Buckeye Hills Recreation Area

We were all pretty proud of our route planner/navigator/events coordinator for finding this GREAT spot. And yes that is

ME!

I really out did myself this time! I found for us Buckeye Hills Recreation Area - or BH Regional Park. On the internet it is called Regional Park everywhere - but out on the highway it is called Rec Area - could throw a person off! Not a lot of info about it - but it's there and it is worth the stop!

We headed out of Gila Bend last Saturday late afternoon and came here - only about 20 miles up the highway so it didn't take long. We parked on the circle and were happy to see only one other RV even though it was a long weekend!

Monday we made the short trip into Buckeye to pick up groceries since it had been about a week since a shopping trip - way back in Deming NM. We decided to take everything with us and spend the night so that we could have wifi. The Lowe's was nice enough to have us over for the night!

In the morning we looked around the garden center! Amazing to see all their plants out when we won't see this until - oh - late June at home.

Desert Cassia smelling a Desert Cassia

Beautiful landscaping at Lowe's - we quite enjoyed the overnight stay there!

This blimp actually came really low just above us. Derek said he would want to ride in one someday. That was until we watched in swaying in the wind. NOPE!

Everyone got some freedom - even the cats.

Hiking is the main attraction around these parts - just pick a direction and walk. We usually walked in the mornings and late afternoon just before dinner - the days were too hot. Frank - our only friend - a full timer ex military - told us about an ancient river bed. So we went to check it out. 

New shorts for Cassia and YES they are boys! However, even at the size of 24 months they are too big. We of course tried to improvise with a make shift belt but it didn't work. 

This picture really shows Roofous's personality - he is a true combo of his mom and dad!

After our Buckeye trip we came back to the same spot. We looked around a bit for another site on Robbins Road but they were a bit rougher and we had become fond of the Circle. Plus we didn't really need to head out since there wasn't anyone else there anyway! Once back we spent another 2 nights at this fine place.

Taking a break in the shade - a bit too hot for a walk - we didn't make it far.

When we came back to the trailer I went inside and came out to find a little lizard - I was hoping I hadn't stepped on it - although it would have been totally crushed then! Derek put him back in the sun and off he went.

Do you recall that I picked shells at Cape San Blas that all had holes in the top - well I finally had a chance to string them together. I mean what else do you do sitting in the desert all day!

Cassia enjoying the hammock - enjoying the shade of the blankets we were airing out.

The evenings were the most perfect at Buckeye Hills Rec Area - especially our last night - Wednesday night. It was warm, no wind and a beautiful sunset. 

Yes - you would have thought that we would have stayed longer - but that homesickness feeling isn't going away - nor is that - let's just get going feeling. Also, in trips past we were ok with living out in the desert for weeks on end without the internet - but those days are longgggggggg gone. 

Although now sitting here in Kingman with a delivery truck running and the cooler temps I am thinking back to last night in the desert with - well - yes a touch of sadness. 

Thanks for visiting!

PS we did go through Wickenburg today but I won't be able to post that tonight - stay tuned.

Teresa

Today's Interesting Link: Yup - we are in Kingman tonight. We love Kingman - well we love the old Kingman - we have been there a few times and will head back there in the morning. They have a super Tourist Info Center. However, this afternoon as we rolled into new Kingman from the east on Interstate 40 it seems to be a nice little city.

Enjoying the Desert

Just in town for supplies and back to the desert! More info coming soon - when we decide to leave!

Enjoy the pics! I'll tell you ALL about it next time! Notice there are no other RVs in the pics!

That's right!

Teresa

A right turn to NORTH.

Well

**sigh**

we are going to move on today. We figure that 2 days and 3 nights is about as far as we can push this truck stop thing. But boy it sure is hard to pull ourselves away - we quite like it here. Even all the trucks and RVs coming in --- and out. By the way - gas is $3.76/gallon here if you can believe! Boy do we miss eastern gas prices.

It has a been a restful few days, not much to do but well - hang around - but Cassia and Derek did get some kite flying in yesterday. Cassia even held the line by herself without letting go, which is a feat in itself since patience and sticking with something longer then oh - 30 seconds - isn't her these days.

I've been spending some time desperately trying to find a boondocking spot near Gila Bend. Strangely, I came up empty except for the Subway and Texaco Station in Gila Bend. We find it odd that some BLM spots haven't been conquered here by others who also love the area.

My plea on facebook for spots was answered by The Good Luck Duck - who provided me with a great Google Map locating all sorts of info. If you haven't yet checked out Roxi and Annie's fine site (I think I have mentioned them before but can't recall) - you should - AND if you are looking for Boondocking Resources I think their list is one of the most complete I have seen along my blog travels.

I have found a regional park just north of here that was said on another blog to be a 'well kept secret' well - we're going to test that theory. It does say that primitive camping is available. We are a bit worried since this is a long weekend and so it may be busy. We'll check it out and let you know what we find. We may be off line for a few days if it works out well. Fingers crossed.

On another note, Derek and I are certainly feeling a bit homesick these days. This generally happens to us around this time ---- it has been over 4 months now that we have been on the road. Of course, we just can't snap our fingers and be back at the cabin - there are a lot of miles to cover from here to there. That isn't all bad - we will be traveling some new roads which is always exciting for us. New, new, new - we love to see new!

The problem is the weather.

This time of year is one of the worst to travel in since springs can be very dicey heading north. Last year we began our trek north in earnest at the end of February, only to be stalled just south of Vegas for 10 days waiting out storms throughout Idaho and Washington. And WHO KNOWS what this spring will be like with all the weirdness of the winter weather.

So - well - we will take it mile by mile. We have friends and family to visit in Idaho and BC and so -  really - we won't be home until the end of March anyway.

Cheers!

Teresa

Today's Interesting Link: One of the towns we will be passing through going north is Wickenburg. We have been meaning to stop in there for some time now and it is odd - having spent so much time in Arizona - that we haven't to date. Well - this will be remedied shortly.  Right now they have the 64th Annual Gold Rush Days on - since we aren't for crowds we are waiting the weekend out before we head there. 

Camp Hosts Needed

Skihist and Gold Pan Provincial Parks in beautiful British Columbia are in need of Camp Hosts for the 2012 season.

Interested? 


Skihist Provincial Park is a 58 site campground located just north of the town of Lytton in the dramatic Thompson Canyon of British Columbia, nestled in a ponderosa pine forest. Climate is hot and dry in the summer months. Skihist is mainly an overnight campground for those traveling to northern BC and Alaska, European visitors, white water rafting groups and those looking for a getaway from the lower mainland.

The Camp Host position involves (but is not limited to) the following responsibilities:
- tourist information and hospitality
- answering questions about the park and surrounding area
- selling of firewood
- assisting with the implementation of BC Park rules, regulations and policies

As remuneration the Camp Host is provided with a full hook up site.

The Park Facility Operators (Derek and I) live on site.

Skihist Provincial Park - photo taken near Camp Host site.

Gold Pan Provincial Park is a 14 site campground located along the Thompson River just south of Spences Bridge in British Columbia. Gold Pan is also hot and dry in the summer. Gold Pan is favourited by campers who enjoy fishing and trainspotting. The campground is located along the river but also between the CP and CN railroads as well as the #1 highway.

The Camp Host position involves (but is not limited to) the following responsibilities:

- tourist information and hospitality

- answering questions about the park and surrounding area

- selling of firewood

- assisting with the implementation of BC Park rules, regulations and policies

As remuneration the Camp Host is provided with a site. This position is best filled by an RVer who is used to boondocking. There are no services at the site. A water pump with great water is available at the campground as well as pit toilets. A sani station is available at Skihist Provincial Park 20 kms away. There are NO electrical hook ups - solar panels or a generator are required. Generator hours are 7 - 9 am and 6 - 8 pm.

Park Facility Operators do not live on site and visit once a day; therefore the Camp Hosts are a 'presence' on site.

This is just the basic information. If you are interested - or think you may be - better to write us with any questions you have. We would be happy to answer.

The season runs from May 1 to Sept 30 - however start and stop dates are negotiable.

Contact Derek and I at email address    alifemadesimple3@gmail.com

Thanks!

Teresa


Today's Interesting Link: Here is the link to BC Parks for additional information about the BC Parks system and campgrounds.

These are some good times....

Well what can we say - we had a really great day - where you ask?

Why at the Shell Gas Station - yup - a truck stop.

Having arrived here last night pretty happy with our find we decided to spend the day. What more can we ask for - a huge parking lot with a little corner for our little rig, the desert around us, warm temps - I think it hit 21C today, wifi, electricity via our solar panel and a really great little store.

ahhhhhh - we are wondering how long we can pull this off we are really quite comfortable. We are odd we know - most RVers like the fancy places - just give us the Gila Bend truck stop and we are good to go!

While on a walk over to see the wildlife this morning Cassia and I headed over to check out the store - there must be SOMETHING to look at!

WoW! there sure was - probably a BIG mistake! I actually found all sorts of things to waste our money on.

Later we headed back with Derek - ok - I could forgo all of the tacky tourist stuff but we HAD to have the soft ice cream twist.

First we tried on the hats.

Then we went in for the ice cream - dad served.

A nice picnic area in the shade - which thankfully we needed today!

hmmmm - interesting that Cassia was going for dad's when she had her own!

Like parents like child - yes she finished the whole thing!

A beautiful desert sunset (behind the Shell sign).

So - we are feeling pretty good today - and we might even be here tomorrow too! Or we just might make the 4 mile trip to Gila Bend - we haven't even gotten there - yet!

You're going to miss these days....

I was going to do a whole other blog post on this but I'll just tack it on here! When Cassia and I were wandering around the store this morning this song was playing. It is by Trace Adkins - it's called "You're Going to Miss This" have you heard it? It is one of my favourites for what it says. It really struck me today.

Our life on the road is just like everyone else's lives - we have good days and bad days. Some days really stink! The last few have been a bit tiring and trying. Cassia is right in the middle of her toddler years and boy - Derek and I are truly feeling it!

But when I heard the words - I thought - ya -

I WILL miss these days and they ARE some good times.

Life moves along at a pretty quick pace these days. One of the quotes I have heard a few times on our trip, that I hadn't heard before, is this - "The days are long but the years are short." Yup - I like that and it's oh so true isn't it? We'd all do well to remember that as we fly along through life.

I was going to write the lyrics out here but you can find them here. You can also watch give the song a spin on YT.

Thanks for checkin' in!

Teresa

Today's Interesting Link: There is actually an RV park just a stones throw from us - the Holt's Shell RV Park. If we had a Passport America we would probably even be parked over there right now because the price would be right. We called it Home stopped in not to long ago and wrote up a review.