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Category: Sedona

16 November 2021

First campout this fall near Sedona

cliffs Oak Creek Canyon AZWith the weekend over I made plans for propane fix and started packing with the best hope the problem would be easily fixed.  Didn’t put much in the fridge because I could stop at a store on the way to meet Joann at our first campout this fall near Sedona.

forest fall color Aspen Mirror Lake SR14 Duck Creek Dixie National Forest UtahAspen Mirror Lake Dixie National Forest Utah

Besides, I don’t like to travel on weekends and instead spend way too much time online plus I’m always labeling photos.  Just started October 2020.  Yea, I’m OCD that way and only about a year behind.

Monday morning I called the only propane place within 50 miles that actually does more than just fill monster large tanks.  Yavapai Bottle Gas has service people on duty Monday-Friday 8-4:30 in Dewey, on my way to our campout outside of Sedona.  Plugged the fridge into electricity and mostly finished packing to leave the next morning.  Much more fun was watching a Red-tailed Hawk soaring high over the landscape.  With all the grasses I’d think a rodent diet would be rather plentiful.  Email notification that the calendars were shipped via UPS and suppose to be delivered Wednesday so would be waiting for me after this little campout experience.

hawk on wire sunrise clouds Skulll Valley ArizonaI actually woke up early enough to catch sunrise, and startled a hawk as well.

trees mountains sunrise clouds Skulll Valley ArizonaWith last minute things packed I hit the road by 9:30am and about an hour later the propane diagnosis was a bad valve in one tank.  These horizontal 5-gallon Manchester propane tanks have been a pain in the ass for almost two years now.  An hour later I was back on the road with full tanks and a fridge turned on so stopped briefly for a few more groceries in Cottonwood.

truckcamper & Joann's van trailer FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaPulled into camp about 2:30pm.  Joann had already parked with the new-to-her trailer she’s been working on for it’s maiden voyage beyond the driveway.  Forest Road (FR) 525 is about 30 minutes southwest of Sedona off SR89A.  Camp places are pretty close to the dusty FR525 with a rather large berm from road to camp.

grasses trees sandstone cliffs FR 525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaHung out for a while then took a ride in Joann’s van to the end of the six mile dirt road and saw many more campers along the way, big RVs, tents, and everything in-between.

trees last light cliffs FR525 Coconino National Forest Arizona

trees last light cliffs FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaThe road ended at a closed gate signed for Palatki Heritage Site, ruins and rockart, presumably open for reserved tours between 9-3.  (I tried to call several times the next day with no luck.)  We got there just about sunset and scored when the red-rock cliffs lit up under the westering sun.

grass trees Yucca sunset clouds FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaBack in camp, Joann heated up Shepherds pie, made by her son, for our dinner and we shared with a young man camped nearby in a tent.  A great first day start to our campout.

grass trees hot air balloons FR525 Coconino National Forest ArizonaAwoke the next morning to hot air balloons floating by.  Absolutely something I’d like to do.

metal camper on truck Sedona ArizonaWe left camp around 10am to visit a friend in Sedona.  Traffic in that town is insane and I thank Joann for being the driver, and knowing her way around.

yellow leaved Cottonwood trees SR89A North of Sedona ArizonaIn the afternoon we road north of town following Oak Creek through a tunnel of fading autumn leaved trees.

trees boulders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona Arizona

bouders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona ArizonaPull offs allow several cars to park in the narrow space between road and creek.  Day use only with picnic tables and grills.

boulders leaves Oak Creek Arizona

trees boulders reflections Oak Creek Arizona

trees boulders Oak Creek Coconino National Forest Sedona ArizonaWe stopped at a couple and one we could actually get closer to the water, though the boulders were awkward to walk on like stepping stones between the slippery carpet of leaves.

Oak Creek ArizonaWhat a treat to listen and see the flow of water reflecting trees and sky.  An absolutely delightful day.

Joann's painting & trailer FR525 camp Coconino National Forest Arizona by Joann

hilltop trees boulders Sean FR525 camp Coconino National Forest ArizonaI voted for the next day being a stay-in-camp day.  Joann got her paints and easel out, I sat and read in the sunshine or watched our tenting neighbor get a better signal in the “phone booth” above camp.  I truly enjoy quiet days as part of a campout.  Joann made dinner and I provided desert.

We both planned to head out on Friday before the weekend but traffic started picking up on Veterans Day.  I was in no rush to leave as I planned only about a one-hour drive back to Dewey to visit with North Rim friend Vicki and park and plug-in at her place for the weekend.  We hadn’t seen each other in six months and spent 1 1/2 days exchanging stories almost nonstop.  She cooked dinner and I made salad.  I love when someone else feeds me as I really don’t like to cook much anymore.  Does anybody else get bored with their own cooking?

Sunday morning I left for home with a quick grocery stop along the way in Prescott.  After unpacking the camper and putting everything away I didn’t feel like doing much of anything else.  Thank goodness for quick bake pizza dinner.

I didn’t figure to do much the next day either, except go to the post office for the calendars.  However, when I checked the tracking it came up that UPS had delivered the package last Wednesday to the post office in Prescott Valley.  Wait a minute!  Wrong valley.  My address is Skull Valley.  I just came through there from my campout.  I spent most of the day trying to call the post office and UPS office but nobody answers, no option to leave a message.  Online didn’t help either.  Once UPS SurePost delivered, their tracking stopped.  I REALLY didn’t want to drive 45 miles to the Prescott Valley post office.  Frustrating!  By afternoon I’d decided the next day would be driving an hour each way to pick up a package that should be sitting only 10 minutes away in my hometown post office.  Instead I figured out times for the almost full lunar eclipse Thurs/Friday.  It’s the longest partial lunar eclipse in 600 years at just over six hours.  Much better for my blood pressure.

19 IMG_20211116_095204381fbr Shutterfly g~2

Guess what was at the Skull Valley post office on Tuesday morning?  If you’re still interested in ordering, let me know.

20 IMG_20211116_100022998lewfbr June calendar g-2

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Arizona, Oak Creek Canyon, Places I've been, RV life, Sedona, United States boondocking, photography, RV living, RV problems, RV repairs 14 Comments
02 November 2021

Window wildlife and a couple day trips

bee on flowers Sedona ArizonaI’m still not anxious to leave this amazing setting in Skull Valley where I watch wildlife right outside my windows, but I did get out a couple times and enjoyed a sweet day-trip with a friend.

first light Brushy Mt full moon set Skull Valley ArizonaMy window view frames a remarkable landscape with a spectacular pallet changing from brilliant to drab.  Grassy weeds gone to gold surround shrubby bushes showing warm colors in shades of yellow, orange, and red.  Oak trees mostly holding green all year with patches of brown about to go down.

yellow Autumn Cottonwood trees Skull Valley ArizonaCottonwoods, the tallest trees in the topography found near any evidence of water past or present, show the most brilliant yellow fall leaves across the land.  All this mixed in with many shades of green bushes like Manzanita, creosote, and several others I haven’t identified yet.

Coyote Skull Valley ArizonaStepping outside in the morning may have startled a bobcat yet the view was brief.  After sundown the coyotes often serenade.  Wildlife abounds.  Motion outside the window of something not usually seen catches my eye, even wind blowing a branch or a bird flying by.  Cottontail hopped across the top of the berm.  Coyote moved quickly through the grasses and I took a few photos before it disappeared into the brush moving east behind me where I briefly saw it once more between bushes and then no more.  Really want to put out water just the other side of the berm, out of my sight but animals insight.  Looking for the right container.

trees boulders clouds Skull Valley ArizonaTaking walks long or short around the ranch provide a chance to better connect to the landscape.  Every animal trail leads to another secret including boulders and homes for wildlife to hide.  Less than ½ mile in an hour and hundreds more photos.

Mule Deer thru RV window Skull Valley ArizonaIn the morning as I prepared to head into town a Mule deer strolls through.

Escape metal sculpture Marriots Sedona Arizona“Escape” metal sculpture Sedona

Because I needed to do laundry pretty desperately I figured to also do some shopping in Prescott, about a 25 minute drive from home.  Got an early start so I’d also have time to first meet Joann and go with her to visit a mutual friend in Sedona.  However, on the way I decided to blow off the chores—they could wait—so we’d have more time to play.  Good idea.  I like retirement.

Jerome AZShe drove us through Prescott National Forest over Mingus Mountain through Jerome, an interesting old mining town turned tourist.

old closed building Jerome ArizonaWhen I first accidentally drove through Jerome during a 1974 road trip it was a tight curvy road cut into a mountain, and still is.  But then the dilapidated buildings perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill, many supported by pylons and looking to fall off the mountainside, provided a skyward view looking up through collapsed floors and through holes in the roof from every switchback of highway.  Most have been renovated and visitors stroll the sidewalks past emporiums, antique shops, and saloons.

The Little Daisy Hotel Jerome ArizonaThere is reportedly a haunted hotel but it’s not the one pictured, I’ve just always admired the Little Daisy Hotel.  Just last year it was sold at auction for $1.9 million.  Check it out.

grassland & Juniper trees Public land South of Sedona ArizonaFollowing AZ260 down into the Verde River Valley we scoped out some possible future boondocking options south of Sedona.  Pretty open views with dried grasses and Juniper trees.  Some of the gravel roads were better than others.  Joann’s camp trailer sits low to the ground so it’s important to look at conditions before going there.

trees red rock cliffs Sedona ArizonaI actually preferred the vibe of Jerome over Sedona even though the surrounding landscape is breathtakingly beautiful towering sand stone formations.

trees houses red rock cliffs Sedona Arizona

building on cliff face Sedona ArizonaJust too hoity-toity for me with the monstrous size multi-million dollar homes painted to kind of blend into the cliffs.

tree framed red rocks Sedona Arizona

red rocks Sedona ArizonaWe drove around and stopped at a few overlooks but didn’t have time to hike as we wanted to visit our friend Marty who is trying to adapt to living in a locked down facility as she deals with aging medical issues.  Her stories from the past are fascinating and she shared her visit to Giza as a young woman.

fall trees single lane bridge over Beaver Creek ArizonaEven though we visited a little longer than planned we took a side-trip to explore more backroads with possible boondocking sites and ended up crossing Beaver Creek.

Fall trees rock grass Beaver Creek ArizonaBecause Joann thought she saw the ruins of an old building wall high above the creek we took a short walk and had to laugh when it turned out to be natural rocky wall along the creek.  Created an illusion we fell for because we’re both pareidolias.  Can you see what I mean?

mountains sunset clouds Iron Springs Road ArizonaShe dropped me off at the truck and I drove over the Bradshaw Mountains to home just at sunset.  A magical day connecting with friends and new landscapes.  Yet I knew another trip to town would happen, after a day off, to actually take care of the chores and shopping.

window view bushes Raven Skull Valley ArizonaThe next morning’s window wildlife was Raven who found something to eat.  Sadly, window photos are not usually very clear and focused.  But I am keeping the windows cleaner than they’ve been in a while.  LOL!

I drug myself back to town and managed to spend seven hours shopping at a thrift store, lunch at a new Greek joint, laundry, and groceries/stuff.  Turns out some of the later stuff will be returned when I next go to Prescott.  I noticed prices have gone up, on everything, including the thrift store.  Guess I expected to see that as wages rise, which they should but it needs to be done across the board so to speak.  I hadn’t had more than a few pennies’ raise in many years working for the National Park Service and now that I’m retired don’t expect to see a raise again.

fall trees fire boulders mountain Skull Valley ArizonaIt’s not like I get a lot of snail mail but still need a mailing address.  My paid mail service in Wickenburg ends mid-November and I have some businesses that need to be notified about a change of address.  In fact, some things are on hold as I’ve been struggling to get a post office box in Skull Valley.  Even with a note from my landlord which I was told anybody could have written, they want an ID with local address.  Well that’s a catch-22 if I can’t get an address.  Hope when landlord Larry who’s lived here over 40 years goes into the post office with me and my IDs the problem will be solved.

hoodoos Wall St Navajo trail Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

Many days it seems I do a whole lot of nothing, or at least not much to talk about.  I mean like I don’t even take any pictures, though that’s rare.  But probably just as well because I’m still labeling photos from just over a year ago from the end of my 2020 season at Bryce Canyon.  That’s OK, keeps me out of trouble.  But also gets me thinking about traveling.

fall leaves boulders Skull Valley ArizonaHey, I’m almost caught up.  Sure that won’t last long as I’m working on a plan to travel in the truckcamper while waiting for the calendar order to be delivered.  Wonder what wildlife I’ll see out those windows, and where.

.01in critter skull Skull Valley ArizonaSaw this unusual evidence of wildlife on a boulder in my “yard”.  The skull of something including teeth measures about one inch long.  My spooky Halloween discovery.

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Arizona, Jerome, Places I've been, Sedona, Skull Valley, United States, wildlife road trip, wildlife 15 Comments

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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