Oh yea, when we last updated we were heading for Apache Junction, AZ just east of Phoenix. The drive from Silver City to Apache Junction was pretty much more of the same...flat featureless desert. As we got further into Arizona we saw more and more saguaro cacti (those are the tall ones that look like they are holding their arms up) and the desert floor got greener! It looked like it was grass but when you got up close it is some sort of ground cover, we never did find out what it was called. But the last 75 miles or so from Globe, AZ to Apache Junction had some of the most spectacular scenery we have seen. Just outside of Globe was the Freeport Macmoran gold & copper mine...a massive hole in the ground. You can see pictures in our web album.
We spent three nights in Apache Junction and I'm pretty sure our presence there lowered the average age substantially! (Actually, I think we were the youngest people in the area!) This part of Arizona is a haven for winter RVers and retirees from all over the northern USA and Canada. There were RV parks and mobile home parks, one after the other with hundreds of trailer sites in each one. We were pretty amazed by it all, but I can see why people go there in the winter, the weather was really gorgeous--lows in the 50's with sunny skies and highs in the 70's most days, and no humidity! We had some great hikes and drives back up into the Superstition Mountains and at Lost Dutchman State Park. This was along The Apache Trail, a winding, twisting road with one-lane bridges, and beautiful Canyon Lake near the end of the part we drove. Shortly after the lake was a tiny town called Tortilla Flat; the road after that was one-lane dirt!
We stopped in Indio, CA for one night in the desert near Palm Springs. This was our first experience with a 55+ RV "resort". It is like a gated community with planned activities and social gatherings. Since we were only there for one night we didn't partake but again there were snowbirds there from all over who were enjoying the desert winter weather.
The next morning we headed out for Dana Point, CA where we camped almost on the beach for two nights and met up with our good friends Dick and Julie White from Clarkston, Washington. This was our first try at "dry camping", we had no water or electrical hookups for the trailer. We just had the water in our fresh water tank and battery power for the lights...no TV, microwave, heat, hair-dryer, etc. Even though we weren't at the trailer that much during the day we made out just fine. Just to show you how dependent we are on electricity: One morning there, Ellen got upset 'cause she couldn't get her hair curler to work and for a moment couldn't figure out why! I know, some of you who really and truly camp are rolling your eyes at us RVer's!
We had some great hikes/walks and meals with Dick and Julie and went to see one of our favorite bands "The Missiles of October" at one of our favorite bars, The Marine Room Tavern in Laguna Beach. They are a great rock/blues band made up of guys about our age. If you are interested you can check out The Missiles' music here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/octmissiles. One of our favorite hikes is at a park called Top of the World in the hills above Laguna Beach. It's a spectacular trail that goes up and down (a lot) along a high ridge. We didn't go as far as Dick and Julie did, but we did pretty well, especially compared with the last time we were there a year or so ago.
We've been blessed with great weather for our whole trip so far. Other than the a few windy (!) days while we were in west Texas and New Mexico and sub-32 degree lows at night that froze our water hose, it's been great!
We're in Santee, CA now, a little east of San Diego. We'll be here for a week and are planning to go to the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. If you have any suggestions for the area (other than Disneyland!), let us know.
The dogs are doing great overall. Gracie has adjusted better than we'd hoped--barking less in the truck, and enjoying the walks, although she does seem to tire easier than Max. Max is so full of enthusiasm and joy--everything is an adventure! He has especially enjoyed the ground squirrels, jackrabbits, and bunnies in various locations. Both dogs have gotten a little thin from all the hiking; maybe we will, too...LOL!
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