Rejected by Thousand Trails

April 6 - 19,
Verde Valley near Cottonwood


There was some concern in our hearts as we headed north to Verde Valley Thousand Trails.  We tried on Thousand Trails website to get a reservation and failed.  This was nothing new so we called their reservation line and was told they had quite a few sites down with electrical problems and there was nothing available for the two weeks we wanted to stay.  Next call was to the young lady who sold us our Zone Passes and has magically found space for us when all else failed.  She said she would work on it and get back to us.  She never did…

So we approached their gate and set about checking in.  There was no reservation listed for us and we were too long for a tent site.  He sent us to the manager to see what could be done.  He found a place for us for three days, in three days.  He told us we could stay in the office parking lot until then, but would have to move in the morning as they were fixing the parking lot.  I asked about boondocking spots…   The office parking lot was it.  When we purchased our membership we were told if all the sites were full at any campground there would be boondocking available.  I just didn't know it would be the office parking lot.  We exited Thousand Trails and drove back to some BLM land Ellen had previously found. OK rant finished…   or maybe I'll continue it later.

Our morning visitor for several days on BLM land.

The place Ellen found was wonderful and scenic.  On a bluff overlook the valley.  We set up and looked for something fun to do.  "used Bookstore near me" Google sent us into oldtown Cottonwood. (5.6 miles)  Charming.  It had nothing we couldn't live without, but the people were very friendly.  We walked the street and window shopped.  Nice little town.

Tuzigoot

Montezuma's Castle

During our stay we visited several National Monuments, Montezuma's Castle and Well (along with about forty fourth graders on a field trip),  and Tuzigoot.  There were more as the area has a rich history.  Drove to Prescott and saw the Sharlott Hall Museum. Not to be missed.  There might have been a pub with libations and appetizers.  Ice Cream might have been had.  The usual fun.  On the way back we drove through Jerome.  Town on the side of a hill.  Or should I say cliff?  The views (and switchback down grade) were amazing.  We also took the Verde Valley Train on a sight seeing trip.  Well worth the high price.  One delightful aspect of the trip was the background music in the railcar.  Every train song imaginable.  When they got to "Peace Train" folks sang along.

Next we went to Sedona which is a tourist town set in the most amazing venue ever.  Surrounded with red monolithic hills on every side.  I don't know how long it takes residents to become numb to the awesome surroundings and just think of it as home.  We went on a few (easier) hikes in the area but we were able to take great pictures just driving around!

A comment on the drive to Sedona…  Approached from the south you venture through red cliffs and desert views, from the north you get forest, creeks, and  great canyon descents.  We loved both, one is majestic and awe inspiring for me, the other reminded me of home,  the great Northwest.  We stopped at picnic areas and I walked in the creek. "Insert smile here."

Hike in the canyon

Different canyon hike

Speaks for itself...

Ellen finished and filed our taxes (life must continue), I changed the oil in the motorhome, and we did laundry.  I'm going to digress into Thousand Trails again as we did spend our three days there, were ousted, and returned to our hilltop BLM spot.  We go there for hookups, trash dumping, and laundry facilities.  The parking is side by side and the views are of other RVs. Not our favorite.  But you get the good with the bad.  The good, we emptied our tanks and refilled our water, we watched some TV, we went to their karaoke night.  The bad, the view, very limited Verizon coverage, and the Laundry facilities.  You have to get a two dollar card from them and add money to it to use their machines. I drove into Cottonwood and used the laundromat.

View from south bound road to Sedona.  That is the road 1000 feet below!

This one also says it all.

From here we head to the Grand Canyon.