Mother Nature's Animal Farm then Sedona (home)

Friday morning, prior to leaving for the Mother Nature's Animal Farm, we visited the Discovery Center at Kartchner Caverns State Park.  We learned about how the cave system was discovered and the unique wildlife that resides there.  Very interesting and educational.  While hiking a trail back to RVMakes3, we noticed a few of the cactus had just begun to bloom that morning.

                                                                            

Mother Nature's Animal Farm is a sanctuary for unwanted animals.  Their farm consist of pigs, donkeys, horses, alpacas, parakeets, chickens, emu, tortoises, geese, and ducks.  We settled in Friday night and awoke to the sound of a crowing Rooster.  Once awake, Karla got to work feeding the animals.  By late morning, we were on the road to Sedona.

                                                                                    

     

                                                                            

Yet another excursion that was not possible without RVMakes3.  Karla and I look forward to our remining time in Sedona and are preparing for our upcoming trip to Ohio for MRIs and CT scans.  We continue to battle the disease and appreciate every day we have together.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you.   

      

Kartchner Caverns State Park - Good Stop

After arriving mid-afternoon Wednesday at Kartchner Caverns State Park, we spent the evening soaking in the comfortable temperatures and enjoying the scenery and sunset over the Whetstone Mountains.  Unfortunately, all Thursday cave tours were "booked so we visited Benson, AZ, the nearby city of 5,355 and founded as a rail terminal for the area, located approximately 45 miles southeast of Tucson, AZ.  Benson's culture is ingrained with the Old West and traditional Railroad heritage.                                                                        

    

                                                                                 

We spent the day perusing the various merchant establishments along the main street (4th Street).  We dined at The Horse Shoe Cafe, a historical landmark restaurant that has been serving the community since 1936.  A good meal and a good day was had by All.

                                                                                

Tomorrow we begin our travels back to Sedona.  We plan to Boondock at Home Sweet Home Animal Sanctuary in Gilbert, AZ.  There will be another post later this week as our tour continues.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you!   

 

  

 

RVMakes3 Touring Southern AZ

Greetings to All!  I realize it has been a few months since the last Blog post.  I hope ALL are well.  Karla and I enjoyed the warmer than normal winter in Sedona, AZ while continuing to focus and battle our disease.  We have taken advantage of the accommodating winter weather with an active lifestyle of walking, hiking, golfing, backyard parties, hosting visitors, etc.  A great time was had with Barb at Christmas and Teri and Tom during their early March visit.   

On Monday we traveled to The Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction, AZ.  We met our Sedona neighbors, Jerry and Barb, spending the last couple days exploring the Superstition Mountains.  The Lost Dutchman State Park, located in the Sonoran Desert, is named after the fabled lost gold mine.  Known for spring wildflower displays and gorgeous hiking trails, the Park stretches across cactus-strewn flats to the edge of the Superstition Mountains, a craggy, volcanic mountain range towering nearly 6000 feet above the Sonoran Desert floor.....one of the most photographed sites in Arizona second only to the Grand Canyon.                                               

    

                                                                              

Tuesday we ventured to Canyon Lake and the town of Tortilla Flat.  Canyon Lake is a recreation reservoir with nearly 30 miles of shoreline.  On the scenic drive to Canyon Lake, you wind through rocky desert landscapes that witnessed much of Arizona's mining heyday....an incredibly scenic drive.  Just beyond Canyon Lake is the small town of Tortilla Flat....an authentic old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, Superstition Mountains well removed from civilization.  We stopped for lunch at the historic Saloon with its $1 dollar bill covered walls and Live music on the adjoining patio.  Once we had our fill of good food, drink, music, and authentic old town western atmosphere we traveled back to RVMakes3 for the evening.  A good day spent with great friends.

    

                                                                                       

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                        

Tomorrow we caravan to Kartchner Caverns for a couple of days.  Please check in for another post later this week as our tour continues.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you.  God Bless! 

   

The Superstition Mountains are a craggy, volcanic mountain range just east of Mesa. Towering nearly 6,000 feet above the Sonoran desert, they are among the most photographed sites in Arizona, second only to the Grand Canyon          

Sedona Arrival!

Karla and I relaxed in Tucson, AZ enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures.  Saturday we rode our bikes around the area for a few miles and unwound outside RVMakes3 for the afternoon.  

We are now finally home in Sedona and looking forward to getting back to our Sedona life of hiking, golfing, biking, socializing, and many other outdoor activities.  While our excursion took many unplanned twists and turns, our journey was not possible without the safety and comfort of RVMakes3.  Karla and I are grateful for this time we have together and already planning the next RVMakes3 outing.

                                                                            

Looking forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon!  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you.  Take care!  

Heading South to Avoid the Snow Storm

It was a cold Monday night in Vega, TX and the cold weather was going to continue on our current route.  Before leaving town, we passed this mural and captured a pic.  I thought it was pretty cool.                

Heavy snow was forecasted in Albuquerque and points east (our route) for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.  The NWS was advising not to travel into that area.  So, we re-routed again....traveling from Santa Rosa, NM south to Las Cruces, NM just in time to avoid the storm.  We settled Wednesday night at The New Mexico State University golf course (Harvest Host)....a familiar "spot" as we have boondocked there a couple times....go Aggies!  The environment, restaurant, accommodations, security, and convenience keep us coming back.

Tonight finds us at The Cattle Rest Saloon (Harvest Host) in Willcox, AZ where we plan to watch the Bengals game with Willcox locals.  The Cattle Rest Saloon is just that.....a rural Arizona western saloon featuring Line Dancing on Thursday nights.  From this location, the views of the Winchester Mountains are vast and panoramic.  All in all a good spot to spend an evening.    

                                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                       

Tomorrow we travel to Tucson where we plan to rest for a couple days prior to concluding our journey in Sedona, AZ.  Please check back for our final post in a few days.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you. 

 

Change in Plans!

Arriving in Hot Springs National Park this past Wednesday, we spent our time touring the town and participating in a tour of the Hot Springs.  After a long day at the National Park and review of the weather forecast for Thursday, we decided to continue westward.  Since light rain was the forecast, and therefore, we could not do much outside, it was best to continue our drive.  Halloween (Thursday) found us boondocking in Webbers Falls, OK at The Elderberry Wine Company.  The Elderberry Wine Company is a small farm located a few miles from I40 in Webbers Falls, OK.  It is a remote farm where they grow organic Elderberry.......no pesticides or herbicides.  After sampling wine and other products we hiked around the farm and settled in for a nice dinner in RVMakes3. 

                                                                                 

Saturday found us at Palo Duro Canyon State Park about 35 miles south of Amarillo, TX.  Karla and I have been looking forward to visiting this park for a long time.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon (Grand Canyon is #1) in the country at 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet.  Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level.  We parked RVMakes3 in the basin of the Canyon with the Canyon walls and wildlife surrounding us.  

Unfortunately there was heavy rain and flooding in the Canyon on Saturday.  Some roads and all hiking trails were closed.  While Sunday was sunny and warm, the hiking trails were still closed but we made the most if it.  We were able to tour some of the Canyon but it was not the visit we were hoping.

                                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                    

Tonight finds us in Vega, TX boondocking at Milburn-Price Culture Museum.  Tomorrow we continue our travels towards Albuquerque, NM.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you!  

RVMakes3 Westward Bound 2024!

Hello Everyone!  While it has been a few months since the last blog update, it has been a productive summer in Hidden Valley, Pa.  Karla and I were glad to have that time together enjoying the cooler temperatures, hiking, biking and visiting with family and friends.  After addressing additional Karla medical challenges this past month, I am happy to report we are once again Sedona bound in RVMakes3. 

We arrived at Mammoth Cave National Park on Sunday where we dry-camped for the night.  Mammoth Cave is the largest cave system on earth.  The vast cave system holds the world's most diverse cave ecosystems.  Approximately 130 forms of life can be found in Mammoth Cave....most are quite small, some use the cave only as a haven, while others are such specialized cave dwellers they can live nowhere else.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Prior to settling in for the night, we participated in the Frozen Niagara Tour.  An 1.5 hour tour featuring enormous stalactite and stalagmite formations (pics below).  The naturally decorated Frozen Niagara section remains one of the most famous at Mammoth Cave.

    

                                                

                                                                                         

After meeting sister Sharon in Nashville for lunch on Monday, we continued our travels through west Tennessee.  Thanks for the delicious lunch, Shay!  Monday late afternoon found us boon-docking amongst the Vines of Century Farm Winery (Harvest Host), in Jackson TN.  Karla and I spent the evening sampling wine and hiking around the vast vineyard until sunset.  A very cool and relaxing place to spend a restful night.....one of the best Harvest Hosts we have encountered.           

                                                                

                                                                                    

                                                                                        

                                                                            

                                                                                    

Tomorrow we plan to arrive at Hot Springs National Park for a couple days.  Please check in for another post later this week as our excursion continues.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone of you soon.  And (as always), we are coming to a driveway near you.  Take Care!