So say the overhead lighted signs along I-10 between Q and Buckeye. Made me smile. ☺️. I love Star Wars…well, especially Han Solo…(bigger 😀)…but I won’t be seeing “The Force Awakens” for quite some time, I’m afraid. I don’t care if I know what happens before I see it though. Knowing won’t ruin it for me.
Anyway, Thursday morning is cold and we get a slow start to packing up and hooking up. I’m hesitant to come out of my nice cozy nest this morning. Then, there are some good-byes to say.
We finally roll out of The Scenic Road RV Park at 10:50. As soon as we hit I-10 I’m exhilarated! So SO good to be on the road again. In fact it’s so good that I wonder about how I can ever settle down again some day, and stay in one spot. I guess when the time comes, I’ll know it, and it will feel ‘right’, but for now, I’m loving this lifestyle. I love pulling out and heading north, south, east, or west, even if I’m not really sure of my destination…like today.
About 100 miles down the road we stop at the Walmart in Buckeye. Joy, Shiloh, and I take a little walk around the parking lot. The sun is shining, sky is cloudless, and it’s about 58 degrees.
Next I go into the busy, Christmasy, Walmart and spend $150! What?! Gee, that was easy!
After a snack we continue on Hwy 85, and in around 10 miles stop at Buckeye Recreation Area. I’ve been considering staying here but I’ve never checked it out. It’s nice enough, it’s free and has picnic tables and shelters, but it’s small and any site I would consider is already taken. So…we keep on truckin’ another 60 or so miles, past Gila Bend and back to Painted Rock Petroglyphs Campground. That’s the place the flies drove me away from before we went to Q. The pestering flies seem to be off where ever flies go when it’s gotten cold at night, and there are more people camping here now, maybe 20 or so, in the 66 campsites. We pick a decent site, get level, unhook and lay out the blue mat. Home! (Home is where you park it.) We have a picnic table and a fire pit with a grill on it, as do all the sites here. There is a camp host couple, and the facility has two pit potties and a covered picnic area for people who are visiting the petroglyphs. I may stay until after Christmas, but for now I pay for 5 nights which is $20 with my senior pass.
I put up the mesh screen that I bought in Q to give us a little extra shade. I really like it!
Time to relax after a busy day finding a new home!
Wandering Spirit 
I am jealous. You are in the beautiful sun while we are in the rain and wind.
We will miss you for Christmas, maybe next year.
Say high to Joy and Shilo. Luv Ya much!!
Brian and Sharon
Sharon and Brian, I replied but it seems like it’s going to show up below Pattys reply.
What a relaxing & beautiful place to spend Christmas – you got a big dose of craziness at Walmart! Happy holidays Micky!
Hi Patty,
Yes I’ve now set up the Clam and decorated my site for Christmas!
You know I actually ENJOY shopping just before Christmas. As long as I don’t need to rush that is. I try to exude Christmas cheer, smile and talk to people, and just try to spread a little Joy in general. I know it’s crazy, but I find it fun!😍🎄
Hi Sharon and Brian,
It’s the advantage of having a house on wheels and being able to (try) and follow the weather. (That doesn’t always work, but in this moment it’s working:-) . Being retired helps too.
I keep hearing about the weather out there in your neck of the woods! Sounds like El Niño is hitting you the hardest right now. Stay warm and dry! I love and miss you guys.
OK, now that your back at Painted Rock Petroglyphs Campground see if you can get any information about the road coming in from the north. If it is ‘decent’ that would have saved some distance, probably not time, when driving from Buckeye or Salome.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Hi Ed,
Ill need a name. I think you are talking about Old US Hyw 80 because that’s all I see on the map besides 85. So perhaps one could get off I-10 onto Salome Rd until it meets Old 80. I’ll ask about that.
You have a Merry Christmas too Ed!
No, Old US80 just parallels 85 for the most part that would do nothing except get you out of some traffic. I have driven Old US80 many times.
I’m talking dirt roads – you need Google Maps or something similar not a state highway map. Going North from Painted Rock Dam it would be Poco Dinero Rd, Saddle Rd (East) which becomes W Southern Pacific Trail/Narramore Rd (past the APS Red Hawk Power Plant) to Old US80. Or, Wintersburg Rd to Salome Rd.
Oh my. I kinda doubt the camp hosts know about that but whenever I talk to them, I’ll ask.
Wow, really like the look of your new mesh screen. Seems like the perfect way to expand your “living room” area and maybe give you enough privacy for your morning stretching routine. 🙂 Curious to see how it will react if the wind picks up a bit.
Glad you are cozy and safe for the holiday. I hope you have a wonderful stay at Painted Rocks.
Thanks Rick, yes, it really does expand the living quarters, and when I put the Clam up at the far end of the awning, it’s expands even more.
The wind. Yeah, it worries me…even though I have an awning tie-down (not in place in the picture, but it was shortly thereafter because ‘the wind doesn’t make an appointment.’)
And, even though I have the awning legs and the mesh staked to the ground. If the wind would start gusting at around 20 or more mph it’s likely I’d take the whole affair down. I did that at the RV park in Q, using the porch light and a flashlight in the dark and windy night. I notice that most people don’t do that, and maybe over time I’ll get braver ( or is that ‘I’ll take more chances’.)?
Morning stretches. Oh gosh, thanks for reminding me. 😏
You found a nice spot. Look forward to reading about your explorations of the petroglyphs.
And how long did it take to set up the Clam this time? That sure looks like a great way to expand your living space.
Hi Caroline, it still took me about 10-15 minutes to set up the Clam. I find that once I get one side pulled out it works better if I go inside and push out on the other sides. The top is a whole nother story. I have to stake at least two corners before I can push up the top. Otherwise I push up and the whole thing goes up, but the top doesn’t pop outward.
Last time I was here I explored the petroglyphs and wrote a little about it. They are different than other petroglyphs sites I’ve seen….but of course, I haven’t seen many. Very ‘busy’….lots of pictures crowded into small spaces. I posted some pictures last time.