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G has a "swell" time kayaking

G has a "swell" time kayaking
G has a "swell" time on Lake Michigan in an inflatable canoe

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico
Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Warren Dunes Sunset

Warren Dunes Sunset
Warren Dunes Sunset
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona. Show all posts

Monday, April 8, 2019

Saguaro National Park - Spring Flowers





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Temperatures are rising in southern Arizona and now is the time for Spring walks and drives. It is too early for the saguaro cactus blooms, but flowering shrubs and some cacti are blooming.  Photos taken April 5 in Saguaro National Park - East.












Saguaro National Park - East
Ocotillo












ocotillo



creosote bush

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Picacho Peak State Park


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This Arizona state park is a popular hiking and camping area accessed via I-10 and North of Tucson, AZ. The park includes modest hikes but also a challenging hike to the top of the peak, which is 1500 feet up.  There is a $7 entrance fee which is for 1-4 adults. We visited the park on March 28. Wildflowers were abundant and the temperature at noon was 77F. However, one must take protection from the sun and because of the arid environment carrying ample water on the trails is essential. Proper hydration is critical, even in Spring.

We walked the easy Calloway, Nature and a portion of the Sunset Vista trails.

The hike to the peak is the "Hunter Trail". According to the Arizona State Parks "This is a challenging hike that involves steep switchbacks, rock scrambles, climbing up several cableways and an elevation change of 1,600 feet......."  You can go it alone or attend a scheduled guided hike. Check the Park website for scheduled guided hikes. The next one to the peak is on April 6, 2019 and begins at 8:00 am.  There are limitations including a maximum number of attendees. So check the state park website and make a reservation if you are interested. I've included a link to the park website at the end of this post.

Here are some park statistics and info about the Hunter Trail, according to the Park website:
  • Total distance is 4 miles round-trip and takes 4-5 hours to complete.
  •  Not recommended for inexperienced hikers.
  • On guided hikes "No children under the age of 10."
  • No dogs. Come prepared with 3-4 liters of water, wear hiking boots, and bring gloves for the cableways.

Here's a link to a pdf file of the park trails and other information:

ParkMap_Fall_2018_Color_FINAL_01.pdf

Here's what the Arizona State Parks says about Picacho Peak State Park; I've included a link to the official website at the end of this post:

"Visitors traveling along I-10 in southern Arizona can’t miss the prominent 1,500-foot peak of Picacho Peak State Park. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in the spring, overlook a sea of wildflowers. The park and surrounding area are known for its unique geological significance, outstanding and varied desert growth, and historical importance. The unique shape has been used as a landmark by travelers since prehistoric times. One of the first recordings was in the 1700s by the Anza Expedition as it passed through the area. The park offers a visitor center with exhibits and a park store, a playground, historical markers, a campground and picnic areas. Many hiking trails traverse the desert landscape and offer hikers both scenic and challenging hikes. Hike prepared and know your limits. Bring plenty of food and water and wear proper footwear. Enjoy the beauty of the desert and the amazing views......."



Nature Trail


Calloway Trail







Official Website:

https://azstateparks.com/picacho/


Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/


Friday, April 28, 2017

Our longest trek to date. Almost 6,000 miles


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We are almost "full timers" but we cheat because we have a 5th wheel in Tucson and a 30 ft. TT in Michigan. Our Roadtrek 210P is our exploration vehicle.

We left for the west in November and returned at the end of April. Our most recent trek of 5+ months has ended. Total actual miles 5,948. Planned distance 5,671. The other miles were side trips, miscellaneous excursions, maintenance (changed the engine oil in Tucson, replaced the coach batteries (at 4.5 years), etc.). We stayed at multiple locations ranging from Tucson, AZ to Fredericksburg, TX to Baton Rouge, LA  and continuing to the west coast of Florida and then to the Florida Keys. Some stops were much longer than others. I prefer to spend at least two nights in each location, but we sometimes spend only one if we are going for distance.

Once we find a great locale we may stay for weeks, or months.

Some days we may only travel a couple of hundred miles. On others we may go as far as 713 miles, which was the maximum distance on one day for this trek. We simply wanted to get from point A to point B.

The trip was not without a few mishaps. No real issues with the 210P, but people sometimes break.



We are "almost" full timers; we could have delayed our "return" by three days and gone directly to our summer site in Michigan. But we didn't. Instead we went to "home base #1" No issues of any significance with our 2013 210P on this trek, but I did take the opportunity to replace the coach batteries which were nearing 5 years of age and not able to provide the desired capacity.

Current odometer mileage 25,698.


The above is a mileage history for one period for this trek. The data is from my Verizon Hum, which monitors the vehicle vitals via the OBD port as well as GPS. In general, I guess the data is accurate. I assume the high speed was achieved going downhill because I generally drive the speed limit. For much of the interstate travel that was posted at 70 MPH, but there were segments posted at 75, 80 and 85. My preference is speed limit to 5 MPH under if conditions are good. However, it seems that more than a few travellers prefer 5  to 10 MPH over the posted speed limit. Traveling on four lane interstates can get interesting (two lanes each direction). One can stay in the right lane and attempt to dodge those entering who apparently don't understand how to merge, or one can move to the second lane and be pushed down the road. However, the further west we go the easier it gets, until one hits CA that is, Then all bets are off.

Here is a longer term history summary for this trek:


We had a great time. But we did have a few advantages. For one, we have an automobile stored in AZ. That allows us to do a lot of local AZ travel without using the Roadtrek 210P, which is our major trekking vehicle.

For another, we have positioned a 5th wheel and a travel trailer at two locations which permits us to use these as "home bases" and to put our feet up in more comfort (more than the 700 cubic feet of the Roadtrek) and for longer periods of time. However, we have lived in the 210P for up to about 100 continuous days. I've made 20+ modifications to tailor it to our lifestyle.



Here's our AZ abode; 1-1/2 baths, 5 slides and more than enough room for a "home base." And it has an outdoor cookstation. However, we do take cast iron and in induction burner with us in the Roadtrek. We like to cook.

During this trek, I was able to bake my special recipe of cinnamon buns. We gave most away. I was pleased by the results of this 1/2 batch. No complaints by anyone.



There were the desert scenes, the sunrises, the sunsets and the rainbows:












We experienced wonderful Florida sunrises and sunsets, as well as low and high tides.








and Texas wildflowers as well as the desert bloom.












We experienced mermaids





And we ate extremely well. Most of or meals we prepared.










Ad, or course there were the people we met on our journey.


And there was the wildlife, or "not so wild" life. Some creatures large, and some small.

































We stayed at a variety of campgrounds and resorts and even boondocked.










And of course there was laundry to do at a variety of facilities.