bumpus4
Tn
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Joined: 12/20/2008
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We are planning a trip out west starting after xmas. Final destination will be Southern Arizona.We will be hitting I-10 near Hammond,La. then West from there. TV is Seneca HD 35gs and toad is Jeep Wrangler , Trail Ready. we want to see the sights about 100 miles N/S of I-10 with no time table. We want to go panning for gold, digging up pretty stones,searching for Geos, visiting real mines, goast towns, etc, Boondocking, WalMmartdocking, and many other things we have never done and probably never have a chance to do again. Our turn back point will either be Ajo or Tucson. We will side trip to Phoenix to visit my last living first cousin. We want to travel only about 250 miles in the Rv on any given day.
I really need help in planning this trip and would like to hear from anyone alone the route.
Some of the following questions may seem dumb but and they are.
1.What clothing to take this time of year?
2.Favorite restaurants alone the route?
3.Good over nighter spots on the route?
4.What gear to take for treaking--- I am 68 and she is 66. so will need mostly easy assesable places.
5.What perils to watch for?
6.Will need about 2 full service cg for washing clothes and just resting.
7.We love sightseeing!
8.My DW of 43 years wants to reach down and find her very own Geo? or whatever you call those round things with crystals inside. I want her to find one also.
If you can think of any other options please just add it on.
Thank You, Toney
bumpus4
* This post was
edited 11/23/09 07:12am by bumpus4 *
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
Just about 130 miles west of Phoenix is Quartzsite, and that is something to see in the middle of January.
If you want to start making your way back east after that, then Ajo is a mining town with a big hole in the ground (about 1 square mile and hundreds of feet deep open pit mine). There is a lot to see around Quartzsite. I think that is a good place to look for minerals too.
Near Tombstone, there is a mine south of there in Bisbee. Tombstone and Tucson are at a higher elevation that Phoenix, and Quartzsite is nearly at sea level, so is warmer. Yuma is barely above sea level, along I 8 and the California border.
I stayed in Benson, and drove my dune buggy / toad to Tombstone a couple of times. I was at the Escapee's RV park, large sites, and fairly great rates. I also drove to Benson once, and broke the clutch cable there. Did you know you can start a dune buggy with it in first gear? I found out, and I can run it all the way back to the RV (75 or 90 miles if I recall) with the clutch cable broken. Good thing there where not any stop lights, and only one stop sign.
Tucson has a great campground to the west side of town, near the Tucson Studios. Lots of cactus in the campground.
I like your tow vehicle! Well the toad is nice too.
Good Luck,
Fred.
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oldbat
Phoenix Arizona
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Joined: 11/22/2009
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I have found many Geodes in the Payson area, it's north of Phoenix. Just stop in some of the shops or cafe's and ask where to go. You can also ask about gold hunting - look for it in quartz rock areas.
Days in Phoenix and Tucson area will be pretty warm but nights get cold. Always have drinking water along while you hike! Tucson area, watch for rattle snakes - they like to come out during the day to sun themselves and warm up. Scorpions hide under rocks and fallen trees - be very careful when turning anything over use a stick! Wear sturdy hiking boots - lots of cactus low to the ground. When the desert, early mornings and evenings, watch out for packs of Javelina (wild pigs) they are VERY dangerous! Always make a bit of noise while hiking to warn the critters! Good luck and have a good time in Arizona!
Lovin' Life!
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Don in Niagara
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
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Check this out. Got a lot of what you are intrested in.
http://thebayfieldbunch.com/
1990 Barth Regency 34'
Spartan/Cummins 8.3
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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It can get very cold in the area. Tucson can have a 40-50 degree temp swing on any given day. Prepare for that. Be sure and take closed toe shoes. You will walk places you think you hardly touched dirt and your shoes will be full of thornes. take tweezers too 
Do visit the Saguaro National Park - it is very interesting. It isnt big, but you can drive thru at any leisure pace you want. It is a one way road and you can stop and look/take pictures, etc.
Not to put fear in your hearts, but I hope you get to see a nice thunderstorm. They are beautiful.
There is a camping link on this page.
http://www.saguaro.national-park.com/info.htm
You wont see the blooming flowers, but they are still impressive. There are so many cactus varieties.
This may give you a good idea of what you may see. They offer a 30 minute presentation which is a must see/hear. It is very informative.
http://www.terragalleria.com/pictures-subjects/saguaro-cactus/
About 1 hour to the north east you can visit a ski resort at elevation of about 10,000 feet which is full of pine trees rather than cactus - quite a transition in an hour drive.
Pelicans Warf was our favorite restaurant. Probably not there anymore. One of the few places we have eaten where they offer artichoke hearts with drawn butter.
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FYI: The smiley faces are a result of using a colon and certain following characters like the colon and B is a big grin 
To my loving wife, Carolyn:
"I dont love you because I need you. I need you because I love you".
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Austin, TX is a really nice city; lots of Bar-B-Q places. Could probably spend a couple of days there. Can't think of anything worthwhile along I-10. Too bad you can't go north to I-40.
Go to weather.com, type in any city, go to Month forecasts then down to Averages for any month of the year.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
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Galvorien52
On The Road Again
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More than a few ghost towns on the map in the NM/AZ area so you shouldn't have any trouble finding some to investigate. Check at the tourist bureaus along the way as they have many brochures and maps to help you. As far as dress goes, you can figure on warm days and cool nights so bring a light jacket and sweaters, and clothes you can layer. Good places to eat is harder considering that not everyone has the same idea of what makes a good meal. When in doubt ask a local! Do check out the Tombstone-Bisbee area! There's a ghost town there - Charlton - closer to Sierra Vista. Tombstone Territories RV park is a good one to stop in for laundry - they have a heated whirlpool that will feel really good on the bones by then! Don't know anything about finding geodes but they are beautiful. Good luck and have a great trip!
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david_42
Oregon
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Absolutely have to visit the Desert Museum. I believe this is the only museum/zoo dedicated to the desert and desert wildlife in the country; possibly the world. Beautiful gardens, strange critters, and an artificial cave.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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Outside of Congress, AZ, which is a little north of Wickenberg, there is a former ghost town that is owned by a gold mining/panning club. We visited it several years ago and were shown around by one of the members. Very interesting. Can't remember the name of the town but asking locally will get you directions.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
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Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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bumpus4
Tn
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Joined: 12/20/2008
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We are also looking at Deming NM on the map. Can two old **ats do any boondocking or are there campgrounds there? If you will, please tell
me what to expect. Many thanks, Toney, bumpus4
* This post was
edited 11/23/09 06:02pm by bumpus4 *
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