting!