Meridian RV Resort

After a month off the grid it is nice to spend time in a resort with nice amenities like a swimming pool and spa, laundry room, billiard room, mini golf, craft room and even a wood shop. Don spent a few days with us at the beginning of the week so he had a chance to see life in a regional park and resort. Meridian is an RV resort which means there are no park models, much nicer for us RVers. A good representation of our winters as we move through the south west. The resort has the "bucket list lifestyle" with clubs of every type to keep the folks involved. What our sailing buddies call adult daycare.

Adventures with Don

As if Gary isn't tall enough, he stands on a rock to make Don look short!

This was a nice week with warm weather for Don (Gary's brother) to visit. We explored the two lakes in the area and took a few nice drives to Lost Dutchman Gold Town and Gold Canyon. And even though both brothers are in there 50s, boys will be boys forever (I can see Brian and Scott in the future on the one shot). A good time was had by all!

Saguaro Lake

Just north of Usery Park sits Saguaro Lake. Gary, Don and I had a picnic lunch along the lake and enjoyed the water.

Campsite visitor

As the weather warms up (87+), the locals come out. Can you identify this guy that was under our Rig? If you need to see more detail, tap on the photo and it will enlarge.

Tonto National Forest

A short drive from our home in Usery Park takes us into the Tonto National Forest. Not the kind of forest we have back home with large trees but equally beautiful with the large saguaro's and other species common to the area. The road known as the Apache Trail is one switch back after another through some beautiful vistas and down to Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flats. The day was hot so the Ir conditioning was appreciated over a hike in the hot desert sun. At the end of our drive we looked beyond the paved area of road to the narrow one lane that continues on all the way to Roosevelt Dam.

The mountain men of Usery Park

Yesterday we were lucky to have a visitor join us for the next week, starting with our first stop, Usery Mountain Regional Park. Gary, his brother Don and I enjoyed a nice campfire last night and a hike on one of the many trails in Usery this morning. Much to see and do this week and the mountain men are ready to hit the dusty trails near Phoenix.

Imperial Dam Recreation Area

This has been home for the last few weeks. When I talk about Senator Wash south shore, it is the larger body of water with Squaw Lake and the Colorado River to the lower and right side of the image. Almost 25 miles from Yuma, it is a place you got to want to go to. It is not along the way to anything, but for us, it is worth the drive in and out.

Northwest Territories

Well it might sound like we are in the far reaches of northern Canada but we are in fact, still in Senator Wash. But it is remote enough to have been given the name. This year is not as busy as it was the last time we were here and now that we are in the NT we are really out there. Our closest neighbors and far enough away that we can not hear their generators. For the most part, people in this area are very self sufficient and with solar panels they can go without the generators all together. Fine by us, it is quite and very peaceful at night. Nothing but stars, owls, donkeys and the occasional coyote.

And at last, we walked the actual wash (Senator wash) which cuts a deep path from the neighboring mountains in the west all the way to the lake area we enjoyed last week. Even a little rain makes the desert come to life as is evident with all of the little delicate wild flowers along our walk. Another bonus of today's walk was the abundance of birds that live and feed in the wash area, very different from on top of the Mesa were our rig sits.