Day 8 (March 31) of our trip found us leaving New
Mexico after driving 551 miles through it.
We got an early start for two reasons (1) to avoid the wind and (2) to
try and beat the rain. Our route had us hitting I-10 for a short distance and
there was wind and sandstorms. Once we got off the interstate, it was all much
better. And when we crossed into Arizona it was like someone changed the
lightbulb – it was beautiful! There are
wildflowers and snow capped mountains. But the crazy time change kinda has us
messed up. (Arizona doesn’t observe daylight savings time).
|
Welcome to Arizona! |
We got into Lost Dutchman State Park around 1:00. It’s raining and it’s cold. But it’s breathtaking! The Superstition Mountains are in our view from the campsite. I wish we were staying longer, but when I was making reservations, this was all I could find. We napped while it rained. Then we made Easter dinner and enjoyed our propane campfire.
|
Superstition Mountains behind our campsite. |
|
Rain can make a picture look so different! |
|
Our campsite. Can't beat that! |
|
The saguaro is massive. |
|
Beautiful "weeds" |
|
Springtime blooms |
|
Rain drops |
|
The birds were out! |
Day 9 (April 1) we set our sights on Dead Horse Ranch State Park,
south of Sedona, Arizona. What an
interesting and beautiful ride over we had. We listened to the local weather
before leaving. They said it hasn’t rained or snowed on Easter since 1989.
Well, yesterday it rained. And today while traveling through the high country,
it snowed. We traveled highway 260/87, skirting around Phoenix.
Once we got settled into our campsite, here
came the rain. The park is along the Verde River. The park is 423 acres. In case you wonder how
the park was named…..The Ireys family came to Arizona from Minnesota in the
late 1940s looking to buy a ranch. At one property they discovered a dead horse
by the road. When Mr. Ireys asked the kids which ranch they liked best, they
said, “The one with the dead horse.” When Arizona state parks acquired the park
in 1973, the condition of the sale was retaining the name. The park is a good location for day trips to
see the beautiful red rock country that Sedona is famous for. We stayed two days just for this reason,
although we had to change campgrounds.
Day 10 (April 2) was our “tourist” day. Our first
stop was Montezuma Castle National Monument. (By
the way, keep in mind that if you visit here, get here early. It’s a very small parking lot and at 10:00 am
it was pretty packed. When we left they
were parking up and down the road.) I think it’s always cool to see cliff
dwellings. Southern Sinagua farmers
built this five-story, 20 room dwelling sometime between 1100 and 1300 AD. It
occupies a cliff recess 100 feet above the valley. Early settlers assumed it
was Aztec and therefore the name. The occupants here found water in the creek
and fertile soil land to farm. No one knows why the Southern Sinagua migrated
away from their pueblos by the early 1400s. Teddy Roosevelt created this 3rd
National Park.
|
Cute little bird out our window |
|
Montezuma Castle NHP |
|
Beaver Creek by the park - a little swollen from the rains |
Next stop, since it was close by, was Fort Verde State Historic Park. This
was a frontier soldier fort in Camp Verde, Arizona. The fort was a base for
General Crook’s U.S. Army scouts and soldiers in the 1870s and 1880s. There are
3 historic house museums – The Commanding Officer’s Quarters, Bachelor Officer’s
Quarters and the Surgeon’s Quarters on Officer Row.
|
A view of the Surgeon's House/Hospital and the Bachelor Quarters |
|
Commanding Officer's Quarters where Tonto the Apache Chief and 300 of his men surrendered to Gen. George Crook in 1873. |
The last stop of the day was Red Rock State Park. There is no
camping here as it is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education
center. What we enjoyed was the absolutely most stunning scenery! Hiking trails are abundant. They have a lot
of mule deer here as well. We hiked up the Apache Fire Loop to see the Apache
Fires House up close. In 1941 Helen and
Jack Frye were looking for a get away place from the pressure’s of Jack’s job
as president of Trans World Airlines (TWA). They acquired 5 small homesteads
that became the 700 acre Smoke Trail Ranch. Before the home was completed, they
divorced. Helen got the property
here. Construction on the house began in
1947, but stopped with the divorce but Helen moved into the second floor. The
park acquired the land in 1991.
|
Beautiful red rock scenery |
|
Red Rock State Park |
|
Apache Fires House and 3 Sisters |
|
The creek is flowing pretty good after the rain. |
|
Big Tree |
All of this being a tourist for a day wears one out. We got
to our new campsite to chill, cook a steak, and enjoy life. But our neighbors
next door are camping in a Tesla pickup truck and it seems like it’s a magnet
for everyone to stop and check it out lol.
|
The Tesla Pickup Truck. Not for us! |
Day 11 and 12 - The last part of our stay in Arizona
is Cattail Cove State Park,
located on Lake Havasu. This is our second time here and I must say it’s a
beautiful, well maintained state park. They have irrigation for the trees and
seem to go out of the way to keep it clean.
There’s another “Campground Full” sign out. We didn’t get here until
3:30 and low and behold, they close the office early and they lock the dump
station. There are so many boondockers out here off of Hwy 95 that tend to make
a mess of it is what we’re told. So…..keep that in mind if you’re traveling
here with a pretty full tank that needs to be emptied lol. So let me share
something about our drive over here. The GPS put us on Hwy. 89A through Jerome.
Oh my gosh it’s a beautiful drive and the town looked like so much fun. We didn’t
stop though. It’s a very narrow and winding road, the town is built on “levels”
and parking a rig like ours would have been mostly impossible. Don’t even think
of driving anything bigger than what we have over this road. But it was one of
the prettiest drives we have been on so far. I-40 going west is VERY rough. The
stars are absolutely amazing at night! We’re staying here 2 nights enjoying the
park.
|
The park's nature trail. Very nicely done. |
|
The lake water is so clear. It's a little chilly for me! |
|
I love that they have a labyrinth trail here and places to sit and meditate. |
|
Such pretty water |
Next up will be our Death Valley National Park adventure!
I bet you did not expect to run into snow this early in your trip! Love Montezuma, one of the most interesting places we have ever visited.
ReplyDeleteWe also enjoyed Montezuma Castle and to think, it’s still here after all these years.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Lake Havasu, such a lovely lake! I’m sure it has really grown around that area since we were there.