Farewell to Apache Junction

21 03 2022

After a month in Apache Junction, we’re back on the road again.  Our time in AJ was filled with friends, good food and plenty of fun.  We started out by attending Lost Dutchman Days, the annual Bratwurst & Beer Party on Wednesday the 23rd and the Rodeo on Saturday the 26th.  A great time was had by all!

Lost Dutchman Days, Apache Junction, AZ

On the following Sunday we traveled to Casa Grande to meet-up with friends from Colorado and enjoyed an excellent dinner at Eva’s Fine Mexican Food.  On Wednesday we enjoyed a late lunch at the Culinary Dropout in the Gilbert Heritage District followed by lunch on Thursday at the Handlebar Grill in Apache Junction.

Our next weekend in AJ started on Friday afternoon with good friends from Scottsdale visiting the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.  Afterwards we were treated to an amazing dinner at AZ88 – thanks for buying B&S, we had a great time!  On Saturday we met with friends to tour several of the RV parks and resorts around the AJ area followed by a late lunch at Los Gringos Locos, a favorite Mexican restaurant.

We moved from Sunrise RV Resort to Lost Dutchman State Park on Sunday the 6th.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park. site #95

That week, after a meeting with a good friend & colleague in Gilbert, we checked out Uncle Bear’s Brewery and Taproom for some excellent brews and tasty food truck selections.  We especially enjoyed the Original Uncle Bear’s Craft Burger – yum!  Friday brought a highlight of the trip, dinner at Quiessence. Located on the Farm at South Mountain, this dinner with friends was phenomenal, we’d highly recommend the experience!  SEE SAMPLE MENU On Saturday we had a great time and excellent dinner at the home of close friends in Cave Creek.  Then on Sunday we relaxed with friends at their home in Apache Junction.

The next week, with a good friend who arrived from Colorado, we enjoyed St. Patty’s celebrations at Postino and watched a beautiful sunset from the rooftop of Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen, both in the Gilbert Heritage District.  On Friday we enjoyed lunch at Tarididdles in Apache Junction before a relaxing evening at the State Park.  On Saturday, we attended a Colorado Rockies game at Salt River Fields, home of the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kartchner Caverns, Benson, AZ

Kartchner Caverns, Benson, AZ

On Sunday we packed up and traveled south through Tucson to Kartchner Cavern State Park, and enjoyed an informative cavern tour upon our arrival.  After a quick overnight we’re back on the road, headed to one of our favorite KOA’s at Las Cruces, NM.  From there we’ll be at By the River RV Park in Kerrville.  More from Kerrville…


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2022

Changing Plans

29 01 2021

Lost Dutchman State Park

On January 14th, we departed on the 2021 Spring Road Trip.  The original plan was to make our way to Yuma, AZ as quickly as possible to enjoy 2 weeks in the (hopefully) warmest spot in the state.  However by early January, Yuma and the surrounding area of southern California began making headlines as the “worldwide hotspot of Covid”.  With nearly no available hospital beds and business once again shutting down, we decided that Yuma probably wasn’t the best choice.

Our first night out was in Durango, at the Oasis RV Park.  This former KOA is now related to the Oasis in Amarillo – and we found the park and sites very enjoyable.  We’d stay here again.

Our next night was at Goulding’s Lodge and RV Park in Monument Valley, Utah.  This is a favorite park, and we always enjoy our stays here.

Goulding’s Lodge and RV Park, Monument Valley, UT

Finally arriving in Arizona, we once again selected the Verde Ranch RV Resort for a 7 night stay.  Last time in Camp Verde we visited the Verde Brewing Company.  Unfortunately the brewery is still temporary closed due to the affects of Covid.  We enjoyed an afternoon in Sedona where we sampled beers at Oak Creek Brewery before a great lunch at Creekside American Bistro.

Sedona, AZ

In Camp Verde we visited Sedona View RV Resort, just 7 miles from Verde Ranch RV (and the noise of I-17) with great views of the Verde River Valley.  This might be a good option on the next trip to Camp Verde.

Sedona View RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ

Just as winter makes a come back to Camp Verde, we’ve moved south to the Phoenix area.  Somehow, we managed to find 4 nights of no-services dry camping at Lost Dutchman, one of our favorite State Parks.  And, as rain and even some freezing temperatures mange to follow us to Phoenix, we’re able to upgrade all 4 nights to electric/water sites.  Unheard of – it must be due to either covid or weather related cancellations.

Snowy Superstitions, Lost Dutchman SP

From Lost Dutchman we’ll spend 3 nights at the Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park in Florence, AZ. We’re in site #36, and friends in #17.  Both are very tight back-in sites.  PARK MAP Better options would be pull-throughs 8 or 9 or back-in sites 42-47.

Site #36, Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park, Florence, AZ

While in Florence we visited several RV parks in the Casa Grande area – our favorite was Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort. PARK MAP

Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande

Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande

After Florence we’re headed to Tucson for a week before returning to Apache Junction.  More from Tucson…

 


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2021

Departing Lost Dutchman

8 03 2017

Lost Dutchman SP Site #93

We’ve spent 6 nights enjoying the warmth and quiet desert setting of Lost Dutchman.  After heavy rains in mid-February, the lush greenness of the park continues to amaze us.  In the 76-108 camping loop, there were daily arrivals and departures.  Only the pull-through site #94 next to us remained empty for an overnight or two.  Both of our sites (#88 & #93) were great back-in sites.  #93 was perhaps best because of the patio side late-day shade and the impressive view of the Superstitions at sunset.

On Friday we attended the Diamondbacks and Dodgers game at Walking Stick – a beautiful facility about 40 minutes from Lost Dutchman.  Saturday we explored the local area a bit with a trip out to Tortilla Flat and along Canyon Lake.  On Sunday we did the “tourist” thing, wandering around the nearby Goldfield Ghost Town and the Superstition Mountain Museum.

In between sightseeing we did manage to tour some of the additional facilities and sites in the park.  For electric/water sites, the back-in sites along the southern edge are nice sized and private – best would be  #29-#26  On the 76-108  “small” loop, sites #104 & #102 are back-ins very similar to #93.  #96 is a short pull-through with an awesome view of the mountain.

We’re currently enroute to Florence, AZ – just about an hour away, half way in between the Phoenix metro area and Tucson.  We’re going to spend 1 night at Desert Garden’s RV Resort where we’ll take the sales tour to see what the options and facts are behind purchasing an RV lot.  More from Florence…


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2017

Lost Dutchman State Park

2 03 2017

After discovering Lost Dutchman last year, we knew we wanted to spend more time in this beautiful Arizona State Park.  Arriving on Thursday, we’ll be in site #88 for 3 nights, then move to site #93 for 3 additional nights.  Both sites are in the smaller campground area, both are back-ins with electric and water.  All sites on this loop are paved and have a carefully manicured gravel area for a picnic table and fire ring.  There are also pull-through sites running down the center of the loop as well as circular pull-throughs on some of the outside locations.

For the first 4 nights we’ll have good friends from Conifer staying with us.  On Friday we’re going to attend an Arizona Diamondback baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the spring training home for the D-backs and the Denver Rockies.  This beautiful facility is the first of its kind to be built on Native land, a cooperative venture of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and MLB.


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Categories : Spring Road Trip 2017

Lost Dutchman State Park, AZ

4 03 2016
Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park

Good Morning from the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.  We’re parked in site #85 at Lost Dutchman State Park, just east of the greater Phoenix metro area.  Named after the fabled lost gold mine and set at the base of the most visible of the Superstitions – the Flatiron, the campgrounds 130 sites are surrounded by natural desert shrubs and flowers along with towering Saguaro cactus.  Sites and internal roadways are paved and all sites on this loop (76-104) provide power and water.  Some of the sites on the main loop (1-58) have no services.  All sites are reservable except for the far loop (107-134) which has about 30 walk-up only sites with no services.  While we didn’t note specific sites because all have great views and space – the ones on the main (possibly the original) loop have the most space.  #42 is an awesome pull through site, on the more elevated side and potentially with valley light views.  CAMPGROUND MAP

It’s unfortunate that we’re only here for weekdays – where we spent most of the day time working.  There are hiking and biking trails throughout the park that we’d like to explore.  Weekends are also the time for park rangers presentations including Sunset Hikes, Nights Under the Stars, Birds of the Park and a Park Stroll. Next time, reservations and at least 1 weekend are required for this interesting park.

Departing on Friday, we’ll make our way to Yuma, AZ, about as far as you can go SW before crossing into Mexico.  More from Yuma!

Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park – Site #42


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Categories : Texas Roadtrip 2016