Hit the road around 10:30, stopped in Willcox and got gas ($3.43/gal unleaded) - $90 worth. UGH! Headed north with the intention of trying to find a boondocking spot just south of Safford in the Coronado National Forest. I had used Google Earth to look at the area and THOUGHT it might work out. Well, it looked good on paper....my first warning was a sign that said no vehicles over 40'. The second said the same but pointed out a turn around area just ahead. I decided to pull off to the side and recheck my maps & Google Earth. I also posted a quick notice in the Escapees Forum to see if anyone had any input that might help.
After watching several vehicles head on, I thought I'd give it a try. Yes, I could have unhooked the car and gone up there but was worried about leaving the motorhome parked in the turn around area...hate to come back and find it towed away. I made it up to the entrance where there was a wide pull-off. The bicyclist I had seen riding was paused there and I got out and asked if he was familiar with the local area. He was and we chatted. He strongly advised against going in much further...there was a campground by the next ridge, definitely no further than that. I didn't want to pay a campground for the night and that combined with the tight, twisting road with multiple 10-15 mph hairpins, I opted to head back down.
I knew I had several options...there was a Wal-Mart in Safford that was supposed to allow overnight parking and worst case, it was only about 80 miles to the Apache Gold Casino just outside Globe, AZ. Soooo...I headed to the Wal-Mart in Safford where there was supposed to be overnight parking. Being Friday it was busy-busy-buys. I tried two spots..that was when I noticed the No Overnight Parking signs. Since it was only 3pm rather than try to find out if that was true, I opted to head to Globe where I am now dry camping at the Apache Gold Casino (free - the RV Park dry camp, $5 night, was full).
There was only a travel trailer at one and and a truck camper at the other end of the free (dirt) area. I parked about 20-25 feet from the travel trailer, pulling forward enough that the car was also in the dirt. About an hour later a 30-32' Class A pulls in on the other side of me...opposite direction, not straight, angled in towards me, the front end less then 10' from my rig...and his door exactly opposite my door. Jeesh....if he had just pulled up completely the other way, his door would have been opposite my car and we BOTH would have more privacy. Plus, now that they have headed into the Casino, their dog is unhappy. Hope that stops soon....even worse, when they come back I expect the generator to be fired off. Oh well, it's only one night...
The trip from Safford north to Globe was a pretty one but the winds seemed to pick up a bit. There were a lot of pullover spots, some even with trash cans and some with semi-trucks parking in them. I pulled into one when I felt drowsy...and it also gave the folks behind me time to pass. Definite difference between pulling the trailer/motorcycle and the car. Glad I have the Brake Buddy for the downhill grades.
Still working on where I will head from here...trying to get more information on boondocking in Payson, otherwise I may opt to go through Show Low instead.
Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna
Stu and Donna
Donna: We camped with Ellie and Jim in Diamond J in Tucson and they told us about you. I was reading your blog tonight-for future reference just before you reach the road you attempted to take #366(be glad you did not, we went to the top in just our truck and it was scary) there is another road, #266 that has LOTS of boondocking spots, we intend to try it out next year.
ReplyDeleteJanna
tinteepeelogcabin.blogspot.com
I've learned that you have to be wary of GPS directions. They don't take into account high clearance, narrow roads/bridges, etc. I guess Google views are from so high that they may not show all you need to know, either. I think that your checking with others through Internet mail lists is probably the best & safest way.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I would not recommend 88 at all and if you take 60 between Miami and Superior there is very little flat road between Miami and Superior. There are 6 and 7% descents for traffic in both directions. There is a tunnel with 14' vertical clearance about 2 miles east of Superior. About milepost 263 there is a sign for eastbound traffic - 6% grade next 7 miles. This descent toward Miami is not a steady 6%. 45 mph curves and heavy traffic. At the bottom is Miami.
ReplyDeleteWestbound - the decent starts from milepost 236. 2 to 3 miles of 4% grade and 2 miles of 6% grade. At this point there is a 1/2 mile 6% grade climb before beginning a decent of 1 mile of 5% followed by 3 miles of 7% grade. There is a runaway truck ramp at milepost 228. After that there is about 1 1/4 mile of 7% grade.
Just be safe.