2012-40 Tucson Arizona, ANNUAL TRAVEL EXPENSE REPORT

2012-40

Tucson Arizona

Desert Trails Rv Park  (Winter campsite)

view looking out front of my campsite

I’ve made it to my winter destination at Desert Trails Rv Park.  After settling in, I’m right next to the swimming pool which is a great spot, but I have had people occasionally walking through my campsite.  Kind of startling when I’m just relaxing reading a good book and suddenly someone walk right through my campsite.  I finally put up a sign letting folks know it’s not a pass-thru but a campsite.  Most folks understand that it’s rude to walk through someone’s campsite, but until they get used to where all the pass-through walkways are located in this quirky campground, they often end up taking the shortest route back to where ever they are going.

new patio area next to the swimming pool

All the clubs are starting up and I’ve committed to doing one called  the RV Travel Club.  We’ll be covering where to go, what to see, best campgrounds and best routes to take in each state.  Should be lots of fun.  I’m helping out the photo club get going as well, but don’t plan on being the lead throughout the winter as it would be just too much for me.  I’m enjoying the Writers Club and this wonderful group of writers and all their stories.

Since I’m settled in, it’s that time of year to review what the costs have been over the past summer.  The expenses cover my campsite, fuel (diesel) and misc. expenses which involve all those unexpected expenses like a new tire, insurance, health bills etc.  It does not cover my daily living expenses such as food and entertainment.  I hope the figures will help others who are thinking about traveling as a full-timer understand the costs of traveling as a full timer .  It should also be noted that I usually stayed at least a week If not longer in most locations and only traveled on average about 150 miles between campground/destinations.  That makes a huge difference on the daily/weekly and monthly expenses.

click on image to enlarge

If you are new to this Blog and have any questions regarding camping, please drop me a line.  My e-mail address is listed on the right hand sidebar.

2012-39 Lake Havasu Arizona

2012-39

Lake Havasu AZ

Campground:  Campbell Cove RV Resort, 1523 Industrial Blvd. Lake Havasu City AZ, 86403
Local: (928) 854-7200.  PA rate: $21.00, Normal Price: $42.00.  Nice park.  Back to back sites (site are close together), but you can pull thru if no one is in the other site.  Some pull thrus for very large rigs.  2 miles from center of town.  Spotty Verizon service as this is a roaming area for Verizon.

Campground:  Shady Lane Rv Park.  $17 full hookup.  Pull-thru sites.  gravel.  185 N hwy 95 Quartzsite AZ.  Last stop before reaching winter destination. Monthly rate:  $200 + electric.

Distance traveled:  55 miles

Somehow I thought the distance would be a bit further, so when I got to Lake Havasu after only about an hour I was really surprised.  The temperatures in the 90 degree range on this fall day and I’m having trouble relating to those up north who are already experiencing freezing weather.  The sun is so bright out here I’m having to wear sunglasses all the time.  My sister Dorothy sent me some wonderful pictures of all the fall color in her town of Whitehall Mich. and it got me in the mood to have some fall color in the camper.  So off to the Dollar store to buy some fall leaves (silk of course).  Made up a couple nice arrangements to remind me it really is fall.

London Bridge, the #2 attraction in Arizona

I was saved from having another time change as Arizonans don’t change their clock for the daylight saving change.

The local news has a big article about a flood control project our here.  The first phase has cost 4 million dollars to stop flooding along one of the many washes that run through this area.  Three big earthen reservoirs have been constructed.  The next phase will cost 6 million dollars to build concrete channels in the Horizon Six subdivision.  Imagine, they built a subdivision in a flood zone.  Then Dah, they realized that it would flood during any heavy rain.  Now did the subdivision or the developer have to pay for the ten million dollar diversion of water?  I think you know the answer.

numerous washes throughout the Lake Havasu City

It is a little hard to realize in this extremely dry desert area that one would have to worry about flooding.  But as I drive around the Lake Havasu area, I do notice very large and deep washes that indicate that when it does rain, the water runs right through this whole.  Those washes are like large dry river beds with deep gouges and walls of loose gravel and sand winding their way through this arid land.  The campground I’m in is actually a high peninsula with those washes defining each side, creating an island effect overlooking Lake Havasu.

I’m enjoying just living in this area for the week, without much touring.  The London Bridge and Lake Havasu being the major attractions in the area.  Doing my little chores like washing the truck, which was covered with bug doo doo splattered on the front grill, vacuuming and other household chores.  I’ve been working on a “water fountain” but so far I’ve come up with a couple snags.  The flower pot I planned to use leaks like a sieve and the pump doesn’t shoot up much water, so this is one project that needs a lot more work.

looking across Lake Havasu into California

It’s super windy out today and I’ll head out for my last leg of my journey south towards Tucson AZ, my winter destination.  This Blog will be fairly quiet for the next couple of months as I take the winter off and play in the desert.  It sure has been fun having everyone along on my journey for the past 8 months.  Wishing everyone a super great time as you explore your part of the world.

I invite you to explore the Blog and re-visit some of the past destinations.  A search at the top left corner of the blog is a great way to explore.  Simply type in the State you're interested in and all the articles that originated from that state will show up.  Or, click on the table of contents on the right hand side by Month and Year and explore that way.  If you're interested in pictures, go to the PICASA website and explore all the pictures associated with this Blog.

2012-38 Bullhead City Arizona

2012-38

Bullhead City Arizona
Bullhead City Arizona
Oatman Arizona

Campground:  Silver View RV Resort, 1501 Goldrush Rd, Bullhead City AZ, 86442. Local: (928) 763-5500 PA rate: $14.95 - $17.45, Normal Price: $29.90 - $34.90  Spectacular views of Laughlin and Bullhead City. Nice large and wide sites and pull-thrus.  Back-ins overlooking the river, high on the bluff are also prone to heavy winds. Full hookups, 50amp, cable tv.

Campground:  Snowbird Rv Park.  1600 Joy Lane,  Bullhead City AZ, 86426, Local: (928) 768-7141 PA rate: $15.00 + $2 cable tv, Normal $30.00 Sites are close together.  Older park.  Concrete patio, full hookup w/cable tv.

Distance traveled:  153 miles

The Colorado River and Laughlin NV

Heading south from Las Vegas on  hwy 95, I’m impressed by the scrub covering the dry desert valley.  It has rained in this area recently and the valley looks quite green.  I’ve even seen water standing on the flat desert sand as underneath is a hard packed ground that does not absorb any water.

Then heading east along hwy 163 the sharp craggy mountains have a quality unlike any I’ve seen elsewhere.  I really don’t know what it is.  The casual observer would probably think they all look pretty much the same.  But to me, there is something that attracts me to them.  The sharp edged mountain ridges, the sandy earthen color of the sloping sides dotted with desert ironwood and a few yucca’s and Joshua trees.  Views of canyons as the hwy descends over 2,000 feet down to Laughlin and  Bullhead City.  The Colorado River sparkling blue against the desert scenery.

Opps.  I went to set up at the Silver View Rv park today and after disconnecting the truck and camper, I couldn’t get the tail gate to go down.  Locked in place.  No way to remove the campers hitch over the top of the tailgate, so I reconnected everything and drove it all into the Chevy dealer.  One of the tailgate latches broke loose.  The only thing connecting it is a tiny piece of plastic which broke apart.  Imagine, a plastic piece that probably cost two cents to manufacture.  The service guy came out to the truck, assessed the problem, brought me into the parts department where we purchased the $9 part.  He then showed me how to install it, saving me a $100+ repair bill.  Nice guys.  Thanks Findlay Auto Center.

Went out for breakfast today.  I’ve been going to Subway’s as they make a breakfast sandwich out of egg whites.  I have them add ham, green peppers and onion and cheese making it basically a Western sandwich.  Really good and their Seattle’s Best coffee is great.  I asked the guy making my breakfast what his favorite sandwich was.  He said he rarely eats there, as he’s been working for them for 6 years and after making all those subs, doesn’t have an appetite for any of them.  Did you know they have a veggie patty that’s supposed to be pretty good as well.  I do try to eat healthy when I can.

Haven’t gone into the casino’s on the other side of the river in Laughlin.  Guess I’m burned out on seeing them all over Nevada in the past month.  I’m sure I’ll make it into one of them in the next couple of days.

Distance Traveled:  10 miles

Well that was a short trip.  The previous Passport America site would only let me stay 3 days, even though they had lots of space available.  So I moved down the road to an older park I’ve stayed in before, the Snowbird Rv park.  After setting up I went back to K-mart and spent my $5 gift card for signing up for their rewards card.  Got a 75 oz bottle of Xtra laundry detergent for $1.99 and a bag of Halloween candy discounted the day after Halloween.   Both for under $5.00.   Two great bargains and both free.  You know that’s my favorite price.

Being on the south end of Bullhead City, I’m very close to Oatman.  An old mining town that is on the original path of the famous Route 66.  Oatman is a great place for all you budding photographers and folks who enjoy seeing wild burros and a bit of the old west.  The tourist shops cater to the biker clubs and t-shirt lovers.  Later, after taking a bunch of photos and talking to the locals, none over enthusiastic by the way, I headed back into town and across the Colorado River to the Avi Casino for lunch.  The Restaurante Aviano
Is right next to the buffet which is not open for lunch.  Which worked to my advantage, as I probably wouldn’t have tried the Aviano as it looks and feels very upscale.  What I found is a great place for lunch with prices in the $6.95 range.  Wonderful breadsticks, pizza made to order, make your own sandwiches with very fresh ingredients and good service and salad bar.  So good I’m going back and trying one of their pasta dishes.  I don’t usually talk about restaurants all that much since I often eat at the most average of places.  This one was top notch and if you're in the Laughlin area, go a little further and eat at the Avi Casino.

Oatman AZ

I’ll head to Lake Havasu next then on into Tucson.  My final winter destination.

A final shout out to my sister Ann, wishing her many happy years in her new senior apartment.  Knowing she’s in a safe comfortable place at senior prices and surrounded by friends, starting a new chapter in her life brings a big smile to my face.  Nice to know we can all continue to change and enjoy life no matter what age.  PS, I’m two years younger than she is.

Moro photos on PICASA