I returned home to Skull Valley last week after a quick visit with a friend in Mesa. Seemed like the right place to be, at least for a little while. I have much catching up to do from April’s travels, and I will get there, eventually.
Left Indian Bread Rocks Recreation area after 14 days of delightful boondocking courtesy of Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It was going to get HOT. I wasn’t ready to go home. But if I went north into the mountains and forest it would be cold, possibly snow. No thanks.
Headed north to Bowie and it appears that the only thing open in Bowie is the post office. Yet another small town that died after opening an interstate.
I just had to stop for the defunct Teepee Cafe. Obviously, not many call this place home.
Needed to dump and fill so stayed one night at Sunrise RV Park in Safford less than an hour north. Level site with a great view for $25 but they don’t take reservations and office is only open in the morning. Looked like many permanent people call this place home. Also able to shop for groceries and bought a hook-n-eye latch for the screen door to keep Sierra from head-bumping it open.
Then I heard from Sandee in Mesa, who is recovering from extensive surgery, and knew I had to go there. OMG, Mesa, that’s big, actually seems like Phoenix to me. Yikes! But friends are important, so off I went.
The next day I tried for backroads heading towards the megapolis of Phoenix. US70 and US60 go through some fabulous country that deserves more time. But I was on a mission. I took video of the drive with a new dashcam but the quality is too poor to share and the camera has been returned. Spending time with Sandee reassured me she’s on the mend.
So where next? After looking seriously at weather predictions for the next couple weeks the decision was simple. Go home. Skull Valley sits at about 4600 feet and looked like the best temperatures at 80/50° even with some rain. I braved some freeway interstates to get out of Mesa and headed north.
SR74 west took me past Lake Pleasant where I had to stop briefly for photos of the neon Palo Verde bloom and even saw a few flowers on the Saguaros.
Yarnell Hill SR89
Peeples Valley
Stopped in Wickenburg for fuel along US60 then took SR89 through the familiar Congress, Yarnell, and Peeples Valley.
I felt a certain trepidation and nervous excitement going home.
Backed in front of the 5th-wheel with no intention of moving back into the big house. There was the less than usual accumulation of mouse poop to be cleaned up. But I was in no hurry for that job. Besides, I forgot to buy the 6-month replacement water and sewer hoses.
A nice welcome home.
Gypsy came to visit the next day and we chatted and took a walk around the ranch. Place looked different. More sand in the wash that is my driveway. Water backed up behind the rebuilt dam across the big wash and the swimming hole is full. I forgot phone and camera so these shots are from Gypsy.
Dark clouds hung out as a prelude to more days of stormy skies.
Although I’m perfectly comfortable staying in the truckcamper I did clean the 5th-wheel. Starting with the desk where because of a booster on the roof I get better internet signal. I had videos to load, 360° view of my Mohawk Mountains camp and Bates Well desert camp. I continued cleaning the living, dinning, and kitchen room but saved the bath and bed room for later. Feels like a mansion after living in the 60 square foot camper for six months.
Stormy skies skirt mostly around me, reminiscent of last summer’s monsoon. But it’s only May, much too early for typical monsoon storms in the Southwest. Oh yea, what’s typical about weather? Does make planning for future travels more difficult. I really am going north from home, at some point anyway. Maybe I’ll finally get that journey to the Pacific Northwest. Are you along my route?
In the meantime, I’m trying to catch up. Finally posted the video from Easter in the desert and I will get to more blog posts about the places I visited before coming home.
I hear you about catching up. Still trying to finish up the photos from our trip to Colorado at the beginning of May, and hopefully will get around to writing the blog for my river cruise with Deborah at the first of April. Needless to say, the blog is behind. Two weeks of Covid sick and 2 more weeks of testing negative and still feeling sick took a lot out of my plans. Better now, but still have a bit of Covid fog brain…or maybe that is just getting old. Loved seeing you get back to Skull Valley and the fifth wheel. I cannot imagine living in your camper for six months. You are truly the Geogypsy. Although I do know of some people that boondock indefinitely in a Prius…so there is that. I am much to happy in my home to even think of doing that. But we will be going camping next week, so we can at least have a campfire and a steak and a couple of nights when we don’t have to look at outside yard chores which are huge in May. And yea…May has been really crazy hot.
I don’t have near the excuse for being so far behind. Glad to hear you are feeling at least a bit better. Camping should help. I feel a little lost in the big 5er and am still mostly living in the truckcamper. Does beat the Vega I started out in. I’m sure your place in GP is awesome, and look forward to seeing it, maybe this summer.
You just really redefine the possible for me. Living for 6 months in 60 square feet. You are proof that it can be done.
“Home” is beautiful. Home to some extent seems to be wherever you are at the moment.
Nice photos heehaw:) None of you though. I love name Indian Bread rocks and the teepee. Always sunsets. Friend told me of a place in Wilhoit so may check it out. Clue from the pets, happy where we are.
Thanks for the photos. Really, you want to move again? 😉
I can barely keep 60 sq ft clean so can’t imagine living in a large house like yours, though it is beautiful. I have the basics covered. Home, is a frame of mind.
Good morning Gaelyn Thanks for these wonderful photos from your journey home. Love the Teepee Cafe and that wonderful sky that welcomed you back. Hope all is well with you.Keep happy and stay safe.
Thanks. Life is good. Can hardly wait for the next journey.
Welcome home!!! Got a laugh from this blog … you just arrived home and are thinking of settling in, but are already thinking of your next adventure. We are too and those adventures before then.
Ha Ha. I don’t really want to settle in. I want to keep traveling. But sometimes things need to be taken care of at home. Plus avoid weather and holidays. I’m all ready to leave but will wait at least another week. Where are you headed this summer?
Glad you made it back safe and sound and can’t wait to see where you head to for the summer. Your Skull Valley location is really pretty. No place better than the PNW and you can probably find some sites because you can dry camp.
Thanks. It felt weird to come “home” and I am anxious to travel more. Even though this is a pretty place to BE.
Glad your friend will be ok. Love seeing all the interesting places you travel to (pictures AND videos). What a lovely Welcome Home! Enjoy!
Thanks. You’re on my list for the next trip.