Van-Tramp adventures 2014 (part 1)

[spd2918]

I love Airstreams. They are one of two manufacturers that get it right (Alaskan Campers in the other).

 

[Van-Tramp]

Last Thursday I crossed into Mexico to have a tooth extracted before it turned into a much larger ordeal (I’ve been there before, and it isn’t pretty). Crossing the border at Naco, AZ was simple enough. In fact, I’ve stated since that it may be easier to cross the border there then to get into a night club on a weekend night. Once across the border, I only had to walk to the 3rd building which happened to be the Dental Office I had my appointment.

After some initial poking and prodding, an X-ray was taken of the tooth in question. What was found was a “cyst of some sort” directly under that tooth which prevents the Dentist from performing a normal extraction. I now have a new appointment on Wednesday to have an oral surgeon extract the tooth and what ever the cyst may be… at 5 times the cost!

 

[janncoo]

Van-Tramp, I feel for you. I hate going to the dentist!

 

[Van-Tramp]

Ahhhhh....

 

[Van-Tramp]

Mexico Dental - take 2

Mission accomplished! It only took an hour and when all was said and done I had a tooth extracted and a filling added... easy as van-cooked apple pie.

I found it odd to be the one speaking a foreign language as the Oral Surgeon, Dentist, and Assistants spoke Spanish while performing the deeds. It was hard not to think they are saying things that I should know, but I suspect a foreigner in America may feel the same way at times.

$3,900 pesos ($300) was the total damage. Much cheaper than if I got the work done in the USA.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Many people visit Whitewater Draw each winter to experience the memorable sights and sounds of more than 20,000 sandhill cranes. These birds spend the night standing in Whitewater Draw’s shallow waters to evade predators, and then fly out each morning to feed and socialize in the surrounding area. They return to Whitewater Draw in the afternoon and evening. - Arizona Fish & Game

Although I am not a 'birder', when I was told about the free camping (up to 3 nights in a seven day period) I figured I would check it out. The 'camping' consists of four picnic tables surrounding a central pit toilet. Imagine a circle of wagons, and you just about have it.

A short walk along a well marked path brought me out to North viewing platform where I snapped my obligatory photos (in no-so-great lighting) before retiring to the van for an early bed time. I woke at 5:30am to get some photos of the cranes taking to the air at sunrise. Unfortunately, most left well before sunrise (the sound was amazing) but I still got some cool shots...

 

[Lucky mike]

Very Nice!!!!!......thank you for sharing!!

 

[Van-Tramp]

I took off in search of Gleeson, a historic ghost town that I spotted on my route north. I initially passed right by the jail and after a few more miles of “where am I”, I turned back. The jail (restored) and one other building across the street are all that stands of Gleeson. Not the biggest pay-off for the 16 miles of driving off my route and 6 miles of dirt roads I ended up taking to get back on route.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Enjoying the pics and commentary. We're thinking of that basic route in reverse when we leave Q.

 

[Bela's Mom]

Thanks for sharing your travels and photos!

 

[Van-Tramp]

---

Moose and I conferred and decided to splurge by staying at Roper Lake State Park. It is only $15 for non-electric ($25 with) and we needed a change. The Park allowed me to cut my hair and shower. Moose got to go on three doggy-walks in one afternoon (he is whooped). We will hang around until checkout time tomorrow (noon) before making our way into Safford where we have a date with a laundromat.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

VT, will you be going up thru Nevada??
If so, save a few bucks to stay at the Bailey's hot spring park. $25 bucks, less for no elect and well worth the stop. Check in early and get well soaked before a leisurely checkout....they aren't sticklers on real time
They even have a small warm pool at the discharge where dogs can bathe.

Nice friendly people...they have buffalo too

 

[Van-Tramp]

I hadn't planned on going into NV, but I really don't plan more than a few days out so who knows. If I do, I will make sure to look it up, thanks

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I love Az.
What trail do you think you'll point at after Safford. Easy to get comfortably lost out that way

 

[Van-Tramp]

Bindi&us, I was going to continue North, eventually going into Moab, UT. But, here I am now sitting on the west side of Phoenix after an invitation to come hang out with some other RV'rs. I guess I am then off to Lake Mead, and *then* Moab.

Red Knolls Amphitheater
When I Google it, nothing comes up other than some maps (see below for map) … which is how I found it to begin with; GMap4 Topo as I was scanning my route of the next few days. Since it sits only 1 mile off the highway, down a semi-rough dirt road, it became my overnight spot.

I’m not really sure how to explain what this place is. As best as I can word, it is a large sandstone butte with nothing else around it. It stands out as the only tall object around, but also because of it’s semi-circle shape that allows you to drive right into the center of the butte. IMG_1098It is a couple hundred feet high, but by the looks of it people climb to the top all the time. It looks to be regularly used with the target shooting crowd and I saw a family pull in to ride their quad’s the evening I was camping. For some reason, inside the amphitheater area the ground is nearly completely covered in nails… who knows why.

The downside is that it is very dusty, but otherwise a great boondocking spot. I will be adding it to my Boondocking sites of the West map.

... more images and a map at http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/red-knolls-amphitheater/

 

[mockturtle]

I always liked Roper Lake SP. This time of year there is often snow on the surrounding mountains.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Thanks for the info on Red Knolls.
Good time of year for Lake Mead...not too damn hot yet.
Got your bike for Moab??

 

[caseyc]

Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm guessing chances are I may never see those places. So at least I can visit those spots vicariously through your images.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Yep, my bike with with me again. I rode a bunch of miles on trails last year in Moab... the BEST mountain biking bar none. That's why I am going back again on my way back into CO.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Cool VT. I wish I was still up to some exciting trail rides.

Casey, living vicariously doesn't take your breath away like being there.