Sunset in the Coconino National Forest, looking northeast toward Sedona, AZ, 4/17/15

Monday, March 30, 2015

My First Campsites

Since I've had several questions about my campsites while being a snowbird, I'll go ahead and blog about what I've done so far.  I've stayed at 4 Arizona back country sites:  BLM land in Ehenberg, Tonto National Forest, Aqua Fria National Monument, and Prescott National Forest.  All of these locations allow free dispersed camping.  Typically that means that nothing is provided -- no water, garbage disposal, toilets, etc. -- it's carry in, carry out.  My camp site in the Tonto National Forest was an exception to that rule, it had pit toilets with a table and fire ring at each site.  Otherwise, it was still carry in, carry out.

My Ehrenberg camp, under the Ironwood Tree.  (2/10 - 3/3/15)  

I didn't set up a camp at Agua Fria NM.   The river was too deep for my Prius to ford; so, I couldn't go very far into the back country.   Instead, I found a small site up on a hill overlooking the road through the National Monument with I-17 a couple of miles in the distance.  I didn't set up camp there for a couple of reasons:  1) I was only going to stay for a couple of nights, and 2) I felt exposed as I could be seen for miles around.  The good parts were that my views were breath taking, and I had great Internet access due to being so close to I-17  The only time I'd ever been checked-up on by a Sheriff was at this site.  He just saw that I was in my car, waved, and backed down the hill.

Tonto NF campsite in the Mesquite Forest, next to the Verde River.
The trees were just starting to leaf out.  The site came with a table,
so I didn't set up my kitchen, nor shade umbrella. (3/6-3/16/15)  

But, when I'm at a location for any length of time, I'll set up camp.  I look for a shade tree where I can set up camp just north of it.  At Ehrenberg it was a Ironwood tree.  I was in among lots of Mesquite trees in the Tonto NF.  Here in the Prescott NF, I'm north of a large Juniper.  I want to take advantage of the shade so I pitch my tent as far under the tree as possible, and set up my kitchen so that it gets early afternoon shade.

More Mesquite Trees across the road from my campsite.
The grass was over a foot tall.  Sunset, Tonto NF,  3/13/15.  
In an earlier post I shared about all of the extra stuff I was going to bring because I'd be a snowbird instead of a traveler (tent, kitchen, shade umbrella with base, more water containers, etc.).  Mostly, I've been happy that I carried all of the extra items.  One questionable item is the umbrella with it's cast iron base.  It's big and heavy to bring along.  And, in Ehrenberg it was too windy to use; in Tonto's Mesquite Forest it wasn't needed; but in the Prescott NF I'm really using it for the first time.  By the end of this 4-months, we'll see if I'd be willing to take it snowbirding again.


Prescott NF campsite.  (3/18/15 - present)  
Originally, I was going to use my 2-person tent for a bathroom.  But, it was too akward.  So, the tent became my storage space for food, kitchen supplies, water containers, and a dirty clothes bag.  I love it.  I purchased an instant tent that's well made and quick to put up and take down.  If it's going to rain or blow, I put my chair, side table, and kitchen table (partially folded down) into the tent and out of the elements.  Also, before bed or when I go into town, I'll usually store my kitchen items in the tent (stove, utensils, paper towels, garbage bag, etc.).

Last night's sunset as viewed from my front windshield.
 (Prescott NF, 3/29/15)  

Note: Here's a blog post by my friend Bob Wells whom I'm current camped near.  He talks about camping among friends here in the Prescott NF.

13 comments:

  1. I'm glad everything is working out for you.
    I carry one of these little umbrellas. It clamps to a chair or table: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dlawngarden&field-keywords=Rio+Beach+Clamp+on+Umbrella

    I paid $5 at a beach store

    Sounds like everything worked well for you! Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So far so good Cyndi. Two more months of snowbirding and then back to WA State. I hope to see you and Stumpy there this year. Take care.

      Delete
  2. Wow, I can't believe all your stuff fits into your Prius! You must be an amazing packer! Are you a big reader? Kindle? Now, all I can think about is --- ICE CUBES!!! How do you keep things cold for TEN DAYS until you go into town? I found ice lasts 48 hrs, even in an "extreme" ice chest. It is demoralizing to see food floating around in cold water! When my ice cubes are gone, so am I! Help!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ice cubes are something I don't deal with at all. When I get stuff that needs to be refrigerated, I eat it that night or the next morning. Some fruits and veggies will last all 10 days if kept cool. I try to eat eggs within 4 days. For example, I went to the store on Sunday and I'm keeping these items in my insulated bag right now: tangerines, corn tortillas, Parmesan cheese, processed cheese, and margarine. I put the insulated bag in my tent after the sun sets and temps drop into the 30's and 40's. Then, at sun rise, I put it on the floorboard of my car where it stays cool during the day. After 2 months using this method, I've only had a couple of oranges go bad. But, most of my food I eat as is, or just add water (crackers, nuts, tuna packets, oatmeal, latte/protein drink, soups w/dehydrated veggies and pasta, etc.). I typically don't have canned goods, except low-sodium V8 and those little cups of canned fruit. I know my no-refrigeration methods aren't for everyone. But, maybe you can find something helpful in the explanation. Oh, I do read e-books or listen to audio books once in a while. Just finished Moby Dick a few weeks back as it was on my bucket list :)

      Delete
    2. And Moby Dick was on Captain Ahab's bucket list, too! "Don't deal with that at all" is a very valid solution to all kinds of things, including ice cubes. The beauty of your blog (besides the photos, of course, is that you are mindful of all your living processes. It's a spiritual way of living to be mindful. As the Buddhists say: "Before enlightenment, carry water, chop wood. After enlightenment, carry water, chop wood." I realize now, after you broke down your packing into 3 parts, that my food packing plans need to be specific to travel goal. Staying put, one plan. On the road constantly for 7 weeks like me, yet another plan. Thanks, and I'll stay tuned! Have fun!

      Delete
    3. LOL re: Ahab's bucket list :) And thank you for recognizing that this way of living can be deeply spiritual. Although I'm living out of my Prius in both driving and camping modes, my food prep and storage can be very different between the two. That is, I can easily prep and cook foods in camping mode, but not in driving mode. And, I can eat foods that need refrigeration in driving mode (because of easy access to grocery stores), but have little or no access to refrigerated foods in camping mode (especially if far into the back country).

      Delete
  3. Thank you so much for your blog. You have inspired me to just do it. Hope to see more. You and Bob are on my bucket list lol
    rvnutty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look forward to meeting you in your travels one day.

      Delete
  4. I am impressed with how much you carry in your car! I am living in a mini Prius (Prius C) and I don't carry nearly that much gear. Your photos are great also. I look forward to reading more posts! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jim. I hope to post another blog in the next week or so showing how I'm packing all of the extra gear I'm bringing while being a snowbird this winter/spring. I'm in the process of taking those photos now. The best to you.

      Delete
  5. thank you for this post, I was really wondering how you were going to make it work with all the extra gear that you were taking along. The tent is a great idea for storing things in camp while you sleep in your vehicle. I can't store food or kitchen items in it where I normally camp because of bears and racoons etc., but will keep it in mind if I go places without that kind of wildlife.

    At the parks where you don't set up camp, do you have room to sleep inside with all the gear, or do you evict some items at bedtime?

    Ming

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I have room to sleep (and lounge) inside with all my gear packed in the Prius. You've inspired me to do some blogs posts on how I pack my Prius. Here is the link to the first of three -- http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/2015/04/part-1-packing-prius.html

      Delete
    2. fantastic! Thank you!!

      Ming

      Delete

Please make a comment. I'd love to hear from you ...