Home Base

The picture above is from my campsite up on the mogollon rim, the snowstorm took 3 days to melt so not to bad. This is a area where a lot of full time Rvers head, due to the fact that you are able to bounce back and forth from the Tonto National Forest to the Apache-Sitegreaves National forest. 14 days in one then 14 days in the other. Most sites have camp hosts, vault toilets, and fire rings as well. Water is available for free at canyon point campground. Dump and trash are there too, but there is a fee.

 If your gonna stay awhile make sure you get large trash bags I had 6 very small wal-mart bags filled with trash my bill for garbage was $18, when I asked what if I combine all the bags into one big bag I was told it would only be $3 makes perfect since to me needless to say I just threw them away at the next dumpster. If your interested in this area a quick google search of Forest Lakes, AZ will show you the general area.

Now to explain the title of my post as well as my delinquency for a little over 2 weeks. Ive driven nearly 600 miles exploring the backroads of north eastern Az in search of a little plot of land to call home. Someplace where I could set up camp for few months a year, and not be herded around every couple of weeks.

The search proved to be a little more difficult then I had anticipated,  after looking at several pieces of acreage I made a phone call to the county zoning office. They informed me that you can not park on RV on your own land, the only way you can park an rv on your land is if you have a principle residence on the property as well, but I could store it for up to 30 days there. 

Seems a bit crazy to me, that you can buy 20 acres in the middle of nowhere, and there is restrictions on camping, or rving on it. Would you get caught? Probably not, but if you did you could be fined, and possibly kicked off your own property, and most counties have zoning laws like this! Well thats my mini rant.

 The good news is, after calling several counties Apache County in Az is zoned agricultural I asked if I was able to park my Rv there? They said sure, but you better be able to explain what your doing with your dirty water? Sounds like a fair enough deal. So off to Apache County I go. Heres a few more pictures of my camp on the rim.

Candy making buddies. Thanks for stopping by!

Riding the Storm Out

Time to make my way to 7600'. After watching the various weather websites, it appeared that the weather was gonna remain 65 to 70 for the most part. So I stocked up on supplies, then headed up the mountain.

 Upon arrival the weather folks were right a fine day indeed, so Candy decided to take me for a hike I heard from a fellow boondocker there was snow over on the ridge. Knowing how much she would love a romp in the white stuff we headed in that direction, as you can see from the pic above it was a bit disappointing, that was all about to change.

Enjoying a long weekend of perfect weather. The weather man said there was a storm front moving in, and could produce winds up to 60mph, also a chance of 2-4 inches of snow possible. Wasn't to excited about the wind, but a little snow a few times a year I do enjoy. When I went to bed Monday night the winds had stopped, still no snow though,then I awoke to this.....

2 to 4 inches my @$#! 10 inches, and still snowing on/off over 5 hours later. Sunny Arizona :)

 Guess Ill be staying awhile.

 No worries got a months worth of supplies wouldn't chance any storm in the mountains without them. The good news is 65 by Friday, so they say.

 Candy got her romp in the snow

 Getting tuckered in the deep stuff!

Just a note for you folks in the midwest, and possibly east coast. Check your weather you may wanna batten down the hatches. Thanks for visiting!

Payson BoonDocking

 Two weeks already since my last post. The good news is I haven't done much of anything since then. Enjoyed my stay at the Casino, and did a little more indulging then I should have its's pretty easy to do when such great restaurants are just a short hike away.

The picture above is of my new home for the last 2 weeks. Located just 4 miles from Payson down airport road in the Tonto national forest. The area had a ton of wildlife. Stirred up several deer on my daily hikes. Had my camp invaded by Javalinas while I slept, they managed to scatter my garbage all over the place leaving only little piggy prints behind, and the Jack Rabbits here are enormous. Unfortunately I was not able to capture any of these critters with my camera, but heres a few more pics of the general area .

 Morning hikes to the top of the hill.

 Pic from the top of the hill looking towards Flagstaff. A person could easily disappear out there if they wished.

 Mogollon rim from the top of the hill, which is also the next stop on my journey. The rim is over 200 miles long and 8000ft high in some areas. Ironically its a ancient sea floor heres a link to a previous post.

 Another shot of the Mogollon rim

 Daily visitors

 Weird things you find in the middle of the forest.

Thanks for visiting! Good day!

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!