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The Cruise--Details

I didn't include more details in the prior "The Cruise" post for two reasons. 1)  I didn't think anyone would be interested; and 2)  This trip didn't include much of the normal topics:  good beer, good coffee or John-style travel. But there are details, which may be useful to some people contemplating how such a trip is put together. On the first day of the trip, we drove three hours to pick up my mother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  At 85, she isn't comfortable driving for long distances and hadn't flown for many years. We then drove 3 1/2 more hours to Chicago, where we checked into the Wyndham, where you can get a room that includes the cost of parking for up to 12 days.   We were up early on the hotel shuttle to O'Hare, where we then boarded the a non-stop American Airlines flight to New Orleans. Here, we checked into a Hampton Inn near the port.  My mother was pretty tired, so Julia and I went out for a Cajun dinner and live music.   Rememberi...

Roadrunner Dispersed Camping


After dropping Julia off at the Las Vegas airport, I hitched up and started driving south on Hwy 95 with Yuma as a potential destination.  I clipped the state of California long enough to buy some gas at $4.55/gallon and some figs for $8/package.  I preferred the figs. They were tasty but not overly sweet.  The figs were purchased from a roadside stand that also sold unfiltered honey.  The woman asked me to try a couple of samples.  The clover honey was similar to what I’ve had before, but the Desert Wildflower honey was very different–almost spicy and with a pleasant finish. A small container was $20, so I satisfied myself with just the figs.

Hwy 95 was very crooked and dippy.  By the time I reached Parker, I had reconsidered Yuma as my destination.  By the time I reached Quartzsite, I was ready to be done driving.  Just south of Quartzsite, I passed several Long Term Visitor areas that I recognized.  I kept driving until I passed what looked like another LTVA, but was nearly deserted.  The sign said Roadrunner–14 day camping limit.  I pulled in and  talked to the campground host (who waved off registration since I was only staying one night).  I found a quiet spot that would allow for an early morning quick getaway and parked without unhitching.




The time was about 2 pm., and the afternoon quickly heated up to the mid-80’s inside the Scamp.  There were no services or hookups here, but the price was right (free).   By early evening, the temperatures cooled off to the very pleasant lower 70’s. Elvis and I took a long walk out into the desert.  Roadrunner was practically empty; the camp host assured me that it would be packed by January. Clouds moved in to prevent a viewing of the sunset, but the colors in the clouds were amazing.

The night was cool, comfortable and quiet.  Elvis woke up at 5:45 a.m., shook and placed his paws impatiently on my bed, demanding to be fed.

Today, I needed to start making better time and mileage in order to get to my cousin’s place in Missouri  by Saturday.  I drove the interstate through Phoenix and then to Tucson. I’m camped tonight at the Prima County Fairgrounds RV Park, which has blazing WiFi, showers and hookups for $30/night.
Tomorrow, I’ll head for New Mexico.

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