Dead Horse Ranch Forgotten Graveyard

Long time no time!

What's happening?  This is my first post of 2013. Wow, has the time flew by! Been working a lot more than usual, so the recreation has been slowed just a bit. Time to fix that now that Summer is here!

We made another trip up the hill to Dead Horse State Park, in Cottonwood, near Sedona, a few months ago. Even though we have stayed there many, many times, the place has so much to offer, and we always discover something new, fun, and different. This time was no exception. There's an old graveyard, hardly advertised in Park brochures, just off the road, inside the Park boundaries. Apparently, the hispanic folks weren't buried in the town cemetery, but rather laid to rest right there on the ranch where they worked. Turned out to be a historical adventure finding this spot, and extremely interesting to boot.

Unknown graveyard, Dead Horse Ranch State Park

A few weeks ago I drove to Carlsbad, California for my Nephew, Scotty McGarry's at the Army Navy Academy high school graduation. Before the ceremony, I had a chance to see two old buddies that I used to play in a band with... Steve Jerome Waddell, and Robert Munger. Steve now owns and runs a rock and roll themed hair salon in Oceanside called "Rock Your Loxx!" So glad I had a chance to stop by and visit, and finally see the place I had heard so much about. Good friends, good people, good times!

L to R: Robert, Steve, & yours truly... 

3/4 of the 90's cover band, MENACE!

We bought a new (to us) Glastron boat! Got a smokin' deal from nice, older couple who no longer used it. It sat in their garage for the last 3 years or so, always covered, and for a 1974 boat, it couldn't be in better condition! I had to drive 500+ miles from Scottsdale to Bullhead City, AZ (on the Colorado River, where Nevada, California, and Arizona meet). Took a little engine work to get it going, but now it purrs out on the lake & runs smoothly. Had the maiden voyage just this last week, out at Bartlett Lake, near Phoenix.

1974 Glastron, Bartlett Lake, Arizona

On land, in the Walmart parking lot, Scottsdale.

Sometimes, it's not always about the camping and boating. Last weekend, I took the Wife to Tucson to see Cyndi Lauper in Concert! Had a great time at the old Fox Theater, great show. Not exactly my kind of music, but it was a blast hearing all those 30 year old, 80's pop tunes! Brought back memories of MTV, when they actually played Music videos. She does have a tremendous, 4 octave range, and she put on a really cool show.

 On the way down, we stopped at the ruins at Casa Grande. There isn't too much to explore here, but the main attraction is truly an amazing structure. It is the first Native American "ruins" to be set aside as a National Monument. The same canopy structure is still in place from 1932!

And, meanwhile, back at the ranch, I bought a new guitar! It's a replica of the first Eddie Van Halen guitar he made and played off their debut album, back in 1978. Plays great, and sounds even better! Costed a pretty penny, but it's totally, 100% worth it. I'm a very happy camper! (Pun intended).

"Mr. Ed," the "Frankenstrat!" Coming to a Phoenix bar or club near you soon!

I had a chance to use it in action last week when I drove out to Tustin, California to jam with my band, DRIVIN' SIDEWAYS! The band consists of my high school buddies from Foothill High, and we've been playing together since 1979... 33 years now! We're a classic hard rock band, jamming on tunes from Aerosmith to Zeppelin, and lots of stuff in between.

We had record highs today here in Phoenix: 119 degrees!!!! Yup... Blistering hot! Could be a very long Summer this year, but luckily, we'll be playing with the old Shasta camper, and the new, little, 14 foot Glastron boat. 

Happy Fourth of July everyone, and hope to check back soon after the Holiday with some new adventures!

-Eric, The Phoenix Rover.

SEDONA IN NOVEMBER!

Howdy once again folks! This trip, we cruised up to Sedona, AZ, from our home in Scottsdale. After brutally hot summers here in "The Valley," (Phoenix), it's a welcome relief to experience highs of 68 and nights at 45. Fall is beautiful up there in Red Rock Country, with the leaves changing colors, light winds blowing cool, crisp air, and the sounds of nature abound. But, alas, I am not a poet, nor even a writer, by any stretch of the imagination (as if you haven't figured that out by now), so let's talk a subject I know and can relate to: Football!

This weekend was the Battle for Los Angeles... USC vs. UCLA. I'm from L.A. (Pasadena, also the home of Van Halen), and my parents attended, graduated, met, & married at USC. I've grown up a huge fan of their football team since I was crapping in diapers. My Grandmother, Helen Morgan, even graduated from there in 1928, same class as Marion Morrison, aka John Wayne. But, after hefty expectations, being ranked numero UNO, pre-season, it has been a let down year. This weekend was no different, as the Trojans fell to cross town rival and historically inferior UCLA Bruins. However, I did have a really great time watching the game from the campground inside the little Shasta trailer!

Looks like UCLA scored again! Ouch!

Now, once again, I will run into the argument that this isn't really "camping." But, ya' know... Who gives a sh..... You get the point! I'm really digging the little TV in HD, with the little surround system which has good enough sound to bring you the experience of the game right to the campsite. At sunset, I tend to watch from outside, have a few brewskies, and grab a biteful of nature with modern amenities streaming before my eyes.

It's the best of both worlds. The little Shasta vintage camper is like having an apartment on wheels. If I were to stay in a hotel room, it'd be $79-$350 a night in Sedona, and in this campground, it was just $27.50. A bargain at any rate. Not only that, we cook what we want, when we want, get to experience nature & the elements, without any suffering or inconvenience. I like the setup!

So, while I was ensconced in college football, the little woman was out and about shopping for Christmas gifts in town. Only in America, I tell ya'! Upon her return, we did manage to watch a game together.

Wifey with the front row seat

Sunday, we hiked down to Oak Creek with our coffee, before we had a regular mondo-breakfast, just to breathe the fresh air and experience the sights and sounds of nature. In the summer when it's blazing hot outside, the Creek is a great place to spend the afternoon just soaking and hanging in the cold water. It's really tranquil down there, and only 5 minutes from our campsite.

For this eventful breakfast, we tried whole wheat waffles with blueberry syrup! We don't cook inside often because the odors permeate the place, clothes and all. So, we just ran a cord across the campsite and made those babies right there!

Of course, no morning wilderness breakfast would be complete without bacon... The fifth food group.

After the hearty, wilderness breakfast, it was time to pack up and sort of head towards home. We stopped for nice hike at Bell Rock, and I couldn't resist getting a few pics of the "apartment on wheels" with such a nice background.

Peace out... Dude... Bro...

So, it was another great trip under our wings, and we were off to drop the camper at the storage place back in Verde Valley... But NO!!!! There was one of those art fairs off on the side of road in a parking lot that we just had to stop off at! All guys hate these things. How much jewelry, freaky artwork, trinkets, & sculpture can you browse? I can only stand these things for about 10 minutes or so, then I look for something else to do... Such as, staring up into the sky; counting how many breathes I take in a minute; watching the sprinklers water the lawn. 30 minutes later, and a few hundred bucks gone forever, it was time too leave beautiful Sedona, and the parking lot art fair behind.

Until next time, happy camper-camping, and super merry Thanksgiving to all!

Twisted, gnarled tree by the Creek

 Oak Creek

 Rancho Sedona RV campground, under the oaks!

 Making breakfast outdoors, then...

 Grubbing down inside.

 The dish station behind the laundry facilities. (I seem to spend a lot of time here).

The end... Of doing dishes.

Phoenix Rover's Camping Blog: Veteran's Day Weekend- Dead Horse Ranch State Park...

Phoenix Rover's Camping Blog: Veteran's Day Weekend- Dead Horse Ranch State Park...: Veteran's Day Weekend- Dead Horse Ranch State Park Greetings Earthlings & others. Been a while since I Rock & Rolled! Had a lovely 3 day ...

Veteran's Day Weekend- Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Greetings Earthlings & others. Been a while since I Rock & Rolled! Had a lovely 3 day weekend at "The Horse." Each time we visit, we always find another thing to do there, another little activity we haven't tried or experienced. Dead Horse

Dead Horse Ranch is a State Park here in Arizona, about 8 miles from a famous place called Sedona, home of the red rocks. It's kind of amazing what you can actually do here at this place... Camping, fishing (lagoon and Verde River), wildlife viewing, hiking, Native American ruins (Tuzigoot National Monument); just outside the park: hang gliding landing fields, skateboard park, Frisbee golf course, kayaking, horseback riding & trails, etc. Then, in the town of Cottonwood, there's shopping in Old Town, a few restaurants worth visiting, and "The Riot." Rendevous in Old Town

Most campers wouldn't consider the restaurants, shopping, and other civilized forms of entertainment when camping, and therein lies the difference between tent camping and camping in a motor home, RV, pop-up, etc.

I used to think that people who went camping in an RV were wussies. Even tent camping in an organized campground was just too safe and organized for me. But, as I have grown a tad older, there are many benefits to RV and "apparatus" camping. 

First and foremost, the elements are manageable. In the Desert, when we camp at the lake (Roosevelt) in the Summer, temps can reach 112 at night! Ever try sleeping in a tent in those kind of temps? Good luck. I'm done with that. Then, last year's New Year's trip, it was 11 degrees outside, and it sure was nice to go into the '62 Shasta camper with the heater blasting, and watch movies on the blu ray player, and NFL playoff games at night!

Second, you are basically sleeping on a bed, and not a mat, a pad, or the ground. Nothing like a jagged rock poking you in the should when you roll over at 4 am while trying to sleep in your tent.

And third, tent camping is a survival mode experience, where you cook, clean, hike around, and really experience the pure aspects of nature. It's nice and swell to be able to set up the camper, go out and eat breakfast, shop, visit cultural landmarks, and come back to a civilized dwelling. Both experiences have their benefits and drawbacks, but at this point in my life I have changed my tune... I am not a Wussie, and I enjoy "Camper Camping!"

You have the best of both worlds... We cook outside, start a camp fire, use our camping gear (lanterns, propane stove, pop up, EZ Up canopy/shelter), & have a few beers while braving the elements in my North Face down jacket.

So, that being said, this trip we visited the cemetery at Cottonwood. It was a spur of the moment decision to check it out, and we had just finished breakfast at Georgie's Cafe, (Georgie's) and decided to take a peek. Glad we did! Not sure when the town of Cottonwood was founded, but we found gravestones of folks who passed in the 1850's! That's not something you see every day in and around Scottsdale/Phoenix, where we live. 

There's a lot of western history in this small town. Life must have been very hard in those times- Fighting off the Natives, surviving the elements, lack of medical attention, tough climates, and more. Makes you appreciate the comforts of your camper, huh!!!

On the way home, we stopped at a place I had hard about for many years, Arcosanti. It is billed as an urban laboratory. 

"Arcosanti is a place where the green (lean) movement has been practiced for 42 years in a coherent and consistent way, not reforming by improving inherited patterns, but reformulating the present into something more promising."—Paolo Soler

 Although we did not take the tour, we did walk around and check things out for an hour or so. (We'll go back another time and take the guided tour for ten bucks). You talk about a place that's truly in the middle of nowhere! Yeah... This is it! The architecture is simple yet interesting. The concept is unique as well. Worth a visit, for certain.

For more on Arcosanti, see their website here: Arcosanti

 Well, its onwards and upwards from here! Next weekend, it's camping at Rancho Sedona! Low 70's, day; upper 30's night. Not too bad... If you're inside a CAMPER! I still say I am not a Wussie. 

(Crappy Iphone photo)

MARCH CAME & WENT

Well, now that it's April, March came & went without a trip! So, not to disappoint my Bloggies, I felt compelled to add something here, even though it's not entirely camping or boating related.

Every month we pull the Glastron out of the garage and start it up. Since the oil is mixed in the gas, you don't want the carburetors getting gunked up, so I crank over that Mercury "Tower of Power," 6 cylinder outboard & run the thing. It's always kind of funny just how damn loud that engine is out of water, and running it in our nice, suburban, pristine, Scottsdale neighborhood, is always a hoot. It's really verging on disturbing the peace! Nonetheless, boat is ready- Engine running great; new prop; washed, waxed and cleaned everything up, ready for Summer!

The boat becomes a huge storage bin in the Winter.

Escape from the planet of the garage.

My Wife and I talk a lot about camping and the camper when we haven't been on a trip in a while. BTW... Anything over 2 weeks is "a while." After last Summer's generator meltdown, we have decided to just stay at places where there is electricity, instead of getting another generator and trying our luck, fending off the extreme Arizona heat. As you may or may not recall, the Honeywell generator we had kept conking out, and when it's 100 degrees at night in an aluminum trailer, it can get might hot in about 30 seconds. Thing just don't work well, or at all, in 120 degree heat. So, the search is on for a place up at Lake Roosevelt that has RV hookups, so we can crank our AC full blast and feel refreshed after a good night's sleep, ready to attack another brutal day of sun, fun and water.

Van Halen is still touring with David Lee Roth! They haven't broken up yet, no one has gone back on the dope, and things seem to be going OK. That's a miracle. Can't wait for the June 16th show here in Phoenix!

This Easter Weekend, we are off to Florida for the most conventional vacation you can imagine- Walt Disney World. Yup... The In-Laws are treating us to a vacation, complete with the largest tourist attraction in the world, hotel room, and the whole 6 yards. Never been there before, should be interesting, will report back later as to whether or not it was at all adventurous and fun.

For now, Happy Camping, and boating, and temps rise here in The Valley of the Sun, we are looking forward to another fantastic boating and camping season! Stay thirsty my friends.

ARIZONA CENTENNIAL/VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND

Howdy Folks! Once again we made it up to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, near Sedona, with our 1962 Shasta Airflyte camper. Weather was great- Not too cold at night (40F), and not hot all all (68). We went for a few hikes, had some geat BBQ's meals, enjoyed a few movies inside the camper, visited Sedona, and actually spent some time in the small town of Cottonwood as well.

Last week, after a 30 year hiatus, the original (David Lee Roth) lineup of VAN HALEN released there first album in 30 years! (Yeah... This has nothing to do wit camping, I know). And, being a guitar player & having a man-crush on Eddie Van Halen, this is some pretty exciting news! Better yet, the album is way better than I ever expected it to be! It ROCKS! I won tickets for the June 16th show here in Phoenix (thanks XTRA Sports Radio, 910 on your AM dial), and can hardly wait to see them live!

VAN HALEN, 2012!

Also, not only is it Valentine's Day today, but it also marks the centennial of the State of Arizona, in which I reside. AZ joined the union kind of late, and originally, it was named "The Valentine State" because it entered the Union on this day in 1912. Someone had the foresight to rename it "The Grand Canyon State," and thank God they did, so we didn't sound so wimpy and mushy!

But anyway, it was a wonderful trip with no adversities... Just a relaxing weekend with campfires, BBQ's, clear blue skies, and an abundance of fresh air.

Here are some photos... Be sure and click on them to see their dynamic, full size.

The Carl's Jr. in Cottonwood

1962 Shasta, appropriately parked by the Antique Shop sign in Cottonwood.

Dead Horse Ranch campground, Red Tail Hawk Loop.

Dead Horse Ranch campground, Red Tail Hawk Loop, again

Wifey making coffee.

Getting ready for breakfast, inside the 1962 Shasta Airflyte Camper.

Electrical and dish station at site #56! (Exciting stuff)!

The Verde River.
What trip would be complete without a trip to the local Walmart! Hell, it's where everyone gathers and sees one another in a small town in America! This one is huge too, with all sorts of goodies and supplies.

Old West stuff, downtown Sedona.

More Old West stuff, downtown Sedona.

Sinagua Native American statue, in the Sinagua Plaza, Sedona.

Even an simple motel sign looks beautiful in Sedona!

Me, standing by a horse statue.

Red rocks of Sedona.

Another shot of Sedona, from an overlook on the backside of a cafe.

Pink pigs!